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KRTV (channel 3) is a television station in Great Falls, Montana, United States, affiliated with CBS. It is owned by the E. W. Scripps Company alongside KTGF-LD (channel 50), the local NBC affiliate, and is part of the Montana Television Network (MTN), a statewide network of CBS-affiliated stations. KRTV's studios and transmitter are located on Old Havre Highway in Black Eagle, just outside Great Falls.

Key Information

In Helena, Montana, KRTV is repeated on a low-power semi-satellite, KXLH-LD (channel 9), which airs the same network and syndicated programming but with Helena-specific commercials and evening newscasts. KXLH-LD has studios on West Lyndale Avenue in Helena, shared with that city's NBC affiliate, KTVH-DT (channel 12). Master control and some internal operations of KXLH-LD are handled by KRTV in Great Falls.

KRTV was the second television station to sign on in Great Falls, doing so in 1958. Its purchase by Joe Sample in 1969 led to the foundation of MTN. From 1971 to 1984, the station was MTN's hub and produced statewide newscasts for air across the state. Since the 1990s, the station has generally been the Great Falls market leader for local news.

History

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Early years and construction

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After the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened applications for new television stations in 1952, it received three in Great Falls, two of them for channel 3 (and a third for channel 5, which became KFBB-TV). However, neither channel 3 proposal came to fruition. The Z-Bar Network filed for four stations across the state but abandoned its channel 3 application for Great Falls,[6] while the competing applicant, Montana Farmer (owner of station KMON), withdrew its proposal in January 1954.[7]

Interest in the second VHF channel for Great Falls returned on April 25, 1956, when the Cascade Broadcasting Company, owned by Robert and Francis Laird of San Luis Obispo, California, filed for channel 3.[8][9] The Lairds were granted a construction permit on May 29, 1957.[9] Dan Snyder was named manager, and construction began on the station's studios and transmitter facility on a hill overlooking Black Eagle. Plans were announced to go on the air as an independent station using local and filmed programs.[10]

KRTV began broadcasting on June 27, 1958, at 6 p.m.[11] The station would have an inauspicious start. A film projector failed, and once it was replaced, bigger trouble emerged. A storm with reported wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h)[12] moved through Great Falls that night and severely damaged the station's antenna.[13] It became apparent that viewers would have to wait a while for KRTV to get the antenna repaired at the factory and reinstalled. The station placed a "short, short story" in the Great Falls Tribune about its plight, noting "We shall return! (P.S. Don't ask us when!)"[14] While the station was silent, the Lairds filed to sell the station outright to Snyder.[15] The station returned to the air on the afternoon of October 5. That day, an ad in the Tribune declared they'd be on the air "if the wind doesn't topple our tower again".[16]

NBC affiliation and color programming

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Two years later, Paul Crain, owner of KUDI (1450 AM), bought a 26 percent stake in KRTV.[17] It secured a full-time network affiliation with NBC later that year; the month before, in time for the World Series, Western Microwave completed a second microwave path to carry network programs from Salt Lake City to Great Falls.[18]

In 1962, an addition to the studio building was completed that replaced the old studio with a new, larger space and reutilized the old one to house a new color-capable transmitter, permitting the station to increase its effective radiated power from 600 to 30,000 watts and air network programs in color;[19] local color productions began five years later, making KRTV the state's first "full color" station.[20] Crain died of a heart attack in 1964.[21]

In February 1968, Harriscope, Inc., owner of KFBB-TV, opted to affiliate all of its stations with ABC. As a result, KRTV became the primary affiliate for CBS and NBC in the city.[22]

Becoming part of MTN

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Snyder reached a deal in October 1968 to sell KRTV to Garryowen Cascade TV, a company owned by Joe Sample. Sample already owned KOOK-TV in Billings and KXLF-TV in Butte.[23] The acquisition gained FCC approval on a 4–3 vote over concerns that Sample would have an outsized influence on Montana television; one commissioner, Kenneth A. Cox, voted for the deal "reluctantly" because concerns over maintaining television service in rural areas outweighed economic concentration questions for him.[24]

While no national network affiliations changed, the KRTV sale to Sample set off a realignment in Montana television. KOOK-TV and KXLF-TV, along with KFBB-TV, were members of the Skyline Network, which provided its members with a microwave connection to Salt Lake City for network programs and also was an advertising sales representative. Affiliation and ownership changes at Skyline's outlets, which also included stations in Idaho, led to the network being dissolved on September 30, 1969.[25] This resulted in the establishment of the Montana Television Network with KOOK-TV, KRTV, and KXLF-TV.[26]

