KMIZ
KMIZ is a television station licensed to Columbia, Missouri, serving the Columbia–Jefferson City market as an ABC affiliate and operating a MyNetworkTV service through its digital and related station operations.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KMIZ is a full-power television station licensed to Columbia, Missouri, and serving the wider Columbia–Jefferson City market. The station is affiliated with ABC and is owned by the News-Press & Gazette Company, which also owns Fox affiliate KQFX-LD. Together, the stations are promoted as the “Networks of Mid-Missouri.” KMIZ’s studios are located on East Business Loop 70 in Columbia, while its transmitter is west of Jamestown, Missouri. The station began broadcasting on December 5, 1971, as KCBJ-TV. It was created to provide Mid-Missouri with a full-time ABC affiliate at a time when ABC programming was divided between the market’s established NBC and CBS stations. Early operations were difficult. The station used the market’s first UHF channel, faced strong competition from older and better-funded broadcasters, and initially lacked the technical resources to receive and distribute a reliable network feed. Its studio and transmitter were at separate locations, many households did not have UHF-capable television sets, and the station relied on an indirect relay arrangement involving stations in Springfield and Joplin. KCBJ-TV did not turn a profit during its first several years. The station’s ownership and network affiliations became entangled in litigation during the early 1980s. A proposed sale to the Wooster Republican Printing Company broke down, while ABC sought to move its affiliation to the higher-rated KOMU-TV. When KOMU switched from NBC to ABC in 1982, KCBJ-TV assumed NBC programming temporarily, although the ownership dispute complicated the transition. Stauffer Communications acquired the station in 1985, invested in its news operation, and changed the call sign to KMIZ on December 30 of that year when the station returned to ABC. Expanded staffing, improved production facilities, and stronger local coverage helped the news operation gain audience share. Ownership changed again in the 1990s and early 2000s. Stauffer’s television assets were transferred to Benedek Broadcasting after Morris Communications acquired Stauffer. Under Benedek, KMIZ acquired two low-power stations and created the market’s first over-the-air Fox service, a predecessor to KQFX-LD. Benedek later entered bankruptcy after advertising weakness and debt problems, and KMIZ passed first to Chelsey Broadcasting and then to JW Broadcasting. JW Broadcasting invested in transmission facilities, local programming, a Fox service on a higher-power signal, a MyNetworkTV outlet, and weather programming. The company also expanded the local news department, introduced high-definition production in 2011, added a 6:30 p.m. newscast, and opened a Jefferson City newsroom. News-Press & Gazette Company acquired KMIZ and KQFX-LD in 2012. Since then, KMIZ has continued to develop its local-news schedule, adding weekday morning and midday broadcasts in 2013 and weekend morning broadcasts in 2016. By 2023, the station produced more than 30 hours of local news weekly on its primary channel. Its current brand centers on ABC network programming, local news, weather, sports, and community information for Mid-Missouri, with associated digital, subchannel, and sister-station services extending its reach.
History
KMIZ began as KCBJ-TV on December 5, 1971, after Richard Koenig’s Channel Seventeen organization received authorization to build a UHF station on channel 17. The station was designed to fill a major programming gap: ABC had no full-time Mid-Missouri affiliate and was split between KOMU-TV and KRCG. KCBJ-TV’s launch was technically challenging because it operated with separate studio and transmitter sites, limited capital, weak UHF household penetration, and an unreliable network-feed arrangement. It gradually improved its infrastructure, including the installation of a direct microwave link and the acquisition of larger studio facilities in 1978. A proposed 1979 sale to Wooster Republican Printing Company led to prolonged litigation after the prospective buyer alleged that Koenig had breached the agreement. The dispute coincided with ABC’s effort to upgrade its affiliation in the market. KOMU eventually moved from NBC to ABC in 1982, leaving KCBJ-TV to take NBC programming. The proposed sale collapsed, and Stauffer Communications ultimately acquired the station, assuming control in January 1985. Stauffer focused on repairing the station’s weak local-news operation. It expanded the newsroom, added production equipment, and used the station’s network change as an opportunity to refresh its identity. On December 30, 1985, KCBJ-TV became KMIZ and resumed ABC affiliation. The investment improved local-news performance and helped the station move from a marginal position toward greater competitiveness. In 1995, Stauffer’s television assets were transferred to Benedek Broadcasting following Morris Communications’ acquisition of Stauffer. Benedek expanded KMIZ’s portfolio by acquiring low-power stations in Jefferson City and Columbia and launching a Fox service in 1997. A later cable partnership provided WB programming under the KJWB name, although that arrangement moved to KOMU in 2002. Benedek’s financial problems during the early 2000s affected KMIZ. Advertising weakness and debt obligations contributed to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, while the station reduced staff and canceled its 5 p.m. newscast. KMIZ was transferred out of bankruptcy to Chelsey Broadcasting and then sold to JW Broadcasting. JW pursued a turnaround through capital investment and programming expansion. In 2004, the Fox service moved to a higher-power channel and expanded its coverage; the group also added a 9 p.m. newscast, launched the KZOU UPN service, and introduced the Show Me Weather Channel. KZOU later became a MyNetworkTV affiliate after the 2006 UPN–WB combination created The CW. JW continued expanding local journalism, converting newscasts to high-definition production in 2011, adding a 6:30 p.m. broadcast, and establishing a Jefferson City newsroom. On November 1, 2012, News-Press & Gazette Company completed its acquisition of KMIZ and KQFX-LD. NPG subsequently added weekday morning and midday newscasts in 2013 and weekend morning programming in 2016. The station also changed its digital subchannel mix over time, replacing a weather channel with MeTV as management cited the growing availability of weather information through smartphones and other services. KMIZ completed the United States’ mandated analog-to-digital transition in June 2009 and continued digital broadcasting on channel 17.
