KNPL-LD
KNPL-LD is a low-power CBS-affiliated television station serving North Platte, Nebraska, under Gray Media ownership.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KNPL-LD is a low-power television station serving North Platte, Nebraska, United States. The station operates as a CBS affiliate and uses the local identity “10/11 North Platte,” linking it to the broader 10/11 broadcast operation associated with Gray Media’s Nebraska stations. Its programming combines CBS network content with locally oriented news and programming produced for or shared with the North Platte market. The station was launched on September 3, 2013, after Gray Television announced plans earlier that year to establish a dedicated CBS service for North Platte. Before the launch, the area was served by low-power translators of KOLN in Lincoln and KGIN in Grand Island. Those translators primarily repeated programming from the larger stations and did not provide a fully developed local North Platte news identity. KNPL-LD was created to give the market a more distinct CBS outlet and a local news presence while retaining access to the wider 10/11 news operation. KNPL-LD operates under the license associated with one of the former translators, K25KA-D, previously known as K57CZ. Another translator, K04ED, had been owned by the city of North Platte and repeated KGIN. The conversion of this translator-based arrangement into a dedicated station was part of Gray’s broader effort to build a connected statewide chain of news outlets in Nebraska. The stated goal was to provide North Platte viewers with locally relevant reporting alongside rapid access to regional and statewide news. At launch, KNPL-LD introduced North Platte-specific newscasts at 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. under the “10/11 North Platte News” name. These programs were notable locally because they were among the first North Platte newscasts broadcast in high definition. The station also carried shared programming from KOLN/KGIN, including “Pure Nebraska” and “10/11 PrepZone,” in addition to CBS and syndicated programming. In 2015, KNPL-LD’s studio operations were consolidated with those of North Platte stations KNOP-TV and KIIT-CD. Following that change, the original 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. local newscasts were discontinued. The station later resumed a dedicated local news program, “10/11 North Platte Today at 5,” during the second half of 2016. That program used the same studio set as KNOP and KNEP, reflecting the station’s shared-production model. KNPL-LD continued to simulcast other KOLN/KGIN newscasts while carrying CBS network and syndicated content. The station’s transmitter is located along U.S. Route 83 in the northern part of North Platte. Master control and some internal functions are handled from KOLN’s facilities on North 40th Street in Lincoln, illustrating the combination of local-market branding and centralized technical operations common to Gray’s regional television structure. KNPL-LD’s principal role is therefore both local and network-oriented: it delivers CBS service to North Platte, maintains a local news identity, and participates in a larger Nebraska news and production network.
History
KNPL-LD developed from a translator-based television arrangement serving North Platte, Nebraska. Before the station received its present identity, the market relied on low-power translators that repeated programming from KOLN in Lincoln and KGIN in Grand Island. One of those facilities operated under the K25KA-D license, formerly identified as K57CZ, while another, K04ED, was owned by the city of North Platte and repeated KGIN. These facilities provided access to the 10/11 network and its programming but did not function as a fully localized North Platte news station. In March 2013, Gray Television announced that it would launch KNPL-LD as a dedicated CBS station for the North Platte market. The initiative formed part of Gray’s wider Nebraska strategy to connect multiple stations and expand local news coverage. Rather than simply repeating the Lincoln or Grand Island signal, KNPL-LD was designed to give North Platte a recognizable local outlet while retaining the production, network, and technical resources of the larger 10/11 operation. KNPL-LD signed on September 3, 2013, using the “10/11 North Platte” brand. At launch, it carried two North Platte-specific evening newscasts, at 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., under the “10/11 North Platte News” title. The programs were broadcast in high definition and represented a significant expansion of local television news for the market. Alongside its local reports, KNPL-LD carried CBS network programming and shared content from KOLN/KGIN, including “Pure Nebraska” and “10/11 PrepZone.” The station’s operating model changed in 2015 when its studio functions were consolidated with those of KNOP-TV and KIIT-CD in North Platte. The original 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. local newscasts were dropped after the consolidation, while the station continued to provide CBS and shared regional programming. During the second half of 2016, KNPL-LD restored a dedicated local news presence with “10/11 North Platte Today at 5.” This program was produced on the same set used by KNOP and KNEP, showing how local branding could be maintained through shared facilities and production resources. KNPL-LD’s technical and administrative structure combines local-market service with centralized operations. Its transmitter is located on U.S. 83 in northern North Platte, while master control and some internal operations are based at KOLN’s facility on North 40th Street in Lincoln. The station remains associated with Gray Media, alongside NBC affiliate KNOP-TV and Class A Fox affiliate KIIT-CD. Through this structure, KNPL-LD functions as North Platte’s CBS outlet and as one component of Gray’s interconnected Nebraska news network.