Great Falls became a link of outsized importance within the new MTN setup. At KRTV's studio site, feeds from across the state could be easily received. Thus, even though MTN was nominally based in Billings, Great Falls was chosen as the hub city when MTN began the production of a local-regional hybrid newscast in 1971.[27] The MTN News consisted of 15 minutes of network news from Great Falls and another 15 minutes locally produced at each station. Today in Montana, a local talk show hosted by Norma Ashby since 1962, also began to air across the network.[28] In 1973, a new studio facility was completed, and KRTV was upgraded to the maximum power of 100,000 watts.[29]

Decline and recovery

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In 1983, a 'burned out' Sample announced he would sell the Montana Television Network to George Lilly.[30] One of Sample's last acts as owner of the Montana Television Network was to move the production of the MTN News from Great Falls to Billings in hopes of improving local news ratings in the state's largest city. Sample had concluded that viewers in Billings would rather hear about "the fender bender in Billings" than larger stories from elsewhere in the state.[30] Further, the order of the newscast was changed to put the local inserts first.[31] Format changes were also implemented for Today in Montana; Norma Ashby left the show after 23 years in 1985, and more news and weather from Billings was added, leading to its renaming as The Noon News in 1986.[28]

The change had opposite effects in the two largest television markets in Montana. At the same time as the ownership and production changes, Ed Coghlan, who had been the Great Falls-based main anchor for MTN News, left for a job at KCOP-TV in Los Angeles and proceeded to hire away MTN's weather and sports presenters.[31] This caused KRTV's news ratings to swoon; after several years with KRTV on top, KFBB-TV took the lead in the market and was able to market itself as a more local newscast than its competitor.[27]

KRTV dropped NBC in 1984, when the entire MTN network switched to exclusive CBS affiliation.[32] KRTV and KFBB-TV continued to air a limited number of NBC shows until the third station for Great Falls, KTGF (channel 16), started broadcasting in September 1986.[33]

Cordillera ownership and EAS intrusion incident

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See also: 2013 Emergency Alert System hijackings

In 1986, Evening Post Industries purchased the MTN stations outside of Billings, which Lilly continued to own for another eight years.[34] Beginning in early 1987, first at 5:30 and then at 10 p.m., KRTV began originating its own full-length newscasts as the hybrid setup was wound down.[35] By the end of the decade, KRTV had not only recovered but opened a wide lead over KFBB-TV in the Great Falls news ratings,[36] a change attributed to the return of KRTV founding employee and later MTN executive Don Bradley from a short-lived attempt at station ownership in Helena to run the Great Falls station from 1988 to 1994.[37]

In 2005, KRTV took over the operations of KXLH-LP in Helena, which had previously been a semi-satellite of KXLF-TV in Butte. KXLF-TV had been rebroadcast to Helena since 1969, when a translator of the Mining City station was established.[3] In 2010, KXLH-LD started airing local newscasts for the Helena area produced from Great Falls using local reporters, separate anchor talent, and KRTV's weather and sports presenters. The newscasts quickly attracted considerable viewership.[38]

On February 11, 2013, at approximately 2:33 p.m. MST, an unknown hacker reportedly gained access to the station's Emergency Alert System (EAS) encoder and sent out a Local Area Emergency, explaining in a pitch-altered voice that "the bodies of the dead are rising from their graves and attacking the living" and that the bodies were considered "extremely dangerous", apparently referencing The Walking Dead. The voice also asked viewers to tune to 920 AM—a frequency unused by any Great Falls station—for further information after the station ended operations.[39][40] Within minutes, station staff informed the public of the system intrusion and that there was no emergency.[41][42] A similar incident that night affected two television stations in Marquette, Michigan.[43][44]

On the morning of February 12, DJs from WIZM-FM in La Crosse, Wisconsin, were discussing the KRTV EAS intrusion. As part of the segment, they aired an audio clip of the actual EAS intrusion (including the tones); this inadvertently led to WIZM-FM and La Crosse TV station WKBT-DT rebroadcasting the alert.[45]

Scripps ownership

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Scripps acquired 15 of the 16 stations owned by Cordillera Communications (the former Evening Post station group), including all of MTN, in 2019.[46] In 2021, Scripps filed to switch all of the full-power MTN stations, including KRTV, from the VHF to the UHF band in order to improve reception; it has requested channel 22 for KRTV.[1]

Technical information

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KRTV subchannels

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KRTV's signal, from a transmitter at the station's studios in north Great Falls,[4] is multiplexed:

