KXLY-TV
KXLY-TV is an ABC-affiliated television station serving Spokane, Washington, and surrounding areas.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KXLY-TV is a commercial television station licensed to Spokane, Washington, and identified on air as Channel 4 and 4 News Now. The station is affiliated with the ABC television network and is owned by Morgan Murphy Media, a privately held broadcasting company. Its principal studios are located at the KXLY Broadcast Center on West Boone Avenue in Spokane, while its primary transmitter is located on Mount Spokane. Through translators, fill-in transmitters, cable distribution, and related station arrangements, its programming reaches a broad area of eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of western Montana. The station is also carried on cable systems in eastern British Columbia and in the larger Canadian metropolitan areas of Calgary and Edmonton, making its practical audience footprint larger than its over-the-air American coverage area. KXLY-TV began test broadcasting on January 16, 1953, and entered regular service on February 22 of that year. It was established by northwestern broadcasting pioneer Ed Craney in association with Spokane radio station KXLY, but Craney sold the radio and television properties to Northern Pacific Radio and Television Corporation only a few months after the television station launched. Initially, channel 4 was primarily affiliated with CBS, reflecting the long-standing CBS relationship of its sister radio station. It also carried selected DuMont programming during the early years. Morgan Murphy acquired the station in 1961, beginning the ownership relationship that continues through Morgan Murphy Media. The station's most consequential programming change occurred in 1976. After more than two decades as a CBS affiliate, KXLY-TV received notice that CBS would terminate the relationship, with the network seeking broader exposure through another Spokane station. The change took effect on August 8, 1976, when CBS programming moved to KREM and KXLY-TV assumed KREM's former ABC affiliation. The transition also coincided with ABC's growing national prominence. KXLY-TV has remained an ABC affiliate since that switch, while its associated radio station later changed its own network relationship independently. Technology and local news have been central to the station's identity. KXLY-DT began digital transmission in March 1999, becoming the first digital television signal in eastern Washington. The station later moved its digital transmission facilities to Mount Spokane and carried an early regional high-definition presentation of ABC programming in September 1999. In 2006, KXLY-TV began experimenting with high-definition local news segments, and in August 2008 it became the first station in the Spokane market to present complete local newscasts in high definition. The station has also supported production for sister ABC affiliates KAPP and KVEW in Yakima and the Tri-Cities, particularly weather, sports, and selected newscast elements. KXLY-TV operates a substantial local news service, including the weekday morning program Good Morning Northwest and evening broadcasts at 5, 6, 6:30, and 11 p.m. In 2024, the station added midday and 4 p.m. news programming under the KXLY+ identity. Its news operation was rebranded as 4 News Now in 2019, alongside the opening of a redesigned studio. The station's second digital subchannel initially carried MyNetworkTV programming and later became a MeTV outlet, with MeTV programming continuing from 2012. KXLY-TV remains an active local broadcaster whose business combines network entertainment, locally produced journalism, weather, sports, digital content, and regional distribution.
History
KXLY-TV received Federal Communications Commission authorization to construct a television station on July 11, 1952, alongside KHQ's proposed television service. It conducted test broadcasts beginning January 16, 1953, and started regular programming on February 22. Winter weather on Mount Spokane delayed the launch from the station's intended late-1952 schedule. The new station was created by Ed Craney, who also owned Spokane radio station KXLY, and was sold a few months later to Northern Pacific Radio and Television Corporation. Because of the radio station's CBS connection, channel 4 initially operated primarily as a CBS affiliate. It also carried some DuMont programs during the early television era. ABC programming that it did not air, along with selected DuMont programming, was available through KREM after that station began broadcasting in 1954. During the 1950s and 1960s, executives including Dick Jones, Bob Struble, and James Agostino helped develop a strong relationship with CBS and establish KXLY-TV as a major player in the Spokane market. Morgan Murphy purchased KXLY-TV in 1961. The station's relationship with CBS deteriorated over time as KXLY-TV increasingly aired certain network programs outside their scheduled time slots. On February 19, 1976, CBS announced that it would terminate the affiliation. The switch became effective August 8, 1976, after KREM completed its ABC commitments, including ABC's coverage of the 1976 Summer Olympics. CBS moved to KREM, while KXLY-TV became Spokane's ABC affiliate. The change placed KXLY-TV with a network that was then experiencing strong ratings growth, and the station has retained the ABC affiliation since that time. KXLY-TV's transmission infrastructure has been distinctive in the Spokane market. It is the only local station described as broadcasting from Mount Spokane, a site originally developed with the expectation that other stations might also use it. To improve reception for households using antennas that could not be rotated toward the mountain, the station developed additional translator and fill-in facilities. The digital service has also been extended through numerous translators in Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The station entered the digital era on March 11, 1999, when KXLY-DT began broadcasting on VHF channel 13. Its first digital local news broadcasts followed later that month. By September 27, 1999, the digital transmitter had moved to Mount Spokane and increased to the FCC power limit cited for the service. That evening, the station aired an early regional high-definition presentation of Monday Night Football. KXLY-TV began testing high-definition local news material in 2006 and, on August 3, 2008, became the first Spokane-market station to broadcast full local newscasts in HD. KXLY-TV has used its production resources to support related Morgan Murphy stations. Beginning in December 2008, it produced high-resolution weather material for KAPP in Yakima and KVEW in Kennewick. The stations also consolidated portions of weather, sports, and weekend news production in Spokane, a change accompanied by staff reductions at the two partner stations. In 2019, KXLY-TV introduced the 4 News Now brand and a replacement studio. Its second digital subchannel, which had carried MyNetworkTV for a period after the digital transition, adopted MeTV in 2012. The station's current public-facing operation combines ABC programming with a large local news schedule. Its broadcasts include Good Morning Northwest, multiple evening newscasts, and additional KXLY+ programs introduced in 2024. Cable and satellite carriage extends the station's availability into Canada, including Calgary, Edmonton, and parts of British Columbia. KXLY-TV continues to operate as an active regional news and network-affiliate brand under Morgan Murphy Media.
