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KMSP-TV (channel 9) is a television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, serving the Twin Cities area. It is owned and operated by the Fox network through its Fox Television Stations division alongside WFTC (channel 9.2), which broadcasts MyNetworkTV. The two stations share studios on Viking Drive in Eden Prairie; KMSP-TV's transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota.

Key Information

KMSP-TV also serves the Mankato market (via K35KI-D in nearby St. James[3] through the local municipal-operated Cooperative TV (CTV) network of translators[4][5]), even though that area already has a Fox affiliate of its own.[6] KMSP is also carried on the main channel of KFTC (channel 26), a satellite station of WFTC licensed to Bemidji which serves the northernmost reaches of the Minneapolis–St. Paul television market.

KMSP-TV is also carried in Canada on the Rogers Cable system in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on Tbaytel, and on Bell MTS Fibe TV in the province of Manitoba. Since October 2022, the station is also carried on Westman Communications, replacing Rochester, New York's WUHF.

History

[edit]

The Family Broadcasting Corporation in Minneapolis, owner of radio station KEYD (1440 AM, now KYCR), filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a construction permit for a new commercial television station to be operated on Channel 9 on November 24, 1953.[7] WLOL and WDGY (now KTLK) also expressed interest, but withdrew their applications in 1954, effectively handing the permit to Family Broadcasting.[8][9] KEYD-TV began broadcasting on January 9, 1955, and was affiliated with the DuMont Television Network.[10] During this time, Harry Reasoner, a graduate of Minneapolis West High School and the University of Minnesota, was hired as the station's first news anchor and news director.[11] However, DuMont shut down in August 1956, leaving the station as an independent outlet;[10] on June 3, 1956, the KEYD stations were sold to United Television, whose principals at the time included several stockholders of Pittsburgh station WENS, for $1.5 million.[10][12][13] The new owners immediately sold off KEYD radio,[12][13] refocused KEYD-TV's programming on films and sports,[14] and shut down the news department; Reasoner was hired by CBS News a few months later.[15][16] Reasoner became a host for CBS's 60 Minutes when it launched in 1968.

Channel 9 changed its call letters to KMGM-TV on May 23, 1956.[7] At the time, the station was in negotiations with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to acquire the Twin Cities television rights to the company's films, along with selling a 25 percent stake in KMGM-TV to the studio.[17] Negotiations broke down later that month over the cost of the films;[18] additionally, Loew's, MGM's parent company at the time, filed a petition with the FCC against the call sign change, claiming that the use of KMGM was unauthorized and a violation of MGM's trademark.[19] The FCC ruled against Loew's that October, saying that its call sign assignment policies were limited to preventing confusion between stations in a given area.[20] The agreements to lease MGM's pre-1949 films and sell 25 percent of the station to Loew's were both completed that November; KMGM was the third station, after future sister station KTTV in Los Angeles and KTVR in Denver, to enter into such an arrangement.[21]

National Telefilm Associates, which later purchased WNTA-TV in the New York City area, purchased the 75 percent of United Television not owned by MGM for $650,000 in November 1957, joining it to the NTA Film Network until it ended in 1961.[22][23][24] After taking control, NTA expanded KMGM-TV's hours of operation as part of an overhaul of channel 9's schedule that also included the addition of newscasts.[25] A few months later, on February 10, 1958, NTA bought MGM's stake for $130,000 and announced that it would change channel 9's calls to KMSP-TV;[10][26][27] the call sign change took effect that March over the objections of KSTP-TV (channel 5).[28] National Theatres, a theater chain whose broadcast holdings already included WDAF AM-TV in Kansas City, began the process of acquiring NTA in November 1958;[29] in April 1959, it purchased 88 percent of the company.[30] 20th Century-Fox, the former parent company of National Theatres, bought KMSP-TV for $4.1 million on November 9, 1959, retaining the United Television corporate name.[10][31] The KMSP call letters were featured on prop television cameras in the May 29, 1963, episode of the CBS sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, produced by 20th Century Fox Television; the show was loosely set in the Twin Cities area. The episode was titled "The Call of the, Like, Wild".

During its early years until 1972, the station's studios and offices were located in a lower level of the Foshay Tower in downtown Minneapolis; the transmitter was located on top of the building, the tallest structure in the area until 1971, along with WCCO-TV (channel 4) and WTCN-TV (channel 11, now KARE).[10]

As an ABC affiliate

[edit]

KMSP-TV took over the ABC affiliation from WTCN-TV on April 16, 1961.[32] Throughout its years with ABC, KMSP was perennially the lowest-rated network affiliate in the Twin Cities, with only one-third of the viewing audience of each of their two competitors, CBS affiliate WCCO-TV and NBC affiliate KSTP-TV. It was also notorious for having a sub-standard news department with large staff turnover.[33] In 1971, KMSP built a new tower in Shoreview, while the studios and offices relocated in 1972 to Edina on York Avenue South, across from Southdale Shopping Center.[10]

In the late 1970s, ABC steadily rose to first place in the network ratings. Accordingly, the network sought to upgrade its slate of affiliates, which were made up of some stations that either had poor signals or poorly performing local programming. In December 1977, ABC warned United that it would yank its affiliation from channel 9 unless improvements were made and fast. In early 1978, to cash in on ABC's improved ratings, KMSP re-branded itself "ABC9" (approximately 20 years before the use of a network's name in a station's on-air branding became commonplace among U.S. affiliates), and retooled its newscast. Despite the changes, KMSP's news department remained in the ratings cellar.[33]

Becoming an independent once again

[edit]
1979 ad for Star Trek airings on KMSP, from after the station reverted to being an independent. The "9" logo was introduced in 1972, when it was an ABC affiliate, and continued to be in use until 2000.

On August 29, 1978, ABC announced that KSTP-TV would become the network's new Twin Cities affiliate the following spring.[34] The signing of channel 5 made nationwide news, as it had been an NBC affiliate for three decades. KSTP-TV looked forward to affiliating with the top network, as third-place NBC had been in a long ratings slump. In retaliation for losing ABC, KMSP-TV immediately removed all ABC branding and regularly preempted network programming. Channel 9 then attempted to affiliate with NBC, thinking The Tonight Show would be a good lead-out from their 10 p.m. newscast, despite low prime time ratings.[33] However, NBC, miffed at losing one of its strongest affiliates, and not wanting to pick up ABC's rejects, turned down KMSP's offer almost immediately[33] and signed an affiliation agreement with independent station WTCN-TV.[35] As a result of being rejected by both ABC and NBC, KMSP-TV prepared to become an independent station. Although it now faced a lack of weekend and weekday national sports coverage and having to buy seven to eight additional hours of programming per day, it also would not have to invest nearly as much into its news department and could invest its affiliate dues into syndicated film rights and local sports instead. Most of the on-air and off-air staffers resigned, not wanting to work for a down-scaled independent operation.[33]

