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{{short description|NBC affiliate in Billings, Montana}}
{{short description|NBC affiliate in Billings, Montana}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KULR-TV
| callsign = KULR-TV
| city =
| city =
| logo = KULR Non-Stop Local Billings 2022.svg
| logo = [[Image:KULR8.png|150px]]
| logo_size = 220px
| branding = KULR 8<br />
| logo_alt = The words "NonStop Local" in a sans serif, with Local in bold and all caps. Under the "Non" is a rotating angled set of curved arrows. Beneath this are the NBC peacock and the word "Billings".
''NonStop Local'' (newscasts)
| branding = NonStop Local Billings
| digital = 11 ([[very high frequency|VHF]])
| digital = 11 ([[VHF]])
| virtual = 8
| virtual = 8
| subchannels =
| subchannels =
| translators = {{ubl|[[KYUS-TV]] 3 [[Miles City, Montana|Miles City]]|''for others, see {{section link||Translators}}''}}
| translators = ''K06FE-D 6 Miles City<br />K14RV-D 14 [[Forsyth, Montana|Forsyth]]<br />K31NW-D 31 [[Forsyth, Montana|Forsyth]]<br />K34OB-D 34 [[Howard, Montana|Howard]]<br />K50MY-D 25 [[Cody, Wyoming|Cody, WY]]''
| affiliations = '''8.1:''' [[NBC]]<br />'''8.2:''' [[SWX Right Now]]
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''8.1:''' [[NBC]]|'''8.2:''' [[SWX Right Now]]}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1958|3|15|p=y}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1958|3|15|p=y}}
| location = [[Mexico, Canada]]
| location = [[Billings, Montana]]
| country = UK
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning = [[color television|Kulor (Color) Television]]<br />''(calls were inaugurated with launch of color service)''
| callsign_meaning = "Color"; as in [[Color television]]
| former_callsigns = KGHL-TV (1958–1963)
| former_callsigns = KGHL-TV (1958–1963)
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:'''<br />8 (VHF, 1958–2009)
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 8 (VHF, 1958–2009)
| owner = [[Cowles Company]]
| owner = [[Cowles Company]]
| licensee = Cowles Montana Media Company
| licensee = Cowles Montana Media Company
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (1963–1987, secondary until 1969)}}
| operator =
| erp = 16 [[kW]]
| sister_stations =
| former_affiliations = [[Canadian / Mexican Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (1963–1987, secondary until 1969)<br />[[PBS]] (per program, 1970–1984)
| erp = 16 [[kilowatt|kW]]
| haat = {{convert|191|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| haat = {{convert|191|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 35724
| facility_id = 35724
| coordinates = {{coord|45|45|35.5|N|108|27|17.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| coordinates = {{coord|45|45|35.5|N|108|27|17.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.nonstoplocal.com/billings/}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.nonstoplocal.com/billings/}}
| embed_header = Satellite station
| embedded = {{Infobox television station
| child = yes
| callsign = KYUS-TV
| city =
| logo =
| branding = see KULR-TV infobox
| digital = 3 (VHF)
| virtual = 3
| subchannels =
| translators =
| affiliations = '''3.1:''' NBC (as a sole station, 1970-1984; via [[KHMT|KOUS]], 1984–1987; via KULR-TV, 1998–present)<br />'''3.2:''' SWX Right Now
| airdate = {{start date and age|1969|8|29|p=y}}<ref>The ''Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook'' says KYUS signed on August 29, while the ''Television and Cable Factbook'' says it signed on September 1.</ref>
| location = [[Miles City, Montana]]
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning = [[cayuse (horse)|cayuse]], a type of Native American pony<ref>Kennedy, Ray. "[https://www.si.com/vault/1980/09/15/824972/the-man-who-brought-surfing-to-montana-paipo-surfing-is-just-one-of-the-many-sporting-interests-of-david-rivenes-of-little-miles-city-hes-also-big-on-luge-tae-kwan-do-and-age-group-wrestling The Man Who Brought Surfing to Montana]", ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''. September 15, 1980. Retrieved April 11, 2019.</ref><ref>[[David J. Wishart|Wishart, David J.]] (2004). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=rtRFyFO4hpEC&pg=PA505&lpg=PA505#v=onepage&q&f=false Encyclopedia of the Great Plains]''. [[University of Nebraska Press]]. p. 505. Retrieved April 11, 2019.</ref>
| former_callsigns =
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:'''<br />3 (VHF, 1969–2009)
| owner = [[Stephan Marks|Marks Radio Group]]
| licensee = KYUS-TV Broadcasting Corporation
| operator = Cowles Company<br />''(via [[local marketing agreement|time brokerage agreement]])''
| sister_stations =
| former_affiliations = '''Primary:'''<br />[[Independent station (North America)|Independent]] (1969–1970)<br />ABC (via KOUS, 1987–1993; via [[KSVI]], 1993-1996)<br />[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] (1996–1998)<br />'''Secondary:'''<br />Fox (1994-1995)<br />[[UPN]]/[[The WB]] (c. 1997–1998)
| erp = 2.9 kW
| haat = {{convert|30|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 5237
| coordinates = {{coord|46|25|34|N|105|51|40|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KYUS-TV}}
| licensing_authority = FCC
}}
}}
}}


'''KULR-TV''' (channel 8) is a [[television station]] in [[Billings, Montana]], United States, affiliated with [[NBC]] and owned by the [[Cowles Company]]. The station's studios are located on Overland Avenue in the Homestead Business Park section of Billings, and its transmitter is located on [[Coburn Hill]] southeast of downtown.
'''KULR-TV''' (channel 8) is a [[television station]] in [[Billings, Montana]], United States, affiliated with [[NBC]] and owned by the [[Cowles Company]]. The station's studios are located on Overland Avenue in the Homestead Business Park section of Billings, and its transmitter is located on [[Coburn Hill]] southeast of downtown.


KULR-TV was the second TV station on the air in Billings; it began broadcasting as KGHL-TV, co-owned with [[KGHL (AM)|KGHL radio]], on March 15, 1958. The station was renamed KULR-TV in 1963 when it was separated from the radio stations. It was an ABC affiliate from 1969 to 1987, when it returned to NBC. KULR-TV was purchased by [[Max Media]] in 2004 and by Cowles in 2013. Since the late 1980s, its newscasts have been a distant second-place finisher to [[KTVQ]].
'''KYUS-TV''' (channel 3) in [[Miles City, Montana|Miles City]] operates as a full-time [[broadcast relay station#Satellite stations|satellite]] of KULR, covering areas of east-central Montana; this station's transmitter is located northwest of Miles City. KYUS is owned by the [[Stephan Marks|Marks Radio Group]], which also owns several radio stations in Montana, among other broadcasting properties. Cowles operates the station under a [[local marketing agreement|time brokerage agreement]] (TBA). KYUS is a straight [[simulcast]] of KULR; on-air references to KYUS are limited to [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC)-mandated hourly [[station identification]]s during newscasts and other programming. Aside from the transmitter, KYUS does not maintain any physical presence locally in Miles City. At one point known as the smallest network affiliate in the country, KYUS has largely served as a satellite of other stations since 1984, and has simulcast KULR since 1998. Marks Radio Group also owns [[KXGN-TV]] in [[Glendive, Montana|Glendive]], which broadcasts KULR's newscasts on a digital subchannel.