- 2016
Weekend morning news launches
[1]KMIZ and KQFX introduced weekend morning newscasts.
- 2012
NPG completes acquisition
[1]News-Press & Gazette Company acquired KMIZ and KQFX-LD from JW Broadcasting.
- 2011
Local news converts to high definition
[1]The station introduced high-definition newscasts, a 6:30 p.m. broadcast, and a Jefferson City newsroom.
- 2009
Analog transmission ends
[1]KMIZ ceased analog broadcasting and moved its post-transition digital signal to UHF channel 17.
- 2004
Fox service moves to higher-power facility
[1]The related Fox operation moved to channel 38 from a tower near Ashland, increasing coverage, and added a 9 p.m. newscast.
- 1997
Fox service launched
[1]KMIZ used two acquired low-power stations to establish an over-the-air Fox service for the market.
- 1985
KMIZ identity introduced
[1]Stauffer Communications assumed control, restored ABC affiliation, and changed the call sign from KCBJ-TV to KMIZ.
- 1982
KCBJ-TV assumes NBC affiliation
[1]KOMU moved from NBC to ABC, and KCBJ-TV took over NBC programming amid an ownership dispute.
- 1978
New Columbia studio facilities acquired
[1]The station moved into facilities formerly used by Columbia College, substantially expanding its office and production space.
- 1971
KCBJ-TV begins broadcasting
[1]Channel 17 signs on as a full-time ABC affiliate serving Columbia and Mid-Missouri.
Products and positioning
A local broadcast and news brand serving Mid-Missouri, combining ABC network programming with regional news, weather, sports, and community coverage.
Local television news
ABC 17 News
KMIZ’s principal local-news service covers Columbia, Jefferson City, and surrounding Mid-Missouri communities. Its schedule has expanded across morning, midday, evening, and weekend periods, supported by weather, regional reporting, and newsroom operations in Jefferson City.
Broadcast television · 1971
ABC network service
KMIZ carries programming from ABC as the network’s Mid-Missouri affiliate. The affiliation returned to channel 17 in 1985 after the station temporarily carried NBC programming during the market’s earlier affiliation changes.
Broadcast television · 2006
MyNetworkTV service
The station group operates a MyNetworkTV service associated with the former KZOU operation. KZOU adopted the MyNetworkTV affiliation after UPN and The WB were replaced by the formation of The CW in 2006.
Broadcast television · 1997
Fox 38 / KQFX-LD
KMIZ’s sister Fox service originated through the acquisition of two low-power stations in 1997. It later moved to a higher-power channel and became associated with KQFX-LD, providing Fox programming and local news for the same market.
Brand decisions
2012
Sell KMIZ and KQFX-LD to News-Press & Gazette CompanyM&ABackground
JW Broadcasting sold the stations as NPG expanded its Missouri television holdings. The transaction also prompted discussion of potential local media ownership overlap because NPG chief executive David Bradley chaired the University of Missouri system board while the university owned KOMU-TV.
Action taken
NPG agreed to acquire both stations and completed the transaction on November 1.
Aftermath
NPG expanded KMIZ’s local-news schedule and continued operating the stations together as the Networks of Mid-Missouri.
acquisition price. $16 million (announced July 26, 2012; completed November 1, 2012)
2004
Expand the Fox and local-news operationStrategyBackground
JW Broadcasting sought to improve the performance and reach of the stations after acquiring KMIZ from Chelsey Broadcasting.
Action taken
The Fox service moved to a higher-power transmission facility, added a 9 p.m. newscast, and the group launched additional weather and entertainment services.
Aftermath
Fox coverage approximately doubled, while morning and late-news ratings improved even though early-evening competition remained strong.
1997
Create an over-the-air Fox affiliateProduct launchBackground
The Columbia–Jefferson City market lacked an established full-power Fox outlet, while KMIZ sought to broaden its commercial television portfolio.
Action taken
Benedek acquired two low-power stations and launched a Fox service in Columbia and Jefferson City.
Aftermath
The service became the predecessor of KQFX-LD and remained associated with the KMIZ station group.
1985
Restore ABC affiliation and rebrand as KMIZStrategyBackground
After Stauffer Communications acquired the financially and competitively weak KCBJ-TV, the station faced a network transition and an underdeveloped local-news operation.
Action taken
Stauffer invested in newsroom staffing and equipment, returned the station to ABC, and replaced the KCBJ-TV call sign with KMIZ.
Aftermath
The improved news operation increased its audience share during 1986 and established the KMIZ identity used thereafter.
Recent events
- 2013
KMIZ expands weekday local-news schedule[1]
Product launch
The station introduced weekday 9 a.m. and noon newscasts under NPG ownership.
- 2012
News-Press & Gazette Company acquires KMIZ and KQFX-LD[1]
M&A
NPG purchased the two Mid-Missouri stations from JW Broadcasting, adding the market to its television portfolio.
- 2002
Benedek Broadcasting files for bankruptcy[1]
Bankruptcy
Financial difficulties at Benedek, including weak advertising conditions and missed bond interest payments, affected investment in KMIZ and led to staffing reductions.
- 1997
KMIZ launches Mid-Missouri Fox service[1]
Product launch
After acquiring two low-power stations, KMIZ launched the market’s first over-the-air Fox affiliate, later associated with KQFX-LD.
- 1985
Stauffer Communications acquires KCBJ-TV[1]
M&A
Stauffer Communications took control of the Columbia station and began rebuilding its news operation and technical capabilities.
- 1985
KCBJ-TV changes call sign to KMIZ and returns to ABC[1]
Leadership change
The station adopted the KMIZ identity when ABC programming returned after a period in which the station carried NBC.
Sources2 sources
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