The affiliation switch occurred on March 5, 1979,[10][33] and KMSP debuted its new independent schedule featuring cartoons, syndicated shows[33] and even the locally based American Wrestling Association,[36] with much of the station's programming having been acquired from WTCN-TV. To emphasize that the station's programming decisions would be influenced by viewers instead of a network, KMSP rebranded itself as "Receptive Channel 9", and an antenna was shown atop the station's logo in station identifications. The station became quite aggressive in acquiring programming, obtaining broadcast rights to several state high school sports championships from the MSHSL, the NHL's Minnesota North Stars and the Minnesota Twins baseball team.[33]

As it turned out, KMSP's transition into an independent station turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It was far more successful than the station ever had been as an ABC affiliate. It became a regional superstation, available on nearly every cable system in Minnesota as well as large portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Over time, it became one of the most successful and profitable independent stations in the country.[33]

KMSP went through another ownership change on June 9, 1981, when 20th Century-Fox spun off United Television as an independent company owned by Fox shareholders; the transaction was approved alongside the $700 million sale of 20th Century-Fox to Marvin Davis.[37] Chris-Craft Industries, which in 1977 had acquired an interest in 20th Century-Fox that by 1981 comprised 22 percent of Fox's stock, received a 19 percent stake in United Television;[38] later in June, it filed with the FCC for control of United, as it now owned 32 percent of its stock.[39] Two years later, Chris-Craft, though its BHC subsidiary, increased its stake in United Television to 50.1 percent and gained majority control of the company.[38]

First Fox affiliation, then back to independent

[edit]

KMSP-TV remained an independent station through 1986 when it became one of the original charter affiliates of the newly launched Fox network on October 9.[40] This suited channel 9, as it wanted the prestige of being a network affiliate without being tied to a network-dominated schedule. At the time, Fox only programmed a nightly talk show and, starting in 1987, two nights of prime time programming; the network would start its full-week programming schedule in 1993. Thus, like most early Fox affiliates, KMSP was still essentially an independent. For its first few years with Fox, the station served as the de facto Fox affiliate for nearly all of Minnesota and South Dakota.

However, the station did not remain a Fox affiliate for long. By 1988, KMSP was one of several Fox affiliates nationwide that were disappointed with the network's weak programming offerings, particularly on Saturday nights, which were bogging down KMSP's otherwise successful independent lineup. That January, channel 9 dropped Fox's Saturday night lineup;[41] the move did not sit well with Fox, and in July 1988 the network announced that it would not renew its affiliations with KMSP and Chris-Craft sister station KPTV in Portland, Oregon.[42] Fox then signed an agreement with KITN (channel 29, now WFTC) to become its new Twin Cities affiliate, and KMSP reverted to being an independent station full-time.[10][33] In 1992, the station relocated to its current studio facilities on Viking Drive in Eden Prairie.[10] Along with the other United Television stations, KMSP carried programming from the Prime Time Entertainment Network from 1993 to 1995.[43]

As a UPN affiliate

[edit]

By the early 1990s, Fox had exploded in popularity; it had begun carrying strong shows that were starting to rival the program offerings of the "Big Three" networks and had just picked up the broadcast rights to the NFL's National Football Conference. In response to this, in October 1993, Chris-Craft/United Television partnered with Paramount Pictures (which was acquired by Viacom in 1994) to form the United Paramount Network (UPN) and both companies made independent stations that both companies respectively owned in several large and mid-sized U.S. cities charter stations of the new network.[44]

UPN launched on January 16, 1995,[10] (with the two-hour premiere of Star Trek: Voyager), with channel 9 becoming a UPN owned-and-operated station due to Chris-Craft/United's ownership stake in the network (later part-ownership in 1996 when Viacom bought a 50% stake of the network)—making it the second network-owned station in the Twin Cities (alongside CBS-owned WCCO-TV). Over time, KMSP became one of UPN's most successful affiliates in terms of viewership. In addition to UPN's prime-time schedule and the network's daytime children's blocks (such as UPN Kids from 1995 to 1999, and Disney's One Too from 1999 to 2003), the station was still enjoying success with local sports programming featuring the Minnesota Twins, as well as the MSHSL championships. KMSP was stripped of its status as a UPN owned-and-operated station in 2000 after Viacom exercised a contractual clause to buy out Chris-Craft's stake in the network, although the station remained with UPN as an affiliate for another two years. Around this time, Viacom bought CBS (and in turn, WCCO).[45][46]

Return to Fox as an owned-and-operated station

[edit]

News Corporation, through its Fox Television Stations subsidiary, agreed to purchase Chris-Craft Industries and its stations, including KMSP-TV, for $5.35 billion in August 2000 (this brought KMSP, along with San Antonio's KMOL-TV and Salt Lake City's KTVX, back under common ownership with 20th Century Fox); the deal followed a bidding war with Viacom.[47][48][49] The sale was completed on July 31, 2001.[50] While Fox pledged to retain the Chris-Craft stations' UPN affiliations through at least the 2000–01 season,[51] and Chris-Craft agreed to an 18-month renewal for its UPN affiliates in January 2001,[52] an affiliation swap was expected once KMSP's affiliation agreement with UPN ran out in 2002, given Fox's presumed preference to have its programming on a station that it already owned. Additionally, KMSP's signal was much stronger than that of WFTC; it was a VHF station that had been on the air much longer than UHF outlet WFTC.[53] Most importantly, Fox had been aggressively expanding local news programming on its stations, and KMSP had an established and competitive news department whereas WFTC's news department did not begin operations until April 2001. The move was made easier when, in July 2001, Fox agreed to trade KTVX and KMOL (now WOAI-TV) to Clear Channel Communications in exchange for WFTC,[54] a transaction completed that October.[53]

The affiliation switch, officially announced in May 2002,[55] occurred on September 8, 2002 (accompanied by a "Make the Switch" ad campaign that was seen on both stations), as Fox programming returned to KMSP-TV after a 14-year absence, while WFTC took the UPN affiliation;[56] KMSP was the only former Chris-Craft station that was acquired and kept by Fox that did not retain its UPN affiliation. The station began carrying Fox's entire programming schedule at that time, including the FoxBox children's block (which later returned to WFTC as 4KidsTV, until the block was discontinued by Fox in December 2008 due to a dispute with 4Kids Entertainment). The affiliation swap coincided with the start of the 2002 NFL season; KMSP effectively became the "home" station for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings as a result of Fox holding the broadcast rights to the National Football Conference (from 1994 to 2001, most Vikings games were aired on WFTC). Finally, in 2014, with the launch of Xploration Station which replaced Weekend Marketplace which WFTC carried, KMSP-TV began clearing the entire Fox network schedule for good.

Since Fox has affiliates in most media markets and the FCC's syndication exclusivity regulations normally require cable systems to only carry a given network's local affiliate, and Fox prefers only an area's affiliate be carried as opposed to a distant station for rating tabulation purposes, KMSP was eventually removed from most cable providers outside the Twin Cities. By this time, these areas had enough stations to provide local Fox affiliates. KMSP thus effectively lost the "regional superstation" status it had held for almost a quarter-century, dating back to when it was an independent station. Due to the advent of digital television, many stations in smaller markets previously served by KMSP began operating UPN-affiliated digital subchannels towards the end of the network's run to replace that network's programming in those markets, which in turn became MyNetworkTV or CW affiliates.

