KING-TV
KING-TV is an NBC-affiliated television station serving the Seattle–Tacoma market and Western Washington under the KING 5 brand.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
KING-TV is a television station licensed to Seattle, Washington, and identified on air primarily as KING 5. The station is affiliated with NBC and operates alongside independent station KONG, which is licensed to Everett. Both stations share facilities at the Home Plate Center in Seattle’s SoDo district, while KING-TV’s transmitter is located in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Its principal service area is the Seattle–Tacoma market and the wider Western Washington region. The station began broadcasting on November 25, 1948, as KRSC-TV, making it the first television station in the Pacific Northwest. Its first program was a live remote broadcast of a Thanksgiving high-school football game. The station was initially owned by Radio Sales Corporation, the company associated with Palmer K. Leberman, and carried CBS as its primary affiliation while also showing programs from NBC, ABC, and DuMont. In May 1949, only eight months after its launch, the station was acquired by King Broadcasting Company and changed its call sign to KING-TV. The King name was shared with the company’s radio properties and eventually became one of the most recognizable local media identities in the region. KING-TV lost its early market exclusivity after the Federal Communications Commission ended its freeze on new television licenses in 1952. New Seattle–Tacoma stations launched in 1953, and KING-TV’s network position shifted as the market developed. After a period carrying ABC and the declining DuMont service, King Broadcasting negotiated an NBC affiliation. KING-TV began carrying NBC programming in 1958 and became an exclusive NBC affiliate on September 27, 1959. This made it one of the relatively few American stations to have held primary affiliations with all three major commercial networks: CBS, ABC, and NBC. For much of the second half of the twentieth century, KING-TV served as the flagship of King Broadcasting Company, a regional media group that owned stations in the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, and other markets and also operated interests in cable, publishing, film, and timber. Under the Bullitt family and later executives including Ancil Payne, the station developed a strong local-programming identity. Its output included news, public-affairs programming, talk shows, magazine programs, comedy, children’s programming, and sports. Programs such as Almost Live!, Evening Magazine, Seattle Today, Seattle Tonight, and How Come? helped establish the station as more than a network-programming outlet. Almost Live! in particular became associated with Seattle’s local comedy culture and helped give early exposure to personalities including Bill Nye, Joel McHale, Pat Cashman, and John Keister. The Bullitt family sold King Broadcasting’s assets in the early 1990s. The company was acquired by The Providence Journal Company and subsequently became part of Belo following the latter company’s 1997 merger with Providence Journal. Belo’s ownership of KING-TV continued after a related divestiture of KIRO-TV, enabling the company to retain the higher-rated Seattle station. Gannett acquired Belo in 2013. In 2015, Gannett separated its newspaper assets from its television operations, and the television business was renamed Tegna. Nexstar Media Group announced an acquisition of Tegna in 2025, with the transaction described in the reference material as completed in 2026; KING-TV consequently became part of Nexstar’s station portfolio. KING-TV has maintained a large local-news operation and has generally competed as one of Seattle’s leading television news brands. It was an early adopter of high-definition local news, beginning studio high-definition newscasts in 1999 and expanding HD production across studio cameras, graphics, weather, and public-affairs programming in 2007. In 2016, the station moved from its long-standing North Dexter Avenue facility to a smaller, purpose-built operation at the Home Plate Center. The new site included a street-facing studio, pr…
History
KING-TV traces its history to KRSC-TV, which began broadcasting from Seattle on November 25, 1948. It was the first television station in the Pacific Northwest. The station’s initial owner was Radio Sales Corporation, associated with Palmer K. Leberman, and its inaugural broadcast was a live Thanksgiving high-school football remote. KRSC-TV initially operated primarily as a CBS affiliate, with secondary programming from NBC, ABC, and DuMont. King Broadcasting Company purchased the television station and the associated FM operation in May 1949. The new owner changed the call sign to KING-TV, aligning it with King’s radio stations. The station’s early visual identity included “King Mike,” a crowned and robed anthropomorphic microphone associated with the King Broadcasting brand. KING-TV’s