KMVT

KMVT is a television station serving Twin Falls and the surrounding Magic Valley region of southern Idaho. Broadcasting on virtual channel 11, the station is primarily affiliated with CBS and also carries CW Plus programming. Its news operation covers Twin Falls, Jerome, Burley, the Wood River Valley, and other communities in south-central Idaho, while its over-the-air signal is transmitted from Flat Top Butte east of Jerome. KMVT shares studio facilities on Blue Lakes Boulevard North in Twin Falls with sister stations KSVT-CD and KSAW-LD. The station began broadcasting on May 31, 1955, as KLIX-TV, making it the first television station in Twin Falls. It was established by the group associated with KLIX radio and initially operated with a primary CBS affiliation while also carrying selected programming from NBC and ABC. Early operations were technically modest: local programs were produced in a small studio environment, and the station relied on microwave links and regional arrangements to obtain network programming. In 1955–56, ownership passed to the Glasmann family, which operated the station for roughly fifteen years. The KLIX-TV call sign changed to KMVT in 1963 after the related radio station was sold. The new call letters referred to Magic Valley Television and helped distinguish the television operation from its former radio companion. During the 1960s, KMVT expanded its facilities, improved its transmitter and tower, and introduced color network broadcasting. It also participated in regional distribution arrangements, including the Skyline Network and later the Television Network of Idaho, which connected broadcasters across the state. Ownership by Western Broadcasting in the 1970s brought a period of frequent network-affiliation changes. KMVT shifted from CBS to ABC in 1973 and then to NBC in 1977. The station later reduced its carriage of CBS programs and temporarily carried only a limited selection of that network's schedule. After Root Communications acquired KMVT in the early 1980s, the station returned to CBS in September 1985 and became an essentially exclusive CBS outlet the following year. The affiliation change coincided with a move to a larger studio and a broader effort to strengthen local programming, technical quality, ratings, and advertising performance. KMVT faced increasing competition in the Twin Falls market during the late 1980s and 1990s as translators and new low-power and full-power stations introduced ABC, NBC, and other network programming locally. Despite that competition, KMVT developed a strong local-news position. Its late-evening newscast recorded a 71 percent audience share in November 1993, according to the station's historical account. Catamount Broadcast Group acquired KMVT in 1998, and the Neuhoff family acquired it in 2004. Under Neuhoff ownership, the station expanded its local television portfolio by acquiring low-power outlets and adding CW and Fox services in the market. In 2012, KTWT became the market's Fox outlet under the Fox 14 identity, while CW programming moved to a KMVT subchannel. The related station later became KSVT-LD, and KMVT established a Wood River Valley news bureau. Gray Television acquired KMVT and KSVT-LD in 2015. In 2025, Gray announced a proposed exchange that would transfer the stations to the E. W. Scripps Company. The exchange received FCC approval in April 2026. KMVT therefore operates as part of Scripps' local television group, alongside KSVT-CD and KSAW-LD in the regional market. Its core role remains that of a local broadcast-news and network-affiliate brand, with over-the-air television, digital news, weather, sports, community coverage, and streaming-oriented content.