On December 14, 2017, The Walt Disney Company, owner of KSTP-TV's affiliated network ABC, announced its intent to buy KMSP-TV's parent company, 21st Century Fox, for $66.1 billion; the sale, which closed on March 20, 2019, excluded KMSP-TV and sister station WFTC as well as the Fox network, the MyNetworkTV programming service, Fox News, Fox Sports 1, the Big Ten Network and the Fox Television Stations unit, which were all transferred to the newly formed Fox Corporation.[57][58] Fox Sports North would be divested in a separate deal to Diamond Sports Group, made up of a joint venture of WUCW owner Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios.

In April 2025, KMSP-TV announced a deal with the Minnesota Twins to simulcast ten of the team's games produced by MLB Local Media under the Twins.tv banner on the station, in addition to Twins games broadcast via Fox's national MLB package.[59]

News operation

[edit]

KMSP presently broadcasts 59+1⁄2 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 10 hours each weekday, four hours on Saturdays, and 5+1⁄2 hours on Sundays); in regards to the number of hours devoted to news programming, it is the highest newscast output among Minneapolis' broadcast television stations.

The station's first news director and news anchor was Harry Reasoner when KMSP signed on (as KEYD-TV) in 1955.[11] Despite the station's focus on live coverage of news and sports, as well as awards from the University of Minnesota Journalism School and the Northwest Radio–TV News Association, KEYD's newscasts were generally in fourth place in the ratings.[16] After channel 9's ownership changed in 1956, the news operation was closed down.[16] News programming returned to the station after NTA bought KMGM-TV in 1957.[25]

The station, which had long been a distant third to WCCO-TV and KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities news ratings, began an aggressive campaign in 1973 to gain ground against its competition. After a nationwide search, management hired Ben Boyett and Phil Bremen to anchor a newscast with a new set and format, known as newsnine.[33] The new format did not really draw many new viewers, and the station's low news budget, ill-conceived promotion, and frequent technical glitches, along with its network's news division's overall struggles and wire service before Roone Arledge took control, didn't help matters. One botched campaign for a news series on venereal disease, in the spring of 1974, resulted in lawsuits from two young women that claimed that their likenesses were used in promos without their permission, thus damaging their reputations.[33] By the fall of 1975, Boyett and Bremen would be gone, replaced by respected veteran newsman Don Harrison and the station's first female anchor, Cathie Mann. These changes did little to take channel 9 out of third place, and despite ABC becoming the #1 network by 1977 and Arledge's moves to increase ABC News's prestige, KMSP's newscasts still struggled.[33]

After KMSP lost the ABC affiliation in 1979, the station's news operation reduced to a more scaled-down 9 p.m. or post-sports-only newscast which was more manageable for KMSP to maintain at the time. It was paired with the syndicated Independent Network News in the early-to-mid-1980s. The newscast's budget and ratings would increase by the end of that decade, with re-expansions of the news department into the morning and early evenings occurring in the mid-1990s.

By the end of the decade, Minnesota 9 News was competitive with the other stations in the market, especially with its all-local morning newscast doing well against the network morning shows. This was despite KMSP being hamstrung by its UPN affiliation, which had seen several affiliates of the network cut or close their news departments through its decade of existence, due to the network's overall and prime time ratings failing to meet expectations. Outside of UPN's Star Trek series, the rest of the network's programming schedule struggled outside of cities, a particular issue that affected KMSP as a statewide superstation with a wide rural footprint. This played into the station's decision to eschew their owner-mandated "UPN 9" branding for the more neutral statewide branding of "Minnesota 9" (later, 9 News) to promote their news department.

When KMSP rejoined Fox in 2002, the station's prime time newscast, now with the stronger aid of Fox's prime time lineup and sports coverage, frequently outrated the newscasts on KSTP-TV.[33] Following Fox's acquisition of WFTC in 2001, that station's existing news operation was moved into an auxiliary studio of KMSP as part of a slow merger (including limited story-sharing);[55] after Fox canceled channel 29's newscast in 2006, some of WFTC's staff moved in full to KMSP.[60]

On May 11, 2009, KMSP became the second station in the Twin Cities (behind KARE-TV) to broadcast local newscasts in high-definition.

Controversy

[edit]

On June 16, 2006, during one of the station's newscasts, KMSP broadcast a "video news release" about convertibles produced by General Motors without required attribution that it was distributed by the auto giant. The narrator, MediaLink publicist Andrew Schmertz, was introduced as reporter André Schmertz.[61] On March 24, 2011, the FCC levied a $4,000 fine against KMSP for airing the video news release without disclosing the corporate source of the segment to its viewers, following complaints filed by the Free Press and the Center for Media and Democracy in 2006 and 2007.[62]

On-air staff

[edit]

Notable current on-air staff

[edit]

Notable former on-air staff

[edit]

Technical information

[edit]

KMSP-TV/WFTC subchannels

[edit]

KMSP-TV and WFTC broadcast from the KMSP Tower in Shoreview, Minnesota.[64][65] The signal of KMSP-TV contains six subchannels, while WFTC's signal contains four. All subchannels on both transmitters share the same major virtual channel of 9.

Subchannels of KMSP-TV[64] and WFTC[65]
Channel Station Res. Aspect Short name Programming
9.1 WFTC 720p 16:9 FOX-9 Fox (KMSP-TV simulcast)
9.2 FOX9 + MyNetworkTV
9.3 480i Movies! Movies!
9.4 KMSP-TV 480i 16:9 BUZZR Buzzr
9.5 QVC QVC
9.6 CATCHY Catchy Comedy
9.7 WFTC 720p 16:9 FoxWX Fox Weather
9.8 KMSP-TV 720p 16:9 Stories Story Television
9.9 Fox 9 Fox
9.10 FOX 9+ MyNetworkTV (WFTC simulcast)

The WFTC transmitter also broadcasts two subchannels of WUCW (23.2 Comet and 23.6 Antenna TV), the market's ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) host station.[65]

In November 2009, KMSP was added to a subchannel of WFTC and vice versa, to aid viewers that had difficulty receiving KMSP's signal on the VHF band.[66] Beginning June 24, 2014, subchannels of WFTC began using major channel 9, with 29.1 changed to 9.2, and KMSP-TV began broadcasting in high definition from the WFTC transmitter on channel 9.1.[67]

KFTC subchannels

[edit]

KFTC is broadcast from a transmitter northeast of Bemidji.[68]

Subchannels of KFTC[68]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
26.1 720p 16:9 Fox Fox (KMSP-TV)
26.2 Fox9Plu MyNetworkTV (WFTC)
26.3 480i Movies! Movies!
26.4 720p FoxWX Fox Weather

KFTC also broadcasts 23.2 Comet and 23.6 Antenna TV from WUCW.[68]

KFTC began providing high-definition service for the main KMSP and WFTC subchannels in October 2014. Translators of KMSP in Brainerd and Walker were switched to KFTC, making WFTC available over-the-air in those communities for the first time.[69]

Analog-to-digital conversion

[edit]

KMSP-TV began broadcasting a digital signal on UHF channel 21 on June 19, 2000.[70] The station shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 9, on June 12, 2009, the digital television transition date, and shifted its digital signal to channel 9.[71]

Broadcasting facilities

[edit]

The KMSP TV Tower is located in Shoreview, Minnesota. KMSP owns the tower, which stands 1,466 feet (447 m) tall, but shares it with sister station WFTC and the Twin Cities PBS stations, KTCA and KTCI. Several FM stations are also on the tower: KQRS-FM ("92 KQRS"), KXXR ("93X"), KTCZ ("Cities 97.1"), KTIS-FM, KSJN, KFXN-FM ("The Fan"), KDWB, KEEY ("K102"), KMNB ("102.9 The Wolf"), and KZJK ("104.1 Jack FM").

