KGMB

KGMB is a CBS-affiliated television station based in Honolulu, Hawaii, serving viewers across the Hawaiian Islands. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 5 and is part of the Hawaii News Now group, which also includes NBC and Telemundo affiliate KHNL and related digital and satellite operations. KGMB and KHNL share facilities in Honolulu's Kapālama neighborhood, while KGMB's transmitter is located in Akupu, Hawaii. KGMB began broadcasting on December 1, 1952, becoming Hawaii's first television station. It was founded by J. Howard Worrall and initially operated alongside KGMB radio. Because the radio station had a longstanding relationship with CBS, the television station adopted CBS as its primary network affiliation while also carrying selected programming from other major networks. As additional Honolulu stations launched, KGMB gradually became a dedicated CBS affiliate. During its early decades, KGMB developed a strong local identity through news, children's programming, entertainment and public-affairs productions made specifically for Hawaii. Programs such as Checkers & Pogo, Skipper Al and The Hawaii Moving Company helped establish the station as a prominent local media institution. Its long-running promotional phrase, “One of the Good Things About Hawaii,” became associated with an a cappella jingle that has continued to be used in station branding. KGMB also gained broader cultural visibility through its connection with the CBS police drama Hawaii Five-O, whose fictional news environment frequently featured the station's real news personnel. Ownership changed several times. A partnership associated with future Hawaii congressman Cecil Heftel acquired the station in 1973, and the KGMB properties were sold to Lee Enterprises in 1977. Lee divested the radio operation in 1980 and later exited television broadcasting. Emmis Communications acquired KGMB in 2000, but its ownership of both KGMB and Honolulu Fox affiliate KHON-TV required Federal Communications Commission waivers. Emmis sold KHON in 2006 and then sold KGMB and its satellite stations to MCG Capital Corporation in 2007. A major structural change occurred in 2009, when MCG Capital and Raycom Media entered into a shared-services arrangement. KGMB's operations moved from its long-time Kapiolani Boulevard facility to the studios used by KHNL and KFVE. The stations consolidated news operations and exchanged virtual channel positions: KGMB moved from channel 9 to channel 5, while KFVE moved from channel 5 to channel 9. The arrangement generated criticism from media-watchdog groups and scrutiny from the FCC because it allowed Raycom to operate multiple high-rated Honolulu stations while formally maintaining a structure designed to comply with ownership rules. KGMB's news, weather and public-service output is now presented within the Hawaii News Now operation. The station carries the CBS schedule, local newscasts, syndicated programming and selected locally produced specials. It broadcasts much of its programming, including CBS network content and sports, in high definition. In 2016, the Hawaii News Now stations stopped participating in Nielsen's Hawaii diary-based ratings service and adopted alternative audience research, citing limitations in the local measurement system. Raycom Media merged with Gray Television in a transaction announced in 2018 and completed in January 2019. The combined company, now known as Gray Media, retained KGMB and KHNL while the KFVE license was sold to Nexstar Media Group to address Honolulu-market ownership requirements. KGMB remains an active CBS station and a central component of Hawaii News Now's television and digital news presence.

