KNOP-TV
An NBC-affiliated television station serving North Platte and surrounding areas in western Nebraska.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KNOP-TV is a television station licensed to North Platte, Nebraska, and affiliated with NBC. Broadcasting on channel 2, it serves viewers in and around the North Platte television market and is the market's only station identified in the available reference material as producing local news. Its core brand promise is built around local reporting, weather, sports, community information, and the distribution of NBC network programming to viewers in central and western Nebraska. The station began broadcasting on December 15, 1958, after being established by local investors led by attorney Rush Clarke. In 1968, ownership passed to Richard F. Shively, Harold O. Shively, and Ulysses Carlini Sr. The Shively and Carlini interests later expanded beyond North Platte. In 1997, they acquired Hastings station KHAS-TV and organized their television holdings under Greater Nebraska Television. That ownership period connected KNOP-TV to a broader Nebraska station group while retaining its identity as a locally focused North Platte broadcaster. Greater Nebraska Television sold its stations, including KNOP-TV, to Hoak Media in 2005. Under Hoak, KNOP developed its digital operation and began carrying NBC programming in high definition in March 2011. At the same time, its second digital subchannel carried Fox programming from K11TW, creating a more diversified local over-the-air offering. The station also received unusual national attention in February 2012 when it became the only station in the United States reported to have aired a Will Ferrell-produced commercial for Old Milwaukee beer during the Super Bowl. The event was a notable example of a small-market station gaining visibility through a distinctive advertising placement rather than through a national network campaign. Hoak Media announced the sale of most of its stations, including KNOP-TV and K11TW, to Gray Television in November 2013. The transaction was completed in June 2014 after regulatory and market-structure developments affected the planned disposition of KHAS-TV. Following the ownership change, KNOP became part of a Gray station cluster that included CBS affiliate KNPL-LD and Gray's Lincoln-based KOLN/KGIN operations. KNOP-TV's master control and some internal functions are based at KOLN's facilities in Lincoln, while KNOP continues to share downtown North Platte studio facilities with its local sister stations. Its transmitter remains at the site of its former studio on U.S. Route 83 north of North Platte. Gray subsequently expanded KNOP's regional NBC footprint. In 2015, Gray announced the acquisition of Schurz Communications stations, including KDUH-TV in Scottsbluff. After regulatory approval and completion of the transaction in February 2016, KDUH was converted into a semi-satellite of KNOP-TV, renamed KNEP, and repositioned to serve the Nebraska Panhandle under the NBC Nebraska Scottsbluff identity. KNEP began its NBC service in May 2016 and produced its own newscasts, extending the broader NBC Nebraska operation beyond North Platte. Today, KNOP-TV combines network television, digital subchannels, and locally produced journalism. The station produces approximately 20 hours of local news each week according to the cited reference material, including weekday, Saturday, and Sunday broadcasts. It has also historically supplied news programming for sister outlets KNPL-LD and KIIT-CD. The station completed its transition from analog broadcasting in February 2009, shutting down its analog VHF channel 2 signal and ultimately operating its post-transition digital signal on VHF channel 2. KNOP-TV remains an active Gray Media NBC affiliate with a distinctly local and regional service role.
History
KNOP-TV was created by North Platte-area investors led by attorney Rush Clarke and began broadcasting on December 15, 1958. The station's early development reflected the importance of local television outlets in serving widely dispersed communities across Nebraska. In 1968, ownership moved to Richard F. Shively, Harold O. Shively, and Ulysses Carlini Sr. Their interests later expanded through the 1997 purchase of KHAS-TV in Hastings and the formation of Greater Nebraska Television. Greater Nebraska Television sold KNOP-TV and its other stations to Hoak Media in 2005. The station subsequently developed its digital services, including high-definition NBC programming and a Fox service on a second digital subchannel beginning in 2011. In February 2012, KNOP-TV drew national notice when it aired a Will Ferrell-produced Old Milwaukee commercial during the Super Bowl, an unusual high-profile moment for a small-market broadcaster. Gray Television announced its purchase of most Hoak Media stations in November 2013. The transaction was completed on June 13, 2014. Regulatory scrutiny surrounding local marketing arrangements contributed to changes in the treatment of KHAS-TV, which ultimately left the air before later returning under different ownership and call letters. KNOP-TV became part of Gray's Nebraska station group and operated alongside North Platte outlets including KNPL-LD and KIIT-CD, with some technical and administrative functions coordinated through KOLN in Lincoln. Gray broadened the station's regional role through its acquisition of Schurz Communications television assets. KDUH-TV, based in Scottsbluff, was converted into KNEP and made a semi-satellite of KNOP-TV. The NBC Nebraska Scottsbluff service began in May 2016, giving the broader KNOP operation a presence in the Nebraska Panhandle while retaining separate local newscasts. KNOP-TV remains an active NBC affiliate. It operates from shared studios on South Dewey Street in downtown North Platte, while its transmitter is located north of the city near the site of its former studio on U.S. Route 83. The station produces about 20 hours of local news each week and has historically provided news programming for related low-power outlets. Its analog signal ended in February 2009, and its post-transition digital operation uses VHF channel 2.