==History==
==History==
The first channel 8 construction permit was awarded on November 21, 1952, to the Rudman-Hayutin Television Company, a consortium of two oil producers.<ref name="Bill530116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-permits-granted-for/124016546/|date=January 16, 1953|page=2|title=Permits Granted For Television: Billings, Great Falls And Butte Approved|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> M. B. Rudman surrendered other permits he owned with Hayutin in [[North Dakota]] in September 1953 in order to concentrate on the proposed Billings station,<ref name="Grea530917">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-oilman-drops-permits/124016786/|date=September 17, 1953|page=5|agency=Associated Press|title=Oilman Drops Permits for 3 TV Stations|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> but after the company failed to respond to a letter from the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) inquiring as to progress in construction, the FCC canceled the permit in March 1954.<ref name="Bill540304">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-fcc-cancels-permit/124016869/|date=March 4, 1954|page=13|agency=United Press|title=FCC Cancels Permit For Billings TV Channel 8 Station|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

===KGHL-TV: Early years===
The Midland Empire Broadcasting Company, owner of Billings radio station [[KGHL (AM)|KGHL]] (790 AM), applied to the FCC in September 1955 for channel 8.<ref name="Bill550909">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-kghl-files-tv-appli/124017049/|date=September 9, 1955|page=5|title=KGHL Files TV Application: Fortin Firm Seeks Channel 8 Permit|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The FCC granted the application on November 23,<ref name="Grea551124">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-billings-to-get-100/124017112/|date=November 24, 1955|page=4|agency=United Press|title=Billings to Get 100,000 Watt New TV Station|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> but it stayed the grant after [[KOOK-TV]] (channel 2), the city's other TV station, protested to the commission.<ref name="Bill560120">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-protest-hearing-on/124017229/|date=January 20, 1956|page=8|agency=Associated Press|title=Protest Hearing on New Billings TV Station Scheduled for March 19|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> In August, FCC hearing examiner James D. Cunningham recommended a grant of the Midland Empire application, noting that while the addition of a second station would cause some economic damage to KOOK-TV, the Billings market could sustain two stations.<ref name="Bill560803">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-local-channel-8-sta/124017405/|date=August 3, 1956|page=2|title=Local Channel 8 Station Backed|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

The FCC lifted the stay on construction of KGHL-TV on April 19, 1957. Midland Empire Broadcasting Company officials announced they would begin construction immediately on studios co-located with the radio station on Broadway.<ref name="Bill570420">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-fcc-approves-kghl-t/124017593/|date=April 20, 1957|page=2|title=FCC Approves KGHL-TV Permit: Telecasting May Start This Fall|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> However, the company instead decided to build new facilities on North 30th Street to house both stations; the KGHL-TV transmitter was also built southeast of Billings.<ref name="Bill570703">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-building-total-hits/52224014/|date=July 3, 1957|page=2|title=Building Total Hits $552,400|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Bill580314">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-station-to-start-ar/52223723/|date=March 14, 1958|page=3|title=Station to Start Area Telecasts|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> KGHL-TV began broadcasting on March 15, 1958, as an affiliate of NBC.{{r|Bill580314}}

===KULR-TV===
===KULR-TV===
Channel 8's first broadcast was on March 15, 1958 as '''KGHL-TV''', an NBC affiliate owned by Midland Empire Broadcasting Company along with [[KGHL (AM)|KGHL radio]] (AM 790).<ref name=by1959>{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1959|year=1959|page=B-50|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1959/TV-1959-BC-YB.pdf|access-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> The station's first studios were co-located with KGHL radio on North 30th Street in Billings.<ref name=jiaz-kulrstudios>{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=John C|title=KGHL TV / KULR TV Channel 8 Billings Photos|url=http://www.johninarizona.com/kghl-kulr/kghl-kulr.html|website=John in Arizona|access-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> Midland Empire Broadcasting sold KGHL-AM-TV to Crain-Snyder Television in 1962; Crain-Snyder immediately spun KGHL radio off to [[George C. Hatch]], retaining KGHL-TV.<ref name=b-saletocrainsnyder>{{cite news|title=For the Record|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-12-24-BC.pdf|page=67|access-date=September 25, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=December 24, 1962}}</ref> The following year, the new owners changed the station's call letters to '''KULR-TV''',<ref name=b-kghltokulr>{{cite news|title=For the Record|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-02-04-BC.pdf|page=78|access-date=September 25, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=February 4, 1963}}</ref> which were a play on the word "color" as most programs in the mid-1960s started changing from being televised in black and white to color. During this time, most on-air verbal references to the station called it "Color 8."<ref name=jiaz-kulrstudios/> KULR also added a secondary affiliation with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in 1963.<ref name=by1964>{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1964|year=1964|page=A-36|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1964/Section%20A%20%20TV%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201964.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015}}</ref> In the late 1960s, the station moved its studios to a new building adjacent to the transmitter on Coburn Road, southeast of downtown Billings.<ref name=jiaz-kulrstudios/> Chicago-based Harriscope Broadcasting purchased the station in 1967 for $350,000.<ref name=b-saletoharriscope>{{cite news|title=Changing hands|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-03-13-BC.pdf|access-date=September 25, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=March 13, 1967|page=66}}</ref>
Midland Empire Broadcasting sold KGHL-AM-TV to Crain-Snyder Television in 1962; Crain-Snyder immediately spun KGHL radio off to [[George C. Hatch]], retaining KGHL-TV.<ref name=b-saletocrainsnyder>{{cite news|title=For the Record|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-12-24-BC.pdf|page=67|access-date=September 25, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=December 24, 1962|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927155824/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-12-24-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It was decided to let the older radio station keep the KGHL call letters;<ref name="Bill621006">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-okay-is-asked-for-k/102313561/|date=October 6, 1962|page=3|agency=UPI|title=Okay Is Asked For KGHL Sale|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> On January 1, 1963, coinciding with the change in ownership, KGHL-TV became KULR-TV; both halves of the newly split operation made plans to leave the 30th Street site, with channel 8 relocating to studios at the transmitter site on [[Coburn Hill]].<ref name="Bill621230">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-sale-splits-radio-t/52223841/|date=December 30, 1962|page=7|title=Sale Splits Radio-TV Firm|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun --> KULR also added a secondary affiliation with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in 1963.<ref name=by1964>{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1964|year=1964|page=A-36|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1964/Section%20A%20%20TV%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201964.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015}}</ref>


Paul Crain, one of the two principals in Crain-Snyder Television, died at the age of 43 in 1964.<ref name="Grea640501">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-broadcaster-p-crain/102313581/|date=May 1, 1964|page=1|agency=Associated Press|title=Broadcaster P. Crain Dies|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Two years later, Crain-Snyder sold KULR-TV to the Harriscope Broadcasting Corporation, which owned [[KFBB-TV]] in [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]] and [[KTWO-TV]] in [[Casper, Wyoming]]; the FCC approved of the $350,000 purchase in March 1967.<ref name="Bill660420">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-tv-station-stock-is/124021604/|date=April 20, 1966|page=1|title=TV Station Stock Is Sold|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Bill670310">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-kulr-tv-sale-is-app/124021664/|date=March 10, 1967|page=15|title=KULR-TV Sale Is Approved|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name=b-saletoharriscope>{{cite news|title=Changing hands|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-03-13-BC.pdf|access-date=September 25, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=March 13, 1967|page=66|archive-date=November 27, 2014|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20141127162459/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-03-13-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
Harriscope agreed in 1967 to change the primary network affiliation for KULR-TV and [[KFBB-TV]] in [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]] to ABC at the end of each station's existing affiliation contract;<ref name=b-kulrtoabc1>{{cite news|title=Two Harriscope stations affiliate with ABC-TV|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-10-16-BC.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=October 16, 1967|page=63}}</ref> KULR's switch took effect January 1, 1969, at which point NBC was relegated to secondary status.<ref name=b-kulrtoabc2>{{cite news|title=Media reports|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-09-23-BC.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=December 23, 1968|page=40}}</ref> Channel 8 then became the fourth primary ABC affiliate in Montana. This was very unusual for a two-station market, especially one as small as Billings. NBC wouldn't return to Billings on a full-time basis until KOUS-TV (channel 4, now [[KHMT]]), which signed on in 1980, became a primary NBC affiliate in 1982. From 1970 until KUSM in [[Bozeman, Montana|Bozeman]] (now part of [[Montana PBS]]) signed on in 1984, KULR aired some [[PBS]] programming, as Montana was one of the few states at the time that did not have a PBS member station of its own.


