KNDB

KNDB is a full-power television station serving Bismarck and surrounding areas in North Dakota. The station broadcasts on channel 26 and is owned by BEK Sports Network, Inc., a subsidiary of BEK Communications Cooperative, a North Dakota cooperative known for fiber-optic communications, internet, IPTV, and sports programming. KNDB’s studios are located on East Interstate Avenue in Bismarck, while its transmitter is near St. Anthony, North Dakota. The station began broadcasting in November 1999 under the call sign KNDX. Its launch brought a locally available Fox affiliate to western North Dakota at a time when many viewers relied on cable-delivered Foxnet or distant stations for Fox programming. A related station, KXND on channel 24 in Minot, operated alongside KNDX and later became KNDM. Together, the stations were marketed as West Dakota Fox until 2005, when they adopted identities associated with their individual service areas. From 2002 through 2008, KNDX and KXND operated under a local marketing agreement with Forum Communications Company’s ABC affiliates KBMY in Bismarck and KMCY in Minot. The arrangement allowed the ABC stations to share facilities, employees, and some equipment with the Fox stations. Forum later moved production of KBMY and KMCY to its WDAY-TV facilities in Fargo, ending the arrangement. The stations underwent a major ownership and programming transition in 2014. A proposed acquisition by Excalibur Broadcasting, connected with Gray Television’s planned purchase of Hoak Media’s NBC North Dakota stations, was withdrawn after regulatory scrutiny of shared-services and virtual-duopoly structures. Gray subsequently acquired the stations’ non-license assets and moved Fox programming to digital subchannels of the NBC North Dakota network. The full-power KNDX and KXND signals went dark on June 13, 2014, pending sale under conditions intended to support independent minority ownership. Legacy Broadcasting, controlled by Sherry Nelson and Sara Jane Ingram, acquired the stations later in 2014. KXND became KNDM on December 2, and KNDX became KNDB on December 15, when the sale was completed. The stations added BEK Sports programming in 2015, including coverage of area high-school sports in cooperation with KRDK-TV. BEK Sports Network announced its acquisition of KNDB and KNDM in 2018, completing the transaction on July 31 of that year. KNDB currently functions as the principal station in a two-station operation. KNDM serves Minot and northern portions of the Bismarck–Minot market as a semi-satellite, generally simulcasting KNDB’s programming while inserting separate commercials and station identifications. KNDB’s main programming has included Heroes & Icons and BEK Prime, with additional services carried on digital subchannels. In 2021, the station also obtained rights to broadcast Green Bay Packers preseason games. Its role combines general over-the-air television distribution with locally relevant sports and regional programming.

KNDB traces its origins to November 1999, when it signed on as KNDX on UHF channel 26. Its companion Minot station, KXND on channel 24, was established as part of the same western North Dakota broadcasting operation. The stations were founded and originally owned by Prime Cities Broadcasting, and their principal purpose was to provide a local Fox service to viewers in the Bismarck–Minot region. Before their launch, many households received Fox programming through Foxnet or distant stations, rather than through a locally based full-power affiliate. The two stations initially used the collective brand West Dakota Fox. In addition to Fox programming, they carried UPN material during late-night hours until UPN ceased operations in 2006. In 2005, the stations moved away from the shared West Dakota Fox identity and adopted branding tied more closely to their individual markets. Between 2002 and 2008, they also maintained a local marketing agreement with Forum Communications Company, owner of ABC affiliates KBMY and KMCY. That agreement provided shared facilities, staff, and equipment. Forum ended the arrangement after deciding to originate KBMY and KMCY programming remotely from WDAY-TV’s Fargo facilities. Ownership and operating arrangements changed substantially in 2013 and 2014. Excalibur Broadcasting announced a proposed purchase of KNDX and KXND in November 2013 in connection with Gray Television’s proposed acquisition of Hoak Media’s NBC North Dakota chain. Gray was expected to operate the Fox stations through a local marketing agreement. Prime Cities asked the Federal Communications Commission to dismiss the proposed sale in March 2014, and the request was granted. Gray instead acquired the stations’ non-license assets and took operational control through an agreement. The arrangement became impractical amid increasing regulatory concern about shared-services agreements and virtual duopolies. On June 13, 2014, the full-power stations went dark and Fox programming was transferred to digital subchannels of KFYR-TV and other stations in Gray’s NBC North Dakota network. The former stations’ cable channel positions were retained by the replacement digital services. The full-power licenses were then offered for sale with conditions designed to encourage independent operation by minority, female, or nonprofit owners. Gray separately retained the translators in Dickinson and Williston for continued Fox distribution; those translator licenses were later returned to the FCC in October 2020. Legacy Broadcasting announced its acquisition of the full-power stations in August 2014. KXND changed its call sign to KNDM on December 2, followed by KNDX’s change to KNDB on December 15, the date the sale closed. The renamed stations resumed operation under Legacy ownership. In 2015, they added BEK Sports programming, including local high-school sports, in cooperation with KRDK-TV. BEK Sports Network announced a $950,000 acquisition of KNDB and KNDM in April 2018, and the transaction closed on July 31. Through its parent cooperative, BEK Communications, the operation became connected to a broader North Dakota communications and IPTV business. KNDB now serves as the principal facility, while KNDM operates as a semi-satellite for Minot and northern portions of the market. KNDM generally simulcasts KNDB but carries separate commercial inserts and station identifications; its sales office is in Minot, while master control and most internal operations remain in Bismarck. The station completed the federally mandated analog-to-digital transition on June 12, 2009. KNDB flash-cut its digital signal to UHF channel 26, while KNDM used UHF channel 24. Current programming has included Heroes & Icons and BEK Prime on the main service, along with additional digital-subchannel offerings. In 2021, KNDB added Green Bay Packers preseason games, reinforcing its position as a regional sports-oriented broadcaster as well as a distributor of national television programming.