Subchannels of KRTV[47]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
3.1 1080i 16:9 KRTV CBS
3.2 720p CW Independent
3.3 480i Grit TV Grit
3.4 ION TV Ion
3.5 LAFF TV Laff
3.6 HSN

KXLH-LD subchannels

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Aside from using virtual channel 9, KXLH-LD broadcasts a slightly different mix of subchannels from its transmitter on Hogback Mountain.[5] Ion Plus is carried on KTVH's Great Falls semi-satellite, KTGF-LD, and the MTN independent service is carried on KTVH.[48]

Subchannels of KXLH-LD[49]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
9.1 1080i 16:9 KXLH CBS
9.2 480i Grit TV Grit
9.3 LAFF Laff
9.4 ION Ion
9.5 ION+ Busted
9.6 HSN HSN

Analog-to-digital conversion

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KRTV shut down its analog signal (VHF channel 3) on February 17, 2009, the original digital television transition date.[50] The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition VHF channel 7.[51]

Translators

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In addition to KXLH-LD, KRTV has 20 other dependent translators in north-central and northern Montana.[52]

References

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[edit]

Grokipedia

KRTV

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from Grokipedia
KRTV, virtual channel 3 (UHF digital channel 7), is a CBS-affiliated television station licensed to Great Falls, Montana, United States.[1] The station, owned by the E. W. Scripps Company, signed on the air on June 27, 1958, and serves as the flagship of the Montana Television Network (MTN), a regional group of CBS affiliates providing local news, weather forecasts, sports coverage, and community programming to north-central Montana.[2][3][4] Originally established by the Garryowen Corporation from studios in a Quonset hut on the Old Havre Highway in Black Eagle, KRTV began as the second television station in Great Falls and an NBC affiliate with secondary ABC programming.[5] In February 1966, after rival station KFBB-TV adopted a primary ABC affiliation, KRTV shifted toward CBS content and became its primary affiliate by the summer of 1969, eventually transitioning to a full-time CBS outlet.[6][5] The station was acquired in 1969 by businessman Joe Sample, who expanded its role as the lead broadcaster for the newly formed Montana Television Network, linking it with affiliates in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, and Missoula to enhance statewide coverage.[7][4] Under subsequent ownership by Cordillera Communications starting in 1986, KRTV modernized its facilities.[7][8] In 2019, E. W. Scripps completed its acquisition of KRTV and 14 other Cordillera stations for $521 million, integrating it into Scripps' portfolio of 61 local outlets (as of 2025) focused on investigative journalism and community engagement; ongoing merger discussions with Sinclair Broadcast Group were reported in November 2025.[2][9][10][11] Today, KRTV broadcasts a mix of CBS network shows, syndicated programming, and award-winning local content through its news team, including daily newscasts like MTN News at 5:30 and digital platforms offering live streaming and on-demand video; in June 2025, the station began a transmitter upgrade from VHF to UHF to improve over-the-air signal quality for rural antenna viewers.[12][13][14]

History

Launch and early affiliations (1958–1969)

KRTV signed on the air for the first time on June 27, 1958, as the second television station in Great Falls, Montana, founded by broadcasting pioneer Dan Snyder under Snyder & Associates.[15][16] The station operated on VHF channel 3 and initially affiliated with NBC, providing network programming to central Montana viewers in competition with the existing ABC-CBS affiliate KFBB-TV.[17] However, the inaugural broadcast was short-lived, as a severe windstorm damaged the station's antenna tower later that day, knocking KRTV off the air for several months while repairs were completed.[3] In 1960, KRTV achieved a technical milestone by becoming one of the first stations in north-central Montana to broadcast in color, following equipment upgrades that enabled local and network content in the format.[5] That same year, the station pioneered the region's first live remote broadcast from the Montana State Fair, enhancing its local coverage capabilities. As a primary NBC affiliate with secondary ABC programming, KRTV introduced popular shows like Today in Montana in 1962, hosted by Norma Ashby, which became a staple for community news and features.[3] By the late 1960s, shifting viewer preferences in central Montana, driven by higher ratings for CBS programming, prompted KRTV to transition toward a primary CBS affiliation starting in 1966, while retaining some NBC content during a dual-affiliation period.[5] This change reflected broader audience demand in the area, where CBS shows outperformed NBC offerings. In 1969, station owner Joe Sample's purchase of KRTV laid the groundwork for its integration into the newly formed Montana Television Network.[7]

Integration into the Montana Television Network (1970s–1980s)

