KXLF-TV
CBS-affiliated television station serving Butte, Montana, and surrounding southwestern Montana communities.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
KXLF-TV is a television station licensed to Butte, Montana, United States. It broadcasts on channel 4 and is affiliated with CBS. The station is owned by The E. W. Scripps Company and operates as part of the Montana Television Network (MTN), a statewide group of CBS-affiliated stations. KXLF-TV’s studios are in downtown Butte on South Montana Street, while its transmitter is located at XL Heights east of the city, near the Continental Divide. Local news for the Butte area is produced from the studios of sister station KBZK in Bozeman, reflecting the station’s integration into MTN’s shared-news operation. KXLF-TV is historically significant as Montana’s first television station and the state’s oldest continuously operating television outlet. It began broadcasting in August 1953 as an extension of Ed Craney’s Z-Bar Network of radio stations. The station initially operated on channel 6 and carried programming from NBC and the DuMont Television Network. It moved to channel 4 in 1956, in part to reduce the risk of interference with a channel 6 station in Pocatello, Idaho. The change coincided with the relocation of its transmitter to XL Heights, substantially increasing its coverage area. That year, the station also moved from an upstairs space in a Butte retail building into a former Milwaukee Road passenger depot, which became a long-standing home for its operations. Ownership and network affiliations changed several times during the station’s early decades. Joe Sample acquired KXLF radio and television in 1960, and KXLF-TV then made CBS its primary network affiliation. In 1969, KXLF-TV became one of the original stations in the Montana Television Network, created after the earlier Skyline Network dissolved. The MTN structure allowed stations in different Montana communities to share network programming, news resources, and operational infrastructure while retaining local identities. Sample later expanded the group by launching KPAX-TV in Missoula in 1970; that station initially retransmitted KXLF-TV before developing its own local programming in the late 1970s. KXLF-TV temporarily changed its network priorities in 1976, making ABC its primary affiliation and CBS secondary. It returned to primary CBS status in 1984 when MTN standardized its full-power stations around CBS programming. The station also carried UPN on a secondary basis during the early 2000s. After UPN ended in 2006, The CW became available through a digital subchannel arrangement involving KXLF-TV and KBZK. The station’s ownership passed from Sample’s interests to SJL, Inc. in 1984 and then to Evening Post Publishing Company’s Cordillera Communications subsidiary in 1986. Cordillera acquired KXLF-TV along with other MTN stations and continued the network’s shared-news and programming model. In 2019, Scripps acquired most of Cordillera Communications, including the MTN stations, placing KXLF-TV within one of the largest U.S. local television groups. KXLF-TV’s relationship with Bozeman has also been central to its modern identity. Cordillera acquired KCTZ in 1993 and used it at different times as an ABC, Fox, and KXLF-TV satellite operation. In 2000, KCTZ dropped Fox and became KBZK, again functioning as a companion station to KXLF-TV while retaining separate advertising and a Bozeman-focused presence. Beginning in 2011, KBZK’s Bozeman facilities assumed production of KXLF-TV’s Butte-area newscasts. The arrangement enables both stations to maintain coverage of their respective communities through a shared newsroom and production operation. KXLF-TV has also made technical changes in response to reception issues associated with low-VHF digital broadcasting. After the 2009 digital transition, the station joined other broadcasters seeking increased power. In 2021, Scripps requested permission to move the station from the VHF band to a UHF channel to improve digital reception. The changeover to channel 15 was completed in October 2025. KXLF-TV remains an active CBS affiliate, local-news provider, and principal MTN outlet for Butte and nearby communities.
