KIEM-TV

KIEM-TV is a full-power television station based in Eureka, California, serving the small Eureka television market and surrounding communities on the state's North Coast. The station broadcasts on channel 3 and is affiliated with NBC. It operates alongside low-power CBS affiliate KVIQ-LD, with both stations sharing studios on South Broadway in the Spruce Point area near southwestern Eureka. KIEM-TV's transmitter is located southeast of Eureka along Kneeland Road. The station began broadcasting on October 25, 1953, as Eureka's first television station. It was founded by William B. Smullin through California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc., the company also associated with KOBI-TV in Medford, Oregon. The KIEM call letters were inherited from the company's AM radio station and were commonly explained as an abbreviation of “Keep Informed Every Minute.” The broader local broadcasting operation also included KRED-FM. In its earliest years, KIEM-TV was primarily a CBS affiliate, but because it was initially the market's only television station, it also carried selected programming from NBC, ABC, and DuMont. This arrangement reflected the limited network availability and small size of the Eureka market rather than a single-network identity. The market changed when KVIQ signed on in 1958 and became the NBC affiliate. KIEM and KVIQ continued to carry some ABC material on a secondary basis, while cable systems supplemented local service with programming from San Francisco's KRON. During the 1980s, NBC's growing national ratings strength and proposed competition from a new channel 23 station prompted a major realignment. In 1985, KIEM secured an exclusive NBC affiliation, effective December 30, while KVIQ moved to CBS. KREQ-TV, later KAEF-TV, launched in 1987 as a Fox affiliate and subsequently became the market's ABC station, allowing KIEM and KVIQ to end their secondary ABC schedules. KIEM-TV has changed ownership several times. Pollack/Belz Broadcasting acquired the station in 1996. A proposed 2017 transaction moved through Lost Coast Broadcasting and Redwood Television Partners, a Northwest Broadcasting subsidiary, and was completed on December 1, 2017. The transaction was structured alongside the sale of KVIQ to another party. Northwest Broadcasting later became part of the television portfolio acquired by Apollo Global Management. That portfolio was initially associated with Terrier Media and was ultimately operated under the Cox Media Group name after Apollo combined the relevant broadcasting and Cox assets; the transaction closed in December 2019. Cox Media Group announced in 2022 that it would sell KIEM-TV, KVIQ-LD, and other stations to Imagicomm Communications for a reported $488 million portfolio price. The sale closed on August 1, 2022. In January 2025, Imagicomm announced an agreement to sell KIEM-TV and KVIQ-LD to Marquee Broadcasting; the transaction was completed on May 1, 2025. KIEM remains an active NBC affiliate and local news provider. Its programming includes network television, locally produced news, syndicated or acquired programming, and overnight commercial or infomercial content. The station's local news operation produces weekday morning and evening coverage as well as weekend newscasts, and its evening news is simulcast on KVIQ-LD.