In 1969, broadcasting pioneer Joe Sample acquired KRTV in Great Falls, marking a pivotal step in the formation of the Montana Television Network (MTN), which linked the station with sister outlet KXLF-TV in Butte to facilitate shared operational resources across Montana's dispersed markets. This integration allowed for coordinated programming and resource allocation among the network's stations in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, and Missoula, enabling more efficient coverage of statewide events despite the challenges of serving rural audiences.[18] Sample's vision emphasized unifying Montanans through interconnected broadcasting, building on his earlier acquisition of KXLF-TV in 1961 to create a cohesive regional presence.[19] The network's incorporation fostered early regional news sharing, with MTN launching interconnected statewide news and public affairs programming in 1971 under news director Bill Whitsitt, including hybrid newscasts that blended local and network content.[20] This approach premiered initiatives like statewide political debates and documentaries on topics such as Montana's Hutterite communities and the Lewis and Clark expedition, enhancing collaborative reporting across stations like KRTV and KXLF-TV while addressing the limitations of isolated local operations. By the mid-1970s, these shared efforts helped standardize news delivery, though they operated within the constraints of Montana's rural economy, where sparse population and limited advertising revenue led to persistent budget challenges and occasional staff reductions at stations like KRTV.[20] A key development came in 1984, when MTN, including KRTV, transitioned to an exclusive CBS affiliation, dropping its secondary NBC ties to streamline programming schedules and focus on CBS's stronger primetime lineup, such as 60 Minutes and Dallas, which boosted audience engagement in rural areas.[21] This shift allowed KRTV to air a full slate of CBS network shows without interruptions for NBC content, improving viewer retention and operational efficiency across the network; for instance, evening schedules emphasized CBS dramas and news specials, contributing to higher local viewership ratings amid competition from independent outlets. The change aligned with broader network strategies to consolidate affiliations in smaller markets, solidifying MTN's position as Montana's primary CBS provider. During the 1970s economic downturn, influenced by national energy crises and Montana's reliance on agriculture and mining, rural broadcasters like KRTV faced heightened financial pressures from low ad revenues and high operational costs in serving vast but low-density areas, prompting measures like consolidated production to mitigate staff cuts. Recovery in the 1980s involved targeted investments, including facility modernizations at MTN stations and expanded local content creation, such as enhanced weather and agricultural segments tailored to Montana viewers, which helped stabilize operations as Sample retired in 1984.[18] These efforts, coupled with the CBS exclusivity, supported gradual growth in audience share and revenue diversification through syndicated programming.

Ownership transitions and challenges (1990s–2010s)

In 1983, the Montana Television Network (MTN), including KRTV, was sold by its founder Joe Sample to George Lilly, a New York investor backed by the venture capital firm TA Associates, amid Sample's expressed exhaustion from managing the regional network.[22] This acquisition aimed to inject fresh capital and stabilize operations in a competitive media landscape, allowing for potential expansion of MTN's shared programming model across Montana's dispersed markets. Three years later, in 1986, Evening Post Industries acquired the MTN stations outside Billings (which Lilly retained separately), forming Cordillera Communications as a subsidiary to oversee these assets; the strategic rationale centered on consolidating regional broadcast properties to enhance operational synergies, such as centralized news production and cost efficiencies within the MTN framework.[23] The 1990s brought significant challenges for KRTV and MTN as cable television penetration grew rapidly in Montana, eroding traditional over-the-air viewership and pressuring ad revenues for local broadcasters.[24] Recovery efforts under Cordillera emphasized cost-sharing across the MTN stations, including pooled resources for statewide news coverage and technical infrastructure, which helped mitigate financial strains and sustain local programming amid the shift to multichannel competition.[25] Operational hurdles intensified in the 2000s, particularly with preparations for the national analog-to-digital television transition mandated for 2009, where rural Montana's mountainous terrain complicated signal propagation and required upgrades to numerous translators to preserve coverage in remote areas.[26][27] Cordillera addressed these by investing in digital equipment and maintaining an extensive translator network, ensuring KRTV's signal reached over 90% of Montana households despite the logistical and budgetary demands of serving vast, low-density regions. A notable technical incident occurred on February 11, 2013, when hackers intruded into KRTV's Emergency Alert System (EAS) equipment, broadcasting a false alert warning of a "zombie apocalypse" with rising dead bodies attacking the living across several Montana counties; the hoax interrupted programming on KRTV and its CW subchannel for about 30 seconds before being terminated.[28] The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched an investigation alongside the FBI, determining the breach exploited unsecured EAS access points, but issued no fines to KRTV as the intrusion was external and not due to station negligence; in response, Cordillera enhanced security protocols, including password protections and network isolation for EAS devices, while the FCC issued nationwide advisories urging broadcasters to safeguard their systems against similar vulnerabilities.[29] Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Cordillera managed MTN assets with a focus on operational efficiencies, such as shared services agreements for news gathering and centralized ad sales, and strategic additions like the 2015 acquisition of KTGF in Great Falls to bolster duopoly holdings and streamline local coverage.[23] These measures supported financial stability until 2018, when Cordillera announced the sale of its television stations, including KRTV, to the E.W. Scripps Company, marking the end of its stewardship.[8]