Harriscope agreed in 1967 to change the primary network affiliation for KULR-TV and [[KFBB-TV]] in [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]] to ABC at the end of each station's existing affiliation contract;<ref name=b-kulrtoabc1>{{cite news|title=Two Harriscope stations affiliate with ABC-TV|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-10-16-BC.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=October 16, 1967|page=63|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927161613/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-10-16-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> KULR's switch took effect January 1, 1969, at which point NBC was relegated to secondary status.<ref name=b-kulrtoabc2>{{cite news|title=Media reports|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-09-23-BC.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=December 23, 1968|page=40|archive-date=November 27, 2014|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20141127163858/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-09-23-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Even though it was a primary ABC affiliate, ABC's evening network newscast was not aired until 1971, when Harriscope began airing the ABC and NBC evening newscasts on KULR-TV and KTWO-TV in Casper.<ref>{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|1017175748}}|date=May 19, 1971|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=Billings & Casper & ABC & NBC}}</ref> By later in the 1970s, KTVQ had first call rights to NBC shows, with KULR-TV having secondary choice;<ref>{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|1401359620}}|page=24|first=Robert|last=Rees|title=Billings, Montana: Disco, Porno, 19 Film Situations, Local Legit, TV Vs. Sheep|date=August 1, 1979|work=Variety}}</ref> in 1979, KTVQ aired 10 prime time shows from NBC and KULR another five.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418467/|title=What he picks is what you watch|first=Daniel|last=Gearino|page=4-D|date=April 13, 1979|work=The Billings Gazette|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021182146/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418467/what-he-picks-is-what-you-watch/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1980, some NBC programs moved to the newly built [[KHMT|KOUS-TV]] (channel 4), though it was not until 1982 that NBC had a primary affiliate again in Billings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418888/|date=November 7, 1980|work=The Billings Gazette|first=Lorna|last=Thackeray|title=New station offers variety, old favorites|pages=12-D and 13-D|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021182147/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418888/new-station-offers-variety-old/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=NBC Lands Primary Affiliate In Montana|work=Variety|page=59|id={{ProQuest|1438363102}}|date=April 28, 1982}}</ref>
In spring 1981, KULR dumped the "Color 8" branding and became known as "Straight 8." During this time, its local newscast, ''Straight 8 Newsservice'', featured anchor Dave Rye, sports director Larry Gebert, and weather forecaster Kit Carson. Other on-air reporters and weekend anchors at the time included Joni Earle, Monica Gayle, Kyle Safely, and David Smock. The station announced in September 1983 that it would build new studios on Overland Avenue in Billings;<ref name=jiaz-kulrstudios/> KULR completed the move in 1984.<ref name=kulr-studios>{{cite web|title=KULR-8 History |url=http://www.kulr8.com/history.html |website=KULR-8 Television |access-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041211230552/http://www.kulr8.com/history.html |archive-date=December 11, 2004 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


KULR-TV announced in 1983 that the station would relocate to a new building in the Homestead Business Park that would provide upgraded technical facilities and twice the space for its 40 employees; the structure was completed in 1984.<ref name="Bill830916">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-kulr-tv-plans-to-bu/124024141/|date=September 16, 1983|page=15-A|first=Mark|last=Ragan|title=KULR-TV plans to build new studios|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name=kulr-studios>{{cite web|title=KULR-8 History |url=http://www.kulr8.com/history.html |website=KULR-8 Television |access-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041211230552/http://www.kulr8.com/history.html |archive-date=December 11, 2004 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Harriscope sold KULR-TV and [[KTWO-TV]] in [[Casper, Wyoming]] to Dix Communications in 1986 for $12.2 million.<ref name=b-saletodix>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-11-03.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=November 3, 1986}}</ref> In 1987, NBC wanted a stronger affiliate in the market, and quickly negotiated a return to KULR; the switch took effect that August.<ref name=b-kulrtonbc>{{cite news|title=In Brief|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-02-09.pdf|access-date=September 19, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=February 9, 1987|page=145}}</ref>


===Dix, Max, and Cowles ownership===
Dix Communications sold KULR-TV, along with KFBB-TV in Great Falls, to [[Max Media]] on June 16, 2004 for $12.25 million.<ref name=b&c-saletomax>{{cite news|author1=BIA Financial Networks|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/changing-hands/100854|access-date=September 26, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=October 12, 2003}}</ref><ref name=fcc-saletomax>{{cite web|title=Application Search Details|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=996555|website=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 2, 2015}}</ref> Dix chairman Robert Dix said that the sale made sense, as KULR and KFBB were the company's last two television stations.<ref name=bg-saletomax>{{cite news|last=Falstad|first=Jan|title=KULR sold; ABC-6/Fox-4 drop local news|url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/kulr-sold-abc--fox--drop-local-news/article_91f9cea5-215a-50be-8708-c41c902bc72d.html|access-date=September 24, 2015|newspaper=[[Billings Gazette]]|date=September 30, 2003}}</ref> On September 30, 2013, the [[Cowles Company]] announced that it would acquire Max Media's Montana television station cluster (comprising KULR and ABC affiliates [[KWYB]] in [[Butte, Montana|Butte]], KFBB-TV in Great Falls, [[KHBB-LD]] in [[Helena, Montana|Helena]] and [[KTMF]] in [[Missoula, Montana|Missoula]]) for $18 million.<ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101577714&formid=314&fac_num=14675 Application For Consent To Assignment Of Broadcast Station Construction Permit Or License] "[[Federal Communications Commission]]", 1 October 2013</ref><ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101577732&formid=314&fac_num=34412 Application For Consent To Assignment Of Broadcast Station Construction Permit Or License] "[[Federal Communications Commission]]", 1 October 2013</ref> The sale was completed on November 29.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101603121&formid=905&fac_num=34412|title = CDBS Print}}</ref>
Harriscope sold KULR-TV and KTWO-TV in Casper to Dix Communications in 1986 for $12.2 million.<ref name=b-saletodix>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-11-03.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=November 3, 1986|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927172941/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-11-03.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> At a time when NBC was stronger than ABC, in January 1987, KULR initiated an affiliation switch to NBC, with KOUS-TV picking up ABC; the switch took effect that August.<ref name="Bill870130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-stations-to-switch/124024517/|date=January 30, 1987|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-tv/124024521/ 12A]|first=Paul J.|last=Holley|title=Stations to switch networks|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name=b-kulrtonbc>{{cite news|title=In Brief|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-02-09.pdf|access-date=September 19, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=February 9, 1987|page=145|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927173044/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-02-09.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Dix also was early to begin digital broadcasting from its stations despite their small market size, with KULR-DT beginning operations on May 6, 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2006-Factbook/TV-Factbook-2006-Vol%20I.pdf|page=A-1339|date=2006|title=KULR-DT|work=Television Factbook|via=World Radio History|access-date=May 4, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131092724/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2006-Factbook/TV-Factbook-2006-Vol%20I.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Grea020602">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-going-digital-kfbb/124024650/|date=June 2, 2002|pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-digital-kfbb-employ/124024660/ 2B]|first=Beth|last=Britton|title=Going digital: KFBB-TV happy with station's switch to newest technology|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun -->