KIEM-TV signed on October 25, 1953, as the first television station in Eureka, California. William B. Smullin founded the station through California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc., which also operated KOBI-TV in Medford, Oregon. The KIEM call sign was connected to the company's KIEM radio service and was associated with the phrase “Keep Informed Every Minute.” The station's early operation formed part of a local broadcasting group that also included KRED-FM. At launch, KIEM-TV was affiliated with CBS. Because Eureka initially had only one television station, it also broadcast selected NBC, ABC, and DuMont programs. After DuMont ceased operations in 1955 and KVIQ launched in 1958, the two stations divided network relationships but continued to carry some ABC programming on a part-time basis. Cable viewers also received programming from San Francisco's KRON, then an NBC affiliate, including full-time NBC coverage not initially available from a local station. The station's affiliation structure changed in the 1980s. NBC's strong ratings performance increased the value of its affiliation, while plans for a new channel 23 station created pressure for the Eureka market to establish a dedicated ABC outlet. In 1985, KIEM signed an exclusive NBC agreement that took effect on December 30. KVIQ became the CBS affiliate, and both stations retained limited ABC programming until KREQ-TV, now KAEF-TV, began broadcasting in 1987. KREQ initially carried Fox and moved to ABC two years later, after which KIEM and KVIQ discontinued their secondary ABC schedules. Pollack/Belz Broadcasting acquired KIEM in 1996. In 2017, Pollack/Belz agreed to sell the station to Lost Coast Broadcasting. Lost Coast assigned its acquisition rights to Redwood Television Partners, a Northwest Broadcasting subsidiary, and the sale closed on December 1. The arrangement was linked to Northwest's sale of its existing Eureka station, KVIQ, in order to comply with ownership considerations. A further corporate transition followed when Apollo Global Management agreed to acquire Brian Brady's television portfolio in 2019. The proposed broadcasting group was first identified as Terrier Media, but after Apollo also acquired Cox's radio and advertising assets, the operation was announced under the Cox Media Group name. The transaction closed on December 17, 2019, placing KIEM within Cox's station portfolio. On March 29, 2022, Cox Media Group announced an agreement to sell KIEM-TV, KVIQ-LD, and 16 other stations to Imagicomm Communications, an affiliate associated with the parent company of the INSP cable network. The reported portfolio price was $488 million, and the transaction closed on August 1. Imagicomm later announced the planned sale of 12 stations, including KIEM-TV and KVIQ-LD, to Marquee Broadcasting. That transfer was completed on May 1, 2025. KIEM has also evolved technically and operationally. The station ended analog transmission on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition to digital television, moving its post-transition digital signal to VHF channel 3. It operates digital translators serving Hoopa and Shelter Cove. Historically, KIEM signed off during portions of early Sunday and Monday mornings, displaying archival station-identification material and test patterns. By April 2020, it had moved to continuous operation, using infomercials and similar content during some overnight periods. The station produces local news for the Eureka market, including weekday morning and evening programming and weekend newscasts. Its weekday evening news is simulcast on KVIQ-LD, while KIEM retains the morning and weekend broadcasts. In 2017, it introduced updated high-definition graphics. John Kennedy O'Connor joined as lead news anchor in early 2022, and Ross Rowley had assumed that role by summer 2025.

1. 2025Marquee Broadcasting becomes owner

   The sale of KIEM-TV and KVIQ-LD from Imagicomm to Marquee Broadcasting closes on May 1.

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2. 2022Imagicomm Communications acquires the station

   Cox Media Group's sale of KIEM-TV and other stations to Imagicomm closes on August 1.

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3. 2020KIEM moves to continuous operation

   By April, the station is operating around the clock, with infomercials and similar programming used during some overnight periods.

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4. 2019Station becomes part of Cox Media Group

   The acquisition of Northwest Broadcasting by Apollo-related broadcasting operations closes on December 17 under the Cox Media Group name.

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5. 2017Ownership transfers to Northwest Broadcasting

   The sale involving Lost Coast Broadcasting and Redwood Television Partners closes on December 1.

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6. 2017Local graphics receive a high-definition redesign

   KIEM introduces a major update to its news graphics and HD presentation.

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7. 2009Analog broadcasting ends

   KIEM shuts down its analog VHF channel 3 signal on June 12 and continues with digital broadcasting on channel 3.

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8. 1996Pollack/Belz Broadcasting acquires the station

   KIEM-TV changes ownership after Pollack/Belz Broadcasting completes its acquisition.

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9. 1987KREQ-TV launches

   The new channel 23 station begins broadcasting as a Fox affiliate, later becoming the market's ABC station.

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10. 1985KIEM becomes an exclusive NBC affiliate

    KIEM signs an exclusive NBC affiliation agreement, effective December 30, while KVIQ shifts to CBS.

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11. 1958KVIQ enters the Eureka market

    KVIQ signs on and becomes the market's NBC affiliate, leaving KIEM with a primarily CBS-oriented schedule and some shared ABC programming.

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12. 1953KIEM-TV begins broadcasting

    The station launches on October 25 as Eureka's first television station and begins primarily as a CBS affiliate.

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A local broadcast television station positioned as an NBC network affiliate and a regional news and information source for Eureka, Humboldt County, and California's North Coast.

• KIEM local newsLocal television news

  KIEM's locally produced news operation covers Eureka, Humboldt County, and the wider North Coast. The schedule includes a weekday morning newscast, additional updates during NBC's Today, weekday evening broadcasts, and one-hour weekend evening programs. The station also provides breaking-news and emergency coverage when significant flooding or other regional events require expanded reporting.