- 2016
KNEP launches as an NBC Nebraska semi-satellite
[1]Former KDUH-TV begins operating as KNEP, extending the KNOP-linked NBC service into the Nebraska Panhandle.
- 2014
Gray Television ownership begins
[1]Gray completes its acquisition of KNOP-TV as part of its purchase of most Hoak Media stations.
- 2011
High-definition and digital subchannel expansion
[1]The station adds high-definition NBC programming and carries Fox programming on a second digital subchannel.
- 2009
Analog television service ends
[1]KNOP-TV shuts down its analog VHF channel 2 signal and continues with digital broadcasting.
- 2005
Hoak Media acquisition
[1]Greater Nebraska Television sells KNOP-TV and its other stations to Hoak Media.
- 1997
Greater Nebraska Television is formed
[1]The station's owners acquire KHAS-TV and organize their television holdings under Greater Nebraska Television.
- 1968
Shively and Carlini ownership begins
[1]Richard F. Shively, Harold O. Shively, and Ulysses Carlini Sr. acquire the station.
- 1958
KNOP-TV signs on
[1]The station begins broadcasting on December 15 as a North Platte television outlet established by local investors.
Products and positioning
A locally focused NBC affiliate combining North Platte news and weather coverage with network entertainment and a regional Nebraska broadcast presence.
Local television news · 1958
KNOP-TV Local News
KNOP-TV's principal branded service is its locally produced news operation for North Platte and surrounding Nebraska communities. The schedule includes weekday, Saturday, and Sunday broadcasts and covers local affairs, weather, sports, public safety, and regional events. The reference material identifies KNOP-TV as the only station in the North Platte market producing local news.
Network television · 2011
NBC network programming
As an NBC affiliate, KNOP-TV carries the network's scheduled entertainment, news, sports, and special-event programming for its coverage area. The station began rebroadcasting NBC programming in high definition in 2011, marking a significant technical upgrade in its network service.
Regional television service · 2016
NBC Nebraska Scottsbluff
This regional service was created when Gray converted KDUH-TV into KNEP, a semi-satellite of KNOP-TV. Branded as NBC Nebraska Scottsbluff, it extends the broader NBC Nebraska operation into the Nebraska Panhandle while maintaining locally produced newscasts for that region.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012Old Milwaukee Super Bowl commercial
United States
KNOP-TV aired a Will Ferrell-produced Old Milwaukee beer commercial during the Super Bowl. The placement generated national attention because the North Platte station was reported to be the only television station in the country to air the commercial.
Outcome. The broadcast gave the small-market station unusual national publicity.
Brand decisions
2016
Regional expansion through KNEPStrategyBackground
Gray acquired Schurz Communications stations and sought to reorganize KDUH-TV's service and ownership structure.
Action taken
Gray converted KDUH-TV into KNEP, changed its role to a semi-satellite of KNOP-TV, and launched the NBC Nebraska Scottsbluff service.
Aftermath
The KNOP-linked NBC operation expanded into the Nebraska Panhandle while KNEP retained locally produced newscasts.
2014
Transition to Gray Television ownershipM&ABackground
Hoak Media sought to sell most of its television stations, while Gray Television was expanding its regional broadcast portfolio.
Action taken
Gray completed the acquisition of KNOP-TV and integrated it into a Nebraska station group that included KNPL-LD and the KOLN/KGIN operation.
Aftermath
KNOP-TV gained a new corporate owner and became part of a larger coordinated broadcast operation serving multiple Nebraska communities.
2011
Launch of high-definition NBC serviceOtherBackground
The station was modernizing its digital television offering as broadcasters moved from standard-definition and analog distribution toward high-definition service.
Action taken
KNOP-TV began rebroadcasting NBC programming in high definition and used a second digital subchannel for Fox programming from K11TW.
Aftermath
The change expanded the station's digital programming offer and improved the technical quality of its NBC service.
Sources1 sources
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