KMTR
NBC and The CW Plus television station serving Eugene and west-central Oregon.
Last updated November 4, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
KMTR is a full-power television station serving Eugene and the surrounding west-central Oregon market. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 16 and carries programming from NBC and The CW Plus. It is associated with satellite stations KMCB in Coos Bay and KTCW in Roseburg, extending the service footprint beyond Eugene. KMTR is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and operates alongside CBS affiliate KVAL-TV, with the two stations sharing facilities in Eugene. KMTR began broadcasting on October 4, 1982, at a significant moment in Eugene television history. Before its launch, the market lacked a full-time outlet dedicated to a major national network. KVAL-TV had previously carried both NBC and CBS programming, while KEZI served primarily as the ABC affiliate and also had a secondary CBS relationship. KMTR's arrival allowed KVAL to concentrate on CBS, which was then performing more strongly in audience ratings, while KMTR assumed the NBC affiliation. The station changed ownership several times during the following decades. Columbia Empire Broadcasting Corporation acquired KMTR in 1984, and the Wicks Broadcast Group purchased it in late 1995. Wicks sold the station to the Ackerley Group in 1999. Ackerley subsequently became part of Clear Channel Communications, now known as iHeartMedia, in 2001. Clear Channel later exited the television business, transferring its television properties to Newport Television, a Providence Equity Partners-backed company, in a transaction completed in 2008. KMTR also played a role in the market's transition from The WB to The CW. In 1998, the station helped launch KZWB, a cable-only WB affiliate created through an arrangement involving The WB 100+ Station Group and a local cable provider. The outlet was not an FCC-recognized broadcast station because it existed only on cable. After The CW replaced The WB and UPN, KMTR signed a long-term affiliation agreement with The CW in 2006 and placed CW programming on a digital subchannel, replacing the earlier cable-only arrangement. The CW service became known as CW Eugene. Ownership and operating arrangements became more complex during the Newport period. In 2012 and 2013, Newport arranged the sale of its stations through several transactions. Because Fisher Communications already owned KVAL-TV, the proposed KMTR license acquisition was structured through KMTR Television, LLC, a company owned by Roberts Media, while Fisher and later Sinclair provided operating services. The Federal Communications Commission approved the KMTR license transaction in April 2013, and the transfer was completed in June. Sinclair's acquisition of Fisher's properties, including KVAL and its relationship with KMTR, closed in August 2013. The station has progressively modernized its technical operations. It ended analog broadcasting in February 2009 and continued using virtual channel 16 on a digital UHF signal. In October 2016, KMTR moved its local news output from pillarboxed 4:3 standard definition to 16:9 widescreen. Beginning in 2019, it relocated operations from its former Springfield facility to KVAL's Eugene building. By summer 2020, studios and master control were consolidated with KVAL, and local news and syndicated programming had been upgraded to high definition. CW programming also moved to high definition on most of the KMTR-associated service area by the end of 2019, with the KTCW service completing its upgrade in 2020. KMTR combines network entertainment, syndicated programming, local news, weather, sports, and community coverage. Its most visible recent event role came in 2022, when it served as the host station for NBC coverage of the World Athletics Championships held at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field. In 2021, the station's licensee was fined by the FCC following a retransmission-consent dispute. In 2025, Sinclair announced a plan to acquire full ownership of KMTR and its satellite stations, using a failing-station waiver to create a legal duopoly with KVAL; the transaction was reported as completed on February 10, 2026.