Translators

[edit]

In addition to the main transmitter in Shoreview and KFTC in Bemidji, the signals of KMSP-TV and WFTC signal are relayed to outlying parts of Minnesota through a network of translators. The main channels of each station are available from all translators.[64][65][68]

The following translators rebroadcast WFTC:

The following translators rebroadcast KMSP-TV:

The following translators rebroadcast KFTC:

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

KMSP-TV

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
KMSP-TV, virtual channel 9 (VHF digital channel 9), is a Fox owned-and-operated television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, serving the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Greater Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. The station first signed on the air on January 9, 1955, as KEYD-TV, an affiliate of the DuMont Television Network owned by the Family Broadcasting Corporation. After DuMont's closure in 1956, it operated as an independent station until becoming an ABC affiliate on April 16, 1961, a role it held until March 5, 1979, when it reverted to independent status. KMSP-TV briefly affiliated with the Fox network as one of its charter affiliates from October 9, 1986, to August 1988, before dropping the affiliation due to a programming dispute and returning to independent operation. Ownership of the station changed hands multiple times in its early years: it was acquired by United Television, Inc., in 1956 for $1.14 million; later acquired a majority interest in 1957; and then purchased by Twentieth Century-Fox on November 9, 1959, for $4.1 million, operating under the United Television corporate name. In 1981, United Television merged with , which retained control until selling its television stations, including KMSP-TV, to (now ) in July 2001 for $5.35 billion as part of the acquisition of Chris-Craft. This made KMSP-TV a Fox , with its licensee listed as , LLC. On September 8, 2002, KMSP-TV swapped affiliations with sister station (channel 29), regaining the affiliation while assumed KMSP's previous affiliation, a move that solidified its role as the network's flagship outlet in the market. Today, KMSP-TV broadcasts from studios at 11358 Viking Drive in , with its transmitter located in Shoreview, and it produces local news, weather, and sports programming under the Fox 9 brand. The station pioneered all-color broadcasting in the market in 1967 and has maintained a focus on community coverage, including investigative reporting and live event broadcasts.

History

Launch and early years (1955–1961)

KMSP-TV signed on the air as KEYD-TV on January 9, 1955, operating on VHF channel 9 in the market under the ownership of the , which also held the license for radio station KEYD (now KYCR). The station was affiliated with the , providing network programming alongside local content to viewers in the area. Its initial studios were located in a building adjacent to the in downtown , with the transmitter and antenna mounted on the 447-foot tower of the Foshay itself, enabling coverage across the metropolitan region. Following the DuMont Network's collapse in August 1956, KEYD-TV transitioned to independent status, a shift that necessitated a broader reliance on locally produced and syndicated fare. On May 23, 1956, the station changed its call letters to KMGM-TV amid negotiations with for potential film library access, though the deal did not fully materialize. Ownership also changed hands that year when United Television, Inc., acquired the station for $1.14 million on June 3, 1956, marking a period of financial stabilization as the station focused on general entertainment programming, including movies, local talk and music shows, news, and broadcasts such as Millers and Saints baseball, Lakers basketball, and . Further ownership transitions occurred in the late 1950s, with (NTA) acquiring a 75% stake in 1957 for $650,000. On December 2, 1957, Loews, Inc., purchased the remaining 25% stake, which NTA then acquired on February 10, 1958. This led to another change to KMSP-TV sometime between March and May 1958, reflecting the new corporate direction. On November 9, 1959, Twentieth Century-Fox acquired the station from NTA (which had merged with National Theatres) for $4.1 million, operating it under the United Television corporate name and continuing its independent format with an emphasis on movies and local productions to compete in the growing television market. The station's technical setup remained VHF analog on channel 9, broadcast from the , supporting its role as a key independent outlet until its affiliation shift in 1961.

ABC affiliation and return to independence (1961–1979)

On April 16, 1961, KMSP-TV became the ABC affiliate for the market, taking over the affiliation from WTCN-TV (channel 11). This shift marked a significant change for the station, which had operated independently since its launch in 1955, providing ABC with a VHF outlet to bolster its presence in the competitive market dominated by affiliate and affiliate . During its ABC era, KMSP aired the network's full slate of programming, including popular primetime animated series such as (1960–1966) and live-action dramas like (1974–1980), which helped attract family audiences in the evenings. Daytime schedules featured ABC's signature soap operas, such as (1963–present) and (1970–2011), targeting homemakers and building viewership during off-peak hours. Locally produced content included news broadcasts, though the station's news department was often criticized for lacking the depth and resources of its network rivals, contributing to overall lower ratings compared to and . Ownership of KMSP remained stable under Twentieth Century Fox, operating through its subsidiary United Television, Inc., which had acquired the station in and focused on enhancing its facilities and content to vie for a larger share of the market against established and outlets. United Television, founded specifically to operate KMSP, invested in technical upgrades and broader programming acquisitions during the and , aiming to leverage the ABC affiliation—which was rising nationally in popularity—to improve the station's third-place standing. In 1967, KMSP-TV became the first station in the to broadcast in all-color, improving its appeal for family-oriented ABC programming. Despite these efforts, KMSP consistently ranked as one of ABC's weaker affiliates in terms of audience share, hampered by the network's historical lag in the behind and . The ABC affiliation concluded on March 5, 1979, as the network sought a more dominant local partner amid its national surge in ratings during the late 1970s. ABC announced the switch to (channel 5) in September 1978, viewing the Hubbard Broadcasting-owned station as a stronger platform due to its established infrastructure, higher ratings, and long-standing market presence previously as an affiliate. This move represented ABC's most significant affiliation gain at the time, leaving KMSP to revert to independent status after nearly 18 years with the network. Following the loss of ABC, KMSP quickly reoriented its schedule toward independent fare, emphasizing feature films in prime access and late-night slots, syndicated series for daytime and evenings, and expanded children's programming to fill the void left by network content. The station preempted its final ABC programs without fanfare and immediately introduced a lineup heavy on off-network reruns and movies, positioning itself to recapture local viewers as a general-entertainment independent once more.