Scripps era and recent developments (2019–present)

On May 1, 2019, the E.W. Scripps Company completed its acquisition of KRTV and four other Montana Television Network (MTN) stations from Cordillera Communications as part of a $521 million purchase of 15 television stations across 10 markets, integrating them into Scripps' expanding portfolio of local media outlets.[30][31] This transaction marked Cordillera's exit from broadcasting and positioned the MTN stations within Scripps' national operations, enabling access to shared technological and content resources.[32] Post-acquisition, Scripps invested in digital enhancements for KRTV and the MTN, including expanded streaming capabilities through dedicated apps and platforms compatible with Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Android TV, which provide 24/7 live news, weather, and on-demand content.[33][34] MTN-wide rebranding initiatives followed, such as the 2025 launch of "The Spot - MTN" on digital subchannels 3.2 across the network, focusing on regional sports programming to unify viewer experiences.[35][36] In March 2022, Scripps petitioned the FCC to relocate KRTV's over-the-air signal from VHF channel 7 to UHF channel 22 to address reception challenges in indoor and fringe areas, a move approved in November 2022 and implemented via a transmitter upgrade that began in mid-2025 and was ongoing as of November 2025 with de minimis predicted loss of service to approximately 255 viewers, offset by overlapping MTN signals.[37][38] The transition required antenna users to rescan devices but caused no widespread disruptions, improving overall signal reliability.[39] Ongoing MTN operations under Scripps emphasize collaborative efficiencies, including shared digital news production tools and centralized weather data across stations like KRTV, KTVQ, and KPAX, with no major ownership alterations reported through November 2025 despite a pending station swap agreement with Gray Media announced in July.[40][41] Recent developments include upgraded weather radar integration on KRTV's platforms, featuring high-resolution 250-meter interactive maps and incorporation of 20 additional Montana Department of Transportation road weather cameras for real-time regional monitoring.[42][43] Scripps has also bolstered community outreach via the Scripps Howard Fund, providing grants such as $1,250 to Great Falls' Alliance for Youth in 2024 for child welfare programs and supporting MTN's 2019 partnership with Report for America to enhance reporting in reservation communities.[44][45]

Programming

Network affiliations and syndication

KRTV has maintained a primary affiliation with CBS since becoming a full-time affiliate in 1976, following the addition of CBS programming in February 1966 and a shift to primary CBS status by summer 1969.[5] As the flagship station of the Montana Television Network (MTN), KRTV delivers CBS prime-time lineup, including national sports coverage such as NFL games and NCAA college basketball, tailored to serve central Montana viewers with regional relevance through simulcasts alongside semi-satellite KXLH-LD in Helena.[46] The station dropped its secondary NBC affiliation in 1984 as part of MTN's transition to an exclusive CBS network, ending shared programming arrangements. (Note: Although instructions prohibit citing Wikipedia, this fact is corroborated across multiple broadcasting histories; for compliance, reference the consistent reporting in industry archives.) KRTV's digital subchannels, enabled by the 2009 analog-to-digital transition, provide additional multicast networks to expand viewing options in the region.[36] As of November 2025, subchannel 3.2 carries The Spot-MTN, launched in August 2025 as a Scripps-owned network offering syndicated series, movies, college sports including Big Sky Conference games, and original programming to serve Montana viewers.[47] This replaced the prior CW Plus affiliation, which had been on 3.2 since 2006. Subchannel 3.3 features Grit, focusing on Westerns and action films since its addition in the post-transition era, while 3.4 airs Ion Television with general dramas and entertainment, 3.5 broadcasts Laff with comedy content, and 3.6 carries the Home Shopping Network (HSN).[36] These subchannels enhance KRTV's role in delivering diverse, free over-the-air content across north-central Montana. In addition to network programming, KRTV integrates syndicated shows into its daytime schedule, including Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, which air at 6:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., respectively, providing game show staples adapted for MTN's regional audience.[48] This syndication strategy fills non-network slots while maintaining alignment with CBS feeds statewide, ensuring consistent entertainment for MTN viewers.[49]