History
KXLF-TV originated in Ed Craney’s plan to extend his Z-Bar Network of Montana radio stations into television. An application was filed with the Federal Communications Commission in 1952, and authorization was granted in early 1953. The station transmitted Montana’s first television signal on August 14, 1953, from Butte. Regular programming began later that month with NBC and DuMont network content. Its first facilities were located above a Pay ’n Save store on Harrison Avenue. Originally assigned channel 6, KXLF-TV moved to channel 4 in July 1956 because of possible interference involving another channel 6 station in Pocatello, Idaho. The change was paired with a transmitter relocation to XL Heights, a Continental Divide site that enlarged the station’s coverage. KXLF-TV also moved into a former Milwaukee Road passenger depot, giving it a more substantial operating base. During the late 1950s, Craney’s organization expanded the station’s reach through a Helena satellite and translators serving other Montana communities. Joe Sample purchased KXLF radio and television in 1960. Under Sample, the television station adopted CBS as its primary affiliation. The decision generated controversy in 1962 when KXLF-TV did not carry an NBC World Series broadcast because the available relay picture was judged unsuitable for broadcast. The station continued to extend its coverage through translators, including facilities serving Missoula and Helena. In 1969, the earlier Skyline Network was dissolved following ownership and affiliation changes among its member stations. KXLF-TV, KOOK-TV in Billings, and KRTV in Great Falls formed the foundation of the Montana Television Network. Sample expanded the network by launching KPAX-TV in Missoula in 1970. KPAX initially retransmitted KXLF-TV but began producing local programming in 1977. KXLF-TV and KPAX changed their affiliation priorities in 1976, making ABC primary and CBS secondary, but returned to primary CBS status in 1984. Sample sold the MTN stations to SJL, Inc. in 1984. Two years later, SJL sold KXLF-TV, KPAX-TV, and KRTV to Evening Post Publishing Company through Cordillera Communications. Although KXLF-TV was no longer under the same ownership as Billings station KTVQ, the Montana Television Network continued to share news material and regional resources. KXLF’s local news operation developed gradually. For a period it supplied local inserts within another station’s newscasts, but it prepared a full-length local news service in the late 1980s. A dispute involving former news director Pat Kearney resulted in litigation; a jury rejected his wrongful-discharge claim but awarded overtime compensation. Cordillera’s acquisition of Bozeman station KCTZ in 1993 created another important link. KCTZ operated at different times as an ABC and Fox affiliate, but after dropping Fox in 2000 it became KBZK and returned to a KXLF-centered satellite model. The stations later shared and coordinated local news, with KBZK ultimately producing KXLF’s Butte newscasts from Bozeman beginning in 2011. KXLF also carried UPN on a secondary basis before the network’s 2006 shutdown and participated in a digital-subchannel arrangement associated with The CW. The 2009 digital transition exposed reception challenges for the station’s low-VHF digital signal. KXLF-TV joined other broadcasters seeking higher power, and Scripps later pursued a move into the UHF band. Scripps acquired KXLF-TV and most of the former Cordillera station group in 2019. The FCC approved the channel change to 15, and the transition was completed in October 2025. KXLF-TV continues to operate as a CBS affiliate serving Butte and surrounding southwestern Montana communities within the MTN network.
- 2025
Move to UHF channel 15
[1]KXLF-TV completed its transition from the VHF band to UHF channel 15 to improve reception.
- 2019
Scripps acquisition
[1]Scripps acquired KXLF-TV as part of its purchase of most of the Cordillera station group.
- 2011
Bozeman begins producing Butte newscasts
[1]KBZK’s facilities assumed production of KXLF-TV’s local news programs.
- 2009
Digital transition
[1]KXLF-TV completed the U.S. full-power digital television transition and sought improved transmission power.
- 2000
KCTZ becomes KBZK
[1]The station dropped Fox and became a KXLF-TV companion station under the KBZK call sign.
- 1993
KCTZ acquired
[1]Cordillera acquired the Bozeman station later renamed KBZK, strengthening KXLF-TV’s regional relationship.
- 1986
Cordillera ownership begins
[1]Evening Post Publishing acquired KXLF-TV through Cordillera Communications.
- 1984
Return to primary CBS
[1]The station returned to primary CBS affiliation as MTN standardized its network relationships.
- 1976
Primary affiliation changes to ABC
[1]KXLF-TV made ABC primary and CBS secondary for a period.
- 1970
KPAX-TV launched
[1]A Missoula station was launched as a KXLF-TV satellite before developing independent local programming.
Products and positioning
A locally focused CBS affiliate with deep historical roots in Butte and a statewide-network role through the Montana Television Network.
Network television · 1953
KXLF-TV CBS service
The station’s principal broadcast service carries CBS network programming for Butte and southwestern Montana. KXLF-TV has been a primary CBS affiliate for most of its history, apart from a period when ABC held primary status. The service combines national network programs with station branding, advertising, emergency information, and local content.
Local television news · 1971
KXLF-TV local news
KXLF-TV provides news coverage focused on Butte and nearby communities. Its modern news production is coordinated from KBZK’s Bozeman facilities, while reporting remains oriented toward the Butte area. The service developed from shared MTN newscasts and local inserts into a more integrated regional newsroom model.