Independent operations and first Fox affiliation (1979–1989)

Following the loss of its ABC affiliation, KMSP-TV reverted to independent status on March 5, 1979. To build its audience in the competitive market, the station adopted a programming strategy centered on syndicated reruns of popular series, classic feature films, local sports broadcasts—including baseball games—and original local content to fill primetime slots previously occupied by network fare. This independent run continued until October 9, 1986, when KMSP-TV became a charter affiliate of the newly launched , one of the network's initial nine affiliates nationwide. The affiliation introduced limited Fox programming to the station's schedule, starting with the The Late Show Starring in October 1986, followed by the addition of prime-time sitcoms and specials in April 1987. However, Fox's early programming struggled with low ratings in several markets, including . By early 1988, KMSP-TV dropped the network's underperforming Saturday prime-time lineup—such as sitcoms Beans Baxter and Mr. President—replacing it with movies due to poor viewership and production shutdowns. Fox subsequently shifted its affiliation to upstart UHF station KITN-TV (channel 29) later that year as part of a strategy to partner with lower-cost outlets in select markets, prompting KMSP-TV to fully revert to independent operations by the fall of 1988. As an independent, KMSP-TV faced ongoing revenue and viewership pressures from established VHF competitors (channels 4, 5, and 11) and emerging UHF independents like KITN-TV, which captured younger demographics with edgier content. Despite these challenges, the station achieved notable success in late-night syndication, such as with , which posted a 4.0 rating during the February 1989 sweeps—outperforming prior reruns like and by 160% in viewership and gaining 25–39% among adults 18–49.

UPN affiliation and transition to Fox ownership (1989–2002)

Following its brief stint as a Fox affiliate from 1986 to 1988, KMSP-TV returned to independent status, operating without a primary network affiliation through the early 1990s. During this period, the station expanded its lineup of syndicated programming to attract viewers in the competitive Minneapolis–Saint Paul market, focusing on popular off-network series and first-run syndication hits that appealed to a broad audience. This included strengthening its schedule with family-oriented and entertainment content, such as animated series and classic sitcom reruns, alongside local productions to fill prime access and late-night slots. On January 16, 1995, KMSP-TV launched as a charter of the United Paramount Network (), coinciding with the network's debut featuring the two-hour premiere of . As one of UPN's initial affiliates, the station aired key network programs like and , integrating them into its schedule while retaining some syndicated fare to complement the emerging lineup. This affiliation marked a strategic shift for KMSP, leveraging UPN's focus on and urban-themed dramas to build viewership among younger demographics in the area. Under the ownership of , which had gained control of KMSP-TV through its subsidiary following the 1983 merger with United Television, the station benefited from significant investments in broadcasting operations. Chris-Craft held majority control and co-founded in 1995 as a with Viacom, providing KMSP with direct access to the network's programming and resources. This partnership enhanced the station's viability as an O&O, with Chris-Craft owning approximately 50% of UPN until tensions arose in the late . In August 2000, , parent of , announced its acquisition of for approximately $5 billion, including KMSP-TV and nine other UPN-affiliated stations. The deal, valued at $5.35 billion overall, faced regulatory scrutiny but received FCC approval on July 25, 2001, with the transaction completing on July 31, 2001. As part of the acquisition, committed to honoring existing UPN affiliations through the 2001–02 season but planned to realign the stations with its own network. By early 2002, KMSP-TV began winding down its UPN programming in preparation for an affiliation swap with sister station WFTC-TV (channel 29), which Fox had also acquired. The switch, announced in May 2002 and effective September 8, 2002, transformed KMSP into a Fox owned-and-operated station once again, while WFTC assumed the UPN affiliation. This transition involved operational preparations, including facility enhancements at KMSP's Eden Prairie studios—relocated there in 1992—to support expanded Fox network broadcasts and local content integration. The move positioned KMSP to reclaim its historical role in the Fox lineup, boosting its reach in the market.

As a Fox owned-and-operated station (2002–present)

Following the acquisition of KMSP-TV by Fox Television Stations in 2001 as part of the purchase of Chris-Craft Industries' television assets, the station officially resumed its full affiliation with the Fox network on September 8, 2002, through an affiliation swap with sister station WFTC. This transition elevated KMSP to owned-and-operated (O&O) status within Fox Television Stations, allowing for deeper integration of network resources and operational synergies in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul market. The switch marked the end of KMSP's brief stint as a UPN affiliate and restored its role as the market's primary Fox outlet, leveraging its stronger VHF signal for broader coverage. As a Fox O&O, KMSP has carried the network's primetime lineup, including long-running series such as , alongside sports programming like broadcasts featuring games. This integration has been complemented by expanded local content production, including morning shows, evening newscasts, and sports pregame programs tailored to the audience, enhancing viewer engagement through a mix of national and regional fare. Ownership has remained stable under since the 2019 separation from , with KMSP listed as a core asset in the company's portfolio and no major divestitures reported through 2025. In April 2025, KMSP reached a multi-year agreement with the and Gray Media to simulcast 10 Tuesday night regular-season games, marking a significant expansion of its sports coverage and providing free over-the-air access to fans for the first time in over a decade. This partnership underscores the station's evolving role in local sports broadcasting, with games airing alongside Twins pre- and postgame analysis. To adapt to , KMSP launched the FOX LOCAL app in late 2024, enabling streaming of live news, weather, and programming on mobile devices and connected TVs, which has broadened accessibility beyond traditional broadcasts. During the , KMSP adjusted its programming to prioritize health updates and remote production techniques, aligning with Fox Corporation's network-wide shifts that reduced original scripted content hours due to production disruptions while increasing segments on pandemic impacts. These changes helped maintain service continuity, with enhanced digital streaming options supporting viewer access amid stay-at-home measures.

Ownership

Early ownership (1955–1983)

KMSP-TV, originally known as KEYD-TV, was founded and launched on January 9, 1955, by the , which also owned radio station KEYD (now KYCR). The station operated from studios in downtown during its initial phase. On June 3, 1956, United Television, Inc., formed by Thomas P. Johnson, Seymour Weintraub, and associates, acquired 100% interest in the station and its sister radio outlet for $1.14 million. In 1957, the (NTA) purchased a 75% stake in United Television for $650,000, with Loews, Inc. acquiring the remaining 25% on December 2, 1957; Loews sold its share to NTA in February 1958, giving NTA full control. NTA, tied to National Theaters, managed the station amid the post-DuMont era transition to independent operations. Twentieth Century-Fox acquired the station from National Theaters on November 9, 1959, for $4.1 million, retaining the United Television corporate name while integrating it as a . Under this ownership, the station pursued key expansions to enhance operational stability, including construction of a new 1,460-foot transmitter tower in Shoreview in 1971 and relocation of studios and offices to a modern facility in Edina near in 1972. During the and , United Television operated KMSP-TV under Twentieth Century-Fox's oversight, with growing external influences from minority investors in the parent company. began investing in Twentieth Century-Fox in the , accumulating a 19% stake in the company's by , which provided board-level input on corporate strategies affecting subsidiaries like United Television. On June 9, , as part of Twentieth Century-'s merger with for $800 million, United Television was spun off as an independent entity distributed to Fox shareholders—one share per common Fox share and 1.33 shares per preferred share, valued at approximately $115 million total. This separation allowed United Television to operate autonomously while retaining control of KMSP-TV.