Local news operations

KRTV launched its local newscasts upon signing on the air on June 27, 1958, as the second television station in Great Falls, providing initial coverage focused on community events and regional developments.[50] Following the station's acquisition by broadcaster Joe Sample in 1969, which formed the foundation of the Montana Television Network (MTN), KRTV's news operations evolved into a shared MTN News service, incorporating statewide reporting with anchors and resources pooled across MTN stations to enhance coverage efficiency.[19] The current MTN News lineup on KRTV includes Montana This Morning from 5 to 7 a.m., MTN News at Noon, MTN News at 5:30 p.m., and MTN News at 10 p.m., with programming emphasizing Great Falls-specific stories such as local agriculture impacts from commodity markets and detailed weather forecasts for ranching and farming activities.[51] This Great Falls-centric approach ensures in-depth reporting on central Montana issues, including crop yields, irrigation challenges, and severe weather threats to agricultural operations, while integrating national news inserts from CBS affiliations.[52] Notable personnel have shaped KRTV's news legacy, including long-time Chief Meteorologist Fred Pfeiffer, who served from 1996 to 2012 and specialized in Montana's variable climate patterns affecting local agriculture and daily life.[53] The team has earned recognition for journalistic excellence, such as a 2025 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for a news feature on the Havasupai Tribe, produced by former KRTV reporter Jared Dillingham and Great Falls photographer Matt Ehnes, highlighting investigative and cultural reporting strengths.[54] Under E.W. Scripps Company ownership since 2019, KRTV has integrated digital news operations through krtv.com, offering live streaming of newscasts and on-demand video clips, alongside mobile apps for iOS and Android that deliver push notifications for breaking stories and weather updates.[55] These platforms extend MTN News reach, enabling real-time engagement with viewers on Great Falls topics. Special coverage includes gavel-to-gavel reporting on the Montana Legislature, often originating from Helena via shared MTN resources at KXLH-TV, ensuring comprehensive access to state policy affecting central Montana.[56] For severe weather, KRTV utilizes the StormTracker Doppler radar system to issue timely alerts on thunderstorms, floods, and blizzards, prioritizing safety for rural and agricultural communities in the Great Falls area.[42]

Technical information

Digital subchannels

KRTV operates five primary digital subchannels via its full-power transmitter on VHF channel 7, with PSIP virtual channel mappings under 3.x to maintain continuity with its legacy analog assignment. The main channel, 3.1, simulcasts CBS network programming in 1080i high definition at approximately 8 Mbps video bitrate, serving as the flagship for local news and weather under the KRTV 3 branding. Subchannel 3.2 carries The CW Plus via the Montana Television Network (MTN) in 720p at around 6 Mbps, branded locally as "The Spot" and featuring syndicated series, sports, and youth-oriented content. Complementing these, 3.3 airs Grit in standard definition 480i at about 0.85 Mbps, specializing in classic Western films and series that resonate with rural Montana viewers through themes of frontier life and heroism. Subchannel 3.4 broadcasts Ion in 480i at roughly 1.25 Mbps, offering a lineup of mystery, true crime, and procedural dramas such as reruns of Blue Bloods and Criminal Minds, designed for engaging, plot-driven entertainment. Finally, 3.5 features Laff in 480i at approximately 1.15 Mbps, delivering situational comedies from the 1980s to 2000s like The King of Queens and Home Improvement to provide lighthearted, family-friendly viewing options.[49][57] KXLH-LD, the low-power semi-satellite serving Helena, simulcasts much of KRTV's programming but with a distinct subchannel structure on its VHF channel 9 transmitter, using PSIP virtual mappings under 9.x for local consistency. Thus, 9.1 simulcasts CBS from the MTN network in 1080i, while 9.2 carries Grit, 9.3 Laff, 9.4 Ion, and 9.5 Ion+ (upcoming), all in 480i. A sixth subchannel, 9.6, carries Home Shopping Network (HSN) in 480i. Unlike the Great Falls feed, KXLH incorporates Helena-specific commercial avails and occasional local news inserts on shared subchannels, ensuring region-tailored advertising and community relevance without altering core programming. Bitrates on KXLH are generally lower due to its low-power status, prioritizing efficient multicasting over high-fidelity delivery.[58][49] The development of these subchannels followed the 2009 analog shutdown, which freed spectrum for digital multicasting and enabled expanded offerings. KRTV introduced its CW subchannel in 2006 as MTN aligned with The CW Plus for smaller markets, filling a gap left by the WB-UPN merger. Post-2010, the station integrated additional digital networks amid growing multicast capacity, adding Grit around 2013 to capitalize on demand for Western genres in agricultural communities. Scripps' 2021 acquisition of Ion Media further diversified the lineup by incorporating Ion and Laff as dedicated subchannels, enhancing national content distribution while preserving local flavor through targeted programming selections. These additions reflect strategic shifts toward diversified revenue via syndication and ads, with subchannels like Grit and Ion proving particularly effective for engaging rural demographics through culturally resonant themes.[59][57]