initial market dominance ended after the FCC lifted its freeze on television-license awards in 1952. New stations entered the Seattle–Tacoma market in 1953, causing KING-TV to lose its earlier network exclusivity and eventually leaving it with ABC and DuMont programming. King Broadcasting pursued an NBC affiliation as its preferred long-term position. KING-TV began carrying NBC programs in 1958 and became an exclusive NBC station on September 27, 1959, while KOMO-TV became the market’s full-time ABC affiliate. The change gave KING-TV an unusual affiliation history spanning CBS, ABC, and NBC. During the Bullitt family era, the station became the flagship of a growing regional media company. King Broadcasting owned or operated stations including KGW in Portland, KREM in Spokane, KTVB in Boise, and stations in Hawaii, while also holding interests in cable systems, publishing, film, and other businesses. Leadership changes shaped the company in the 1970s. Stimson Bullitt left the company in 1972 after disagreements over management, and Ancil Payne became president and chief executive. KING-TV expanded its local programming during the 1970s and 1980s, producing talk, magazine, comedy, family, children’s, and public-affairs programs. Evening Magazine became a durable regional format, while Almost Live! developed from a talk and comedy program into an ensemble sketch show. These programs reinforced the station’s local identity and helped launch or advance the careers of several nationally recognized performers and broadcasters. Dorothy Bullitt died in 1989. Her daughters Harriet Bullitt and Priscilla “Patsy” Bullitt Collins subsequently arranged the sale of the King assets in the early 1990s. King Broadcasting was acquired by The Providence Journal Company and then became part of Belo after Belo merged with Providence Journal in 1997. Belo divested KIRO-TV to Cox Enterprises in order to retain KING-TV under applicable ownership limits. In 1995, King Broadcasting launched Northwest Cable News, a 24-hour regional service available mainly through cable providers in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. KING-TV continued to develop its local-news operation through the 1990s and 2000s. It began producing newscasts in high definition in 1999 and completed broader studio upgrades in 2007. The station also remained active in local sports, entertainment, and civic programming. Gannett announced its acquisition of Belo in 2013, and the transaction closed that December. In 2015, Gannett separated its newspaper business; the remaining television company was renamed Tegna. During the 2010s, KING-TV moved from its large North Dexter Avenue headquarters to a smaller facility at the Home Plate Center in SoDo. The move was completed in February 2016 and introduced a street-facing news studio, updated production systems, and a more collaborative newsroom layout. Northwest Cable News closed in January 2017 as audiences shifted toward digital streaming and cable systems became less willing to support the channel’s economics. The station remains an NBC affiliate and a major local broadcaster in Western Washington. It has maintained relationships with Seattle sports organizations, including the Seahawks and Kraken, and has carried selected Mariners, Sounders, SuperSonics, college, and NBC network sports. The station’s current identity combines regional news, weather, community programming, entertainment, sports, and digital distribution under the KING 5 brand. The reference material states that Nexstar acquired Tegna in a transaction completed in 2026, making KING-TV part of Nexstar’s television-station portfolio.
- 2022
Seahawks partnership begins
[1]KING-TV became an official television partner of the Seattle Seahawks.
- 2017
Northwest Cable News closes
[1]NWCN ended operations after declining viewership and changing distribution economics.
- 2016
SoDo facility opens
[1]KING-TV moved its operations to the Home Plate Center in Seattle’s SoDo district.
- 2015
Television business becomes Tegna
[1]Gannett separated its newspaper assets and renamed the television company Tegna.
- 2013
Belo acquisition by Gannett
[1]Gannett completed its acquisition of Belo, including KING-TV.
- 1999
High-definition local news begins
[1]KING-TV began broadcasting its newscasts in high definition.
- 1995
Northwest Cable News launches
[1]King Broadcasting launched a regional 24-hour cable-news service.
- 1989
Death of Dorothy Bullitt
[1]King Broadcasting founder and long-time owner Dorothy Bullitt died, preceding the later sale of the company’s assets.
- 1972
Ancil Payne takes company leadership
[1]Ancil Payne became president and chief executive of King Broadcasting after Stimson Bullitt’s departure.
- 1959
Exclusive NBC affiliation
[1]KING-TV became a full-time NBC affiliate on September 27.
Products and positioning
A long-established Seattle television institution positioned around local news leadership, regional service, community connection, and a strong NBC network relationship.
