KULR-TV

KULR-TV is a television station serving Billings, Montana, and the surrounding area. Broadcasting on channel 8, it is affiliated with NBC and is owned by The Cowles Company. The station's main studios are in the Homestead Business Park area of Billings, while its transmitter is located on Coburn Hill southeast of downtown. Its service area is extended through translators reaching additional Montana communities and selected locations in Wyoming. The station began broadcasting on March 15, 1958, under the call sign KGHL-TV. It was the second television station to go on the air in Billings and was established by Midland Empire Broadcasting Company, the owner of KGHL radio. The original operation was an NBC affiliate. In 1962, the television station was sold to Crain-Snyder Television while the associated radio station was spun off. Because the radio operation retained the KGHL call letters, the television station adopted the KULR-TV identity on January 1, 1963. The name change marked the separation of the television and radio businesses. KULR added ABC as a secondary affiliation in 1963. After Harriscope Broadcasting acquired the station, KULR shifted to ABC as its primary network affiliation in January 1969, with NBC relegated to secondary status. The station operated in a complicated Billings network environment during the 1970s and early 1980s, as KTVQ and later KOUS-TV carried portions of NBC and ABC programming. In 1987, following changes in network strength and local station arrangements, KULR returned to NBC, the affiliation it retains today. Local news has long been central to the station's identity. KULR was a major ratings leader in Billings during the 1970s and 1980s, helped by a locally oriented presentation sometimes associated with the "Straight 8" identity and by the popularity of anchor and news director Dave Rye. The station also had notable Montana news-gathering distinctions, including an early female news co-anchor and what was described as the state's first full-time state-capital reporter. Over time, however, KTVQ overtook KULR in local news ratings. By the late 1980s and 1990s, KULR's newscasts were generally a clear second-place operation, and the station's ratings disadvantage persisted despite programming and scheduling changes. Ownership changed several times. Dix Communications purchased KULR-TV in 1986, and Max Media acquired it in 2004. The Cowles Company announced its purchase of Max Media's Montana television stations in 2013, including KULR-TV, and completed the transaction later that year. Under Cowles, the station's newscasts were rebranded as NonStop Local in October 2022 as part of a group-wide branding initiative. KULR-TV also has a history of technical expansion. It began digital broadcasting through KULR-DT in 2002 and operates a multiplexed digital signal with additional programming services. Its signal has been supplemented by translators across Montana and in parts of Wyoming. From 1998 through the end of 2024, KYUS-TV in Miles City served as a full-time satellite of KULR-TV under a time-brokerage arrangement. That relationship ended on December 31, 2024, when KYUS-TV ceased broadcasting. KULR-TV remains an active local broadcast brand focused on NBC programming, regional news, weather, sports, public affairs, and community coverage.

The first attempt to establish a channel 8 television station in Billings received a construction permit in 1952, but the permit was later canceled after the proposed operator failed to demonstrate sufficient progress. A subsequent application by Midland Empire Broadcasting Company, owner of KGHL radio, was granted after an FCC review of the effects that a second Billings station would have on the existing broadcaster. The FCC authorized construction in 1957, and the station began broadcasting on March 15, 1958, as KGHL-TV. KGHL-TV initially operated as an NBC affiliate and was built alongside the market's existing radio and television infrastructure. Midland Empire sold the combined KGHL-AM-TV operation to Crain-Snyder Television in 1962. Crain-Snyder immediately separated the radio station from the television station, leaving the radio operation with the KGHL identity. On January 1, 1963, the television station therefore became KULR-TV. The station also added ABC programming as a secondary affiliation during that period. After the death of Crain-Snyder principal Paul Crain, the company sold KULR-TV to Harriscope Broadcasting. Harriscope controlled television stations in Montana and Wyoming and pursued a broader affiliation strategy. KULR became a primary ABC affiliate on January 1, 1969, while NBC programs continued to appear on a secondary basis. Network programming in Billings remained divided during the 1970s and early 1980s, with competing stations receiving different levels of access to NBC and ABC schedules. The local network environment changed again when KOUS-TV entered the market and NBC programming was redistributed. KULR developed a strong local-news reputation during the 1970s and 1980s. Its news operation was often identified with the informal "Straight 8" presentation and with anchor and news director Dave Rye. The station was also notable for employing Chris Chesrown as the state's first female news co-anchor and for maintaining a full-time reporter at the Montana state capital in Helena. Conrad Burns, who later represented Montana in the United States Senate, worked at the station as a farm broadcaster. For much of the 1980s, KULR led Billings local-news ratings, sometimes by substantial margins. In 1983, the station announced plans for a new facility in Billings's Homestead Business Park. Completed in 1984, the building provided expanded space and upgraded technical facilities for the station's staff and operations. Harriscope sold KULR-TV and KTWO-TV in Casper to Dix Communications in 1986. With NBC's position strengthening nationally and locally, KULR returned to NBC in August 1987, while KOUS-TV became the market's ABC affiliate. The balance of local-news competition subsequently shifted. KTVQ improved its regional news operation, and KULR lost its long-standing ratings leadership. Dave Rye left the station in 1990 to pursue a political career and returned after the 1993 Montana legislative session, but his return did not restore KULR's former position. By the 1990s and early 2000s, KTVQ generally held a decisive lead in local-news viewership. KULR also adjusted its early-evening schedule, separating its former 5:30 p.m. newscast into 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. programs in 2001. Dix Communications sold KULR-TV and KFBB-TV to Max Media in 2004. The Cowles Company later acquired Max Media's Montana television cluster, including KULR-TV, in a transaction completed in November 2013. Cowles continued operating the station as an NBC affiliate and as part of a regional group of Montana broadcast properties. KULR began digital transmission through KULR-DT in 2002 and continues to distribute programming through a multiplexed digital signal and a network of translators. The station's former relationship with KYUS-TV in Miles City began in 1998 under a time-brokerage arrangement. KYUS operated as a full-time KULR satellite for more than two decades, despite the arrangement producing no independent advertising revenue for the satellite. The relationship ended at the close of 2024, when KYUS-TV went silent. In October 2022, KULR's newscasts adopted the NonStop Local brand in a Cowles-wide rebranding. The station remains an active Billings broadcaster centered on NBC network content, local journalism, weather, community reporting, and over-the-air digital television service.

1. 2024KYUS-TV satellite service ends

   The long-running KULR satellite arrangement with KYUS-TV ended when KYUS went silent on December 31.

   Source
2. 2022NonStop Local branding introduced

   KULR's local newscasts were rebranded NonStop Local under a Cowles-wide initiative.

   Source
3. 2013Cowles ownership begins

   The Cowles Company completed its acquisition of KULR-TV as part of a Montana station cluster transaction.

   Source
4. 2002Digital broadcasting begins

   KULR-DT began digital operations on May 6.

   Source
5. 1987Return to NBC

   KULR resumed primary NBC affiliation in August after nearly two decades as an ABC affiliate.

   Source
6. 1984New Billings facility completed

   The station moved into an expanded facility in Homestead Business Park with upgraded technical capabilities.

   Source
7. 1969Primary ABC affiliation begins

   KULR became a primary ABC affiliate, with NBC programming carried secondarily.

   Source
8. 1963KULR-TV name introduced

   The television station adopted the KULR-TV call sign after separating from the KGHL radio operation.

   Source
9. 1958KGHL-TV launches

   KGHL-TV began broadcasting on March 15 as Billings's second television station and an NBC affiliate.

   Source
10. 1952First channel 8 construction permit issued

    The FCC awarded an initial Billings channel 8 construction permit to Rudman-Hayutin Television Company, although the permit was later canceled.

    Source

A locally focused NBC affiliate combining network television programming with regional news, weather, sports, and community coverage for Billings and eastern Montana.

• Local newsTelevision news1958

  KULR-TV's local-news operation covers Billings and the surrounding region, including breaking news, politics, public affairs, community events, and regional developments. Historically, the operation was a major ratings leader in the market before KTVQ became dominant. The newscasts currently use the NonStop Local identity introduced by Cowles in 2022.

• Weather coverageBroadcast weather service

  Weather reporting is a core component of the station's local broadcast service, with particular relevance to severe weather, winter conditions, agriculture, transportation, and the geographically broad communities served across Montana and nearby Wyoming.

• NBC network programmingNetwork television1958

  KULR-TV distributes NBC entertainment, news, sports, and other network programming to the Billings market. The station has been an NBC affiliate since its 1958 launch and returned to primary NBC status in 1987 after an extended period as a primary ABC affiliate.

• Digital broadcast servicesDigital terrestrial television2002

  The station operates a digital television signal with multiplexed programming and extends its reach through translators across Montana and in selected Wyoming communities. Digital broadcasting began through KULR-DT in 2002.

• 2022NonStop Local rebrand

  United States · Billings, Montana

  Cowles introduced the NonStop Local identity for KULR-TV's newscasts as part of a coordinated rebranding across its television stations. The change emphasized continuous local coverage and created a common identity across the group.

  Outcome. KULR-TV's local newscasts adopted the NonStop Local name.

  Source

• 2024End of KYUS-TV satellite arrangementStrategy

  KYUS-TV had rebroadcast KULR-TV in Miles City since 1998 under a time-brokerage arrangement.

  What changed. The arrangement ended on December 31, 2024, and KYUS-TV went silent.

  Aftermath. KULR-TV continued as an active Billings station, while the former Miles City satellite no longer operated.

  Source
• 2013Sale to The Cowles CompanyM&A

  Max Media agreed to sell its Montana television station cluster.

  What changed. The Cowles Company acquired KULR-TV and the other stations in the Montana cluster.

  Aftermath. KULR became part of Cowles's regional television group and remains under its ownership.

  Reported transaction value. $18 million (2013)

  Source
• 2004Sale to Max MediaM&A

  Dix Communications was divesting its remaining television stations.

  What changed. Max Media acquired KULR-TV and KFBB-TV.

  Aftermath. KULR became part of Max Media's Montana television holdings until the Cowles acquisition in 2013.

  Reported transaction value. $12.25 million (2004)

  Source
• 1987Return to NBC affiliationStrategy

  The local and national strength of NBC had improved, while Billings's network affiliations were being reorganized.

  What changed. KULR-TV returned to primary NBC affiliation, and KOUS-TV assumed the ABC affiliation.

  Aftermath. NBC has remained KULR-TV's primary network affiliation.

  Source
• 1969Switch to primary ABC affiliationStrategy

  Harriscope Broadcasting arranged for KULR-TV to change its primary network affiliation after the station's existing affiliation contract ended.

  What changed. KULR made ABC its primary affiliation and retained NBC programming secondarily.

  Aftermath. The station operated primarily with ABC for nearly two decades amid a shifting division of network programming among Billings broadcasters.

  Source

• 2024KYUS-TV satellite relationship ends

  After operating as a full-time satellite of KULR-TV since 1998, KYUS-TV in Miles City ceased broadcasting on December 31, 2024.

  Other
  Source
• 2022KULR-TV newscasts rebranded as NonStop Local

  Cowles rebranded KULR-TV's local newscasts as NonStop Local as part of a broader group-wide identity change.

  CampaignOther
  Source
• 2013Cowles Company acquires KULR-TV

  The Cowles Company acquired Max Media's Montana television cluster, including KULR-TV, in a transaction announced in September and completed in November.

  M&A
  Source
• 2004Dix Communications sells KULR-TV to Max Media

  Max Media acquired KULR-TV and KFBB-TV from Dix Communications in a transaction reported at $12.25 million.

  M&A
  Source
• 1987KULR-TV returns to NBC

  KULR switched back to NBC in August 1987, while KOUS-TV took over the ABC affiliation in Billings.

  Other
  Source
• 1969KULR-TV changes primary affiliation from NBC to ABC

  The station became a primary ABC affiliate while retaining NBC programming on a secondary basis.

  Other
  Source
• 1963Television station adopts the KULR-TV call sign

  After the television and radio operations were separated, the television station changed its call sign from KGHL-TV to KULR-TV.

  Other
  Source
• 1958KULR-TV begins broadcasting as KGHL-TV

  The second television station in Billings went on the air on March 15, 1958, as KGHL-TV, initially affiliated with NBC.

  Product launch
  Source

1. KULR-TV
2. KULR-TV official website