KBJR-TV
KBJR-TV is a Duluth-area television station and local news brand serving northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KBJR-TV is a television station licensed to Superior, Wisconsin, and operating from Duluth, Minnesota. It serves the Duluth–Superior television market and the wider Northland region of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The station is principally associated with NBC programming on its primary channel, while its digital operation also carries CBS programming and MyNetworkTV. Its associated full-power station, KRII in Chisholm, Minnesota, functions largely as a semi-satellite for the Iron Range and northern parts of the market. Together, KBJR and KRII provide local news, weather, sports, public-affairs coverage, network programming, syndicated programming and locally sponsored community events. The station began broadcasting on March 1, 1954, as WDSM-TV. It was established by Ridder Newspapers, the publisher of the Duluth Herald, alongside WDSM radio. As the first VHF television station in Duluth, it initially carried CBS programming. In October 1955, it exchanged affiliations with KDAL-TV and became an NBC affiliate, establishing the network relationship that remains central to the station's identity. WDSM-TV added local color broadcasts in 1965 and carried selected ABC programs before the arrival of WDIO-TV in 1966. Ownership changed after the 1974 merger of Ridder Newspapers and Knight Newspapers created Knight Ridder. Because of federal restrictions on common ownership of newspapers and broadcast stations, the WDSM properties could no longer remain under the same ownership structure. The television station was sold to locally based RJR Communications, and its call letters changed to KBJR-TV on November 13, 1974. Granite Broadcasting acquired the station in 1988. A major studio fire in December 1997 forced the station to operate temporarily from improvised facilities, including its transmitter site and space provided by PBS station WDSE. A severe ice storm in 1999 then damaged its transmission infrastructure, prompting further temporary arrangements before KBJR moved to its current Canal Park facilities in Duluth. KBJR expanded its regional reach with the launch of KRII on November 27, 2002. Although originally associated with International Falls, KRII was licensed to Chisholm before signing on and became a semi-satellite focused on the Iron Range, Grand Rapids and International Falls. It simulcasts much of KBJR's programming while maintaining a bureau and advertising-sales presence in Hibbing. KRII completed an early digital transition through a January 2009 flash-cut from analog to digital broadcasting. The station also became deeply involved in the operation and programming of KDLH, Duluth's CBS affiliate. Beginning in 2005, KBJR provided most operational services for KDLH under a shared-services arrangement. Following ownership and regulatory changes, CBS programming moved to a KBJR digital subchannel in August 2016 under the CBS 3 brand, while KDLH transitioned toward a CW-focused role. KBJR consequently operated multiple network identities and separate news presentations from the same broader news operation. Quincy Media acquired KBJR and KRII in 2015. Gray Television announced its purchase of Quincy Media for $925 million in 2021, and the transaction closed on August 2, 2021. KBJR is now part of Gray Media's station group. Its public-facing identity combines network television with a strong local-news and community-event emphasis, including the long-running Christmas City of the North Parade. The station continues to operate its primary NBC service, regional semi-satellite KRII, CBS programming on a digital subchannel and a MyNetworkTV-affiliated service branded My 9.