KMVT traces its history to the early 1950s, when the owners of Twin Falls radio station KLIX sought authorization to build a television station on channel 11. The application was filed in August 1952, and the Federal Communications Commission granted the construction permit in March 1953. Construction took longer than expected because of uncertainty about whether Twin Falls and the wider Magic Valley could economically support a television service. After several extensions, the station transmitted its first test pattern on May 31, 1955, as KLIX-TV. The station was created by the Carman–Wrathall group associated with KLIX. Options to acquire the properties were granted to the Kearns-Tribune Corporation and the Standard-Examiner Publishing Corporation, and A. L. Glasmann and his family ultimately acquired the KLIX stations in a transaction announced in late 1955 and approved in 1956. KLIX-TV began with a primary CBS relationship but also carried programming from NBC and ABC because the Twin Falls market initially had limited local network representation. Its early local production infrastructure was basic, with a small staff, limited studio equipment, and no remote facilities. Community events were therefore brought into the studio or staged immediately outside it. In 1958, KLIX-TV joined other Idaho and Montana stations in the Skyline Network, a microwave-based arrangement that delivered network programs from affiliates in Salt Lake City. The station also contested cable duplication of Salt Lake City broadcasts because imported programming could undermine its local advertising business. In 1962, it obtained a ruling restricting Cable Vision Inc.'s duplication of KLIX-TV programming on its cable feeds. The television station became KMVT in 1963 after the Glasmann family disposed of the KLIX radio operation. The new call letters represented Magic Valley Television. Although the television and radio stations were separately managed, they remained in the same building for a period. KMVT continued improving its technical facilities, adding studio capacity, upgrading its tower and transmitter, and moving toward color broadcasting. When the Skyline Network ended in 1969, it was followed by the Television Network of Idaho, which connected KMVT with stations including KTVB in Boise and KIFI-TV in Idaho Falls for statewide news and sales distribution. In 1970, Glasmann sold KMVT to Western Broadcasting Company, controlled by Dale Moore. The following decade was marked by several changes in network strategy. KMVT moved from primary CBS affiliation to ABC in 1973 and then to NBC on May 1, 1977. ABC programming disappeared from the station's schedule in 1979 after changes to the regional microwave arrangement. By 1982, KMVT had sharply reduced its CBS programming because of an affiliation-contract dispute and uncertainty about renewal. Root Communications agreed to purchase KMVT from Western Broadcasting after Moore's death in a 1981 plane crash. FCC approval came in January 1984. During the Root period, KMVT moved into a larger former insurance-office facility on Blue Lakes Boulevard North. The new building and equipment improved production and transmission capabilities. The station returned to primary CBS affiliation on September 9, 1985, while still carrying some NBC programming temporarily. It dropped the remaining NBC schedule in June 1986 as NBC prepared to serve Twin Falls through a translator. The arrival of competing translators and stations in the second half of the 1980s ended KMVT's position as the market's only significant local television outlet. Nevertheless, its local-news operation remained highly competitive. In November 1993, its 10 p.m. newscast recorded a reported 71 percent audience share, one of the strongest late-news results in the United States at the time. Root considered selling KMVT in 1996 and imposed cost reductions instead. Catamount Broadcast Group purchased the station in 1998, followed by the Neuhoff family in 2004. Neuhoff expanded the station's local-market footprint through low-power television acquisitions. KTWT-LP and KTID-LP were acquired in 2005 and later associated with CW and MyNetworkTV programming. In 2012, after KXTF lost Fox programming during a retransmission-consent dispute, KTWT became the market's Fox outlet under the Fox 14 identity. CW programming moved to a KMVT subchannel, and Fox 14 also carried selected KMVT-produced newscasts. KTWT became KSVT-LD in 2014, when KMVT opened a Wood River Valley news bureau. Gray Television announced the acquisition of KMVT and KSVT in March 2015. The $17.5 million transaction closed on July 1 of that year. In July 2025, Gray announced a station exchange with Scripps that included KMVT and KSVT-LD. The FCC approved the transaction on April 28, 2026, placing KMVT within Scripps' local television portfolio alongside KSAW-LD and related Idaho operations. The station continues to combine CBS and CW Plus programming with locally produced news, weather, sports, community reporting, digital publishing, and over-the-air distribution across the Magic Valley.

1. 2026Moves to Scripps ownership

   The FCC approved the Gray–Scripps station exchange that transferred KMVT and KSVT-LD to Scripps.

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2. 2015Acquired by Gray Television

   Gray Television completed its acquisition of KMVT and KSVT on July 1.

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3. 2014Wood River Valley news bureau opens

   The related station KTWT became KSVT-LD and KMVT established a bureau serving the Wood River Valley.

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4. 2012CW programming moves to a KMVT subchannel

   Following changes in the market's Fox affiliation, KTWT became Fox 14 while CW programming moved to KMVT's digital multicast operation.

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5. 2004Acquired by the Neuhoff family

   Neuhoff ownership began, later bringing additional low-power stations and network services into the local group.

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6. 1998Acquired by Catamount Broadcast Group

   Catamount Broadcast Group purchased KMVT from Root Communications.

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7. 1993Records a strong late-news audience share

   The station's 10 p.m. newscast recorded a reported 71 percent audience share in November.

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8. 1985Returns to CBS

   KMVT resumed primary CBS affiliation on September 9.

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9. 1984Root Communications acquisition approved

   The FCC approved Root Communications' acquisition of KMVT from Western Broadcasting.

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10. 1977Switches primary affiliation to NBC

    KMVT became primarily affiliated with NBC on May 1.

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11. 1973Switches primary affiliation to ABC

    KMVT changed its principal network relationship from CBS to ABC.

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12. 1963Adopts the KMVT call sign

    The station changed its call letters from KLIX-TV to KMVT after the related radio operation was sold.

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13. 1958Joins the Skyline Network

    KLIX-TV joined a regional microwave network linking stations in Idaho and Montana with Salt Lake City network feeds.

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14. 1955KLIX-TV begins broadcasting

    The station signed on May 31 as Twin Falls' first television station.

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15. 1953Construction permit granted

    The FCC approved the proposed channel 11 facility.

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16. 1952Application filed for a Twin Falls television station

    The owners of KLIX radio applied to the FCC to construct a television station on channel 11, with a transmitter site on Flat Top Butte east of Jerome.

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A local broadcast-news and network-affiliate station focused on Twin Falls, the Magic Valley, and surrounding south-central Idaho communities.

