KBOI-TV
A CBS-affiliated television station serving Boise and the surrounding Treasure Valley in Idaho.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
KBOI-TV is a full-power television station based in Boise, Idaho, and affiliated with CBS. It serves viewers in the Boise television market, including the Treasure Valley and nearby communities. The station operates alongside low-power CW Plus affiliate KYUU-LD under Sinclair Broadcast Group ownership. KBOI-TV's studios are located on North 16th Street in downtown Boise, while its main transmitter is situated near the summit of the Bogus Basin ski area in unincorporated Boise County. The station began broadcasting on November 26, 1953, as the Treasure Valley's second television station. It originally operated on VHF channel 2 and was licensed to Meridian, Idaho, before its city of license changed to Boise in January 1955. From its launch, the station maintained a primary CBS affiliation. It also carried secondary programming from ABC and DuMont during its early years, although those additional affiliations ended as network and market conditions changed. DuMont disappeared after the network ceased operations in 1955, while ABC programming moved away after the launch of a dedicated ABC station in the Nampa market in 1974. KBOI-TV spent several decades under different ownership and call signs. In 1975, after its commonly owned radio stations were sold separately, the television station changed its call letters to KBCI-TV. The new identity reflected Boise City and complied with Federal Communications Commission rules then requiring separately owned television and radio stations in the same market to maintain distinct base call signs. A proposed sale to Donrey Media Group did not close because of regulatory issues related to Donrey's television holdings. The station was subsequently sold in 1976 to Eugene Television, owner of KVAL-TV in Oregon. The station later became part of Northwest Television, which was acquired by Retlaw Enterprises in 1996. Retlaw, controlled by the Walt Disney family, sold its television group to Fisher Communications in 1999. During the Fisher era, KBCI experienced staff reductions, operational consolidation, and increased use of automated production systems. In 2007, master-control functions were moved to Fisher's Seattle operation, and the station introduced Ignite newscast automation, reducing the number of studio crew members needed for broadcasts. The original KBOI identity returned on February 1, 2010, following changes in FCC rules and a relationship with separately owned KBOI radio. Fisher announced the sale of its television assets, including KBOI-TV, to Sinclair Broadcast Group in 2013, and the transaction closed on August 8 of that year. KBOI remains a Sinclair-owned CBS affiliate. In addition to its primary channel, the station operates digital multicast services. KBOI added CW programming to a second digital subchannel in September 2011, with the service also available through KYUU-LP and later KYUU-LD under the CW Plus arrangement. The subchannel was upgraded to high definition in 2014. KBOI-TV also produces or presents local news for other stations under broadcast-service agreements. In 2023, it assumed presentation responsibilities for Sinclair-owned KLEW-TV newscasts in Lewiston and began producing selected morning and evening newscasts for KNIN-TV after Marquee Broadcasting acquired that station. KBOI's news operation emphasizes local reporting, investigative journalism, and community advocacy. Its investigative unit, known as the Truth Squad, has covered public accountability and government issues. A notable investigation into Boise mayor Brent Coles's management of public funds contributed to his resignation and later prosecution. The station has received major journalism honors, including duPont and Edward R. Murrow awards associated with that investigation, as well as recognition from the Idaho Press Club and Idaho State Broadcasters Association. KBOI broadcasts a substantial schedule of local news, including morning, midday, afternoon, and evening programs, and has been identified with the market's first 4 p.m. newscast.
