KTVB

KTVB is a television station licensed to Boise, Idaho, and affiliated with the NBC network. Channel 7 is the oldest continuously operating television station in Idaho. It began broadcasting on July 12, 1953, as KIDO-TV under the ownership of Georgia Davidson, who also owned Boise radio station KIDO. Although KFXD-TV in Nampa had briefly transmitted an earlier test pattern and began limited operations first, KIDO-TV was Idaho's first fully licensed station and the first to offer a substantial combination of network and locally produced programming. The station initially carried programs from NBC, CBS, and DuMont, later adding ABC. Its principal network relationship became NBC, inherited from KIDO radio's long-standing NBC affiliation. In 1959, after Davidson sold the radio operation, channel 7 adopted the KTVB call sign. The station faced financial and competitive difficulties during its early years, but investment in facilities, transmission coverage, programming, and news gradually strengthened its position. Its transmitter moved to Deer Point in 1956, extending service to a larger population, and new Boise studios opened in 1971. KTVB became the dominant local-news outlet in the Boise market during the 1970s and has generally retained that position. Its identity has been shaped by long-serving anchors, meteorologists, reporters, public-affairs programs, and locally focused news formats. The station introduced Idaho at Five in 1984, added weekend morning news in 1992, launched a 4 p.m. newscast in 2013, and later developed programs including Idaho Today and The 208. In the mid-2020s, it produced approximately 30 hours per week of news and public-affairs programming. The station has also used secondary distribution and digital services to extend its reach. In 1986, it launched K38AS in Twin Falls, later renamed KTFT-LP and then KTFT-LD. The low-power outlet became the first low-power NBC affiliate and continues to rebroadcast KTVB programming while inserting advertising aimed at the Magic Valley. Together, the outlets are marketed as the KTVB Media Group. KTVB also launched a 24-hour news-oriented digital subchannel in 2003, later branded Idaho's Very Own 24/7, which has carried additional news, sports, and locally relevant programming. Ownership changed several times. Davidson sold KTVB to King Broadcasting in 1979, with the transaction taking effect in 1980. The station subsequently passed to the Providence Journal Company, Belo Corporation, Gannett, and Tegna. Nexstar Media Group acquired Tegna in a transaction completed in March 2026 according to the supplied reference material. KTVB remains an active local broadcast brand centered on NBC programming, regional news, weather, sports, public affairs, digital video, and community coverage.

KTVB traces its history to Boise radio operator Georgia Davidson's application for a television construction permit in March 1952. The FCC granted the permit on December 23 of that year, and construction began soon afterward. The station signed on July 12, 1953, from studios on Crestline Drive as KIDO-TV. It was the second Idaho station to begin operations but the first to receive a full license. Its early schedule combined network programs with locally produced material, distinguishing it from the short-lived KFXD-TV operation in nearby Nampa. KIDO-TV initially carried CBS, NBC, and DuMont programming and later added ABC. A microwave link established with KBOI-TV in 1955 made live national events, including that year's World Series, available in Boise. The transmitter moved to Deer Point in 1956 and received a power increase, improving coverage. After Davidson sold the KIDO radio station in 1958, channel 7 changed its call letters to KTVB on February 1, 1959. The station had struggled financially in its early period, particularly after Boise became a two-station television market, but improved its competitive position through expanded facilities and programming. KTVB constructed new studios on Fairview Avenue beginning in 1970. The facility opened in 1971 and was described at the time as Idaho's largest television studio. The station also experimented with broader regional service. KTVR in La Grande, Oregon, began broadcasting in 1964 as a satellite with local Eastern Oregon news and information. Its local operation ended in 1967, after which it largely rebroadcast KTVB. KTVB later withdrew the station from service in 1975 while a proposed transfer to Oregon public broadcasting was pending; KTVR returned to the air under public-television ownership in 1977. In Boise, KTVB became the market's leading local-news station during the 1970s. Management under Robert Krueger emphasized news, public affairs, and durable on-air talent. The station launched Idaho at Five in 1984, introduced weekend morning news in 1992, and continued expanding its local schedule. Its news operation became associated with personalities including Dee Sarton, Carolyn Holly, Mark Johnson, and meteorologist Larry Gebert. KTVB later added a 4 p.m. newscast and newer formats such as Idaho Today and The 208. Davidson sold KTVB to King Broadcasting in 1979, with King taking control in April 1980. The new owner retained much of the station's management but ended paid religious programming on Sunday mornings under company policy. King sold its stations to the Providence Journal Company in a transaction completed in 1992. Under Providence Journal, KTVB contributed reporting to Northwest Cable News after that regional channel launched in 1995. Belo acquired Providence Journal in 1996. KTVB's Twin Falls expansion began broadcasting in 1986 as K38AS, a low-power NBC affiliate. It later adopted the KTFT call sign and became a semi-satellite that retained KTVB's schedule while adding locally sold advertising. The station's Boise operation also embraced digital distribution. In 2002 it began digital transmission, and in October 2003 it launched a 24-hour news-oriented service on its second digital channel. That service was later renamed Idaho's Very Own 24/7 and developed additional local news and sports uses. Gannett announced its acquisition of Belo in 2013, completing the transaction that December. Gannett's broadcasting assets were separated into Tegna in 2015. KTVB continued operating as a Tegna station until Nexstar's reported acquisition of Tegna, completed in March 2026 according to the supplied reference. The station remains an active NBC affiliate, with studios on West Fairview Avenue in Boise, a transmitter at Deer Point, and associated KTFT-LD facilities serving Twin Falls and the Magic Valley.

1. 2015Broadcast operations move to Tegna

   Gannett separated its television assets into the independently named Tegna.