Dix Communications sold KULR-TV, along with KFBB-TV in Great Falls, to [[Max Media]] on June 16, 2004, for $12.25 million.<ref name=b&c-saletomax>{{cite news|author1=BIA Financial Networks|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/changing-hands/100854|access-date=September 26, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=October 12, 2003|archive-date=September 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929060102/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/changing-hands/100854|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=fcc-saletomax>{{cite web|title=Application Search Details|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=996555|website=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 2, 2015|archive-date=September 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928034016/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=996555|url-status=live}}</ref> Dix chairman Robert Dix said that the sale made sense, as KULR and KFBB were the company's last two television stations.<ref name=bg-saletomax>{{cite news|last=Falstad|first=Jan|title=KULR sold; ABC-6/Fox-4 drop local news|url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/kulr-sold-abc--fox--drop-local-news/article_91f9cea5-215a-50be-8708-c41c902bc72d.html|access-date=September 24, 2015|newspaper=[[Billings Gazette]]|date=September 30, 2003|archive-date=January 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101082243/http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/kulr-sold-abc--fox--drop-local-news/article_91f9cea5-215a-50be-8708-c41c902bc72d.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 30, 2013, the [[Cowles Company]] announced that it would acquire Max Media's Montana television station cluster (comprising KULR and ABC affiliates [[KWYB]] in [[Butte, Montana|Butte]], KFBB-TV in Great Falls, [[KHBB-LD]] in [[Helena, Montana|Helena]] and [[KTMF]] in [[Missoula]]) for $18 million.<ref>{{Cite web|website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101577714&formid=314&fac_num=14675|title=Application For Consent To Assignment Of Broadcast Station Construction Permit Or License|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005421/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101577714&formid=314&fac_num=14675 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |date=October 1, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101577732&formid=314&fac_num=34412|title=Application For Consent To Assignment Of Broadcast Station Construction Permit Or License|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010748/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101577732&formid=314&fac_num=34412 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |date=October 1, 2013}}</ref> The sale was completed on November 29.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101603121&formid=905&fac_num=34412|title=CDBS Print|access-date=December 2, 2013|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012842/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101603121&formid=905&fac_num=34412|url-status=live}}</ref>
===KYUS-TV===
KYUS-TV went on the air August 29, 1969 under the ownership of Custer Broadcasting Corporation.<ref name=by1971>{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1971|year=1971|page=A-35|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1971/Section-A-TV-Broadcasting-Yearbook-1971-10.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015}}</ref> Originally an [[independent station (North America)|independent station]], it joined NBC in 1970.<ref name=b-kyusnbc>{{cite news|title=Media reports|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1970/1970-06-29-BC.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=June 29, 1970|page=39}}</ref> In its early years, KYUS was known as the smallest network affiliate in America.<ref name=gft-kyusrivenes>{{cite news|title=David, Ella Rivenes|url=http://archive.greatfallstribune.com/multimedia/125newsmakers4/rivenes.html|access-date=July 11, 2016|work=[[Great Falls Tribune]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141026065029/http://archive.greatfallstribune.com/multimedia/125newsmakers4/rivenes.html|archive-date=October 26, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="si-kyusearlyhistory">{{cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Ray|title=The man who brought surfing to Montana|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1980/09/15/824972/the-man-who-brought-surfing-to-montana-paipo-surfing-is-just-one-of-the-many-sporting-interests-of-david-rivenes-of-little-miles-city-hes-also-big-on-luge-tae-kwan-do-and-age-group-wrestling|access-date=July 11, 2016|work=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 15, 1980}}</ref> The station's principal owner, David Rivenes, did the news, sports, weather and reporting himself<ref name=gft-kyusrivenes/> — he was also featured in the late-1970s on NBC's ''[[Real People]]'' and in ''[[TV Guide]]'' for his career. He also hosted much of the station's other local programming (which comprised up to five hours of the KYUS schedule) along with his wife, Ella;<ref name=gft-kyusrivenes/> in a 1980 interview with ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', Rivenes said that the local programs, which were broadcast in lieu of acquiring [[syndicated programming]], were "what the FCC wants: real public service television."<ref name="si-kyusearlyhistory"/> During the station's early years, KYUS did not turn a profit, and was supported by Rivenes' [[title insurance]] business.<ref name="si-kyusearlyhistory"/> In 1984, the Riveneses sold KYUS to the owners of KOUS-TV for $200,000;<ref name=gft-kyusrivenes/> at that point, channel 3 became a satellite of KOUS<ref name=vud-kousonkyus>{{cite news|last=Fahber|first=Bill|title=Television News|url=http://www.wtfda.org/vud80s/1985/09-85%20vud.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015|newspaper=VHF-UHF Digest|date=September 1985|page=6}}</ref> and the station's local programming was discontinued.<ref name=gft-kyusrivenes/> KYUS, along with KOUS, switched to ABC in 1987.<ref name=by1989>{{cite book|title=Broadcasting/Cable Yearbook 1989|year=1989|page=C-38|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1989/C%20TV%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201989-6.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2015}}</ref> After KOUS shut down and moved its programming to [[KSVI]] (channel 6) in 1993, KYUS became a satellite of KSVI.<ref name=vud-ksvionkyus>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Doug|title=TV News|url=http://www.wtfda.org/vud90s/1993/08-93vud.pdf|access-date=September 20, 2015|newspaper=VHF-UHF Digest|date=August 1993|page=6}}</ref>

As a satellite of KOUS-TV and KSVI, KYUS-TV was on the verge of closure several times, as the station generated insufficient revenue to cover its costs. In addition, the station's owner, Big Horn Communications, had difficulties listing KYUS for sale due to the size and location of Miles City; one media brokerage company, Blackburn & Company, said it was "economically impossible" for KYUS to operate as a standalone station. Ultimately, Big Horn sold the station to Stephan Marks in 1995. Marks originally proposed to operate KYUS as a satellite of [[KXGN-TV]], his [[CBS]] and NBC affiliate in [[Glendive, Montana|Glendive]].<ref name=fcc-saletomarks>{{cite web|last1=Caton|first1=William F.|title=In re Application of Big Horn Communications, Inc. (Assignor) and KYUS Broadcasting Corporation (Assignee) For Consent to Assign the License for Station KYUS-TV, Channel 3 Miles City, Montana|url=http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=1599730001|format=PDF|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 26, 2015|date=February 27, 1995}}</ref> However, in 1996, KYUS became a [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate;<ref name=vud-kyusfox>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Doug|title=TV News|url=http://www.wtfda.org/vud90s/1996/07-96vud.pdf|access-date=September 27, 2015|newspaper=VHF-UHF Digest|date=July 1996|page=12}}</ref> by 1997, channel 3 had also added secondary affiliations with [[UPN]] and [[The WB]].<ref name=vud-upnwbonkyus>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Doug|title=TV News|url=http://www.wtfda.org/vud90s/1997/07-97vud.pdf|access-date=September 27, 2015|newspaper=VHF-UHF Digest|date=July 1997|page=15}}</ref> After two years with Fox, KYUS-TV became a satellite of KULR-TV under a [[Local marketing agreement|time brokerage agreement]] on May 1, 1998.<ref name=fcc-kyuskulrtba>{{cite web|title=Time Brokerage Agreement|url=https://stations.fcc.gov//collect/files/5237/Time%20brokerage%20agreements/KULR%20Time%20Brokerage%20Agreement%20KYUS%2013596568272142%20%2813845439240976%29_.pdf|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 2, 2015|date=April 29, 1998}}</ref> The original agreement expired after ten years; KYUS-TV now broadcasts KULR-TV's programming under a series of informal agreements, receiving no payment and keeping no advertising income. Although the station generates no revenue of its own, Marks continues to operate it as a public service.<ref name=fcc-kyuskulrtba/><ref name=fcc-kyuskulrinformal>{{cite web|title=Re: KYUS-TV Broadcasting Corporation … Response to Staff Letter Dated September 5, 2014|url=https://stations.fcc.gov//collect/files/5237/FCC%20investigations%20or%20complaints/KYUS-TV%20Response%20to%20FCC%20Ltr%20dated%2009%2005%2014%20(14115101883077)_.pdf|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 2, 2015|date=September 22, 2014}}</ref>


