KSTP-TV
An ABC-affiliated television station serving the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area and a flagship broadcasting property of Hubbard Broadcasting.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KSTP-TV is a commercial television station licensed to Saint Paul, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. It broadcasts on virtual channel 5 and is affiliated with the ABC television network. The station is the flagship television property of Hubbard Broadcasting, a privately held Minnesota media company that has owned it since launch. KSTP-TV operates alongside several related Hubbard outlets, including independent KSTC-TV, radio stations KSTP, KSTP-FM, and KTMY, and the company’s corporate operations share facilities on University Avenue at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul boundary. The station’s roots are closely connected to Stanley E. Hubbard’s early broadcasting activities. Hubbard, already a pioneer in radio, acquired an RCA television camera in 1939 and began experimenting with television. World War II restrictions prevented regular transmissions, but KSTP-TV eventually conducted an early experimental telecast in December 1947 and formally signed on April 27, 1948. It became the first commercial television station in Minnesota. Its original network affiliation was NBC, reflecting the long-standing relationship between KSTP radio and NBC. KSTP-TV participated in NBC’s Midwest Network and developed a strong local identity through news, public affairs, agricultural programming, weather, sports, and entertainment. A major turning point came in 1978 when KSTP-TV announced that it would leave NBC after approximately three decades and join ABC. The change took effect on March 5, 1979, in a significant realignment of Twin Cities television affiliations. The station later expanded Hubbard’s local television presence when the company acquired independent KVBM-TV in 2000 and relaunched it as KSTC-TV, creating a commercial duopoly. KSTP-TV also maintains full-power satellite stations KSAX in Alexandria and KRWF in Redwood Falls, along with a translator serving St. James. These facilities extend the station’s ABC service into areas without a separate local ABC affiliate, including the Mankato market. KSTP-TV’s core offering is locally produced television news, supplemented by ABC network programming, syndicated programs, weather, sports, political discussion, and lifestyle content. Its news operation includes weekday and weekend newscasts and programs such as At Issue and Sports Wrap. The station has also developed locally oriented entertainment and lifestyle formats, notably Twin Cities Live, which debuted in 2008 and later expanded to include a 4 p.m. edition. During the trial of Derek Chauvin, the station used a digital subchannel to carry the court feed without commentary, illustrating how its broadcast infrastructure can be adapted for major regional events. The station is recognized by its distinctive “groovy 5” logo, used in various forms since 1969, and by a Morse-code “V” sonic identifier associated with Hubbard’s broadcasting tradition. KSTP-TV introduced digital television in 1999 and completed the United States’ mandated analog shutdown in 2009. Its primary transmitter facilities are located at Telefarm Towers in Shoreview, while the University Avenue complex remains the station’s principal studio and production center. KSTP-TV remains an active regional broadcaster with a business model centered on local news, network affiliation, advertising, community relevance, and Hubbard’s privately controlled media portfolio.
History
KSTP-TV developed from Stanley E. Hubbard’s pioneering radio and television interests. Hubbard purchased an RCA television camera in 1939 and experimented with television production, but wartime restrictions prevented the station from beginning regular transmissions. An early KSTP telecast was reportedly made on December 7, 1947, and the station formally began commercial broadcasting on April 27, 1948. It became Minnesota’s first commercial television station. The station initially operated as an NBC affiliate, continuing the network relationship associated with KSTP radio. In its early years, KSTP-TV participated in NBC’s Midwest Network, a regional arrangement that connected affiliates before nationwide network distribution became technically routine. The station also became an early adopter of color production; in 1961, it claimed distinction as the first non-network-owned television station to broadcast all of its local programming in color. During the 1970s, the national television landscape changed as ABC increased its ratings and sought stronger affiliates. KSTP-TV announced in August 1978 that it would leave NBC and join ABC. The switch took effect on March 5, 1979, with NBC programming moving to WTCN-TV, now KARE. The change gave KSTP-TV a new network position while preserving its emphasis on locally produced news and regional programming. KSTP-TV’s programming history includes agricultural coverage, locally produced talk shows, overnight news, sports, political discussion, and lifestyle television. Country Day served as a regional agricultural program in the late 1970s. From 1982 through 1994, Good Company provided a locally produced daytime talk format hosted by Sharon Anderson and Steve Edelman. The station later launched Twin Cities Live in 2008, a lifestyle program built around Minnesota people, businesses, food, and culture. The program was expanded in 2018 with a second edition at 4 p.m. Hubbard expanded its local television holdings in 2000 by acquiring KVBM-TV, which became KSTC-TV. This created a commercial duopoly and allowed the company to operate a broader collection of local broadcast services. KSTP-TV also supports satellite stations KSAX in Alexandria and KRWF in Redwood Falls, as well as a translator serving St. James. The station’s signals cover the Twin Cities and extend ABC programming into portions of southern and central Minnesota, including the Mankato market. The station’s facilities have remained closely associated with Hubbard Broadcasting. Studios, production areas, and corporate offices occupy the University Avenue complex located on the Minneapolis–Saint Paul boundary. Its primary transmission operation is at Telefarm Towers in Shoreview. A large tower at the studio site has also supported studio-to-transmitter links and backup transmission functions. KSTP-TV introduced a digital signal in 1999. It ended regular analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, in accordance with the national digital television transition, and subsequently used digital channel 35 with virtual channel 5. The station also participated in the federal analog nightlight program for a short period. In the twenty-first century, KSTP-TV has continued to combine ABC programming with a substantial local news operation, public-affairs programs, sports coverage, weather, community reporting, and digital subchannels. Its enduring visual identity is based on the stylized “groovy 5” logo first introduced in 1969 and repeatedly updated for changing broadcast technologies and design conventions.