Local television news
KING 5 News
KING-TV’s core local-news service, covering Seattle, Tacoma, Western Washington, regional politics, public safety, weather, traffic, business, consumer issues, and community stories through scheduled broadcasts and digital video. The station has historically emphasized a substantial locally produced news schedule and has used the KING 5 brand across broadcast and online distribution.
Lifestyle and magazine programming
Evening
A long-running local magazine program derived from the Evening Magazine format. It focuses on regional people, destinations, food, culture, entertainment, and lifestyle subjects, extending the station’s local identity beyond conventional news.
Comedy programming
Almost Live!
A Seattle local comedy program that evolved from a talk and comedy format into an ensemble sketch show. It became closely associated with the city’s media culture and helped provide early exposure for performers and broadcasters including Bill Nye, Joel McHale, Pat Cashman, and John Keister.
Regional cable news · 1995
Northwest Cable News
A 24-hour regional cable-news channel launched by King Broadcasting in 1995. It primarily served Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, with more limited availability elsewhere, and carried regional news coverage related to the KING-TV station group. The service closed in 2017 as viewing and carriage conditions changed.
Digital news and streaming
KING 5 digital services
The station’s website and associated digital video services distribute local news, weather, traffic, investigative reports, lifestyle material, and live or on-demand newscasts. Digital availability also contributed to the eventual closure of Northwest Cable News by making local newscasts available through online channels.
Marketing campaigns
- 2016Home Plate Center launch
Seattle–Tacoma
The station promoted its move to a new SoDo facility featuring a street-side studio and updated production infrastructure. The relocation was presented as a way to improve collaboration and create a more visible connection with viewers.
Outcome. KING-TV began broadcasting newscasts from the new facility in February 2016.
- 1998KING-TV 50th anniversary identity
Seattle–Tacoma · Western Washington
KING-TV revived elements of the historic King Mike identity as part of its fiftieth-anniversary promotion, linking the station’s contemporary brand to its early King Broadcasting heritage.
Outcome. The King Mike character continued to appear in promotional contexts and remained an identifiable historical element of the station’s brand.
Brand decisions
2022
Renew Seahawks media relationshipStrategyBackground
KING-TV had held earlier Seahawks broadcast relationships and continued to carry selected NFL games through NBC’s national rights.
Action taken
The station became an official television partner of the Seattle Seahawks, carrying preseason games and team-focused shows.
Aftermath
The partnership reinforced KING 5’s role as a regional sports and community broadcaster.
2017
Close Northwest Cable NewsOtherBackground
NWCN faced declining viewership, competition from free online streaming of KING and KONG newscasts, and cable operators’ reluctance to pay more for carriage.
Action taken
The regional cable-news channel was shut down on January 6, 2017.
Aftermath
Regional news distribution became more dependent on the broadcast stations’ websites, streaming services, and other digital channels.
2014
Plan relocation from North Dexter AvenueStrategyBackground
KING-TV’s large former headquarters occupied valuable real estate in Seattle’s South Lake Union area, while management viewed the building’s size as an obstacle to collaboration.
Action taken
The station planned a move to leased space at the Home Plate Center in SoDo, including new studios, newsroom facilities, and updated technical systems.
Aftermath
The former facility was sold and later demolished, while KING-TV began operating from the SoDo site in 2016.
Sale price of former facilities. nearly $50 million (2016)
1995
Launch Northwest Cable NewsProduct launchBackground
King Broadcasting sought to extend its regional news presence beyond its broadcast stations through a dedicated cable channel.
Action taken
The company launched Northwest Cable News as a 24-hour regional news service.
Aftermath
The channel operated until 2017, when declining viewership and difficult cable-carriage economics led to its closure.
1958
Pursue NBC affiliationStrategyBackground
After losing its earlier market exclusivity and carrying ABC and DuMont programming, King Broadcasting sought a stronger network position for KING-TV.
Action taken
KING-TV began carrying NBC programming in 1958 and completed the transition to an exclusive NBC affiliation in September 1959.
Aftermath
The station became a long-term NBC affiliate and one of the few American stations with a primary affiliation history spanning CBS, ABC, and NBC.
Sources2 sources
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