==News operation==
==News operation==
KULR-TV was the traditional news leader in Billings prior to the late 1980s, having something of an edge in ratings surveys as early as the late 1970s.<ref name="Bill780310">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-which-one-is-number/124022601/|date=March 10, 1978|page=3-D|title=Which one is number one?|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The station was on top for most of the 1980s, sometimes attracting twice as many or more households as channel 2, which analysts attributed to the more folksy approach taken by "Straight 8" in comparison with KTVQ's newscasts and the popularity of anchorman and news director [[Dave Rye]].<ref name="Bill850627">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-kulr-newscasts-take/124022680/|date=June 27, 1985|page=3-D|first=Christene|last=Meyers|title=KULR newscasts take top spot in ratings war for city viewers|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu -->{{r|Grea851229}} KULR did have the market's first female news co-anchor, Chris Chesrown,<ref name="Bill851218">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-q-2-tv-news-gains-i/124022748/|date=December 18, 1985|page=8-A|first=Jacqueline|last=Johnson|title=Q-2 TV news gains in ratings battle|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> and it was the first station in the state to maintain a full-time state capital reporter in [[Helena, Montana|Helena]].<ref name="Grea851229">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-and-in-billings-mtn/36701549/|date=December 29, 1985|pages=1-E, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-billings/36701636/ 4-E]|first=Charles S.|last=Johnson|title=And in Billings: MTN station still No. 2, but gaining ground on front-runner|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Future Montana senator [[Conrad Burns]] worked for KULR-TV as a farm broadcaster in the 1980s.<ref name="Grea881016">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-burns-faces-an-uphil/124023402/|date=October 16, 1988|page=1B|first=Steve|last=Shirley|title=Burns faces an uphill struggle: Senate hopeful's 'real' side differs from election life|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
In 2009, KULR began broadcasting its local newscasts in [[widescreen]] [[standard-definition television|standard definition]]. KULR became the first television station in Montana to switch to full [[High-definition television|HD]] news operation during its 5 p.m. newscast on August 27, 2012. Studio cameras are currently still in 16:9 standard definition, however.


However, changes at KTVQ were eventually successful in unseating KULR. In 1984, a major overhaul of MTN's regional network news format shifted the center of the network from Great Falls to Billings. Ratings started to climb,{{r|Grea851229}} though it was not until KTVQ replaced unpopular anchorman Dean Phillips with Montana native Gus Koernig that it surpassed KULR-TV in viewership.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87498483/|date=March 26, 1987|work=The Billings Gazette|first=Dennis|last=Gaub|title=KTVQ tops Arbitron rating period in city|page=1B|access-date=October 21, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021182150/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87498483/ktvq-tops-arbitron-rating-period-in-city/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rye departed channel 8 in 1990 and successfully ran for the [[Montana State Senate]], returning to KULR after the legislature's 1993 session.<ref name="Bill930330">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-rye-will-return-to/124023060/|date=March 30, 1993|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-rye/124023083/ 7A]|first=Jim|last=Gransbery|title=Rye will return to KULR|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Rye's return failed to restore KULR to ratings leadership as KTVQ continued to hold a two-to-one viewership advantage for its newscasts.<ref name="Bill991207">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-kulr-tv-appoints-ne/124023186/|date=December 7, 1999|page=3C|first=Jan|last=Falstad|title=KULR-TV appoints new news director|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --> In 2001, the station realigned its early evening newscasts from one local program at 5:30 p.m. to separate 5 and 6 p.m. half-hours, by which time the 5:30 newscast was being beaten three-to-one by KTVQ.<ref name="Bill010812">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-tv-stations-to-expa/124023261/|date=August 12, 2001|pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-kulr-8/124023283/ 4C]|first=Jacqueline|last=Johnson|title=TV stations to expand news shows|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
Since KULR's purchase by Cowles Publishing Company, the station adopted the "Right Now" branding and other elements standardized with its flagship station, [[KHQ-TV]] in [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]] (replacing its prior use of graphics used by the [[NBC Owned Television Stations]]). In October 2022, its newscasts were rebranded as ''NonStop Local'', as part of a group-wide rebranding by Cowles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington, Montana stations consolidate under ‘NonStop Local’ brand |url=https://www.newscaststudio.com/2022/10/26/nonstop-local-branding-cowles-q6-khq/?og=1 |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=NewscastStudio |language=en-US}}</ref>

In October 2022, its newscasts were rebranded as ''NonStop Local'' as part of a group-wide rebranding by Cowles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington, Montana stations consolidate under 'NonStop Local' brand |url=https://www.newscaststudio.com/2022/10/26/nonstop-local-branding-cowles-q6-khq/?og=1 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |website=NewscastStudio |language=en-US |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030160500/https://www.newscaststudio.com/2022/10/26/nonstop-local-branding-cowles-q6-khq/?og=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Notable former on-air staff===
===Notable former on-air staff===
* [[Monica Gayle]] – weekend anchor/reporter, later at [[CBS News]]<ref name="Bill830925">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-tv-journalism-not-a/124023433/|date=September 25, 1983|pages=1F, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-tv-news-is-misunder/124023454/ 3F]|first=Mark|last=Ragan|title=TV journalism not as easy as it looks|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
* [[Conrad Burns]] – farm reporter (former [[United States Senator]] from Montana)
* [[Monica Gayle (news anchor)|Monica Gayle]] – weekend anchor/reporter (former [[CBS News]] correspondent; now weeknight anchor at [[WJBK]] in Detroit)


==Technical information==
==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
===Subchannels===
The stations' digital signals are [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
The station's signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of KULR-TV<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KULR|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KULR|website=[[RabbitEars.info]]|accessdate=April 7, 2024}}</ref>
! scope = "col" |[[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" |[[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" |[[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" |Short name
! scope = "col" |Programming
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 8.1
! colspan=2|Channel
| rowspan=2|[[1080i]] || rowspan=2|[[16:9]] || KULR-HD || [[NBC]]
! [[Video resolution|Video]]
! [[Aspect ratio|Aspect]]
! KULR<br />short name
! KYUS<br />short name
! Programming
|-
| 8.1 || 3.1 || rowspan=2|[[1080i]] || rowspan=2|[[16:9]] || KULR-HD || KYUS-DT || Main programming / [[NBC]]
|-
| 8.2 || 3.2 || colspan=2|KULRSWX || [[SWX Right Now]]<ref>{{cite web|title=SWX on TV|url=http://www.kulr8.com/story/26585428/swx-on-tv|language=en|publisher=KULR8.com|access-date=November 18, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 8.2
| KULRSWX || [[SWX Right Now]]
|}
|}