• 2021

  Packers preseason rights added

  [1]KNDBen.wikipedia.org

  KNDB begins carrying Green Bay Packers preseason games.

• 2018

  BEK Sports Network completes acquisition

  [1]KNDBen.wikipedia.org

  BEK Sports Network acquires KNDB and KNDM from Legacy Broadcasting.

• 2015

  BEK Sports programming is added

  [1]KNDBen.wikipedia.org

  The stations begin carrying BEK Sports content, including area high-school sports.

• 2014

  KNDX becomes KNDB

  [1]KNDBen.wikipedia.org

  Following the Legacy Broadcasting transaction, KNDX changes its call sign to KNDB on December 15.

• 2009

  Digital transition completed

  [1]KNDBen.wikipedia.org

  The stations shut down their analog transmitters and flash-cut to digital operation.

• 2008

  Local marketing agreement ends

  [1]KNDBen.wikipedia.org

  Forum Communications ends the arrangement after moving KBMY and KMCY production to WDAY-TV facilities in Fargo.

• 2005

  West Dakota Fox branding ends

  [1]KNDBen.wikipedia.org

  The stations replace their shared West Dakota Fox identity with market-specific station branding.

• 2002

  Local marketing agreement begins

  [1]KNDBen.wikipedia.org

  KNDX and KXND enter a local marketing agreement with ABC affiliates KBMY and KMCY.

• 1999

  KNDX begins broadcasting

  [1]KNDBen.wikipedia.org

  The station signs on in November as KNDX, introducing a locally based Fox affiliate to the western North Dakota market.

A regional broadcast television outlet combining national network and specialty programming with North Dakota sports and market-specific commercial service.

• Broadcast television · 1999

  KNDB over-the-air television service

  KNDB is a full-power digital television station serving Bismarck and nearby communities. Its programming mix includes national network or specialty content, station identifications, advertising, and regional programming distributed through its digital television facilities.

• Television network affiliation

  Heroes & Icons

  Heroes & Icons is one of the principal services associated with KNDB’s current broadcast schedule. The network’s programming provides a nationally distributed entertainment offering within the station’s local over-the-air footprint.

• Regional television programming

  BEK Prime

  BEK Prime is carried as part of the station’s current programming structure. Its presence connects KNDB with the wider BEK communications and content operation serving North Dakota viewers.

• Sports broadcasting · 2015

  BEK Sports programming

  Added in 2015, BEK Sports programming gives KNDB a regional sports role, including coverage of North Dakota high-school athletics. The service was developed in cooperation with KRDK-TV and complements the station’s general television offerings.

• Sports broadcasting · 2021

  Green Bay Packers preseason broadcasts

  KNDB acquired rights to carry Green Bay Packers preseason games in 2021, adding professional football programming to its sports schedule.

• 2018

  BEK Sports Network acquires KNDB and KNDMM&A

  Background

  BEK Communications Cooperative sought to expand its sports and communications presence through its BEK Sports Network subsidiary.

  Action taken

  BEK Sports Network agreed to purchase the stations from Legacy Broadcasting for $950,000, with the transaction completed on July 31.

  Aftermath

  KNDB became part of the BEK Communications group and continued operating as the principal station for the paired Bismarck–Minot service.

  Acquisition price. $950,000 (2018 transaction)

  Source

• 2014

  Proposed Excalibur Broadcasting acquisition is abandonedM&A

  Background

  Excalibur Broadcasting announced a proposed purchase of KNDX and KXND in connection with Gray Television’s acquisition of the NBC North Dakota chain.

  Action taken

  Prime Cities requested dismissal of the sale application, and the proposed transaction was dismissed. Gray later acquired non-license assets rather than completing the proposed license purchase.

  Aftermath

  The full-power stations went dark in June 2014, and Fox programming moved to digital subchannels of Gray’s NBC North Dakota stations pending an independent sale.

  Source

• 2014

  Fox programming is moved to NBC North Dakota subchannelsStrategy

  Background

  Gray Television acquired the stations’ non-license assets amid regulatory scrutiny of shared-services agreements and virtual-duopoly structures.

  Action taken

  The full-power KNDX and KXND signals were taken off the air, while Fox programming was transferred to digital subchannels of KFYR-TV and its North Dakota satellite stations.

  Aftermath

  The licenses were placed on the market with conditions intended to support independent minority, female, or nonprofit ownership.

  Source

• 2014

  Legacy Broadcasting acquires the stationsM&A

  Background

  Following the end of the prior ownership and operating arrangement, the stations were offered for sale under independent-ownership conditions.

  Action taken

  Legacy Broadcasting, controlled by Sherry Nelson and Sara Jane Ingram, acquired the stations. KNDX was renamed KNDB and KXND was renamed KNDM.

  Aftermath

  The stations returned to operation under new ownership and later added BEK Sports programming.

  Source

1. 1KNDBen.wikipedia.org
2. 2KNDB official websitefox26.tv