KGMB signed on December 1, 1952, as Hawaii's first television station. Founded by J. Howard Worrall, it operated with KGMB radio from Honolulu and initially carried programming from several major networks. Its principal affiliation was CBS, reflecting the radio station's established CBS relationship. The station lost NBC programming after KONA-TV began broadcasting in December 1952 and lost ABC programming after KULA-TV launched in 1954. KGMB built a substantial local-production operation during its first decades. Children's shows including Skipper Al and Checkers & Pogo became well-known Hawaii programs, while The Hawaii Moving Company developed from a dance-oriented format into a broader local entertainment and general-interest show. The station also produced Hawaii-centered specials, including Rap's Hawaii. KGMB's local news personnel appeared in the CBS drama Hawaii Five-O, further connecting the station with national portrayals of Hawaii. During the later Hawaii Five-0 revival, CBS permitted KGMB to preview season premieres at the Waikiki Shell. A Heftel-led partnership acquired the KGMB stations in 1973 and sold them to Lee Enterprises in 1977. Lee separated the radio business in 1980. In 1982, the television station dropped the “-TV” suffix from its call sign. Lee left television broadcasting in 2000, selling KGMB to Emmis Communications. Because Emmis already owned KHON-TV, the transaction required an FCC cross-ownership waiver. KHON and KGMB shared facilities for a period but continued to maintain separate news departments. KGMB carried selected UPN programs from 2002 through 2004 under a secondary affiliation shared with KHON. The arrangement followed KFVE's departure from UPN. Emmis sold KHON in 2006 and announced the sale of KGMB and its satellites to MCG Capital Corporation in February 2007. The transaction closed in June of that year. Under MCG, KGMB refreshed its logo, graphics and website and returned to a visual identity resembling one used in the early 1980s. In August 2009, MCG Capital and Raycom Media announced a shared-services agreement involving KGMB, KHNL and KFVE. KGMB moved from its long-time Kapiolani Boulevard studios to KHNL's Waiakamilo Road facility, and the three stations combined their news operation. The agreement also exchanged virtual channel positions: KGMB moved from channel 9 to channel 5, and KFVE moved from channel 5 to channel 9. The transition took effect on October 26, 2009, and KGMB adopted the simpler “KGMB” branding rather than “KGMB 9.” The consolidation reduced staffing across the three operations, and the former KGMB facility was later cleared and auctioned, with proceeds directed to charity. KGMB continued to carry CBS programming, although Hawaii's geographic isolation historically required unusual scheduling practices. Network programs were transported from the mainland and could arrive later than their mainland broadcast times, resulting in local time shifts and occasional delays. The station has also carried NFL, college sports and other CBS events, while producing local news and weather programming. Its brand has at times emphasized severe-weather reporting and its role as a Hawaii-focused information source. The station upgraded its technical infrastructure during the late 2000s. Its high-definition feed became available through Oceanic Time Warner Cable in January 2008, and the station expanded the amount of network and local programming presented in high definition. Beginning in 2016, the Hawaii News Now stations ended their participation in Nielsen's local diary ratings system and used alternative audience research. The decision reflected dissatisfaction with the limited sample produced by Hawaii's diary-based measurement system. Gray Television announced its merger with Raycom Media in June 2018. Because the combined company would have controlled three Honolulu-market stations, the parties arranged for the KFVE license and certain satellite licenses to be sold to Nexstar. The FCC approved the license sale in December 2018 and the larger Gray-Raycom transaction shortly afterward. Both transactions closed on January 2, 2019. KGMB remained with the resulting Gray organization, now Gray Media, and continues to operate as a CBS affiliate within the Hawaii News Now group.

1. 2019Becomes part of the Gray-Raycom group

   The Gray Television-Raycom Media merger closes, placing KGMB under Gray's corporate ownership.

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2. 2016Leaves Nielsen's Hawaii ratings system

   The Hawaii News Now stations stop using Nielsen's local diary-based ratings measurement.

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3. 2009Channel swap and shared news operation

   KGMB moves to virtual channel 5, joins a shared news operation with KHNL and KFVE, and relocates its operations to shared studios.

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4. 2008High-definition cable carriage begins

   KGMB's HD feed becomes available on Oceanic Time Warner Cable's digital service.

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5. 2007MCG Capital acquisition closes

   MCG Capital completes its purchase of KGMB and its satellite stations from Emmis.

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6. 2000Acquired by Emmis Communications

   Lee exits television broadcasting and sells KGMB to Emmis Communications.

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7. 1982Drops the television suffix

   The station changes its call sign from KGMB-TV to KGMB.

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8. 1977Sold to Lee Enterprises

   The KGMB stations are sold to Lee Enterprises.

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9. 1973Acquired by a Heftel-led partnership

   A partnership led by Cecil Heftel acquires the KGMB radio and television properties.

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10. 1954Becomes effectively a dedicated CBS affiliate

    After Honolulu competitors launch, KGMB no longer carries regular NBC and ABC network programming.

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11. 1952KGMB begins broadcasting

    KGMB signs on December 1 as Hawaii's first television station and begins operating as a primary CBS affiliate.