- 2016
A North Platte 5 p.m. newscast returns
[1]The station resumed a dedicated local news program, “10/11 North Platte Today at 5,” produced using the shared KNOP/KNEP studio set.
- 2015
Studio operations are consolidated
[1]KNPL-LD merged studio operations with KNOP-TV and KIIT-CD, after which its initial 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. local newscasts were discontinued.
- 2013
Gray announces a dedicated North Platte CBS station
[1]Gray Television announced plans to launch KNPL-LD to replace earlier KOLN and KGIN translator service with a more distinct North Platte station and local news operation.
- 2013
KNPL-LD signs on
[1]The station began broadcasting on September 3 under the “10/11 North Platte” identity, with CBS programming and locally produced evening newscasts.
Products and positioning
A locally branded, low-power CBS station combining North Platte news coverage with the regional resources of Gray Media’s 10/11 television network.
Network television · 2013
CBS network service
KNPL-LD serves North Platte as a CBS-affiliated station, carrying the network’s entertainment, news, sports, and other scheduled programming for its local coverage area.
Local news · 2016
10/11 North Platte Today at 5
A North Platte-focused local newscast introduced after the station’s earlier evening news programs were discontinued. It was produced on the shared set used by KNOP and KNEP, reflecting the station’s coordinated production model.
Local news · 2013
10/11 North Platte News
The station’s original local news identity, launched with 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. North Platte-specific newscasts. These programs were among the first local North Platte newscasts delivered in high definition.
Regional television programming · 2013
Shared 10/11 programming
KNPL-LD carries programming originating from the wider KOLN/KGIN operation, including the regional programs “Pure Nebraska” and “10/11 PrepZone,” as well as other shared newscasts.
Brand decisions
2015
Consolidate local studio operationsStrategyBackground
KNPL-LD operated alongside other North Platte stations owned by Gray Television.
Action taken
The station consolidated studio operations with KNOP-TV and KIIT-CD and discontinued its initial 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. local newscasts.
Aftermath
KNPL-LD adopted a more shared-facility and shared-production model before later restoring a dedicated 5 p.m. local newscast.
2013
Create a dedicated North Platte CBS outletStrategyBackground
North Platte had previously received CBS-related service primarily through low-power translators repeating KOLN and KGIN programming.
Action taken
Gray Television launched KNPL-LD with its own North Platte identity and locally focused news programming while retaining access to the broader 10/11 operation.
Aftermath
The launch established a dedicated low-power CBS station for the market and expanded locally branded television news service.
Recent events
- 2016
KNPL-LD resumes a dedicated North Platte news program[1]
Product launch
During the second half of 2016, the station returned to producing a North Platte-specific 5 p.m. newscast titled “10/11 North Platte Today at 5,” using the shared KNOP/KNEP studio set.
- 2015
KNPL-LD consolidates studio operations with other North Platte stations[1]
Leadership change
KNPL-LD’s studio operations were merged with those of KNOP-TV and KIIT-CD. The change was followed by the discontinuation of its original 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. local newscasts.
- 2013
Gray Television announces a dedicated CBS station for North Platte[1]
Product launch
Gray Television announced plans to launch KNPL-LD as a dedicated CBS outlet for North Platte, replacing the area’s earlier translator-based service with a station carrying a distinct local identity and North Platte news operation.
- 2013
KNPL-LD begins broadcasting as 10/11 North Platte[1]
Product launch · Product generation
KNPL-LD signed on under the “10/11 North Platte” branding and introduced North Platte-specific evening newscasts alongside CBS and shared KOLN/KGIN programming.
Sources2 sources
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