KOLN

KOLN is a television station licensed to Lincoln, Nebraska, and the principal component of the 10/11 broadcast operation. Together with KGIN-TV in Grand Island, the station serves southeastern and central Nebraska and reaches portions of far northern Kansas. The operation is affiliated with CBS and is owned by Gray Media. Its main studios are on North 40th Street in Lincoln, while KGIN maintains a bureau and sales presence in Grand Island. KOLN's primary transmitter is near Beaver Crossing, and KGIN's transmitter is near Heartwell. The wider 10/11 operation also includes related services and sister-station arrangements extending into North Platte and other parts of central and western Nebraska. KOLN began broadcasting in February 1953 on channel 12. It initially carried programming from the DuMont Television Network and was established by Cornhusker Radio and Television Corporation. John Fetzer acquired the station soon after its launch and pursued a larger regional signal. In 1954, Fetzer bought KFOR-TV, Lincoln's original channel 10 station, and consolidated the operation. KOLN shifted to channel 10 after a new high-power transmitter was constructed near Beaver Crossing, joined CBS in June 1954, and transferred its former channel 12 facilities to the University of Nebraska. Those facilities later became KUON-TV. The consolidation left KOLN as Lincoln's only commercial television station for more than four decades. Fetzer expanded the station's regional model by creating KGIN-TV in Grand Island, which began broadcasting in 1961 as a full-power satellite of KOLN. The combined service became known as 10/11. Microwave links initially delivered KOLN programming to KGIN, and additional translators eventually extended the signal as far west as North Platte. The operation built a particularly strong rural audience by emphasizing weather, agricultural relevance, regional reporting, and dependable network programming. During the 1970s, its late newscast reportedly attracted a majority of viewers in parts of its market, and the station became one of the strongest-rated television operations in the United States on a total-day basis. The station's ownership changed in the mid-1980s. Fetzer sold KOLN and KGIN in 1985 to Gillett Communications. Following Gillett's acquisition of Storer Communications, the stations were placed with Busse Broadcasting in 1987 to address ownership limits. Busse later entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy and sold its television properties to Gray Communications Systems in 1998. Gray subsequently expanded its Nebraska portfolio, including the acquisition and repositioning of KSNB-TV and the addition of related services in North Platte and the Hastings, Kearney, and Grand Island area. KOLN's news presentation evolved from a traditional, highly regional format into a more contemporary operation during the 1980s and 1990s. It added more live reporting, modernized its set and presentation, and introduced greater differentiation between Lincoln coverage and central Nebraska coverage. The station launched digital multicast services in the 2000s and has used the 10/11 identity across television, digital, and regional news products. In January 2020, an ice storm caused the collapse of the Beaver Crossing tower. Temporary arrangements used other local transmission facilities while a replacement tower was built and activated in November 2021. KOLN remains an active CBS affiliate and a central news and information source for Nebraska communities outside the state's largest metropolitan areas.

KOLN traces its origins to Lincoln radio interests that sought a television authorization in the early 1950s. The Federal Communications Commission granted a construction permit in October 1952, and KOLN-TV began programming on February 18, 1953, using channel 12. Its first network relationship was with DuMont. The station was acquired shortly afterward by John Fetzer, who saw the value of a much stronger transmitter and a broader regional footprint. Fetzer's expansion plan became possible through the purchase of KFOR-TV, an ABC affiliate operating on channel 10. Rather than maintain two competing commercial stations, Fetzer consolidated the operations around KOLN. The station received approval for a high-power facility near Beaver Crossing, changed its technical operation to channel 10, and affiliated with CBS on June 15, 1954. The move occurred on August 1. The former channel 12 facilities were transferred for educational use and ultimately became KUON-TV. This arrangement made KOLN the only commercial station based in Lincoln for more than forty years. The Beaver Crossing transmitter allowed KOLN to serve much more than Lincoln. Management deliberately presented the station as a regional service, using weather and agricultural information to appeal to rural viewers whose access to Omaha stations was limited. In 1961, Fetzer acquired the permit for a Grand Island station and launched KGIN-TV. KGIN operated as a satellite, receiving KOLN's programming through microwave transmission. Although the early technical performance of the Grand Island facility was impaired by an antenna-assembly error, the station eventually became a substantial part of the regional operation. The combined stations adopted the 10/11 identity, and translators later extended the service toward North Platte. During the Fetzer years, KOLN/KGIN developed a powerful local-news franchise. Its format was initially formal and highly structured, generally leading with weather before moving to state, local, and national stories. The approach reflected the station's large rural audience and helped 10/11 achieve unusually strong ratings. Local programs such as the Morning Show and Cartoon Corral complemented the news operation. The stations also began live color programming in 1967. The 1985 sale to Gillett Communications marked a management and editorial transition. Gillett modernized the news presentation, later adding a new set and co-anchor structure. In 1987, after Gillett acquired Storer Communications, KOLN and KGIN were placed with Busse Broadcasting because of federal station-ownership limits. Busse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1995 and eventually sold its television group to Gray Communications Systems in 1998. Under Gray, KOLN remained the core of an expanding Nebraska television cluster. Digital multicast services were introduced, including a second channel that first carried UPN and later MyNetworkTV programming. Gray acquired KSNB-TV and used the 10/11 identity in central Nebraska, while a North Platte service operated under the 10/11 North Platte name. In 2014, NBC programming and related assets from KHAS-TV were moved to KSNB-TV. A major physical disruption occurred in January 2020, when an ice storm collapsed the Beaver Crossing tower. KOLN and many of its subchannels temporarily used other facilities, including Gray-owned KCWH-LD, while additional arrangements involved KLKN. A replacement tower was activated in November 2021. KOLN continues to operate as a Gray-owned CBS affiliate, combining network programming with local news, weather, digital content, and regional advertising across Nebraska.