• NBC programmingNetwork television affiliation1985

  Since December 30, 1985, KIEM-TV has served as an exclusive NBC affiliate for the Eureka market. Its network schedule forms the station's principal entertainment, news, sports, and daytime programming offering, supplemented by local news and other acquired content.

• Digital broadcast serviceOver-the-air television2009

  KIEM transmits a digital over-the-air signal from its facility along Kneeland Road southeast of Eureka. The station also operates digital translators serving Hoopa and Shelter Cove, extending service to communities with challenging North Coast terrain.

• 2025Transfer ownership to Marquee BroadcastingM&A

  Imagicomm announced plans to sell a group of stations, including its Eureka properties.

  What changed. Imagicomm Eureka, LLC sold KIEM-TV and KVIQ-LD to Marquee Broadcasting; the transaction closed on May 1.

  Aftermath. Marquee Broadcasting became the station's owner and continued its operation as an NBC affiliate.

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• 2022Sell the station to Imagicomm CommunicationsM&A

  Cox Media Group announced a portfolio divestiture involving KIEM-TV, KVIQ-LD, and 16 other stations.

  What changed. Cox agreed to sell the stations to Imagicomm Communications for a reported portfolio price of $488 million; the transaction closed on August 1.

  Aftermath. KIEM became part of Imagicomm's television group until its subsequent sale to Marquee Broadcasting in 2025.

  Reported portfolio transaction value. (Announced March 29, 2022; closed August 1, 2022)

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• 2020Adopt continuous broadcast operationStrategy

  KIEM had historically signed off during portions of early Sunday and Monday mornings.

  What changed. By April 2020, the station began operating 24 hours a day, filling some weekend overnight periods with infomercials and similar programming.

  Aftermath. The change ended the station's regular overnight sign-off practice.

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• 2009Complete the digital television transitionStrategy

  United States full-power television stations were required to end analog broadcasting under the national digital-transition timetable.

  What changed. KIEM shut down its analog channel 3 signal on June 12 and continued digital service with its post-transition signal relocated to VHF channel 3.

  Aftermath. The station continued over-the-air broadcasting digitally and maintained translator service for Hoopa and Shelter Cove.

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• 1985Secure exclusive NBC affiliationStrategy

  NBC's improving national ratings and the planned arrival of a new commercial station created an opportunity to reorganize Eureka's network affiliations.

  What changed. KIEM signed an exclusive affiliation agreement with NBC, effective December 30, while KVIQ became the CBS affiliate.

  Aftermath. After KREQ-TV launched and later became an ABC affiliate, KIEM discontinued its part-time ABC programming and established its long-term NBC identity.

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• 2025Marquee Broadcasting acquires KIEM-TV and KVIQ-LD

  Imagicomm announced the sale of KIEM-TV and KVIQ-LD to Marquee Broadcasting in January 2025. The transaction was completed on May 1, making Marquee the stations' owner.

  M&A
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• 2022Cox Media Group agrees to sell KIEM-TV to Imagicomm Communications

  Cox Media Group announced the sale of KIEM-TV, KVIQ-LD, and 16 other stations to Imagicomm Communications in a reported $488 million portfolio transaction. The sale closed on August 1.

  M&A
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• 2019Northwest Broadcasting becomes part of Cox Media Group

  Apollo Global Management acquired Northwest Broadcasting and combined the relevant broadcasting assets with Cox properties. The resulting operation used the Cox Media Group name, with the transaction closing on December 17.

  M&A
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• 2017KIEM-TV sale to Northwest Broadcasting is completed

  A transaction involving Lost Coast Broadcasting and Redwood Television Partners, a Northwest Broadcasting subsidiary, was completed on December 1. The ownership change was coordinated with the disposition of KVIQ in the Eureka market.

  M&A
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• 1996Pollack/Belz Broadcasting acquires KIEM-TV

  Pollack/Belz Broadcasting purchased KIEM-TV, beginning a period of ownership that lasted until the station's 2017 sale process.

  M&A
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• 1985KIEM-TV changes from CBS to exclusive NBC affiliation

  KIEM-TV signed an exclusive affiliation agreement with NBC, with the new arrangement beginning on December 30. KVIQ moved to CBS, while ABC programming later shifted to the newly launched channel 23 station.

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1. KIEM-TV
2. KIEM-TV official website