Digital broadcast television · 2006
Digital subchannels
KXLF-TV has used digital subchannels to carry additional network programming, including The CW after the shutdown of UPN. Subchannel arrangements have allowed the station and KBZK to extend the Montana Television Network’s programming strategy beyond the main CBS service.
Brand decisions
2021
Plan migration from VHF to UHFGeneration changeBackground
Low-VHF digital signals can present reception difficulties, and KXLF-TV had sought improved power after the 2009 digital transition.
Action taken
Scripps requested and received authorization to move KXLF-TV to UHF channel 15.
Aftermath
The channel change was completed in October 2025.
2011
Centralize local-news production in BozemanStrategyBackground
A change in KXLF-TV’s anchor staffing created an opportunity to reorganize production across the Butte–Bozeman operation.
Action taken
KBZK began producing KXLF-TV’s Butte-area newscasts from Bozeman.
Aftermath
The stations continued separate market coverage while relying on shared production resources.
2000
Convert KCTZ into KBZK companion operationStrategyBackground
Fox programming generated weaker ratings than major broadcast networks in the small-market environment, according to the station’s stated rationale.
Action taken
KCTZ dropped Fox, adopted the KBZK call sign, and resumed a satellite and companion role alongside KXLF-TV.
Aftermath
The two stations developed a shared-news structure serving Butte and Bozeman.
1976
Switch primary affiliation to ABCStrategyBackground
KXLF-TV and its related Missoula operation adjusted their network priorities during a period of changing affiliate relationships.
Action taken
ABC became the primary affiliation, with CBS carried secondarily.
Aftermath
KXLF-TV returned to primary CBS status in 1984.
1969
Create the Montana Television NetworkStrategyBackground
The earlier Skyline Network dissolved after changes in ownership and affiliations among participating stations.
Action taken
KXLF-TV joined KOOK-TV and KRTV to establish MTN, a statewide network of CBS-affiliated stations.
Aftermath
MTN became the station’s principal regional operating and news-sharing framework.
1960
Adopt CBS as primary affiliationStrategyBackground
After Joe Sample acquired KXLF-TV, the station reassessed its network relationships in a market where it had previously carried NBC and DuMont programming.
Action taken
KXLF-TV made CBS its primary network affiliation.
Aftermath
The station remained a major CBS outlet and later became an original member of the Montana Television Network.
Recent events
- 2025
KXLF-TV completes move to channel 15[1]
Product generation · Regulation
The station completed its transition to the UHF band, broadcasting on channel 15 to improve reception in its service area.
- 2021
KXLF-TV receives approval for UHF channel migration[1]
Regulation
Scripps sought a move from the VHF band to UHF to address digital reception limitations affecting low-VHF television signals.
- 2019
Scripps acquires the Montana Television Network stations[1]
M&A
The E. W. Scripps Company acquired 15 of Cordillera Communications’ 16 stations, including KXLF-TV and the other MTN outlets.
- 2011
KXLF-TV shifts Butte news production to Bozeman[1]
Leadership change
Following an anchor departure, KBZK began producing KXLF-TV’s Butte-area newscasts from Bozeman, consolidating production while maintaining coverage of both communities.
- 2000
KCTZ becomes KBZK and returns to the KXLF satellite model[1]
Other
After dropping Fox programming, KCTZ changed its call letters to KBZK and again became a companion and satellite operation of KXLF-TV.
- 1986
Cordillera Communications acquires KXLF-TV[1]
M&A
Evening Post Publishing Company acquired KXLF-TV and related MTN stations through its Cordillera Communications subsidiary.
- 1984
KXLF-TV returns to primary CBS affiliation[1]
Other
After SJL acquired the MTN stations, the network standardized its full-power stations around CBS and KXLF-TV resumed primary CBS status.
- 1976
KXLF-TV changes primary affiliation to ABC[1]
Other
KXLF-TV and KPAX-TV made ABC their primary network affiliation while retaining CBS as a secondary service.
- 1970
KXLF-TV launches Missoula companion station[1]
Other
KPAX-TV began operating in Missoula as a full-time rebroadcaster of KXLF-TV before developing separate local programming later in the decade.
- 1969
Montana Television Network is established[1]
Other
KXLF-TV joined KOOK-TV and KRTV as one of the original stations in the Montana Television Network.
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