- 2024
KXLY+ news expansion
[1]The station added midday and 4 p.m. newscasts under the KXLY+ identity.
- 2019
4 News Now rebrand and studio launch
[1]The local news operation introduced new branding and a replacement studio.
- 2012
MeTV becomes the second-subchannel format
[1]The second digital subchannel ended its MyNetworkTV carriage and adopted MeTV.
- 2008
Full high-definition local news begins
[1]KXLY-TV became the first Spokane-market station to broadcast complete local newscasts in HD.
- 1999
Digital broadcasting launches
[1]KXLY-DT became the first digital television signal in eastern Washington and later expanded from Mount Spokane.
- 1976
Switch from CBS to ABC
[1]KXLY-TV lost its CBS affiliation and became Spokane's ABC affiliate when the market's network assignments changed.
- 1961
Morgan Murphy acquisition
[1]Morgan Murphy purchased the station and established the ownership lineage associated with its current owner.
- 1953
Regular television service begins
[1]KXLY-TV began regular programming on February 22 after several weeks of test broadcasts.
- 1952
FCC authorization granted
[1]The FCC authorized KXLY and KHQ to construct television stations in Spokane.
Products and positioning
A locally focused ABC network affiliate combining regional news, weather, sports, community coverage, and network entertainment for the Inland Northwest.
Local television news · 2019
4 News Now
KXLY-TV's principal local-news identity, introduced in 2019. The operation provides weekday morning, evening, and late-night coverage, with reporting focused on Spokane and the wider Inland Northwest. Its programming includes general news, weather, traffic, sports, and regional public-affairs coverage.
Morning television news
Good Morning Northwest
The station's weekday morning news program, scheduled as a two-hour broadcast. It combines local reporting with weather, traffic, and other early-day information for viewers in the Spokane area.
Local television news · 2024
KXLY+
A newer programming identity used for additional local news, including midday and 4 p.m. broadcasts added in 2024. It extends KXLY-TV's local-news schedule beyond its established morning and evening programs.
Digital multicast television · 2012
MeTV Spokane–Coeur d'Alene
The station's second digital subchannel carries MeTV classic television programming. MeTV replaced the subchannel's earlier MyNetworkTV service in 2012 and is also distributed through related station arrangements in the Yakima–Tri-Cities area.
Marketing campaigns
- 20194 News Now rebrand
Spokane · Eastern Washington · Northern Idaho
KXLY-TV introduced the 4 News Now identity as part of a broader refresh of its local-news presentation and studio facilities.
Outcome. The 4 News Now name became the station's primary local-news brand.
Brand decisions
2024
Expand local-news hours with KXLY+Product launchBackground
Changing viewer habits and competition for local-news audiences supported an expansion beyond the established schedule.
Action taken
The station added midday and 4 p.m. newscasts under the KXLY+ identity.
Aftermath
KXLY-TV increased the number of daily local-news windows available on its main channel.
2019
Refresh local-news presentationStrategyBackground
The station sought to modernize its local-news identity and production environment.
Action taken
KXLY-TV launched the 4 News Now brand and opened a new studio.
Aftermath
The refreshed identity became the station's principal local-news presentation.
2012
Convert second digital subchannel to MeTVGeneration changeBackground
The second digital service had carried MyNetworkTV programming during the transition to digital broadcasting.
Action taken
KXLY-DT2 discontinued MyNetworkTV and adopted MeTV as its exclusive programming format.
Aftermath
The subchannel continued as a MeTV service and expanded its association with the Spokane–Coeur d'Alene audience.
1976
Accept ABC affiliation after CBS terminationStrategyBackground
CBS ended its long-running affiliation with KXLY-TV and moved its programming to KREM as part of a Spokane market realignment.
Action taken
KXLY-TV adopted KREM's former ABC affiliation, with the transition becoming effective in August 1976.
Aftermath
The station has remained an ABC affiliate since the switch.
- KREM — KREM took over the CBS affiliation after completing its existing ABC programming commitments.
Sources2 sources
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