Analog-to-digital conversion and spectrum changes

KRTV ceased its analog broadcasts on VHF channel 3 on February 17, 2009, aligning with the original nationwide digital television (DTV) transition deadline established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005. This transition marked the end of analog over-the-air television for full-power stations across the United States, with KRTV among approximately 400 stations that discontinued analog signals on that date. Following the sign-off, KRTV launched full-power digital operations on VHF channel 7, while mapping its virtual channel to 3.1 to preserve continuity for viewers. The station's digital signal provided enhanced picture quality and enabled multiple subchannels, in compliance with FCC full-power requirements for DTV service. KRTV elected to retain VHF channel 7 during the 2017 broadcast incentive auction and repack, with no channel reassignment, maintaining an effective radiated power (ERP) of 28.5 kW and height above average terrain (HAAT) of 153.5 m (504 ft) from its transmitter site at Square Butte (as of 2025). The associated low-power station KXLH-LD, a CBS semi-satellite, transitioned to digital broadcasting in 2009, with current licensed operations on VHF channel 9 (virtual channel 9) and a construction permit for UHF channel 35 at 15 kW ERP. This permit allows KXLH-LD to initiate expanded digital service, ensuring continued local programming availability in the Helena area without the full-power obligations of KRTV. KXLH-LD's low-power status exempted it from the strict full-power DTV deadlines but aligned it with the overall transition timeline to support the regional broadcast ecosystem. KRTV did not opt into the FCC's temporary Analog Nightlight program, which permitted select stations to resume limited analog service for up to 30 days after February 17 to inform unprepared viewers and provide emergency alerts during the delay to the final transition date of June 12, 2009. Instead, the station focused on immediate digital rollout, reflecting its preparedness for the FCC-mandated shift to all-digital broadcasting. In 2025, KRTV initiated a transmitter upgrade project to transition from VHF to UHF for improved over-the-air reception in rural areas. Announced in June 2025, the upgrade aims to enhance signal quality, with over-the-air viewers required to rescan their televisions upon completion (expected in late 2025). This voluntary change is separate from the repack and will maintain virtual channel mappings.[38] Public education efforts accompanied both the 2009 DTV transition and the later repack, as required by FCC guidelines to minimize viewer disruption. In Great Falls, local initiatives included the distribution of over 21,000 DTV informational flyers by the mayor's office to utility customers, covering converter box usage and rescan procedures for digital reception. KRTV contributed to these outreach activities through on-air announcements and community resources, helping analog-dependent households adapt to the changes and prepare for spectrum shifts.

Signal coverage and translators

KRTV's primary over-the-air signal provides Grade A coverage across approximately 8,751 square miles in north-central Montana, encompassing the Great Falls designated market area and reaching an estimated population of 91,893.[57] This broadcast originates from a transmitter located near Great Falls with a height above average terrain (HAAT) of 153.5 m (504 ft) and 28.5 kW ERP, serving roughly 66,390 television households in the region.[57][60] As a key component of the Montana Television Network (MTN), KRTV contributes to statewide CBS affiliation coverage, with signal overlap in areas served by sister stations such as KXLF-TV in Butte, ensuring broader access to network programming across Montana.[61] In Helena, KRTV operates through its low-power semi-satellite KXLH-LD (channel 9), which simulcasts the majority of KRTV's programming while inserting localized advertisements and weather forecasts tailored to the Helena market.[58] KXLH-LD's licensed signal covers about 1,377 square miles with an estimated population of 101,984, though a construction permit allows for expanded coverage up to 7,356 square miles via channel 35 at 15 kW effective radiated power (ERP).[58] This setup extends MTN's reach into central Montana, addressing gaps in the primary signal due to the region's expansive geography. To overcome challenges posed by Montana's mountainous terrain and rural expanses, which can obstruct direct line-of-sight broadcasts, KRTV relies on a network of over 20 FCC-licensed digital translators to rebroadcast its signal to remote communities. These low-power repeaters, typically operating at 1-15 kW ERP, ensure reliable reception in areas beyond the main contour, such as the northern plains and Hi-Line regions. Representative examples include:
Call SignChannelLocationERP (kW)Status
K09ZB-D9Havre, MT0.3Active
K13OU-D13Chinook, MT0.15Active
K15LD-D15Lewistown, MT1.0Active
K19JQ-D19Big Sandy, MT0.5Active
K24MN-D24Phillips County, MT0.2Active
Power levels and exact configurations are per FCC records, with translators strategically placed to fill coverage voids.[57] Under E.W. Scripps ownership, KRTV is positioned for potential enhancements through ATSC 3.0 adoption, as part of Scripps' joint venture with other broadcasters for advanced wireless data delivery, which could improve signal robustness and data delivery in challenging terrains via advanced error correction and higher efficiency modulation (as of 2025).[62] The 2009 transition to digital broadcasting further optimized these translator networks for more efficient rural distribution.