• KMVT CBS serviceNetwork television affiliation1955

  KMVT's principal broadcast service carries CBS network programming for viewers in the Twin Falls and Magic Valley market. The station returned to CBS in 1985 after earlier periods with ABC and NBC and has since built its identity around CBS programming combined with locally produced news, weather, sports, and public-affairs coverage.

• CW PlusDigital television programming2012

  KMVT has carried CW programming through a digital subchannel serving the Twin Falls market. The service complements the station's CBS affiliation and provides scripted entertainment, syndicated content, and other programming supplied through the CW Plus model for smaller television markets.

• KMVT Local NewsLocal television news1955

  KMVT's local-news operation reports on Twin Falls, Jerome, Burley, the Wood River Valley, and surrounding communities. Its output includes scheduled newscasts, breaking-news coverage, weather reporting, sports, investigative or enterprise segments, and community stories distributed through broadcast and digital channels.

• Digital and streaming contentDigital media

  The KMVT brand extends beyond the broadcast signal through its website and digitally distributed news, video, weather, sports, and community content. These services support on-demand access and broaden the station's reach among viewers who do not consume local news solely through linear television.

• 1983Macintosh 1984 commercial early airing

  United States

  KMVT aired Apple's Macintosh advertisement shortly before midnight on December 31, 1983. The early local airing was intended to establish a 1983 broadcast date for advertising-award eligibility before the commercial's better-known national exposure.

  Outcome. The broadcast became a notable episode in the station's history and is associated with one of the most recognized technology advertising campaigns.

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• 2026Transfer to Scripps through station exchangeM&A

  Gray Media and the E. W. Scripps Company announced a multi-market exchange involving several stations, including KMVT and KSVT-LD.

  What changed. The FCC approved the exchange on April 28, 2026, transferring KMVT to Scripps.

  Aftermath. KMVT joined Scripps' local television portfolio and remained paired with related Idaho stations in the Twin Falls market.

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• 2015Sale to Gray TelevisionM&A

  Neuhoff Communications elected to sell KMVT and KSVT after operating the stations and expanding their local network portfolio.

  What changed. Gray Television acquired the stations in a transaction announced at $17.5 million and completed on July 1.

  Aftermath. KMVT became part of Gray's television station group until the later exchange with Scripps.

  Reported transaction value. $17.5 million (2015 announced sale)

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• 2012Reorganized local network servicesStrategy

  KXTF lost its Fox affiliation during a dispute over retransmission-consent fees.

  What changed. KTWT became the local Fox outlet under the Fox 14 identity, while CW programming moved to a KMVT subchannel.

  Aftermath. The Neuhoff-owned stations supplied Fox, CW, and KMVT-produced news services within a coordinated local portfolio.

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• 1985Returned to primary CBS affiliationStrategy

  After periods as an ABC and NBC primary affiliate and a reduction in CBS programming, Root Communications sought to reposition the station.

  What changed. KMVT resumed primary CBS affiliation on September 9, 1985, and subsequently eliminated its remaining NBC programming.

  Aftermath. The station established the CBS-centered network identity it has retained while competing with additional market translators and stations.

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• 1963Adopted the KMVT identityStrategy

  The television station was separated from the KLIX radio operation after the radio station was sold.

  What changed. The television call sign changed from KLIX-TV to KMVT, representing Magic Valley Television.

  Aftermath. The new identity became the station's long-term broadcast brand.

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• 2026FCC approves Gray–Scripps station exchange

  The Federal Communications Commission approved the multi-market exchange on April 28, 2026, enabling KMVT to move to Scripps ownership.

  M&ARegulation
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• 2025Gray announces exchange transferring KMVT to Scripps

  Gray Media announced a multi-station exchange with the E. W. Scripps Company that included KMVT and KSVT-LD.

  M&A
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• 2015Neuhoff announces sale of KMVT to Gray Television

  Neuhoff Communications announced the sale of KMVT and KSVT to Gray Television for $17.5 million; the transaction closed on July 1, 2015.

  M&A
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• 1985KMVT returns to CBS affiliation

  The station changed its primary affiliation from NBC back to CBS on September 9, 1985, and later dropped its remaining NBC programming.

  Leadership change
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• 1983KMVT airs Apple's Macintosh 1984 commercial before its national debut

  KMVT broadcast Apple's well-known Macintosh advertisement shortly before midnight on December 31, 1983, allowing the commercial to qualify as a 1983 airing for industry-award purposes.

  Campaign
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• 1963Station adopts the KMVT call sign

  Following the sale of the related KLIX radio operation, the television station changed its call sign to KMVT, referring to Magic Valley Television.

  Other
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• 1955KMVT launches as KLIX-TV, Twin Falls' first television station

  The station began broadcasting on May 31, 1955, under the KLIX-TV call sign and initially served as a primary CBS affiliate while also carrying selected NBC and ABC programming.

  Other
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1. KMVT
2. KMVT official website