- 2021
Brand identity refreshed
[1]KSTP-TV introduced a refreshed version of its 5 logo together with updated graphics and music.
- 2018
Twin Cities Live expands
[1]Twin Cities Live added a further half-hour edition branded Twin Cities Live at Four.
- 2009
Analog broadcasting ends
[1]The station ended regular analog broadcasting during the national digital television transition and moved its digital service to channel 35 while retaining virtual channel 5.
- 2008
Twin Cities Live launches
[1]KSTP-TV introduced Twin Cities Live, a locally focused weekday lifestyle and entertainment program.
- 2000
KSTC-TV acquisition creates duopoly
[1]Hubbard Broadcasting acquired KVBM-TV, later known as KSTC-TV, creating a commercial television duopoly with KSTP-TV.
- 1999
Digital television signal begins
[1]KSTP-TV launched its digital television signal.
- 1979
ABC affiliation begins
[1]The station completed its transition from NBC to ABC on March 5.
- 1969
Groovy 5 logo introduced
[1]KSTP-TV began using the stylized 5 logo that became one of the station’s most durable visual identifiers.
- 1961
Local programming becomes fully color
[1]The station became an early non-network-owned broadcaster to transmit all of its local programming in color.
- 1948
Commercial launch
[1]KSTP-TV formally signed on April 27 as Minnesota’s first commercial television station.
Products and positioning
A locally rooted, full-service network affiliate emphasizing Twin Cities news, weather, sports, public affairs, lifestyle programming, and regional coverage through Hubbard Broadcasting’s Minnesota media operations.
Local television news
KSTP-TV local news
The station’s principal broadcast product consists of locally produced weekday and weekend newscasts covering the Twin Cities and surrounding Minnesota communities. Coverage includes breaking news, politics, public safety, weather, business, features, and sports. KSTP-TV also produces specialized public-affairs and sports segments, and Nielsen treats the main station and its satellites as a combined local ratings service identified as KSTP+.
Lifestyle and entertainment television · 2008
Twin Cities Live
Twin Cities Live is a locally oriented weekday program focused on Minnesota people, food, events, businesses, and lifestyle subjects. It debuted in 2008 and later expanded to include a 4 p.m. edition. The format extends KSTP-TV’s identity beyond conventional hard news by presenting regional culture and consumer-interest content through a locally produced magazine-style show.
Political discussion
At Issue
At Issue is KSTP-TV’s political and public-affairs discussion program. Hosted by Tom Hauser, it provides a platform for discussion of Minnesota politics, public policy, elections, and civic issues, complementing the station’s daily news coverage.
Sports television
Sports Wrap
Sports Wrap is a sports highlights and discussion program associated with KSTP-TV’s weekend schedule. It covers regional sports and may receive special placement around major events or network sports broadcasts involving Minnesota teams.
Broadcast distribution
Satellite and translator service
KSTP-TV extends its service through full-power satellite stations KSAX in Alexandria and KRWF in Redwood Falls, plus a translator serving St. James. These facilities help deliver ABC programming and KSTP-produced content to communities beyond the core Twin Cities market, including the Mankato area.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021KSTP-TV visual identity refresh
Twin Cities · KSTP-TV broadcast region
The station introduced a redesigned 5 logo and a coordinated graphics and music package, modernizing a visual identity that had been associated with KSTP-TV for decades.
- 2005Ed Asner station advertising
Twin Cities
KSTP-TV ran advertisements featuring actor Ed Asner in a presentation that evoked his Lou Grant character, linking the station’s news identity to a recognizable television news persona.
Brand decisions
2021
On-air graphics and logo updateOtherBackground
KSTP-TV had maintained variations of its groovy 5 identity since 1969 and periodically updated its visual presentation.
Action taken
The station introduced a red rounded-square treatment containing a white 5, together with new graphics and music.
Aftermath
The update preserved the channel 5 heritage while giving the station a more contemporary broadcast presentation.
2009
Transition to digital broadcastingGeneration changeBackground
United States full-power television stations were required to transition from analog to digital transmission.
Action taken
KSTP-TV ended regular analog service on VHF channel 5 and used digital channel 35 with virtual channel 5.
Aftermath
The station continued broadcasting digitally and retained the familiar channel 5 identity for viewers.
2008
Launch of Twin Cities LiveProduct launchBackground
KSTP-TV sought to add a locally produced daytime format comparable to its earlier Good Company program.
Action taken
The station launched Twin Cities Live as a weekday lifestyle program centered on Minnesota people and subjects.
Aftermath
The format became a continuing part of KSTP-TV’s local programming and was later expanded with an additional 4 p.m. edition.
2000
Acquisition of KVBM-TVM&ABackground
Hubbard Broadcasting sought to expand its local television portfolio in the Twin Cities.
Action taken
Hubbard purchased independent KVBM-TV and later operated it as KSTC-TV alongside KSTP-TV.
Aftermath
The transaction created Minnesota’s first commercial television duopoly and gave Hubbard a second full-power television outlet in the market.
1978
Announced move from NBC to ABCStrategyBackground
ABC was seeking stronger affiliates while KSTP-TV was evaluating its position in a competitive Twin Cities television market.
Action taken
KSTP-TV announced that it would end its long-standing NBC affiliation and join ABC. The switch took effect on March 5, 1979.
Aftermath
The move became one of ABC’s most significant affiliation gains at the time and repositioned KSTP-TV as the market’s ABC station.
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