History
KBJR-TV began on March 1, 1954, as WDSM-TV, a CBS affiliate owned by Ridder Newspapers together with WDSM radio. Its VHF signal made it one of the earliest television services in the Duluth area. In October 1955, the station traded affiliations with KDAL-TV and became an NBC affiliate. It introduced local color broadcasting in November 1965 and carried selected ABC programming until WDIO-TV entered the market in 1966. The station's first major ownership transition followed the 1974 merger of Ridder Newspapers and Knight Newspapers. The resulting Knight Ridder structure conflicted with federal limits on common ownership of newspapers and broadcast outlets. WDSM-TV was therefore separated from the newspaper group and sold to RJR Communications, a locally based ownership group. On November 13, 1974, it adopted the KBJR-TV call sign. Granite Broadcasting bought the station in 1988. Operational disruption became a significant part of the station's later history. A fire on December 14, 1997, destroyed KBJR's studios and temporarily took the station off the air. It resumed service the following morning from a makeshift transmitter-building setup, while its news staff relocated to WDSE and its sales and business staff used temporary downtown offices. In April 1999, a major ice storm damaged the transmission tower and caused falling ice to penetrate the transmitter building. The station temporarily used a transmitter on WDIO's tower while its own tower and equipment were replaced. KBJR moved into its current Canal Park studios in June 1999. KBJR expanded its portfolio of services through agreements involving KDLH, the market's CBS station. In March 2005, after KDLH was acquired by Malara Broadcast Group, KBJR took responsibility for most of KDLH's operations under a shared-services arrangement. The arrangement combined much of the stations' news-gathering and production infrastructure while retaining distinct station identities. The period also included the launch and reorganization of digital multicast services. KBJR carried a UPN service before the network's closure, then converted the digital channel to MyNetworkTV as My 9 in 2006. KDLH moved toward The CW through a CW Plus service. KRII signed on November 27, 2002, as a semi-satellite of KBJR. Licensed to Chisholm, it serves the Iron Range, Grand Rapids and International Falls, with a bureau and sales office in Hibbing. Most of its programming and technical operations are supplied from Duluth, although its local bureau contributes regional reporting. KRII completed a digital flash-cut on January 6, 2009, before the nationwide analog shutdown. KBJR, KRII and KDLH began broadcasting local news in 16:9 widescreen on May 4, 2009. In 2010, KBJR and KRII adopted joint branding as KBJR 6 & Range 11. The station's news operation has remained central to its identity, combining local reporting, weather, sports and regional public-affairs coverage. It has also maintained recurring digital and multicast weather services after the end of NBC Weather Plus. Quincy Media announced the acquisition of KBJR and KRII in February 2014. The transaction involved several revisions concerning KDLH and its proposed ownership, shared-services relationship and network affiliation. The final transaction closed on November 2, 2015. On August 1, 2016, CBS programming moved to a KBJR digital subchannel branded CBS 3, while KDLH's programming and news arrangements were reorganized. Quincy later acquired KDLH in 2018. Gray Television announced its intention to buy Quincy Media on February 1, 2021, for $925 million. The acquisition closed on August 2, 2021, making KBJR part of Gray's national local-television group. The station continues to provide NBC service through KBJR-TV, regional programming through KRII, CBS programming through CBS 3 and MyNetworkTV programming through My 9. Its community profile is reinforced by the Christmas City of the North Parade, an annual Duluth event associated with the station since 1958.
- 2021
Gray acquisition closes
[1]Gray completes its acquisition of Quincy Media on August 2.
- 2016
CBS 3 launches
[1]CBS programming moves to KBJR's second digital subchannel, branded CBS 3.
- 2015
Quincy Media ownership begins
[1]Quincy completes its acquisition of KBJR and KRII on November 2.
- 2009
KRII completes digital flash-cut
[1]KRII ends analog broadcasting and begins digital multicasting ahead of the national transition.
- 2002
KRII launches
[1]The Chisholm-licensed semi-satellite begins extending KBJR service across the Iron Range.
- 1999
Move to Canal Park
[1]After fire and ice-storm-related damage, KBJR moves into its current Duluth facilities.
- 1988
Granite Broadcasting acquisition
[1]Granite Broadcasting acquires KBJR, one of its early station purchases.
- 1974
Call sign changes to KBJR-TV
[1]Following the divestiture of the WDSM properties, the station adopts its current call letters.
- 1955
NBC affiliation begins
[1]WDSM-TV switches affiliations with KDAL-TV and becomes an NBC station.
- 1954
WDSM-TV signs on
[1]The station begins broadcasting on March 1 as a CBS affiliate owned by Ridder Newspapers.
Products and positioning
A regional broadcast and local-news operation centered on Duluth, the Twin Ports and northeastern Minnesota, with additional reach through KRII and multiple digital network services.
NBC-affiliated broadcast station · 1954
KBJR 6
KBJR-TV's primary service is an NBC-affiliated broadcast channel serving Duluth, Superior and surrounding communities. Its programming combines NBC network content with locally produced news, weather, sports, public-affairs coverage and advertising. The station's transmitter is located at Hilltop Park west of downtown Duluth, while studios and most internal operations are based in Canal Park.
Semi-satellite television station · 2002
KRII / Range 11
KRII is a full-power station licensed to Chisholm, Minnesota, and operated primarily as a semi-satellite of KBJR. It serves the Iron Range and northern portions of the market, including Grand Rapids and International Falls. Most programming is simulcast from KBJR, except for commercials and station identifications, while a Hibbing bureau contributes local reporting and supports advertising sales.