In February 2009, KULR, [[KTVQ]] and two other stations in the Billings market were refused FCC permission<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090215202936/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29180127/ NBC News]</ref> to end analog broadcasts and operate as digital-only effective on the originally-scheduled February 17, 2009 date.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/02/05/news/local/25-digitalswitch.txt |title=News |access-date=2009-02-05 |archive-date=2012-07-21 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120721102939/http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/02/05/news/local/25-digitalswitch.txt |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In February 2009, the four commercial stations in the Billings market were refused FCC permission to end analog broadcasts and operate as digital-only effective on the originally-scheduled February 17, 2009, date.<ref name="Bill090215">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-mixed-response-from/124023566/|date=February 15, 2009|page=9A|first=Linda|last=Halstead-Acharya|title=Mixed response from local stations to digital delay|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

KYUS began broadcasting in high definition in February 2018.


===Translators===
===Translators===
KULR-TV is broadcast by separately owned [[KYUS-TV]] (channel 3) in [[Miles City, Montana|Miles City]]. KYUS-TV became a satellite of KULR-TV under a [[Local marketing agreement|time brokerage agreement]] on May 1, 1998.<ref name=fcc-kyuskulrtba>{{cite web|title=Time Brokerage Agreement|url=https://stations.fcc.gov//collect/files/5237/Time%20brokerage%20agreements/KULR%20Time%20Brokerage%20Agreement%20KYUS%2013596568272142%20%2813845439240976%29_.pdf|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 2, 2015|date=April 29, 1998|archive-date=September 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928050220/https://stations.fcc.gov//collect/files/5237/Time%20brokerage%20agreements/KULR%20Time%20Brokerage%20Agreement%20KYUS%2013596568272142%20%2813845439240976%29_.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The original agreement expired after ten years; KYUS-TV now broadcasts KULR-TV's programming under a series of informal agreements, receiving no payment and keeping no advertising income. Although the station generates no revenue of its own, Marks continues to operate it as a public service.<ref name=fcc-kyuskulrtba/><ref name=fcc-kyuskulrinformal>{{cite web|title=Re: KYUS-TV Broadcasting Corporation … Response to Staff Letter Dated September 5, 2014|url=https://stations.fcc.gov//collect/files/5237/FCC%20investigations%20or%20complaints/KYUS-TV%20Response%20to%20FCC%20Ltr%20dated%2009%2005%2014%20(14115101883077)_.pdf|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 2, 2015|date=September 22, 2014|archive-date=September 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928042224/https://stations.fcc.gov//collect/files/5237/FCC%20investigations%20or%20complaints/KYUS-TV%20Response%20to%20FCC%20Ltr%20dated%2009%2005%2014%20(14115101883077)_.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{| class="sortable wikitable"

|-
In addition, KULR-TV is rebroadcast on translators across Montana and several communities in Wyoming:<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2021|title=List of TV Translator Input Channels|url=https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195336/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|archive-date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>
! City of license

! Callsign
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
! Channel
* [[Ashland, Montana|Ashland]]: K10AC-D
! [[effective radiated power|ERP]]
* [[Bridger, Montana|Bridger]], etc.: K35JW-D
! [[height above average terrain|HAAT]]
* [[Broadus, Montana|Broadus]]: K06AA-D
! [[Facility ID]]
* [[Cody, WY]]: K25OV-D
! Transmitter coordinates
* [[Colstrip]]: K09OY-D, K26OX-D
! Owner
* [[Columbus, Montana|Columbus]]: K24FL-D
|-
* [[Emigrant, Montana|Emigrant]]: K21MA-D
|| [[Ashland, Montana|Ashland]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|53164|3=K10AC-D}}'''|| 10 || 0.192&nbsp;kW || {{convert|247|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 53164 || {{coord|45|36|1.9|N|105|56|16.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K10AC-D}} || [[Powder River County, Montana|Powder River County]]
* [[Forsyth, Montana|Forsyth]]: K14RV-D, K31NW-D, K33MC-D
|-
* [[Harlowton]]: K13BE-D
|| [[Bridger, Montana|Bridger, etc.]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|168741|3=K35JW-D}}'''|| 34 || 1.09&nbsp;kW || {{convert|91|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 168741 || {{coord|45|17|10.2|N|108|56|3.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K35JW-D}} || Clarks Fork Valley TV District No. 1
* Howard: K34OB-D
|-
* [[Hysham]]: K13PO-D
|| [[Broadus, Montana|Broadus]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|53167|3=K06AA-D}}'''|| 6 || 0.088&nbsp;kW || {{convert|93|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 53167 || {{coord|45|24|37.9|N|105|21|29.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K06AA-D}} || [[Powder River County, Montana|Powder River County]]
* [[Meeteetse, WY]]: K17KC-D
|-
* [[Miles City, Montana|Miles City]]: K06FE-D
| rowspan=2|[[Colstrip, Montana|Colstrip]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|12387|3=K09OY-D}}'''|| 9 || 0.021&nbsp;kW || {{convert|-4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 12387 || {{coord|45|53|41.9|N|106|37|41|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K09OY-D}} || [[Colstrip, Montana|Colstrip]]
* [[Rosebud, Montana|Rosebud]], etc.: K10QZ-D
|-
* [[Roundup, Montana|Roundup]]: K31PY-D
||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|187560|3=K26OX-D}}'''|| 26 || 0.57&nbsp;kW || {{convert|348|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 187560 || {{coord|45|50|23.9|N|106|54|41.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K26OX-D}} || rowspan=2|Cowles Montana Media Company
* [[White Sulphur Springs, Montana|White Sulphur Springs]]: K07NU-D
|-
{{div col end}}
|| [[Columbus, Montana|Columbus]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|129406|3=K24FL-D}}'''|| 24 || 3.2&nbsp;kW || {{convert|-124|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 129406 || {{coord|45|37|36|N|109|15|39|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K24FL-D}}
|-
|| [[Emigrant, Montana|Emigrant]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|190254|3=K21MA-D}}'''|| 21 || 1&nbsp;kW || {{convert|-213|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 190254 || {{coord|45|20|6.7|N|110|41|24.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K21MA-D}} || Paradise Valley TV District
|-
| rowspan=3|[[Forsyth, Montana|Forsyth]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|187561|3=K14RV-D}}'''|| 14 || 0.15&nbsp;kW || {{convert|63|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 187561 || {{coord|46|19|37.9|N|106|41|51.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K14RV-D}} || rowspan=3|[[Forsyth, Montana|Forsyth]] Community TV Relay System
|-
||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|187564|3=K31NW-D}}'''|| 31 || 0.1&nbsp;kW || {{convert|19|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 187564 || {{coord|46|15|39.5|N|106|40|23.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K31NW-D}}
|-
||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|190011|3=K33MC-D}}'''|| 33 || 0.352&nbsp;kW || {{convert|18|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 190011 || {{coord|46|15|39.5|N|106|40|23.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K33MC-D}}
|-
|| [[Harlowton, Montana|Harlowton]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|26142|3=K13BE-D}}'''|| 13 || 0.031&nbsp;kW || {{convert|109|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 26142 || {{coord|46|19|51.8|N|109|43|32.6|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K13BE-D}} || [[Harlowton, Montana|Harlowton]] TV Association
|-
|| [[Howard, Montana|Howard]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|187565|3=K34OB-D}}'''|| 34 || 0.25&nbsp;kW || {{convert|68|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 187565 || {{coord|46|19|14.9|N|106|59|48.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K34OB-D}} || [[Forsyth, Montana|Forsyth]] Community TV Relay System
|-
|| [[Hysham, Montana|Hysham]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|67608|3=K13PO-D}}'''|| 13 || 0.021&nbsp;kW || {{convert|107|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 67608 || {{coord|46|14|25.9|N|107|19|36.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K13PO-D}} || [[Treasure County, Montana|Treasure County]]
|-
|| [[Miles City, Montana|Miles City]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|35726|3=K06FE-D}}'''|| 6 || 0.1&nbsp;kW || {{convert|34|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 35726 || {{coord|46|26|7.8|N|105|50|51.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K06FE-D}} || Cowles Montana Media Company
|-
|| [[Rosebud, Montana|Rosebud, etc.]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|190611|3=K10QZ-D}}'''|| 10 || 0.029&nbsp;kW || {{convert|32|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 190611 || {{coord|46|18|27.9|N|106|30|32|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K10QZ-D}} || [[Forsyth, Montana|Forsyth]] Community TV Relay System
|-
|| [[Roundup, Montana|Roundup]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|57762|3=K31PY-D}}'''|| 31 || 0.016&nbsp;kW || {{convert|2|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 57762 || {{coord|46|28|1.8|N|108|33|52.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K31PY-D}} || [[Roundup, Montana|Roundup]] T.V. Tax District
|-
|| [[White Sulphur Springs, Montana|White Sulphur Springs]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|21711|3=K07NU-D}}'''|| 7 || 0.09&nbsp;kW || {{convert|82|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 21711 || {{coord|46|27|43.7|N|110|51|24.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K07NU-D}} || [https://www.meagherco.com/boards/wss-tv? Meagher County Television District]
|-
|| [[Cody, Wyoming|Cody, WY]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|51631|3=K25OV-D}}'''|| 25 || 0.708&nbsp;kW || {{convert|472|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 51631 || {{coord|44|35|13.8|N|108|51|10.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K25OV-D}} || rowspan=2|Cowles Montana Media Company
|-
|| [[Meeteetse, Wyoming|Meeteetse, WY]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|51629|3=K17KC-D}}'''|| 17 || 1.3&nbsp;kW || {{convert|66|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 51629 || {{coord|44|12|43.8|N|108|51|32.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K17KC-D}}
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 171: Line 119:
{{Montana TV}}
{{Montana TV}}
{{Cowles Publishing Company}}
{{Cowles Publishing Company}}
{{Marks Radio}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kulr-Tv}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kulr-Tv}}
[[Category:NBC network affiliates]]
[[Category:1958 establishments in Montana]]
[[Category:Cowles Company]]
[[Category:Cowles Company]]
[[Category:NBC affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1958]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1958]]
[[Category:1958 establishments in Montana]]
[[Category:Television stations in Billings, Montana|ULR-TV]]
[[Category:Television stations in Billings, Montana|ULR-TV]]