1. 2021Replacement tower activated

   A new Beaver Crossing tower returned the station to a permanent primary transmission site.

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2. 2020Transmission tower collapses

   An ice storm destroyed the Beaver Crossing tower and triggered temporary transmission measures.

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3. 1998Gray ownership begins

   Gray Communications Systems acquired KOLN and KGIN from Busse Broadcasting.

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4. 1985Sale to Gillett Communications

   Fetzer sold the stations after 31 years of ownership.

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5. 1967Live color programming begins

   KOLN and KGIN began carrying live color programs.

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6. 1961KGIN launches

   A Grand Island satellite expanded KOLN's regional reach and established the 10/11 identity.

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7. 1954Channel change and CBS affiliation

   The station consolidated with KFOR-TV, moved to channel 10, and joined CBS.

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8. 1953Television service begins

   KOLN-TV began broadcasting from Lincoln as a DuMont affiliate.

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9. 1952FCC construction permit granted

   KOLN-TV received authorization to build a Lincoln television station on channel 12.

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A regional, community-oriented CBS television operation whose 10/11 identity emphasizes broad coverage of southeastern and central Nebraska, especially rural and smaller-market communities.

• KOLN CBS affiliate serviceNetwork television1954

  KOLN carries CBS network programming for Lincoln and surrounding southeastern Nebraska communities. The network schedule is combined with locally produced news, weather, public-affairs material, syndicated programming, and commercial inventory.

• 10/11 NewsLocal television news1953

  The 10/11 news operation provides reporting from Lincoln, Grand Island, and other communities across the station's broad regional footprint. Its editorial identity developed from a weather-centered rural service into a more contemporary newsroom with live reports and differentiated local coverage.

• KGIN-TVRegional television station1961

  KGIN is the Grand Island, Nebraska, station operated with KOLN under the 10/11 brand. It extends CBS programming and regional news coverage into central Nebraska and maintains local facilities in Grand Island.

• 10/11 digital and multicast servicesDigital television2005

  KOLN has used digital subchannels and related regional stations to distribute additional network and entertainment services. The operation has carried affiliations including UPN and MyNetworkTV and has supported broader Gray-owned services in central and western Nebraska.

• 2020Emergency transmission response after tower collapseOther

  An ice storm destroyed KOLN's principal tower near Beaver Crossing.

  What changed. The station used alternate transmission facilities and temporary arrangements while Gray built a replacement tower.

  Aftermath. The replacement Beaver Crossing tower became operational in November 2021.

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• 2005Launch of a digital multicast channelProduct launch

  Digital television created capacity for additional programming services.

  What changed. KOLN launched a second digital subchannel, initially carrying UPN programming and later switching to MyNetworkTV.

  Aftermath. The station expanded its brand beyond the primary CBS service and participated in the transition to multicast broadcasting.

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• 1986Modernization of the news formatStrategy

  The traditional KOLN news format had become dated relative to newer, more dynamic television-news presentations.

  What changed. New management moved weather from the opening position, introduced a modern set, and added a co-anchor while increasing the contemporary pace of newscasts.

  Aftermath. The changes modernized the product without ending the station's strong market-wide ratings performance.

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• 1961Creation of the Grand Island satelliteStrategy

  KOLN sought to extend its signal beyond Lincoln into central Nebraska and acquired a Grand Island channel authorization.

  What changed. Fetzer launched KGIN-TV as a full-power satellite carrying KOLN programming.

  Aftermath. The stations adopted the 10/11 identity and strengthened their position across the expanded regional market.

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• 1954Consolidation around channel 10Strategy

  John Fetzer controlled KOLN and acquired KFOR-TV, creating an opportunity to combine the two Lincoln operations and use a higher-power transmitter.

  What changed. KOLN moved from channel 12 to channel 10, adopted CBS affiliation, and transferred the former channel 12 facility to educational broadcasting.

  Aftermath. The resulting operation became Lincoln's only commercial television station for more than forty years and developed a large regional audience.

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• 2021Replacement Beaver Crossing tower becomes operational

  A new tower at the principal transmission site was activated, restoring the long-term broadcast arrangement.

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• 2020Beaver Crossing transmission tower collapses

  An ice storm brought down KOLN's main tower, requiring temporary transmission arrangements while a replacement was constructed.

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• 1998Gray acquires KOLN and KGIN

  Gray Communications Systems purchased Busse's television properties after Busse's bankruptcy reorganization.

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• 1987Busse Broadcasting takes ownership

  The stations were spun off to Busse Broadcasting following Gillett's acquisition of Storer Communications and resulting ownership-limit issues.

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• 1985Gillett Communications acquires KOLN and KGIN

  After more than three decades under Fetzer ownership, the stations were sold to Gillett Communications.

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• 1961KGIN-TV launches in Grand Island

  The Grand Island station extended KOLN programming and created the 10/11 regional service.

  Product launch
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• 1954KOLN moves to channel 10 and joins CBS

  Following the effective consolidation with KFOR-TV, KOLN moved to a higher-coverage channel 10 facility and adopted CBS affiliation.

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• 1953KOLN begins broadcasting on channel 12

  The Lincoln television station began service as a DuMont affiliate.

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1. KOLN
2. 10/11 Now