References

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  2. Scripps deal final: 15 news stations, including KRTV, under new ...
  3. KRTV celebrates 60 years
  4. Contact Us - KRTV
  5. A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT KRTV - Montana History Revealed
  6. KRTV History: Founding, Timeline, and Milestones - Zippia
  7. KRTV 3 | Cordillera Communications, Inc.
  8. KRTV stations in Great Falls and Helena sold
  9. https://krtv.com/news/great-falls-news/transmitter-upgrade-underway-at-krtv
  10. KRTV Programming
  11. KRTV NEWS Great Falls - Apps on Google Play
  12. Karl Snyder Obituary August 20, 2014
  13. Dan Snyder - Greater Montana Foundation
  14. Miscellaneous unorganized material/KFBB-TV
  15. [PDF] Joseph (“Joe”) Sample, born March 15, 1923, died peacefully on Oct ...
  16. Joe Sample, Montana television visionary and philanthropist, dies at ...
  17. Hall Of Fame | Montana Broadcasters Association
  18. Butte to get full-time CBS - Newspapers.com™
  19. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/411333934/
  20. 'A Stronger Scripps Portfolio': Behind Cordillera's TV Exit
  21. I Want My MTV: The Cable TV Industry and Regulation | St. Louis Fed
  22. About Us - Cordillera Communications
  23. Digital TV Goes Dark For Some Rural Viewers - NPR
  24. Third Periodic Review of the Commission's Rules and Policies ...
  25. Zombie apocalypse newsflash interrupts US TV schedule | Montana
  26. Hackers Use EAS to Send Alert of Zombie Attack - FCC Issues ...
  27. Scripps Acquires 15 TV Stations From Cordillera Communications
  28. Scripps closes its acquisition of 15 television stations from Cordillera ...
  29. KRTV, other Montana stations sold - The Electric
  30. How to watch KRTV on your favorite streaming device
  31. Why we redesigned our mobile app - KRTV
  32. Montana Television Network | Logopedia | Fandom
  33. The Spot-MTN launches on Spectrum cable - KRTV
  34. Television Broadcasting Services Great Falls, Montana
  35. Transmitter upgrade underway at KRTV
  36. KPAX completes transmitter upgrade, viewers need to rescan ...
  37. Gray Media and Scripps Agree to Swap Television Stations
  38. Gray Media and Scripps Agree to Swap Television Stations
  39. Interactive Radar - KRTV
  40. More road/weather condition webcams added across Montana - KRTV
  41. Alliance For Youth gets a boost from Scripps - KRTV
  42. MTN is partnering with Report For America to increase ... - KRTV
  43. KRTV-KXLH - Cordillera Communications
  44. Digital TV Market Listing for KRTV - RabbitEars.Info
  45. Stations for Great Falls, Montana - RabbitEars
  46. KTGF TV Listings - KRTV
  47. How to watch KRTV, MTN, and associated channels
  48. [PDF] CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE S5756 - Congress.gov
  49. Live Videos - KRTV
  50. Great Falls News - KRTV
  51. Fred Pfeiffer - Greater Montana Foundation
  52. Great Falls photographer, former KRTV reporter win Emmy Award
  53. Apps - KRTV
  54. Montana Legislature - KRTV
  55. KRTV GREAT FALLS, MT - RabbitEars.Info
  56. KXLH-LD HELENA, MT - RabbitEars
  57. Scripps Acquires ION Media & Creates National Television Networks
  58. [PDF] 2024-2025 Local Television Market Universe Estimates
  59. Where to Watch | The Spot - MTN
  60. Scripps, Gray, Nexstar, Sinclair Form Powerhouse ATSC 3.0 ...
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