Latest revision as of 05:21, 7 October 2024

KULR-TV
Channels
BrandingNonStop Local Billings
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
March 15, 1958 (66 years ago) (1958-03-15)
Former call signs
KGHL-TV (1958–1963)
Former channel number(s)
Analog: 8 (VHF, 1958–2009)
  • ABC (1963–1987, secondary until 1969)
Call sign meaning
"Color"; as in Color television
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID35724
ERP16 kW
HAAT191 m (627 ft)
Transmitter coordinates45°45′35.5″N 108°27′17.4″W / 45.759861°N 108.454833°W / 45.759861; -108.454833
Translator(s)
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.nonstoplocal.com/billings/

KULR-TV (channel 8) is a television station in Billings, Montana, United States, affiliated with NBC and owned by the Cowles Company. The station's studios are located on Overland Avenue in the Homestead Business Park section of Billings, and its transmitter is located on Coburn Hill southeast of downtown.

KULR-TV was the second TV station on the air in Billings; it began broadcasting as KGHL-TV, co-owned with KGHL radio, on March 15, 1958. The station was renamed KULR-TV in 1963 when it was separated from the radio stations. It was an ABC affiliate from 1969 to 1987, when it returned to NBC. KULR-TV was purchased by Max Media in 2004 and by Cowles in 2013. Since the late 1980s, its newscasts have been a distant second-place finisher to KTVQ.

History

[edit]

The first channel 8 construction permit was awarded on November 21, 1952, to the Rudman-Hayutin Television Company, a consortium of two oil producers.[2] M. B. Rudman surrendered other permits he owned with Hayutin in North Dakota in September 1953 in order to concentrate on the proposed Billings station,[3] but after the company failed to respond to a letter from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) inquiring as to progress in construction, the FCC canceled the permit in March 1954.[4]

KGHL-TV: Early years

[edit]

The Midland Empire Broadcasting Company, owner of Billings radio station KGHL (790 AM), applied to the FCC in September 1955 for channel 8.[5] The FCC granted the application on November 23,[6] but it stayed the grant after KOOK-TV (channel 2), the city's other TV station, protested to the commission.[7] In August, FCC hearing examiner James D. Cunningham recommended a grant of the Midland Empire application, noting that while the addition of a second station would cause some economic damage to KOOK-TV, the Billings market could sustain two stations.[8]

The FCC lifted the stay on construction of KGHL-TV on April 19, 1957. Midland Empire Broadcasting Company officials announced they would begin construction immediately on studios co-located with the radio station on Broadway.[9] However, the company instead decided to build new facilities on North 30th Street to house both stations; the KGHL-TV transmitter was also built southeast of Billings.[10][11] KGHL-TV began broadcasting on March 15, 1958, as an affiliate of NBC.[11]

KULR-TV

[edit]

Midland Empire Broadcasting sold KGHL-AM-TV to Crain-Snyder Television in 1962; Crain-Snyder immediately spun KGHL radio off to George C. Hatch, retaining KGHL-TV.[12] It was decided to let the older radio station keep the KGHL call letters;[13] On January 1, 1963, coinciding with the change in ownership, KGHL-TV became KULR-TV; both halves of the newly split operation made plans to leave the 30th Street site, with channel 8 relocating to studios at the transmitter site on Coburn Hill.[14] KULR also added a secondary affiliation with ABC in 1963.[15]

Paul Crain, one of the two principals in Crain-Snyder Television, died at the age of 43 in 1964.[16] Two years later, Crain-Snyder sold KULR-TV to the Harriscope Broadcasting Corporation, which owned KFBB-TV in Great Falls and KTWO-TV in Casper, Wyoming; the FCC approved of the $350,000 purchase in March 1967.[17][18][19]

Harriscope agreed in 1967 to change the primary network affiliation for KULR-TV and KFBB-TV in Great Falls to ABC at the end of each station's existing affiliation contract;[20] KULR's switch took effect January 1, 1969, at which point NBC was relegated to secondary status.[21] Even though it was a primary ABC affiliate, ABC's evening network newscast was not aired until 1971, when Harriscope began airing the ABC and NBC evening newscasts on KULR-TV and KTWO-TV in Casper.[22] By later in the 1970s, KTVQ had first call rights to NBC shows, with KULR-TV having secondary choice;[23] in 1979, KTVQ aired 10 prime time shows from NBC and KULR another five.[24] In 1980, some NBC programs moved to the newly built KOUS-TV (channel 4), though it was not until 1982 that NBC had a primary affiliate again in Billings.[25][26]