Chris-Craft control and sale to Fox (1983–2001)

In 1983, , Inc., the broadcasting subsidiary of , acquired a 50.1% majority stake in United Television, Inc., thereby gaining control over United's portfolio of independent television stations, including KMSP-TV in . This transaction, valued at an undisclosed amount but part of a broader strategy to consolidate Chris-Craft's media assets, positioned the combined entity as the fourth-largest non-network-affiliated broadcaster in the United States at the time. The six stations under the new structure generated combined annual of $115 million and operating income of $39.1 million in fiscal 1983, with syndication rights and local forming key streams. Under Chris-Craft's control, the stations, including KMSP-TV, benefited from expanded syndication deals and strategic affiliations that boosted financial performance through the . For instance, station revenues rose 7% to $104 million in early 1999, supported by syndication income and affiliation payments, though profits faced pressure from network investments. In 1995, Chris-Craft, through BHC and United Television, formed a with Viacom International to launch the , a move that aligned the stations' programming strategy with emerging network opportunities and provided additional revenue from affiliation fees, while KMSP-TV adopted the affiliation to leverage this partnership. By 2000, amid competitive bidding for its valuable television assets, Chris-Craft announced the sale of its broadcasting holdings—including , United Television, and stations like KMSP-TV—to News Corporation's subsidiary for approximately $5.5 billion in cash and stock. The deal, which outbid Viacom and aimed to integrate Chris-Craft's stations into Fox's owned-and-operated (O&O) group, faced scrutiny over but proceeded after regulatory hurdles. The U.S. Department of Justice required divestitures, such as the sale of one station in to address antitrust concerns in that market. Regulatory approvals culminated in the Federal Communications Commission's conditional endorsement on July 25, 2001, allowing the merger to close on July 31, 2001, with transferring to as part of the expanded O&O portfolio reaching nearly 40% of U.S. households. This transaction marked the end of Chris-Craft's independent control over its television operations, folding into 's national strategy while preserving its local presence.

Programming

Network and syndicated content

KMSP-TV carries the full primetime lineup from the Fox network, featuring a mix of scripted dramas, comedies, and reality competitions. Current scripted series include dramas such as Murder in a Small Town and Doc, while comedies such as Family Guy and The Simpsons anchor the animation block. Event programming encompasses high-profile broadcasts like the Super Bowl and NFL games, which draw significant viewership. The station's syndicated content fills daytime and fringe time slots with established talk, court, and off-network programming. Daytime staples include the talk show , featuring celebrity interviews and performances, alongside court series like reruns of . Off-network sitcoms provide comedic filler in late afternoons and early evenings. These syndicated offerings are selected to complement the Fox network feed, targeting diverse demographics in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market. Weekend programming on KMSP-TV emphasizes events, including and games, alongside animated series like and acquired feature films. Saturday mornings often feature family-oriented animations from the lineup, while Sundays include extended coverage and movie airings to capitalize on leisure viewing hours. Since becoming a owned-and-operated station in 2002, KMSP-TV's has evolved to prioritize the full Fox network slate, reducing independent content in favor of national programming. Adjustments in response to streaming competition have included earlier primetime starts for and integration of digital extensions, such as simulcasts on Fox apps, to retain cord-cutters. In the DMA (ranked 15th nationally), Fox network blocks consistently outperform syndicated segments, with primetime averaging higher household ratings during key events like games.

Local productions and sports rights

KMSP-TV produces a variety of , including and shows tailored to the audience. A flagship example is The Jason Show, a daily one-hour hosted by Matheson that features pop discussions, celebrity interviews, and humorous segments, airing weekdays at 10 a.m. CT since its launch in 2015. The program has expanded beyond local broadcast, with syndication to other markets and availability on , reflecting its appeal in engaging viewers with lighthearted, community-oriented content. In addition to entertainment-focused shows, KMSP-TV airs community affairs programming that highlights local issues and events, such as , a series exploring 's culinary scene through restaurant features and recipes. These productions emphasize viewer interaction and regional relevance, often incorporating guest appearances from local figures to foster community connections. On the sports front, KMSP-TV holds rights to broadcast preseason games as the local affiliate, providing comprehensive coverage including pre-game analysis and live play-by-play for the team's exhibition matches. In a significant expansion for 2025, the station partnered with the and Gray Media to 10 Tuesday night regular-season games over-the-air, marking the return of select Twins to free broadcast in the after more than a decade, with productions sourced from MLB's Twins. feed. This multi-year agreement aims to broaden access to for local households without cable subscriptions. Historically, during its independent and UPN affiliation periods from 1979 to 2002, KMSP-TV occasionally aired local sports events, including select high school and games, as part of its broader independent programming slate that competed in the emerging UHF market. The station's studios in , equipped with advanced production capabilities including flexible LED lighting and virtual sets debuted in , support live event broadcasting for these sports rights. KMSP-TV maintains key partnerships with local teams to enhance its sports offerings, including a continued television agreement with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's hockey program for the 2025-26 season, airing select home games on FOX 9. Similarly, the station extended its broadcast deal with St. Thomas Tommies athletics in 2025, covering home events in football, men's and women's basketball, and hockey via FOX9+. These collaborations underscore KMSP-TV's role in delivering collegiate sports to the market, with Vikings preseason broadcasts typically drawing strong local viewership, averaging over 1 million households in the Minneapolis-St. Paul DMA during peak seasons.

News operation

Newscast format and schedule

KMSP-TV's news department produces over 40 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (as of 2025), including extended morning and evening programming, along with a 7:00 p.m. newscast on . The flagship program, Fox 9 Morning News, airs weekdays from 4:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., providing extended coverage of local headlines, , and updates. Evening newscasts include a one-hour edition at 5:00 p.m., followed by the one-hour Fox 9 News at 9:00 p.m. on weeknights; weekend programming features morning shows on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., plus evening editions at 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.. The station's newscast format emphasizes fast-paced, viewer-focused reporting with integrated segments on traffic conditions via real-time updates and from an in-house studio equipped with advanced radar technology for precise forecasting. Investigative journalism forms a core element, highlighted by the FOX 9 Investigators unit, which produces in-depth reports on local issues such as public safety and government accountability. Digital extensions enhance accessibility through the FOX 9 app and FOX LOCAL platform, offering of newscasts, on-demand segments, and push alerts for and events. Historically, KMSP-TV launched its first newscast on January 9, 1955, shortly after signing on as KEYD-TV, with serving as the inaugural news director and anchor. News operations were briefly suspended in 1956 but resumed in 1957, with significant expansion during the station's independent era after losing its ABC affiliation in 1979, including the launch of aggressive prime-time newscasts like newsnine in 1973 to build audience share. The format evolved further with the affiliation in , leading to broader local coverage. On May 11, 2009, KMSP-TV transitioned its newscasts to high-definition production, upgrading studios and equipment to deliver sharper visuals and integrated graphics for and investigative segments. This shift, combined with a focus on community-driven stories, has positioned the station competitively in local ratings, where it often trails leaders and but maintains strong performance in key demographics like adults 25-54 during evening slots.