History
KBOI-TV began service on November 26, 1953, as the second television station serving Idaho's Treasure Valley. The station initially broadcast from Meridian on VHF channel 2 and was owned by Boise Valley Broadcasters together with radio station KDSH. Its city of license changed to Boise on January 18, 1955, and the television station adopted the KBOI-TV suffix shortly afterward. CBS was its primary network affiliation from the beginning, while ABC and DuMont programs were carried secondarily during the station's early years. The secondary DuMont relationship ended when that network shut down in 1955. ABC programming continued until 1974, when a dedicated ABC service began operating in the market. In 1975, following the sale of the separately owned KBOI radio properties, the television station changed its call sign to KBCI-TV. The change reflected Boise City and met FCC requirements that then limited commonly shared base call signs among separately owned radio and television stations in one market. A proposed 1975 sale to Donrey Media Group failed to close after the FCC deferred action because of regulatory questions concerning Donrey's KORK-TV license renewal in Las Vegas. Boise Valley Broadcasters instead sold KBCI in 1976 to Eugene Television, the owner of KVAL-TV in Eugene, Oregon. The company later operated as Northwest Television. Retlaw Enterprises acquired the group in 1996, and Fisher Communications bought Retlaw's television stations three years later. Fisher's ownership brought operational consolidation and staffing changes. In 2007, master-control operations for KBCI and other Fisher stations were outsourced to the company's Seattle facility. The same year, KBCI introduced Ignite automation for newscast production, reducing the number of studio crew members required during broadcasts. These changes reflected a wider television-industry shift toward centralized technical operations and automated local-news workflows. The KBOI-TV call sign returned on February 1, 2010. The restoration was made possible by changes to FCC rules governing shared call signs and by coordination with separately owned KBOI radio. On September 12, 2011, the station added CW programming to its second digital subchannel and made the service available through the related KYUU low-power operation. The CW service reached high-definition distribution on KYUU in 2012 and on KBOI's second subchannel in 2014. Fisher announced in April 2013 that it would sell its broadcast properties to Sinclair Broadcast Group. The transaction, including KBOI-TV, was completed on August 8, 2013. Under Sinclair, KBOI continued as a CBS affiliate and retained its local news operation while also participating in broader regional production arrangements. The station's news department has developed a reputation for investigative and public-accountability reporting. Its Truth Squad unit investigated Boise mayor Brent Coles's handling of public funds in a report covering the 2002–2003 period. The work was associated with duPont and Edward R. Murrow honors in 2004 and preceded Coles's resignation and prosecution by the Idaho Attorney General's Office. KBCI also received Idaho Press Club awards in 2009 for investigative reporting and a light feature, followed later that year by an Idaho State Broadcasters Association award for best newscast. KBOI broadcasts local news across several dayparts, including morning, midday, afternoon, and evening programs. Its schedule has included an 11 a.m. midday newscast, a 4 p.m. program branded KBOI 2 News, First at 4:00, a live 5 p.m. CBS Evening News broadcast, and a 5:30 p.m. local newscast. The station also operates digital transmission facilities and translators serving parts of Idaho and neighboring areas. In 2023, KBOI expanded its production role by presenting KLEW-TV newscasts in Lewiston and producing 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. local newscasts for KNIN-TV.
- 2023
Regional newscast production expands
[1]KBOI assumes presentation responsibilities for KLEW-TV newscasts and produces selected KNIN-TV newscasts.
- 2013
Sinclair acquisition closes
[1]Sinclair Broadcast Group completes its acquisition of KBOI-TV and Fisher Communications' other broadcast properties.
- 2012
Digital transmission moves to VHF channel 9
[1]The station moves its digital signal from UHF channel 28 to VHF channel 9.
- 2011
CW programming launches on the second digital subchannel
[1]KBOI begins carrying CW programming through its second digital subchannel and the related KYUU low-power service.
- 2010
KBOI-TV name is restored
[1]The station changes back from KBCI-TV to KBOI-TV.
- 2009
Analog broadcasting ends
[1]KBOI-TV shuts down its analog VHF channel 2 signal as part of the federally mandated full-power television transition to digital broadcasting.
- 1999
Fisher Communications acquires the station group
[1]Retlaw sells its television station group to Fisher Communications.
- 1996
Retlaw Enterprises acquires Northwest Television
[1]The station becomes part of Retlaw Enterprises, a television group controlled by the Walt Disney family.
