Midwest Communications
A former American broadcasting company that grew from a Minneapolis–Saint Paul radio and television joint venture into a regional owner of television stations, cable systems, and sports media.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Midwest Communications was an American broadcasting company whose history ran from 1952 to 1992. It began as Midwest Radio and Television, a joint venture formed in August 1952 by Mid-Continent Radio-Television and CBS. Mid-Continent Radio-Television was itself associated with the Saint Paul Pioneer Press and the Minneapolis Tribune Company, which together held the larger share of the venture, while CBS held the remaining interest. The transaction brought WCCO radio and WTCN-TV into the new company. WTCN radio was transferred to another owner, while the television operation became WCCO-TV in Minneapolis–Saint Paul. The company expanded beyond its original Twin Cities base over the following decades. In the 1970s it launched WCCO-FM, a station now known as KMNB. During the early 1980s, it acquired WFRV-TV, an ABC affiliate in Green Bay, Wisconsin, together with its satellite station WJMN-TV in Escanaba, Michigan, from Orion Broadcasting. WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV were subsequently operated in a relationship with WCCO-TV, although CBS did not initially take an ownership position in the acquired stations because it maintained a relationship with WBAY-TV, then the CBS affiliate in Green Bay. Midwest also acquired KCMT in Alexandria, Minnesota, and its satellite KNMT in Walker, Minnesota. Those stations were renamed KCCO and KCCW and became satellites of WCCO-TV. The business broadened further into cable television. In October 1982, the company adopted the Midwest Communications name to reflect its enlarged portfolio, which included cable systems and two cable channels. Around the same period it launched WCCO II, an early local cable service associated with WCCO-TV. That service later developed into the Midwest Sports Channel, a regional sports network. Midwest Communications ended as an independent corporate entity in February 1992, when it merged with CBS. The transaction made WCCO and the WFRV/WJMN station group CBS-owned-and-operated properties. The company’s assets subsequently followed different ownership paths. WCCO-TV and its satellites were eventually retained within the corporate succession that led to Paramount Skydance Corporation, while WFRV and WJMN were sold first to Liberty Media in 2007 and later to Nexstar Broadcasting Group in 2011. CBS also later divested its radio division to Entercom, which subsequently adopted the Audacy name. The Midwest Sports Channel remained under CBS ownership after the merger and was sold in 1999, after CBS had been acquired by Viacom, to News Corporation. It became Fox Sports North and later evolved into FanDuel Sports Network North. This historical company is distinct from both Midwest Television and the later, separately operated Midwest Communications broadcasting group active in several U.S. states.
History
Midwest Communications originated in August 1952 under the name Midwest Radio and Television. It was created by combining WCCO radio and WTCN-TV in a joint venture between Mid-Continent Radio-Television and CBS. Mid-Continent Radio-Television was connected to the Saint Paul Pioneer Press and the Minneapolis Tribune Company and held 53 percent of the venture; CBS held 47 percent. WTCN radio was placed with a separate owner, while the television operation became WCCO-TV. The company’s early identity was therefore rooted in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul market and in the combination of local radio, television, and newspaper-related ownership interests. Over time, it expanded its broadcast portfolio. WCCO-FM was launched during the 1970s and is now known as KMNB. In the early 1980s, Midwest Radio and Television purchased WFRV-TV in Green Bay and its Escanaba, Michigan, satellite WJMN-TV from Orion Broadcasting. Although the acquired stations were not initially part-owned by CBS, Midwest integrated them into its wider television structure. The company also purchased KCMT in Alexandria, Minnesota, and KNMT in Walker, Minnesota. These stations were renamed KCCO and KCCW and operated as satellites of WCCO-TV. The company’s expansion also moved it into cable television. In October 1982, it changed its corporate name to Midwest Communications, signaling that its activities were no longer limited to conventional radio and television broadcasting. It owned cable systems and two cable channels, and it launched WCCO II around this period. WCCO II represented an early local cable programming effort and later developed into the Midwest Sports Channel, a regional sports network associated with WCCO-TV. Midwest Communications ceased to exist as an independent company in February 1992 when it merged with CBS. The merger converted WCCO and the WFRV/WJMN properties into CBS-owned-and-operated stations. The subsequent history of the assets diverged. WCCO-TV and its satellites remained within the corporate lineage that ultimately led to Paramount Skydance Corporation. WFRV and WJMN were later sold to Liberty Media in 2007 and to Nexstar Broadcasting Group in 2011. CBS eventually sold its radio division to Entercom, which later renamed itself Audacy, Inc. The sports-media business also continued after the merger. The Midwest Sports Channel became a CBS-owned-and-operated network, but following CBS’s acquisition by Viacom it was sold to News Corporation in 1999. The channel operated as Fox Sports North and later became part of the FanDuel Sports Network North regional sports network. Midwest Communications should not be confused with Midwest Television, a separate broadcasting company associated with assets in California and Illinois, or with the later Midwest Communications group operating radio stations in several states.
- 1999
Midwest Sports Channel is sold
[1]News Corporation acquires the regional sports channel, which becomes Fox Sports North and later part of FanDuel Sports Network North.
- 1992
Merger with CBS ends the independent company
[1]Midwest Communications merges with CBS, and WCCO, WFRV, and WJMN become CBS-owned-and-operated stations.