History
KMTR signed on October 4, 1982, as a television station serving Eugene, Oregon. Its launch filled an important gap in the local market: Eugene had not previously had a full-time station devoted to one of the major national networks. KVAL-TV had carried both NBC and CBS, while KEZI was primarily associated with ABC and also maintained a secondary CBS affiliation. KMTR's arrival enabled KVAL to become a CBS affiliate, while KMTR assumed NBC service. In 1984, Columbia Empire Broadcasting Corporation of Yakima, Washington, acquired the station. Wicks Broadcast Group purchased KMTR in late 1995, and Wicks later sold it to the Ackerley Group in March 1999. Ackerley became part of Clear Channel Communications in 2001. During the Ackerley and Clear Channel years, KMTR continued as the Eugene NBC outlet and developed additional distribution for alternative network programming. In September 1998, KMTR participated in the creation of KZWB, a cable-only affiliate linked to The WB 100+ Station Group. Because KZWB was distributed exclusively through cable, its call sign was not formally recognized by the FCC. KMTR supplied sales and promotional support. When The CW replaced The WB and UPN in 2006, KMTR signed a long-term affiliation agreement and began broadcasting The CW on a digital subchannel. The service later became identified as CW Eugene. Clear Channel announced in 2007 that it would leave the television business. Its television division was sold to Newport Television, a Providence Equity Partners-backed company, with the transaction closing on March 14, 2008. KMTR subsequently passed through a complicated ownership and operating structure. Newport sought to sell most of its stations in 2012, and a proposed transaction involving KMTR was structured so that KMTR Television, LLC, owned by Roberts Media, would hold the license while Fisher Communications entered into a shared-services relationship. Fisher already owned Eugene CBS affiliate KVAL-TV, making the arrangement subject to regulatory scrutiny and approval. The FCC approved the KMTR license transfer on April 24, 2013, and the transaction closed on June 3. Fisher then announced the sale of its television properties, including KVAL, to Sinclair Broadcast Group. That sale closed on August 8, 2013, placing KMTR's operations within a Sinclair-managed environment alongside KVAL. KMTR remained a separate station and brand while sharing certain facilities, resources, and operational functions. The station completed the federally mandated transition from analog to digital broadcasting on February 17, 2009, retaining virtual channel 16 on its digital signal. It was notable for continuing to produce local news in pillarboxed 4:3 standard definition longer than other major network-affiliated stations in western Oregon. On October 22, 2016, it adopted a 16:9 presentation. From 2019 onward, KMTR moved out of its original Springfield building. By summer 2020, the station's studios and master control were located in KVAL's Eugene facility, and its local news and syndicated programming had been upgraded to high definition. CW Eugene reached 720p high definition on KMTR and KMCB by the end of 2019; KTCW completed its corresponding upgrade by the end of March 2020. KMTR has used satellite stations to extend coverage across the region. KMCB serves Coos Bay on channel 23, while KTCW serves Roseburg on channel 46. Translator facilities further extend the signals in communities including Cottage Grove, Florence, London Springs, Powers, Sutherlin, and Tri City. In 2021, the FCC issued a Forfeiture Order after AT&T alleged in litigation that Roberts Media had not negotiated retransmission consent for KMTR in good faith. The order imposed a $512,228 forfeiture. In 2022, KMTR served as the host station for NBC's coverage of the World Athletics Championships at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field, carrying live weekend prime-time coverage for West Coast viewers. Sinclair announced in August 2025 that it would acquire full ownership of KMTR and its satellite stations through a transaction supported by a failing-station waiver. The reported transaction was completed on February 10, 2026, creating a legal duopoly with KVAL.
- 2026
Sinclair transaction closes
[1]The reported transaction creating a legal duopoly with KVAL closes on February 10.
- 2025
Sinclair announces full-ownership transaction
[1]Sinclair announces an agreement to acquire full ownership of KMTR and its satellite stations.
- 2022
World Athletics Championships host station
[1]KMTR hosts NBC's local broadcast operation for the World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field.
- 2021
FCC forfeiture order
[1]The FCC orders a $512,228 forfeiture against KMTR's licensee in a retransmission-consent matter.
- 2020
Facilities consolidate with KVAL
[1]KMTR completes its move to KVAL's Eugene facility and upgrades local operations to high definition.
- 2016
Local news adopts 16:9 format
[1]KMTR upgrades its local news presentation from pillarboxed 4:3 standard definition to 16:9.