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A long-established Hawaii television institution combining CBS network programming with locally produced news, weather, sports and public-service content.

• CBS network serviceTelevision network affiliation1952

  KGMB's principal programming service is its CBS affiliation, including network news, entertainment, daytime programming, sports and special events. Because Hawaii is several time zones from the mainland and historically received programs through delayed physical distribution, the station has long scheduled some CBS programs at times different from the standard mainland order.

• Hawaii News NowLocal news2009

  Hawaii News Now is the shared news operation serving KGMB and sister station KHNL. It produces local newscasts, weather reports, public-service coverage and digital video for viewers across Hawaii. The operation emphasizes Hawaii-specific reporting and severe-weather information.

• Local programming and specialsTelevision production1952

  KGMB has historically produced locally oriented children's, entertainment, public-affairs and special-event programming. Notable past examples include Checkers & Pogo, Skipper Al, The Hawaii Moving Company and Rap's Hawaii. The station continues to air selected locally produced specials alongside regular network programming.

• CBS sports coverageSports broadcasting1952

  As a CBS affiliate, KGMB carries selected national sports programming, including NFL and college basketball events. It has also aired Hawaii-focused sports and coach's shows at various points in its history, subject to scheduling and rights arrangements.

• One of the Good Things About Hawaii

  Hawaii

  A long-running station slogan and a cappella jingle emphasizing KGMB's local roots and distinctive role in Hawaii television.

  Outcome. The slogan became closely associated with KGMB and continued to appear in station branding.

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• Hawaii's Severe Weather Station

  Hawaii

  A weather-centered positioning effort presenting KGMB as a dependable source for severe-weather information and local forecasts.

  Outcome. The positioning reinforced the station's local news and emergency-information role.

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• Hawaii Five-0 premiere previews

  Honolulu · Hawaii

  During the run of the rebooted Hawaii Five-0, KGMB worked with CBS on public previews of season premieres at the Waikiki Shell.

  Outcome. The events linked the CBS affiliate to a major Hawaii-themed television franchise and promoted the network's local presence.

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• 2016End participation in Nielsen's Hawaii ratings systemStrategy

  The Hawaii market used diary-based audience measurement, and the Hawaii News Now group questioned the reliability of the small number of completed diaries.

  What changed. KGMB and its associated Hawaii News Now stations stopped using Nielsen's local ratings service and adopted alternative audience research.

  Aftermath. The decision made KGMB's audience reporting less directly comparable with Honolulu stations that continued to use Nielsen.

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• 2009Enter a shared-services agreement with RaycomStrategy

  MCG Capital owned KGMB while Raycom owned KHNL and operated related Honolulu television assets. The companies sought to combine facilities and news resources while navigating FCC ownership limits.

  What changed. KGMB moved to KHNL's studios, the stations combined news operations, and KGMB and KFVE exchanged virtual channel positions.

  Aftermath. The arrangement took effect in October 2009, changed KGMB's branding from KGMB 9 to KGMB and generated regulatory and media-watchdog scrutiny.

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• 2019KFVE license sold to Nexstar as part of Honolulu ownership restructuring

  Nexstar acquired the KFVE license and related satellite licenses, allowing the Gray-Raycom combination to comply with FCC ownership requirements while Raycom retained certain KFVE programming and branding rights.

  M&ARegulation
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• 2018Gray Television announces merger with Raycom Media

  Gray announced a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $3.6 billion to combine its broadcasting assets with Raycom's stations, including KGMB and KHNL.

  M&A
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• 2009MCG Capital sells KGMB to Raycom through a shared-services arrangement

  KGMB and Raycom Media announced a shared-services agreement that consolidated operations with KHNL and KFVE, moved KGMB into shared Honolulu facilities and exchanged the stations' virtual channel positions.

  Other
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• 2009FCC reviews the structure of the Hawaii station sharing agreement

  Media Council Hawaii objected to the arrangement, arguing that it functionally enabled common control of highly rated Honolulu stations. The FCC requested detailed agreements related to the shared-services structure.

  RegulationOther
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1. KGMB
2. Hawaii News Now