On-air personnel

The on-air personnel at KMSP-TV, known as FOX 9, consist of a team of anchors, meteorologists, reporters, and sports staff dedicated to delivering local news coverage for the Twin Cities area.

Current Anchors

Key anchors include Randy Meier, who has served as the evening news anchor since 1985, providing veteran leadership for the 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. newscasts. Kelly O'Connell anchors the FOX 9 Morning News, co-hosting the extended morning program from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. since joining in 2015. Chenue Her, who joined in October 2024 as a morning anchor, co-anchors the 4:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. segment alongside Hannah Flood, marking a return to his home state after previous roles in Iowa and Wisconsin. Other notable anchors include Kelcey Carlson for evening news and Symone Woolridge for general anchoring duties.

Meteorologists and Reporters

Ian Leonard has been the chief meteorologist since 2012, leading weather coverage with a focus on forecasting for the Midwest. Keith Marler handles morning weather segments on the FOX 9 Morning , delivering updates every ten minutes from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. since 2014. Other meteorologists include Jennifer McDermed, specializing in and viewer engagement, and Cody Matz, who covers general forecasts. In the reporting team, Nathan O'Neal serves as the investigative reporter, focusing on in-depth stories since 2016. Recent additions include reporters Leon Purvis and Mike Manzoni, who joined in August 2024 to bolster coverage, and Lauren Andrego as the morning traffic reporter. Additional reporters such as Soyoung Kim and Se Kwon contribute to multicultural storytelling and morning segments.

Former Notables

Several prominent figures have shaped FOX 9's news operation over the years. Alix Kendall anchored morning and evening newscasts for 27 years until her retirement in December 2024, known for her engaging style and community involvement. Jeff Passolt, a news anchor for 17 years at FOX 9 until retiring in 2019, contributed to sports and general news after a 38-year career in broadcasting. Tom Lyden, an investigative reporter for 30 years until departing in September 2023, specialized in long-form reporting on public safety and corruption. Meteorologist Alex Lehnert provided weather coverage from 2018 to 2023 before moving to . Dawn Stevens anchored mornings for 15 years until leaving in March 2022, remembered for her role in the station's wake-up programming. Since the station's transition to high-definition broadcasting in 2009, the news team has undergone significant evolution, incorporating modern production techniques that enhanced on-air presentations and facilitated the integration of new talent. This period has seen increased diversity, with hires such as Chenue Her, the first Hmong male news anchor in the U.S., joining in 2024, alongside reporters like Se Kwon and Soyoung Kim, reflecting a broader representation of the Twin Cities' multicultural population. Under Fox ownership since 2002, KMSP-TV has prioritized hiring local and regional talent through structured recruitment processes outlined in its FCC Equal Employment Opportunity reports, emphasizing community ties and diverse backgrounds to align with the station's audience.

Controversies

In June 2006, during a newscast, KMSP-TV broadcast a video news release (VNR) produced by General Motors that promoted the company's new convertible models, featuring multiple favorable shots and descriptions of GM vehicles without disclosing its sponsored origin or that it was provided by Fox News Edge. This violated the FCC's sponsorship identification rules under Section 317 of the Communications Act and Section 73.1212 of the Commission's rules, which require broadcasters to notify viewers when material is furnished for valuable consideration, even if the station receives no direct payment. The incident came to light following a 2006 complaint filed by Free Press and the Center for Media and Democracy, which alleged the station aired over 100 undisclosed VNRs. On March 24, 2011, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability proposing a $4,000 fine against Fox Television Stations for KMSP-TV, citing the VNR as providing "valuable consideration" through promotional value. Fox contested the action, arguing it represented an impermissible intrusion into journalistic and editorial discretion that could lead to self-censorship, but the FCC rejected these claims, affirming the rule as a mere disclosure obligation rather than a content restriction. In July 2011, the FCC issued a Forfeiture Order confirming the $4,000 fine. The case underscored broader ethical concerns in local news operations regarding the blurring of promotional and journalistic content, prompting increased scrutiny of VNR usage across stations. In response, KMSP-TV and its parent company enhanced internal protocols for reviewing third-party video materials to ensure compliance with sponsorship disclosure requirements. These events contributed to temporary dips in viewer trust within the Twin Cities market but did not significantly alter the station's competitive ratings position among local broadcasters. No major controversies involving the news operation have been reported since 2015 as of 2025.

Technical information

Subchannels

KMSP-TV, licensed to , , utilizes its to multicast multiple subchannels under 9, enabling viewers to access diverse programming over the air. As of 2025, the duopoly with sister station shares a unified multiplex on 9, with complementary programming. The primary subchannels include:
DTVirtualChannelVideoAudioProgrammingAffiliation/Notes
9.19.1 95.1FOX network content in high definition; on 9.1
9.29.2FOX 9+5.1Syndicated entertainment and off-network reruns; from
9.39.3Movies!480i2.0Movies!Movies and classic series; from
9.49.4480i2.0Classic game shows
9.59.5480i2.0Shopping network
9.69.6Catchy480i2.0Comedy programming
9.79.7Stories / FoxWX / 480i2.0 / Drama series / Weather; alternates or from
9.99.9 95.1FOX (PSIP mapping)
9.109.10FOX 9+5.1MyN (PSIP mapping)
WFTC maintains additional subchannels on virtual 23, including 23.2 (science fiction and horror) and 23.6 (classic TV). These secondary channels provide a mix of , , , , and retro programming, broadening viewer options beyond the main affiliation. WFTC, operating as a partner to KMSP-TV since the stations' operational merger under in , maintains its own subchannels mapped to the shared virtual 9 lineup for consistency across transmitters. This integrated structure allows for efficient spectrum use and unified branding as 9 and 9+. Digital subchannels on KMSP-TV and WFTC were enabled following the full-power transition to in 2009, with expansions adding multicast capabilities for secondary networks. These offerings are available via antenna throughout and are also carried on major cable and providers in the region, such as and , reaching approximately 2.8 million households in the Minneapolis-St. Paul designated market area.