- 1982
The company becomes Midwest Communications
[1]The corporate name changes in October to reflect the addition of cable systems and cable channels to the broadcasting business.
- 1982
WCCO II launches
[1]The company introduces WCCO II, a local cable channel that later develops into the Midwest Sports Channel.
- 1980
Television portfolio expands into Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota
[1]Midwest Radio and Television acquires WFRV-TV, WJMN-TV, KCMT, and KNMT. KCMT and KNMT are renamed KCCO and KCCW and become WCCO-TV satellites.
- 1970
WCCO-FM is launched
[1]The company expands its radio portfolio with WCCO-FM, a station now known as KMNB.
- 1952
Midwest Radio and Television is established
[1]A joint venture of Mid-Continent Radio-Television and CBS is formed through the merger of WCCO radio and WTCN-TV. The television property becomes WCCO-TV, while WTCN radio goes to another owner.
Products and positioning
A regional broadcast and cable media operator built around local television and radio assets, later extending into cable programming and regional sports media.
Broadcast television station · 1952
WCCO-TV
WCCO-TV was the principal television property associated with the company’s Minneapolis–Saint Paul origins. It emerged from WTCN-TV when Midwest Radio and Television was formed in 1952 and later served as the organizational hub for acquired Minnesota stations KCCO and KCCW, which operated as satellites. Following the 1992 merger, WCCO-TV became a CBS-owned-and-operated station.
Radio station · 1970
WCCO-FM
WCCO-FM was the company’s major radio expansion during the 1970s. The station broadened Midwest’s presence in the Twin Cities radio market and is now known as KMNB. Its later corporate ownership followed CBS’s eventual divestiture of its radio division.
Broadcast television stations
WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV
WFRV-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and its satellite WJMN-TV in Escanaba, Michigan, were acquired from Orion Broadcasting during the early 1980s. The stations expanded Midwest Communications beyond the Twin Cities and became part of the company’s broader television operation. They became CBS-owned-and-operated stations after the 1992 merger, then later passed to Liberty Media and Nexstar through subsequent transactions.
Broadcast television stations
KCCO and KCCW
KCMT in Alexandria and KNMT in Walker, Minnesota, were acquired by Midwest Radio and Television and renamed KCCO and KCCW. The stations were operated as satellites of WCCO-TV, extending the reach of the company’s Minnesota television service.
Cable television channel · 1982
WCCO II
WCCO II was an early local cable channel launched around the time the company expanded into cable systems and changed its name to Midwest Communications. Its programming concept provided the foundation for the later Midwest Sports Channel.
Regional sports network
Midwest Sports Channel
The Midwest Sports Channel evolved from WCCO II into a regional sports network associated with WCCO-TV. It became part of CBS after the 1992 merger, was sold to News Corporation in 1999, and subsequently operated as Fox Sports North before later entering the FanDuel Sports Network North lineage.
Brand decisions
1999
Sell the Midwest Sports ChannelM&ABackground
After CBS had become part of Viacom, the regional sports channel remained an asset that could be separated from the broadcast station group.
Action taken
The Midwest Sports Channel was sold to News Corporation.
Aftermath
The channel operated as Fox Sports North and later became part of the FanDuel Sports Network North regional sports network.
1992
Merge with CBSM&ABackground
Midwest Communications had developed a multi-market television, radio, cable, and sports-media portfolio with a substantial relationship to CBS.
Action taken
The company merged with CBS in February 1992.
Aftermath
WCCO, WFRV, and WJMN became CBS-owned-and-operated stations, while the company ceased to operate as an independent entity.
1982
Adopt the Midwest Communications nameStrategyBackground
The company had expanded from its original radio and television base into cable systems and cable channels.
Action taken
It changed its name from Midwest Radio and Television to Midwest Communications in October 1982.
Aftermath
The new name reflected a broader media portfolio that included local cable programming and the emerging Midwest Sports Channel.
Recent events
- 1999
Midwest Sports Channel is sold and becomes Fox Sports North[1]
M&A · Product generation
After CBS became part of Viacom, the Midwest Sports Channel was sold to News Corporation. It subsequently operated as Fox Sports North and later became part of the regional FanDuel Sports Network North identity.
- 1992
Midwest Communications merges with CBS[1]
M&A
In February 1992, Midwest Communications merged with CBS. WCCO and the WFRV/WJMN group became CBS-owned-and-operated stations, while the company's broader assets later passed to different owners.
- 1982
Company adopts the Midwest Communications name and develops cable operations[1]
Product launch
The company changed its name in October 1982 as its activities expanded to include cable systems and two cable channels. WCCO II was launched around the same period and later developed into the Midwest Sports Channel.
- 1980
Midwest Radio and Television expands into Green Bay and northern Minnesota television[1]
M&A
During the early 1980s, the company acquired WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV and also acquired KCMT and KNMT. The Minnesota stations were renamed KCCO and KCCW and operated as WCCO-TV satellites.
- 1952
Midwest Radio and Television is formed through a WCCO–WTCN-TV merger[1]
M&A · Other
A joint venture involving Mid-Continent Radio-Television and CBS created Midwest Radio and Television in August 1952. WCCO radio and WTCN-TV formed the core assets, while WTCN radio went to a separate owner and the television station became WCCO-TV.
Sources1 sources
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