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2. 2013Belo acquisition announced

   Gannett announced its purchase of Belo, which included KTVB.

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3. 2009Digital transition completed

   KTVB ended analog broadcasting and continued digitally on channel 7 after the nationwide transition.

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4. 200324/7 NewsChannel launches

   The station introduced a continuous news-oriented digital subchannel.

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5. 1992Weekend morning news added

   KTVB became the first Boise station to air weekend morning newscasts.

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6. 1986Twin Falls low-power service begins

   K38AS launched as the first low-power NBC affiliate.

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7. 1984Idaho at Five launches

   KTVB became the first Boise station to offer a one-hour local early-evening newscast.

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8. 1979King Broadcasting acquisition announced

   Georgia Davidson agreed to sell KTVB to King Broadcasting.

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9. 1971Fairview Avenue studios open

   KTVB opened a large new Boise studio complex.

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10. 1964KTVR begins in La Grande

    The station launched a satellite operation serving La Grande and Eastern Oregon.

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11. 1959KTVB name adopted

    Channel 7 changed its call sign from KIDO-TV to KTVB.

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12. 1956Transmitter moves to Deer Point

    A new transmitter location and higher power materially expanded the station's coverage.

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13. 1953KIDO-TV signs on

    KIDO-TV began broadcasting on July 12 from Boise as Idaho's first fully licensed television station.

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14. 1952FCC construction permit granted

    The FCC granted Georgia Davidson's permit for a Boise television station on channel 7.

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A locally focused NBC affiliate and regional news leader serving Boise and southern Idaho.

• KTVB channel 7Broadcast television station1953

  The core KTVB service is an NBC-affiliated broadcast station serving Boise and surrounding communities in southern Idaho. Its schedule combines NBC network programming with locally produced news, weather, sports, public affairs, and advertising. The station transmits from Deer Point in Boise County and distributes its programming through broadcast, cable, digital platforms, and online video.

• KTFT-LDLow-power television rebroadcaster1986

  KTFT-LD is KTVB's low-power semi-satellite in Twin Falls. It carries the KTVB schedule while inserting advertising directed at the Magic Valley. The service originated in 1986 as K38AS and was notable as the first low-power NBC affiliate. It maintains a local sales presence in Twin Falls and forms part of the KTVB Media Group.

• Idaho's Very Own 24/7Digital news and local programming channel2003

  Originally launched as 24/7 NewsChannel in 2003, this secondary digital service provides additional KTVB news, public-affairs, feature, and sports programming. Its schedule has included a dedicated evening newscast, a morning-news extension, and selected Boise State Broncos and Idaho Steelheads coverage.

• Local news operationNews programming1953

  KTVB's local-news operation covers Boise and the wider Idaho region through scheduled newscasts, weather, traffic, investigations, public affairs, lifestyle features, and sports. Its long-running ratings leadership and recognizable on-air staff have been central to the station's brand. Named formats have included Idaho at Five, Idaho Today, and The 208.

• 2026Moved into Nexstar ownershipM&A

  KTVB had been operated by Tegna following the 2015 separation of Gannett's broadcasting assets.

  What changed. According to the supplied reference material, Nexstar completed its acquisition of Tegna in March 2026.

  Aftermath. KTVB became part of Nexstar's broader local television portfolio while retaining its Boise NBC-affiliate identity.

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• 2013Expanded the local-news scheduleProduct launch

  KTVB continued to invest in local programming as its news operation maintained a strong Boise-market position.

  What changed. The station introduced a 4 p.m. news hour.

  Aftermath. The addition reinforced KTVB's broad daily news schedule, later supplemented by Idaho Today and The 208.

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• 2003Created a continuous digital news outletProduct launch

  Digital television created opportunities for stations to use secondary multicast channels.

  What changed. KTVB launched 24/7 NewsChannel on its second digital subchannel and local cable systems.

  Aftermath. The service was later renamed Idaho's Very Own 24/7 and expanded into additional local and sports programming.

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• 1986Extended NBC service to Twin FallsStrategy

  KTVB sought to expand its over-the-air reach into the Magic Valley.

  What changed. King Broadcasting launched K38AS as a low-power NBC semi-satellite carrying KTVB programming with local advertising.

  Aftermath. The service evolved into KTFT-LD and remains part of the KTVB Media Group.

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• 1959Adopted the KTVB call signStrategy

  The television station had shared the KIDO identity with its affiliated Boise radio station.

  What changed. After Georgia Davidson sold the radio operation, channel 7 changed its call letters to KTVB.

  Aftermath. The new name became the enduring identity of the Boise television station.

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• 2026Nexstar completes Tegna acquisition

  According to the supplied reference material, Nexstar Media Group completed its acquisition of Tegna, placing KTVB within Nexstar's corporate ownership structure.

  M&A
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• 2013KTVB adds a four o'clock local newscast

  The station expanded its local-news schedule with a new 4 p.m. hour.

  Product launch
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• 2003KTVB launches a digital 24-hour news service

  The station introduced 24/7 NewsChannel on its second digital subchannel and local cable systems.

  Product launch
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• 1986KTVB launches a Twin Falls low-power NBC outlet

  K38AS began operating in Twin Falls as a low-power rebroadcaster of KTVB and inserted local advertising for the Magic Valley.

  Product launch
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• 1959Channel 7 adopts the KTVB call sign

  Following the sale of the KIDO radio operation, the television station changed its call letters from KIDO-TV to KTVB.

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• 1953KIDO-TV begins broadcasting in Boise

  The station began regular television broadcasting on July 12 as KIDO-TV, becoming Idaho's first fully licensed television station.

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1. KTVB
2. KTVB official website