- 1976
Station is sold to Eugene Television
[1]Boise Valley Broadcasters sells KBCI-TV to Eugene Television, owner of Oregon station KVAL-TV.
- 1975
Call sign changes to KBCI-TV
[1]After the radio stations are sold separately, the television station adopts KBCI-TV to comply with FCC call-sign rules then in effect.
Products and positioning
A local CBS affiliate positioned around Boise-area news, investigative reporting, weather, sports, community coverage, and Sinclair-supported regional broadcast services.
Local news
KBOI 2 News
KBOI-TV's local news operation, covering Boise, the Treasure Valley, Idaho politics, weather, sports, public safety, and community issues. Its schedule includes morning, midday, afternoon, and evening broadcasts. The operation also includes the Truth Squad investigative unit and produces selected newscasts for partner stations.
Network television affiliate service · 1953
CBS programming
KBOI-TV's primary network service consists of CBS programming distributed on its main channel. The station has maintained a primary CBS affiliation since its 1953 launch, making the network relationship a central part of its broadcast identity.
Digital multicast television · 2011
CW Boise
CW programming carried through KBOI-TV's second digital subchannel and associated with KYUU-LD under the CW Plus model. The service began in 2011 and was upgraded to high-definition distribution on the KBOI subchannel in 2014.
Investigative journalism
Truth Squad
An investigative reporting unit generally consisting of two reporters. The unit focuses on accountability journalism and public-interest investigations, including the reporting on Boise mayor Brent Coles's management of public funds.
Marketing campaigns
- Community advocacy journalism
Boise · Treasure Valley · Idaho
KBOI-TV positions its news operation around high-impact local reporting and community advocacy, combining daily coverage with investigations into public institutions and local accountability.
Outcome. The approach supports the station's local-news identity and has been associated with recognized investigative and newscast work.
Brand decisions
2023
Expansion of contracted newscast productionStrategyBackground
Sinclair-owned and independently owned stations in the region used shared production arrangements for local news.
Action taken
KBOI took over presentation of KLEW-TV newscasts and began producing KNIN-TV's 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. local newscasts.
Aftermath
KBOI's role expanded beyond its own broadcasts to include regional production services for additional Idaho stations.
2013
Acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast GroupM&ABackground
Fisher Communications announced the sale of its broadcast portfolio, including KBOI-TV.
Action taken
Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired KBOI-TV in a transaction completed on August 8, 2013.
Aftermath
KBOI continued operating as a CBS affiliate within Sinclair's station portfolio and later expanded regional news-production relationships.
2011
Launch of CW digital subchannel serviceProduct launchBackground
KBOI expanded its multicast offering and coordinated with the KYUU low-power station.
Action taken
CW programming was added to KBOI's second digital subchannel and KYUU's service.
Aftermath
The subchannel was later upgraded to 720p high definition.
2010
Restoration of the KBOI-TV brandStrategyBackground
FCC rules had changed to permit separately owned radio and television stations in a market to share a base call sign.
Action taken
KBCI-TV changed its call letters back to KBOI-TV, supported by a relationship with separately owned KBOI radio.
Aftermath
The station resumed the identity it had used during its first two decades of operation.
2007
Centralization and automation of production operationsStrategyBackground
Fisher Communications sought to consolidate technical operations across its northwestern television stations.
Action taken
Master-control functions were outsourced to Seattle, and KBCI introduced Ignite automation for newscast production.
Aftermath
The changes reduced local master-control staffing and the number of studio crew members used during newscasts.
1975
Adoption of the KBCI-TV call signStrategyBackground
The station's radio siblings were sold to a separate owner, while FCC rules required separately owned radio and television stations in the same market to use distinct base call signs.
Action taken
The television station changed its identity from KBOI-TV to KBCI-TV, using initials associated with Boise City, Idaho.
Aftermath
The KBCI-TV identity remained in use until the station restored KBOI-TV in 2010 after FCC rules changed.
Sources2 sources
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