KXMA-TV

KXMA-TV is a full-power television station licensed to Dickinson, North Dakota, serving the southwestern portion of the Bismarck–Minot television market. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 2 and is owned by Nexstar Media Group. It operates within the KX Television regional network, alongside KXMC-TV in Minot, KXMB-TV in Bismarck, and KXMD-TV in Devils Lake. KXMB serves as the network’s principal operational center and provides much of the programming, master-control infrastructure, and news content used by the other stations. The station began broadcasting in 1956 as KDIX-TV, under the ownership of Dickinson Radio and TV Corporation, which also operated KDIX radio. Because Dickinson was geographically separated from the larger central North Dakota television centers and lies in the Mountain Time Zone, the station initially faced difficulties obtaining direct network feeds. It carried programming from CBS, NBC, and ABC, with CBS as its principal affiliation, but relied for many years on indirect or extended-market arrangements. In the 1960s, KDIX obtained network programming through signals associated with KOTA-TV and its satellite KHSD-TV in Lead, South Dakota. This arrangement allowed the Dickinson station to receive selected CBS and ABC programming while continuing to handle other programs locally or through alternative relay sources. The station’s affiliation history changed as regional television ownership and network relationships evolved. After KOTA-TV moved toward NBC programming in 1970, KDIX continued to receive a mixture of network content, including CBS through a signal from KXMB-TV. In 1980, the launch of full-power station KQCD-TV in Dickinson ended KDIX’s remaining NBC role. KDIX subsequently joined the Reiten-owned North Dakota stations in a jointly branded regional operation that became known as the 4X Network. Ownership instability followed in the early 1980s. In 1983, Stanley Deck sold the station to Big Horn Communications, owner of KOUS-TV in Billings, Montana. The station was renamed KNDX, but underinvestment contributed to a serious deterioration in its signal and operations. Reiten Television moved to acquire the troubled station in late 1984, completing the transaction on January 2, 1985. At that time, the station adopted the call sign KXMA-TV. Under Reiten ownership, KXMA obtained a direct CBS feed and settled into its long-running role as a semi-satellite of KXMB-TV, carrying a time-shifted version of the Bismarck station’s schedule to accommodate the Mountain Time Zone. KXMA generally carries network, syndicated, and regional programming supplied through the KX network, while retaining separate legal identifications and commercial insert opportunities. Its Mountain Time scheduling means that prime-time programs may begin at 6 p.m. local time rather than at the 7 p.m. start common in Central Time. A second digital subchannel also carried programming from Bismarck ABC affiliate KBMY beginning in 2009 under a commercial-sales and programming arrangement involving Reiten Television and Forum Communications. The KX stations expanded their digital and online presence in the 2000s. In 2006, their websites were consolidated under the KXNet.com portal, with localized station pages. The network also developed DakotaPolitics.com, a political news website launched with Midkota Solutions in 2007. In 2008, KXNet.com streamed live coverage of the North Dakota presidential caucuses, an early example of live online news broadcasting by a North Dakota website. The site received regional recognition for its online journalism and design. Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced the acquisition of Reiten Television’s stations, including KXMA-TV, in September 2015. The transaction closed on February 2, 2016, placing KXMA within Nexstar’s national station portfolio. Nexstar later ended the joint-sales arrangement with KBMY. Today, KXMA remains primarily a local broadcast outlet and regional network affiliate rath…

KXMA-TV signed on in 1956 as KDIX-TV, a Dickinson station owned by Dickinson Radio and TV Corporation alongside KDIX radio. At launch, it carried programming from CBS, NBC, and ABC, with CBS as its primary affiliation. The station’s early network access was constrained by the lack of a direct feed into Dickinson. It therefore used extended-market arrangements and received programming through relay or satellite relationships with stations in western South Dakota and central North Dakota. In 1966, station manager Stanley Deck arranged for KDIX-TV to obtain network programming from the KOTA-TV operation after KHSD-TV began broadcasting from Lead, South Dakota. The arrangement supplied selected CBS and ABC programs, while KDIX continued to handle other network material through separate sources. After KOTA shifted toward NBC in 1970, KDIX continued to receive a mixed schedule and used KXMB-TV’s signal for CBS programming. The launch of full-power KQCD-TV in Dickinson in 1980 removed KDIX’s remaining NBC role and ended its principal connection with KOTA. The station then joined Reiten-owned stations KXMC-TV, KXMB-TV, and KXMD-TV in a regional operation branded the 4X Network. Deck sold KDIX-TV to Big Horn Communications in 1983, and the call letters changed to KNDX. The new owner also operated KOUS-TV in Billings, but KNDX received insufficient investment. Its transmission facilities and signal deteriorated, creating a serious risk that the station would cease operating. Reiten Television agreed to purchase the station in late 1984, completing the transaction on January 2, 1985. The station adopted the KXMA-TV call sign; an alternative call sign was not used after an objection from Prairie Public Television. Reiten’s ownership provided stronger resources, including a direct CBS network feed. KXMA thereafter operated mainly as a semi-satellite of KXMB-TV, carrying a time-shifted schedule for viewers in the Mountain Time Zone. The station and its sister outlets continued to develop a shared regional identity as KX Television and KX News. In 2006, the group created KXNet.com, a portal combining the stations’ web operations while retaining localized presentation. The website later received regional awards. In 2007, KXNet.com and Midkota Solutions launched DakotaPolitics.com, an online political information and news service. The following year, KXNet.com streamed live coverage of the North Dakota presidential caucuses. In 2008, Reiten Television entered a joint commercial-sales arrangement involving Forum Communications’ Bismarck ABC affiliate KBMY. Beginning in 2009, KBMY programming was simulcast on KXMA’s second digital subchannel in Dickinson. The arrangement expanded the availability of ABC programming while preserving KXMA’s principal network role. Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced its purchase of Reiten Television in 2015, including KXMA-TV, and completed the transaction in February 2016. Nexstar subsequently terminated the joint-sales agreement with KBMY. KXMA continues to operate as a locally licensed station with a Dickinson bureau and sales presence, while much of its schedule and news operation is supplied or coordinated by KXMB-TV. Its semi-satellite structure allows the station to serve southwestern North Dakota with programming adapted to the Mountain Time Zone, separate station identifications, and locally relevant commercial inventory.