KULR-TV announced in 1983 that the station would relocate to a new building in the Homestead Business Park that would provide upgraded technical facilities and twice the space for its 40 employees; the structure was completed in 1984.[27][28]

Dix, Max, and Cowles ownership

[edit]

Harriscope sold KULR-TV and KTWO-TV in Casper to Dix Communications in 1986 for $12.2 million.[29] At a time when NBC was stronger than ABC, in January 1987, KULR initiated an affiliation switch to NBC, with KOUS-TV picking up ABC; the switch took effect that August.[30][31] Dix also was early to begin digital broadcasting from its stations despite their small market size, with KULR-DT beginning operations on May 6, 2002.[32][33]

Dix Communications sold KULR-TV, along with KFBB-TV in Great Falls, to Max Media on June 16, 2004, for $12.25 million.[34][35] Dix chairman Robert Dix said that the sale made sense, as KULR and KFBB were the company's last two television stations.[36] On September 30, 2013, the Cowles Company announced that it would acquire Max Media's Montana television station cluster (comprising KULR and ABC affiliates KWYB in Butte, KFBB-TV in Great Falls, KHBB-LD in Helena and KTMF in Missoula) for $18 million.[37][38] The sale was completed on November 29.[39]

News operation

[edit]

KULR-TV was the traditional news leader in Billings prior to the late 1980s, having something of an edge in ratings surveys as early as the late 1970s.[40] The station was on top for most of the 1980s, sometimes attracting twice as many or more households as channel 2, which analysts attributed to the more folksy approach taken by "Straight 8" in comparison with KTVQ's newscasts and the popularity of anchorman and news director Dave Rye.[41][42] KULR did have the market's first female news co-anchor, Chris Chesrown,[43] and it was the first station in the state to maintain a full-time state capital reporter in Helena.[42] Future Montana senator Conrad Burns worked for KULR-TV as a farm broadcaster in the 1980s.[44]

However, changes at KTVQ were eventually successful in unseating KULR. In 1984, a major overhaul of MTN's regional network news format shifted the center of the network from Great Falls to Billings. Ratings started to climb,[42] though it was not until KTVQ replaced unpopular anchorman Dean Phillips with Montana native Gus Koernig that it surpassed KULR-TV in viewership.[45] Rye departed channel 8 in 1990 and successfully ran for the Montana State Senate, returning to KULR after the legislature's 1993 session.[46] Rye's return failed to restore KULR to ratings leadership as KTVQ continued to hold a two-to-one viewership advantage for its newscasts.[47] In 2001, the station realigned its early evening newscasts from one local program at 5:30 p.m. to separate 5 and 6 p.m. half-hours, by which time the 5:30 newscast was being beaten three-to-one by KTVQ.[48]

In October 2022, its newscasts were rebranded as NonStop Local as part of a group-wide rebranding by Cowles.[49]

Notable former on-air staff

[edit]

Technical information

[edit]

Subchannels

[edit]

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of KULR-TV[51]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
8.1 1080i 16:9 KULR-HD NBC
8.2 KULRSWX SWX Right Now

In February 2009, the four commercial stations in the Billings market were refused FCC permission to end analog broadcasts and operate as digital-only effective on the originally-scheduled February 17, 2009, date.[52]

Translators

[edit]

KULR-TV is broadcast by separately owned KYUS-TV (channel 3) in Miles City. KYUS-TV became a satellite of KULR-TV under a time brokerage agreement on May 1, 1998.[53] The original agreement expired after ten years; KYUS-TV now broadcasts KULR-TV's programming under a series of informal agreements, receiving no payment and keeping no advertising income. Although the station generates no revenue of its own, Marks continues to operate it as a public service.[53][54]

In addition, KULR-TV is rebroadcast on translators across Montana and several communities in Wyoming:[55]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KULR-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "Permits Granted For Television: Billings, Great Falls And Butte Approved". The Billings Gazette. January 16, 1953. p. 2. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Oilman Drops Permits for 3 TV Stations". Great Falls Tribune. Associated Press. September 17, 1953. p. 5. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "FCC Cancels Permit For Billings TV Channel 8 Station". The Billings Gazette. United Press. March 4, 1954. p. 13. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "KGHL Files TV Application: Fortin Firm Seeks Channel 8 Permit". The Billings Gazette. September 9, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Billings to Get 100,000 Watt New TV Station". Great Falls Tribune. United Press. November 24, 1955. p. 4. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Protest Hearing on New Billings TV Station Scheduled for March 19". The Billings Gazette. Associated Press. January 20, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Local Channel 8 Station Backed". The Billings Gazette. Associated Press. August 3, 1956. p. 2. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "FCC Approves KGHL-TV Permit: Telecasting May Start This Fall". The Billings Gazette. April 20, 1957. p. 2. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Building Total Hits $552,400". The Billings Gazette. July 3, 1957. p. 2. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "Station to Start Area Telecasts". The Billings Gazette. March 14, 1958. p. 3. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 24, 1962. p. 67. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  13. ^ "Okay Is Asked For KGHL Sale". The Billings Gazette. UPI. October 6, 1962. p. 3. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Sale Splits Radio-TV Firm". The Billings Gazette. December 30, 1962. p. 7. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1964 (PDF). 1964. p. A-36. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  16. ^ "Broadcaster P. Crain Dies". Great Falls Tribune. Associated Press. May 1, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "TV Station Stock Is Sold". The Billings Gazette. April 20, 1966. p. 1. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "KULR-TV Sale Is Approved". The Billings Gazette. March 10, 1967. p. 15. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Changing hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. March 13, 1967. p. 66. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2014. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  20. ^ "Two Harriscope stations affiliate with ABC-TV" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 16, 1967. p. 63. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  21. ^ "Media reports" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 23, 1968. p. 40. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2014. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  22. ^ "Billings & Casper & ABC & NBC". Variety. May 19, 1971. ProQuest 1017175748.
  23. ^ Rees, Robert (August 1, 1979). "Billings, Montana: Disco, Porno, 19 Film Situations, Local Legit, TV Vs. Sheep". Variety. p. 24. ProQuest 1401359620.
  24. ^ Gearino, Daniel (April 13, 1979). "What he picks is what you watch". The Billings Gazette. p. 4-D. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  25. ^ Thackeray, Lorna (November 7, 1980). "New station offers variety, old favorites". The Billings Gazette. pp. 12-D and 13-D. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  26. ^ "NBC Lands Primary Affiliate In Montana". Variety. April 28, 1982. p. 59. ProQuest 1438363102.
  27. ^ Ragan, Mark (September 16, 1983). "KULR-TV plans to build new studios". The Billings Gazette. p. 15-A. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "KULR-8 History". KULR-8 Television. Archived from the original on December 11, 2004. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  29. ^ "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. November 3, 1986. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  30. ^ Holley, Paul J. (January 30, 1987). "Stations to switch networks". The Billings Gazette. pp. 1A, 12A. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "In Brief" (PDF). Broadcasting. February 9, 1987. p. 145. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  32. ^ "KULR-DT" (PDF). Television Factbook. 2006. p. A-1339. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via World Radio History.
  33. ^ Britton, Beth (June 2, 2002). "Going digital: KFBB-TV happy with station's switch to newest technology". Great Falls Tribune. pp. 1B, 2B. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ BIA Financial Networks (October 12, 2003). "Changing Hands". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
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