Analog-to-digital conversion

KMSP-TV transitioned from analog to digital broadcasting as part of the nationwide full-power (DTV) switchover mandated by the (FCC). The station ceased its analog transmissions on VHF channel 9 at midnight on June 11, 2009, officially completing the conversion on June 12, 2009, and vacating the analog frequency in compliance with federal requirements. This aligned with the Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness (SAFER) Act, which allowed for a brief analog "" period post-transition to inform viewers about the change and assist with converter box usage, though KMSP-TV's implementation focused on rapid digital rollout. Prior to the full transition, KMSP-TV conducted pre-transition testing of its , initially operating on UHF channel 26 (remapped via , or PSIP, to 9.1) before shifting to VHF channel 9 for post-transition operations as approved by the FCC. The station's 68883 license to cover the post-transition digital facility was filed on June 16, 2009, confirming operational readiness on the new channel. This move to VHF channel 9 preserved the station's legacy channel numbering for viewers while enabling higher power and coverage efficiency in the area. The conversion had immediate impacts on local viewers, with KMSP-TV receiving hundreds of inquiries on the morning of June 12, , as audiences adjusted antennas and converter boxes to receive the . Under ownership, the transition involved significant investments in upgraded transmission equipment to meet FCC standards for , ensuring seamless integration of high-definition programming without service disruptions. In the Twin Cities market, KMSP-TV's compliance with the DTV transition facilitated broader spectrum reallocation efforts by the FCC, vacating its pre-transition UHF channel 26 and contributing to the recovery of UHF frequencies (channels 52–69) for mobile broadband services through subsequent incentive auctions. This reallocation enhanced wireless capacity in the region while maintaining robust over-the-air television service.

Broadcast facilities

KMSP-TV's primary transmission facilities are centered at the KMSP Tower, a located in , which stands at 1,466 feet (447 meters) tall and was constructed in 1971 as part of 1970s infrastructure upgrades to support expanded broadcast coverage in the area. The tower serves as the main site for the station's over-the-air signal, enabling reliable VHF broadcasting across the market. The station's studios are housed at the Fox 9 facility on Viking Drive in , a modern production center equipped for news, programming, and operations. Since the 2002 network affiliation switch with , the two outlets have shared these studio facilities, allowing integrated production resources and cost efficiencies under ownership. KMSP-TV transmits its with an (ERP) of 36.2 kilowatts on VHF channel 9 ( 9), a level achieved following a 2022 upgrade from the prior 30 kW output to enhance signal reach and quality. The facilities incorporate backup systems, including on-site generators for power redundancy during outages and satellite uplink capabilities to facilitate live remote feeds and network contributions. In recent years, the KMSP Tower has undergone upgrades to modernize its infrastructure, including a 2023 project to replace the obstruction prevention lighting system with energy-efficient LED fixtures for improved safety and reduced maintenance. Additionally, as of August 2023, the station launched NextGen TV () service, supporting enhanced features like 4K broadcasting, better mobile reception, and IP-based . These enhancements build on the tower's established role in the station's 2009 analog-to-digital conversion.

Translators and repeaters

KMSP-TV utilizes several low-power digital translators to extend its over-the-air signal into rural areas of southern , particularly where the primary broadcast from the does not provide reliable coverage. These translators, operated primarily by the Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota, were established following the 2009 to deliver Fox network programming, local news, sports rights, and subchannel content to underserved communities. A primary example is K16CG-D (physical channel 16) in St. James, serving the Mankato area with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 1.8 kW from a transmitter north of the city. Licensed in 2012, it rebroadcasts the full duopoly multiplex, including the main feed (virtual 9.9), (9.10), (9.4), (9.5), (9.6), and Stories (9.8), enabling access to syndicated programming and local productions. Additional translators, such as K31NT-D (channel 31) in Jackson and K19LJ-D (channel 19) in , operate at similar low-power levels (around 1-3 kW) to fill signal gaps across southern , providing rural households with the same Fox and subchannel offerings as the main station. These facilities support broader coverage goals by bridging geographic barriers, ensuring consistent delivery of network content, weather updates, and sports broadcasts like Minnesota Vikings games to approximately 100,000 potential viewers in isolated regions. In northern , directly operates KFTC (channel 26, low-power) in Bemidji with a 4.5 kW , which has relayed KMSP-TV and WFTC subchannels in high definition since its post-transition upgrade in 2014, with no significant modifications reported through 2025. KFTC carries on 26.1, on 26.2, Movies! on 26.3, and additional subchannels.

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  54. https://www.fox9.com/apps
  55. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fox-local-live-news-weather/id6443995100
  56. https://www.twincities.com/2009/05/28/picture-too-perfect-how-twin-cities-anchors-are-getting-hd-pretty/
  57. https://www.nexttv.com/features/local-news-close-up-twin-cities-stations-play-fair
  58. https://www.fox9.com/team
  59. https://www.fox9.com/news/chenue-her-fox-9-morning-news
  60. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/fox-9-adds-three-new-reporters-to-its-broadcast-news-team
  61. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/who-left-twin-cities-tv-stations-in-2024-and-who-were-the-new-arrivals
  62. https://www.fox9.com/news/jeff-passolt-signs-off-from-tv-news-after-38-years-in-the-business
  63. https://www.fox9.com/news/tom-lyden-leaving-fox-9
  64. https://www.fox9.com/video/1284713
  65. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joreQcgoCZA
  66. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/05/21/fox-9s-chenue-her-on-being-the-first-and-only-hmong-male-anchor
  67. https://www.fox9.com/morning/good-morning-hmong-korean-chenue-se
  68. https://www.fox9.com/fcc-public-file
  69. https://www.freepress.net/news/fcc-fines-local-tv-stations-airing-fake-news
  70. https://www.wiley.law/alert-1827
  71. https://www.twincities.com/2011/03/25/regional-report-kmsp-tv-fined-4000-for-airing-commercial-as-news/
  72. https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=bd1f31c8-451f-47f1-8006-eb9910d52d6e
  73. https://www.dwt.com/insights/2011/07/fcc-confirms-4000-fine-for-televising-video-news-r
  74. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=35611
  75. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WFTC
  76. https://www.twincities.com/2009/06/11/its-time-to-adjust-your-set-digital-tv-arrives-today-in-the-twin-cities/
  77. https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=e32475a1529a4e70be55cf6212b6c0ea&id=e32475a1529a4e70be55cf6212b6c0ea&goBack=N
  78. https://www.twincities.com/2009/06/12/a-few-road-bumps-for-digital-tv-conversion/
  79. https://www.thebdr.net/minneapolis-reaches-for-the-sky/
  80. https://kids.kiddle.co/KMSP_Tower
  81. https://tvstations.fandom.com/wiki/WFTC
  82. https://northpine.com/2022/04/10/fcc-monitor-kmsp-upgrades-north-dakota-fm-signal-to-move/
  83. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Broadcast-Equipment-Exchange/Broadcast-Equipment-Exchange-1980-02.pdf
  84. https://shoreviewmn.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=762&doc_id=d49b1784-35ee-11ee-9e9a-0050569183fa
  85. https://www.fox9.com/news/nextgen-tv-minnesota-stations-move-towards-4k-broadcasting
  86. https://www.fccinfo.com/CMDProFacLookup.php?tabSearchType=Facility&s=13836
  87. https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=13836
  88. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=13836
  89. https://northpine.com/minnesota/tv-translators/
  90. https://www.fccinfo.com/CMDProFacLookup.php?tabSearchType=Facility&s=83714
  91. https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=83714
  92. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=83714
  93. https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/business/fox-9-and-my29-upgrade-to-digital-signals
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