1. 2016Nexstar ownership begins

   Nexstar completes its acquisition of Reiten Television stations, including KXMA-TV.

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2. 2009ABC programming begins on digital subchannel

   Programming from KBMY begins airing on KXMA’s second digital subchannel under the Reiten–Forum commercial arrangement.

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3. 2006KXNet.com launches

   The KX stations consolidate their online presence under a shared portal with localized station pages.

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4. 1985KXMA-TV call sign adopted

   Reiten Television completes its acquisition and changes the station’s call letters to KXMA-TV.

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5. 1983Station becomes KNDX

   Big Horn Communications acquires the station and changes its call letters from KDIX-TV to KNDX.

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6. 1980NBC programming ends

   After KQCD-TV becomes a full-power Dickinson station, KDIX drops its remaining NBC programming and joins the Reiten regional station group.

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7. 1966KOTA-linked network access begins

   KDIX arranges to receive network programming through the KOTA-TV and KHSD-TV operation in western South Dakota.

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8. 1956Station signs on as KDIX-TV

   KDIX-TV begins broadcasting in Dickinson under the ownership of Dickinson Radio and TV Corporation.

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A local Dickinson television outlet embedded in a regional North Dakota station network, combining KXMB-originated programming with localized advertising, identification, and market coverage.

• KXMA-TV broadcast serviceBroadcast television1956

  The station’s primary over-the-air service for Dickinson and southwestern North Dakota. KXMA carries programming supplied through the KX Television network, including network, syndicated, and regional content. Because Dickinson is in the Mountain Time Zone, the schedule is time-shifted relative to much of the broader North Dakota market.

• KX NewsLocal television news

  Regional newscasts produced primarily through the KXMB and KXMC operations and distributed across the KX stations. KXMA historically inserted Dickinson-specific material into shared broadcasts, although later operational consolidation reduced or eliminated some local inserts.

• KXNet.comDigital news2006

  A shared digital portal created for the KX stations, combining their online presence while retaining localized pages and market coverage. The platform expanded the group’s distribution beyond over-the-air television.

• KXMA-TV digital subchannel 2Digital television2009

  A secondary digital service that carried programming from Bismarck ABC affiliate KBMY beginning in 2009 under a joint commercial arrangement involving Reiten Television and Forum Communications.

• 2013Anchorman 2 promotional newscast appearance

  KX Television broadcast region

  Actor Will Ferrell appeared as Ron Burgundy and co-anchored the KX network’s evening newscast as part of the promotion for the film Anchorman 2.

  Outcome. The appearance generated promotional publicity for the film and the participating KX newscast.

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• 2007DakotaPolitics.com

  North Dakota

  KXNet.com and Midkota Solutions launched a political information and news site covering candidate profiles, voting records, analysis, and tracking polls for the 2008 elections.

  Outcome. The initiative broadened the KX group’s digital political coverage; its later operating status is not established in the supplied material.

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• 2015Nexstar agrees to acquire Reiten TelevisionM&A

  Reiten Television owned KXMA-TV and the other stations in the KX regional group.

  What changed. Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced an acquisition of the Reiten stations, including KXMA-TV, in a transaction reported at $44 million.

  Aftermath. The transaction closed in February 2016 and transferred KXMA to Nexstar ownership.

  Reported transaction value. $44 million (Announced September 2015; completed February 2016)

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• 2009KBMY programming added to KXMA digital subchannelProduct launch

  Reiten Television entered a joint commercial-sales arrangement with Forum Communications, owner of Bismarck ABC affiliate KBMY.

  What changed. KXMA began carrying KBMY programming on a second digital subchannel.

  Aftermath. The arrangement expanded ABC availability in Dickinson while maintaining KXMA’s principal regional network role.

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• 2016Nexstar completes purchase of KXMA-TV owner

  The acquisition of Reiten Television’s stations by Nexstar was completed, bringing KXMA-TV under Nexstar ownership and integrating it into the company’s station portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2015Nexstar announces acquisition of Reiten Television stations

  Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced an agreement to purchase Reiten Television’s North Dakota stations, including KXMA-TV, for a reported transaction value of $44 million.

  M&A
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• 2013Will Ferrell co-anchors KX evening newscast as Ron Burgundy

  As a promotion for Anchorman 2, actor Will Ferrell appeared in character as Ron Burgundy and co-anchored the KX network’s evening news.

  Campaign
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• 2008KX network streams live presidential caucus coverage

  KXNet.com streamed a one-hour special covering the North Dakota presidential caucuses, marking an early live online broadcast by a North Dakota news website.

  Product launchOther
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• 2007KXNet launches DakotaPolitics.com

  KXNet.com and Midkota Solutions launched a political news website featuring candidate information, voting records, analysis, and election tracking polls.

  Product launchCampaign
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• 2006KX network launches consolidated KXNet web portal

  The KX stations introduced a shared web portal with localized front pages, consolidating several station domains under the KXNet.com identity.

  Product launch
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1. KXMA-TV