- 2013
License and operating transition
[1]The FCC approves the KMTR Television, LLC license transfer, followed by Sinclair's acquisition of Fisher's television properties.
- 2009
Analog transmission ends
[1]KMTR shuts down its analog signal and continues with digital broadcasting.
- 2008
Newport Television ownership begins
[1]Clear Channel's television division sale to Newport Television closes on March 14.
- 2006
The CW launches on a digital subchannel
[1]KMTR replaces the cable-only WB arrangement with The CW on a digital subchannel.
Products and positioning
A local broadcast television outlet combining NBC network service, CW entertainment programming, regional news, weather, sports, and community coverage for Eugene and west-central Oregon.
Network television affiliation · 1982
KMTR NBC service
KMTR's primary service carries NBC network programming, including entertainment, news, sports, and special-event broadcasts. The service is distributed over the station's main digital channel and reaches Eugene and surrounding parts of west-central Oregon.
Digital multicast television · 2006
CW Eugene
CW Eugene is KMTR's The CW Plus service. It developed from the market's earlier cable-only WB affiliation and moved to a digital subchannel in 2006. The service provides CW network programming and related syndicated content across KMTR's coverage area and associated satellite facilities.
Local television news · 1982
KMTR local news
KMTR produces local news, weather, and community coverage for Eugene and nearby communities. Its news operation transitioned from pillarboxed 4:3 standard definition to 16:9 in 2016 and was upgraded to high definition after operations moved into KVAL's Eugene facility.
Broadcast satellite stations
KMCB and KTCW satellite services
KMCB serves Coos Bay on channel 23 and KTCW serves Roseburg on channel 46. These full-power satellite stations extend KMTR-related NBC and CW programming beyond the Eugene core market, with additional translators serving smaller communities.
Controversies
2021
Retransmission-consent negotiation dispute
AT&T filed litigation alleging that Roberts Media, the licensee associated with KMTR, failed to negotiate retransmission consent in good faith. On July 28, 2021, the FCC issued a Forfeiture Order imposing a $512,228 fine. Other Sinclair-managed station owners were also named in related allegations.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022World Athletics Championships coverage
Eugene · West Coast United States
KMTR served as the host station for NBC's coverage of the World Athletics Championships staged at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field. It was identified as the only West Coast station carrying the weekend prime-time coverage live rather than on tape delay.
Outcome. KMTR delivered the local host-broadcast role for a major international sporting event held in its coverage area.
Brand decisions
2025
Sinclair seeks full ownership of KMTRM&ABackground
KMTR had operated through a license and shared-services structure associated with Roberts Media and Sinclair-managed operations.
Action taken
Sinclair announced an agreement to acquire full ownership of KMTR and its satellite stations and proposed using a failing-station waiver.
Aftermath
The reported transaction closed on February 10, 2026, creating a legal duopoly with KVAL.
2020
Facility consolidation and high-definition upgradeStrategyBackground
KMTR had maintained separate facilities in Springfield while sharing some master-control and internal functions with KVAL.
Action taken
The station moved its studios and master control to KVAL's Eugene building and upgraded local and syndicated programming to high definition.
Aftermath
KMTR and KVAL operated from shared Eugene facilities, improving technical integration and production consistency.
2013
License and operating restructuringM&ABackground
Newport Television was selling stations, while Fisher Communications already owned KVAL-TV in Eugene.
Action taken
The KMTR license was transferred to KMTR Television, LLC, followed by a shared-services arrangement with Fisher and the subsequent Sinclair acquisition of Fisher's properties.
Aftermath
KMTR operated in a shared market structure alongside KVAL under Sinclair's management environment.
2006
Move from WB cable service to The CW digital serviceProduct launchBackground
The WB and UPN were being replaced by the newly formed CW network.
Action taken
KMTR signed a long-term CW affiliation agreement and placed CW programming on a digital subchannel, replacing the cable-only KZWB arrangement.
Aftermath
The market's CW service continued under the CW Eugene identity.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/kmtr · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled