KUSI-TV
A San Diego television station broadcasting on channel 51 and serving as a CW affiliate.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KUSI-TV is a commercial television station serving San Diego, California, on virtual channel 51 and cable channel 9. The station is owned by Nexstar Media Group and operates alongside Fox affiliate KSWB-TV, with which it shares studio facilities in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego. Its transmitter is southeast of Spring Valley. KUSI is also carried as part of the market’s NextGen TV, or ATSC 3.0, service alongside KSWB-TV. The station’s origins date to a construction permit issued in 1965 for channel 51. The permit became entangled in a long administrative and ownership dispute involving Jack O. Gross, the California Western University—later United States International University—and the McKinnon interests. Competing sale agreements, questions about permit trafficking, university financial problems, and challenges from a proposed religious broadcaster delayed construction for approximately 15 years. Federal Communications Commission proceedings eventually allowed University Television, an affiliate of USIU, to proceed. McKinnon Broadcasting was brought in to provide financing and management support, later acquiring a minority interest. KUSI began broadcasting on September 13, 1982. It was the first independent station constructed within San Diego proper and initially operated as a general-entertainment outlet, carrying children’s programs, sitcoms, older films, sports, and syndicated programming. The San Diego Padres moved their television games to KUSI in 1985, although the relationship later ended when the team moved to KFMB-TV. USIU’s worsening finances and accreditation difficulties eventually made a sale necessary. McKinnon’s minority position gave it effective veto power over alternative transactions, and in 1990 McKinnon purchased the remainder of the station for $26.2 million. The new ownership invested in local programming and launched a 10 p.m. newscast in September 1990, followed by a weekday morning newscast in 1994. KUSI subsequently developed a broad schedule of local news, weather, sports, and investigative reporting, becoming particularly identified with its consumer and civic investigations branded as The Turko Files. KUSI briefly affiliated with UPN but ended the relationship in January 1998, citing weak local ratings and the availability of UPN programming through Los Angeles station KCOP-TV on local cable systems. The station remained independent for many years. It also challenged regulatory approval of Fox programming carried by Tijuana-based XETV, seeking to obtain the Fox affiliation for KUSI, but the dispute ended in 1996 without changing the affiliation. In 2023, Nexstar announced and completed the purchase of KUSI for $35 million, creating a San Diego duopoly with KSWB-TV. Nexstar later acquired Tegna, including CBS affiliate KFMB-TV, in March 2026 after regulatory approval. Following that transaction, KUSI began airing CW programming transferred from a KFMB subchannel, making it the market’s CW outlet. KUSI continues to combine network programming with local news and other station-produced content.
History
KUSI-TV’s history began with a Federal Communications Commission construction permit for San Diego channel 51 issued to Jack O. Gross on June 23, 1965. Gross, who had previously founded KFMB-TV, proposed an independent commercial station. California Western University submitted a competing application emphasizing educational and cultural programming. The permit was not built promptly, and the competing interests became involved in a sequence of disputed sale and transfer agreements. Gross reached arrangements involving both the university and Broadmoor Broadcasting, associated with Michael and Dan McKinnon. The FCC questioned whether the permit had been improperly trafficked and conducted several rounds of administrative review. Although an FCC administrative law judge initially ruled against Gross’s handling of the permit, later commission action allowed the matter to continue. The university, by then renamed United States International University, faced scrutiny over its financial capacity to construct and operate the station. Christian Communications Network also intervened, seeking use of the channel for religious programming. In 1977, an administrative law judge rejected the proposed transfer because of concerns about USIU’s financial condition and the realism of its construction-cost estimates. The matter was eventually resolved in 1980, when another administrative law judge approved the transfer to University Television and dismissed the competing objections. Financing came from private supporters connected with the university, while the McKinnons were hired in 1981 to provide management and financial assistance. Their agreement included an option to acquire a minority interest. KUSI finally signed on September 13, 1982, more than 17 years after the original permit. It operated as San Diego’s first independent station built within the city proper, programming a mixture of syndicated entertainment, children’s shows, films, sitcoms, and sports. In 1985, the San Diego Padres moved their television broadcasts to KUSI, giving the young station a prominent local sports property. By the end of the 1980s, USIU was under renewed financial pressure and faced the possibility of losing its academic accreditation. The university sought to sell its interest in KUSI, but Michael McKinnon’s 26 percent position in University Television gave him veto power over proposed sales. A dispute intensified in 1989 when McKinnon sued USIU over leased equipment. USIU explored a possible sale to ABRY Partners, but the transaction did not proceed. After USIU entered bankruptcy protection in early 1990, McKinnon purchased the remaining interest for $26.2 million, choosing a faster transaction over a higher competing bid. McKinnon’s ownership produced a major shift toward local news. KUSI launched a 10 p.m. newscast in September 1990 and introduced a three-hour weekday morning newscast in January 1994. The station expanded its early-evening and late-night news schedule over the following decade. Its reporting identity included investigative and consumer segments, especially The Turko Files, and its weather coverage was closely associated with chief meteorologist John Coleman, a co-founder of The Weather Channel, who worked at KUSI from 1994 to 2014. KUSI joined UPN during the 1990s but left the network in January 1998 because of low local ratings and the availability of UPN programming through KCOP-TV on cable systems. The station remained independent afterward. It also pursued the Fox affiliation held by XETV, a Tijuana-based station serving San Diego, through FCC challenges in 1991 and 1995. The later proceeding was settled in 1996, leaving the Fox affiliation unchanged. The station planned a downtown San Diego studio and residential development in 1998, but the intended site was sold to another developer in 2007. KUSI continued operating from Kearny Mesa. Following McKinnon’s sale of its Texas stations, KUSI became the company’s last television property. In 2019, former anchor Sandra Maas sued McKinnon Broadcasting, alleging unequal pay, age and gender discrimination, and retaliation connected with her contract renewal. A 2023 jury verdict awarded Maas $1.5 million on a whistleblower claim and found an Equal Pay Act violation, while rejecting several other claims. McKinnon said it planned to appeal. Nexstar announced its $35 million acquisition of KUSI in May 2023 and completed the transaction on August 31 of that year. The acquisition paired KUSI with KSWB-TV. Nexstar’s later acquisition of Tegna was completed in March 2026 after an FCC waiver. KUSI then became the San Diego CW affiliate, taking over programming from a KFMB subchannel. A court order temporarily limited integration of the affected stations, but KUSI continued operating under Nexstar ownership.
- 2026
KUSI becomes a CW affiliate
[1]KUSI began carrying CW programming after Nexstar completed its acquisition of Tegna.
- 2023
Nexstar ownership begins
[1]Nexstar completed its purchase of KUSI-TV and created a duopoly with KSWB-TV.
- 2010
Local news moves to high definition
[1]KUSI began broadcasting its local newscasts in HD.
- 1998
UPN affiliation ends
[1]KUSI dropped UPN programming and returned to independent operation.
- 1994
Morning news expands
[1]KUSI introduced a three-hour weekday morning newscast.
- 1990
McKinnon acquires the station
[1]McKinnon Broadcasting purchased the remaining interest in KUSI for $26.2 million and launched a local 10 p.m. newscast.
- 1985
Padres broadcasts move to KUSI
[1]The San Diego Padres moved their television games to KUSI from KCST-TV.
- 1982
KUSI-TV launches
[1]KUSI began broadcasting as an independent general-entertainment station on September 13.
- 1980
USIU transfer approved
[1]An FCC administrative law judge approved the transfer of the permit to University Television, resolving the principal regulatory dispute.
- 1965
Channel 51 construction permit issued
[1]The FCC issued a construction permit for a proposed San Diego channel 51 station to Jack O. Gross.
Products and positioning
A locally focused San Diego television station with a strong news identity, including investigative, consumer, weather, and community coverage, now combined with CW network programming.
Television news · 1990
Local newscasts
KUSI produces local news throughout the day, including morning, evening, and late-night broadcasts. The service has been central to the station’s identity since the launch of its first 10 p.m. newscast in 1990 and has included reporting on local government, consumer issues, weather, traffic, and regional events.
Investigative reporting
The Turko Files
The Turko Files is a recurring civic and consumer-investigation franchise associated with reporter Michael Turko. Its segments focus on complaints, public accountability, and practical consumer issues, and became one of the station’s recognizable local-news features.
Network television · 2026
CW programming
KUSI carries programming from The CW in the San Diego market. The affiliation began in March 2026 after Nexstar’s acquisition of Tegna and the transfer of CW programming from a KFMB subchannel.
Online media
Digital news
KUSI extends its local broadcast operation through KUSI.com, publishing news, weather, video, and other San Diego-focused material for digital audiences.
Controversies
2019
Sandra Maas equal-pay and retaliation lawsuit
Former anchor Sandra Maas sued McKinnon Broadcasting after leaving KUSI, alleging that male employees with less seniority were paid more and that her contract was not renewed after she sought pay parity. The case also raised allegations concerning the station’s treatment of an equal-pay story. In 2023, a jury awarded Maas $1.5 million on a whistleblower claim and found an Equal Pay Act violation, while rejecting her discrimination and malice claims.
2019
Criticism of Duncan D. Hunter interview
KUSI faced criticism over an interview with Congressman Duncan D. Hunter in which the questions were reportedly provided by his staff. The episode prompted concerns about journalistic independence and interview practices.
2014
Controversy surrounding John Coleman’s climate views
Longtime chief meteorologist John Coleman attracted criticism for publicly rejecting the scientific consensus on climate change. His views were discussed in connection with station specials and public presentations during his later years at KUSI.
Brand decisions
2026
Move The CW to KUSIProduct launchBackground
Nexstar’s acquisition of Tegna brought KFMB-TV into the same ownership group and changed the distribution of CW programming in San Diego.
Action taken
KUSI began airing CW programming transferred from a KFMB subchannel.
Aftermath
KUSI became the market’s CW outlet while court proceedings temporarily limited broader station integration.
2023
Sell KUSI-TV to NexstarM&ABackground
McKinnon Broadcasting elected to sell its San Diego station as Nexstar sought to expand its local station portfolio and establish a duopoly with KSWB-TV.
Action taken
Nexstar agreed to purchase KUSI for $35 million and completed the transaction on August 31, 2023.
Aftermath
KUSI became part of Nexstar’s San Diego operations and later assumed the CW affiliation.
Acquisition price. $35 million (Announced May 2023; completed August 31, 2023)
1998
End the UPN affiliationStrategyBackground
KUSI cited weak local ratings and the availability of UPN programming through KCOP-TV on local cable systems.
Action taken
The station allowed its UPN agreement to expire and resumed independent operation.
Aftermath
KUSI remained independent until becoming a CW affiliate in 2026.
1990
Build a full local-news operationStrategyBackground
After acquiring control of the station, McKinnon sought to distinguish KUSI from entertainment-focused independent stations and strengthen its local market position.
Action taken
KUSI launched a 10 p.m. newscast and subsequently expanded into morning, early-evening, and late-night news.
Aftermath
Local news became the station’s primary brand identity and continued to shape its programming strategy.
Recent events
- 2026
KUSI begins CW programming[1]
M&A · Product launch
After Nexstar completed its acquisition of Tegna, KUSI began carrying CW programming that had previously been broadcast on a KFMB subchannel.
- 2023
Nexstar announces agreement to acquire KUSI-TV[1]
M&A
Nexstar Media Group announced a $35 million agreement to purchase KUSI-TV, stating that the transaction would create a San Diego station group with KSWB-TV and could benefit from a future CW affiliation.
- 2023
Nexstar completes acquisition of KUSI-TV[1]
M&A
The acquisition of KUSI-TV by Nexstar Media Group was completed, placing the station under Nexstar ownership and pairing it with KSWB-TV in the San Diego market.
Sources2 sources
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