CBS digital subchannel · 2016
CBS 3
CBS 3 is KBJR's CBS-affiliated second digital subchannel, launched in 2016 after the market's CBS programming was moved from KDLH. Its name reflects the service's continued distribution on Charter Spectrum cable channel 3 and preserves a connection with the Twin Ports' historic CBS channel identity. It carries CBS programming along with separately branded local news output.
MyNetworkTV digital subchannel · 2006
My 9
My 9 is KBJR's MyNetworkTV-affiliated third digital subchannel. It developed from the station's earlier UPN service during the 2006 network realignment. In addition to MyNetworkTV programming, the channel carries programming from Gray's North Star Sports and Entertainment Network outside the MyNetworkTV schedule.
Marketing campaigns
- 1958Christmas City of the North Parade
Duluth · Twin Ports · Northland region
KBJR began presenting the annual downtown Duluth parade in 1958 as a kickoff to the holiday shopping season. The event is broadcast live and streamed online, with repeat airings before Christmas. A parade song commissioned from Merv Griffin in the early 1960s became a continuing musical signature.
Outcome. The parade became one of the station's most visible recurring community events. It has generally been held annually, except in 1963 and in modified form during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brand decisions
2021
Acquisition by Gray MediaM&ABackground
Gray Television sought to expand its local broadcasting portfolio through the purchase of Quincy Media.
Action taken
Gray announced the acquisition of Quincy Media and completed it on August 2, bringing KBJR and KRII under Gray ownership.
Aftermath
KBJR became part of Gray's group of local television stations and remained operational in the Duluth market.
announced transaction value. $925 million (Announced February 1, 2021)
2016
Move of CBS programming to KBJR-DT2StrategyBackground
The ownership and services structure involving KBJR and KDLH was revised after the Quincy transaction.
Action taken
KBJR launched the CBS 3 subchannel and added separate CBS-branded local newscasts, while KDLH shifted toward CW programming.
Aftermath
KBJR operated NBC, CBS and MyNetworkTV services across its primary and digital channels, with shared reporting resources but distinct news presentations.
2006
Launch of My 9Product launchBackground
The shutdown of UPN and The WB created new affiliations and programming opportunities for local digital channels.
Action taken
KBJR converted its UPN digital service into a MyNetworkTV affiliate branded My 9.
Aftermath
The channel became a continuing multicast service carrying MyNetworkTV and later additional regional sports and entertainment programming.
2005
Shared-services operation for KDLHStrategyBackground
KDLH was acquired by Malara Broadcast Group, which arranged for KBJR to provide most of its operational functions.
Action taken
KBJR took over substantial news, production, technical and administrative responsibilities while KDLH retained its own station identity and CBS affiliation.
Aftermath
KDLH's news operation was largely integrated with KBJR, and the arrangement later changed as ownership and affiliation plans were revised.
Recent events
- 2021
Gray Television completes Quincy Media acquisition[1]
M&A
Gray completes its purchase of Quincy Media, bringing KBJR-TV and KRII into the Gray station group.
- 2016
CBS programming moves to KBJR digital channel[1]
Product launch
KBJR launches its CBS 3 digital subchannel and expands associated local news programming after the shared-services relationship with KDLH is restructured.
- 2014
Quincy Media announces acquisition of KBJR[1]
M&A
Quincy Media announces plans to acquire KBJR-TV and KRII from Granite Broadcasting; the transaction structure is subsequently revised before closing.
- 2002
KBJR launches KRII semi-satellite[1]
Product launch
KRII signs on from Chisholm to extend KBJR's service into the Iron Range and northern portions of the market.
- 1997
Station studios destroyed by fire[1]
Other
A late-December fire destroys KBJR's studios, forcing temporary news, sales and master-control arrangements.
- 1955
WDSM-TV switches to NBC[1]
Other
The station exchanges affiliations with KDAL-TV and becomes an NBC affiliate.
- 1954
KBJR-TV begins broadcasting as WDSM-TV[1]
Other
The station signs on in Duluth-area television as WDSM-TV, initially affiliated with CBS.
Sources2 sources
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