View source for KBZK

{{Short description|Television station in Bozeman, Montana}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KBZK
| logo = KBZK 7 logo.png
| logo_upright = .75
| logo_alt = A white 7 in a red square to the left, with two lines of black lettering: the top line has "KBZK" in a large, bolded serif, and the bottom line has "BOZEMAN" in a smaller, thin serif.
| branding = KBZK 7, ''MTN News''
| digital = 13 ([[VHF]]), to move to 27 ([[UHF]])<ref name="kbzktouhf">{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917d974636017db4ae41cf27be&id=25076f917d974636017db4ae41cf27be|title=Channel Substitution/Community of License Change|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=December 21, 2021|accessdate=December 22, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222215951/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917d974636017db4ae41cf27be&id=25076f917d974636017db4ae41cf27be|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-539A1.pdf|title=Report & Order|publisher=Media Bureau, [[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=May 17, 2022|access-date=May 18, 2022|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705141902/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-539A1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| virtual = 7
| network = [[Montana Television Network]]
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''7.1:''' [[CBS]]/MTN|'''7.2:''' [[independent station|Independent]] "MTN"|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1987|8|31|p=y|br=yes}}
| location = [[Bozeman, Montana]]
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning = "Bozeman"
| former_callsigns = KCTZ (1987–2000)
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 7 (VHF, 1987–2009)
| owner = [[E. W. Scripps Company]]
| licensee = Scripps Broadcasting Holdings [[LLC]]
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (1987–1993)|[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] (1996–2000)|UPN (secondary, 1996–2006)|ABC (as [[KSVI]] satellite, 1993−1996)|[[The CW Plus]] (DT2, 2006–2023)}}
| erp = 18.9 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|271|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 33756
| coordinates = {{coord|45|40|24|N|110|52|5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KBZK}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://kbzk.com/}}
}}

'''KBZK''' (channel 7) is a [[television station]] in [[Bozeman, Montana]], United States, affiliated with [[CBS]]. Owned by the [[E. W. Scripps Company|E.{{nbsp}}W. Scripps Company]], it is part of the [[Montana Television Network]] (MTN), a statewide network of CBS-affiliated stations. KBZK has its studios on Television Way in Bozeman; its primary transmitter is located atop High Flat, southwest of Four Corners. KBZK shares a media market with the MTN station in [[Butte, Montana|Butte]], [[KXLF-TV]]; the stations share network and syndicated programming but broadcast separate commercials. News programming for the Bozeman and Butte areas originates from KBZK.

Bozeman's first commercial television station, channel 7 has been on the air since 1987, when it debuted as KCTZ. Plans for it had existed for much of the decade, but the unavailability of a network affiliation and a lawsuit by local radio station owners complicated its creation and led to its near-immediate sale to Big Horn Communications, which owned [[KHMT|KOUS]], the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate in [[Billings, Montana|Billings]].

The station was on the market from 1990 to 1993, when the [[Evening Post Publishing Company]], through its [[Cordillera Communications]] division, acquired KCTZ from Big Horn. Because of signal overlap with KXLF-TV, Evening Post had to run KCTZ as a rebroadcaster of the Butte station, shunting Bozeman-area local newscasts and ABC programming to a pair of low-power TV stations in Butte and Bozeman. In 1996, [[KWYB]] came on the air as the ABC affiliate for Butte and Bozeman; KCTZ switched to [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]. In 2000, this was reversed, and KCTZ reverted to CBS under new KBZK call letters.

==History==
===Early years===
[[Very high frequency]] (VHF) channel 7 was originally allocated as the educational channel for [[Butte, Montana|Butte]]. However, plans for educational broadcasting in Montana had failed to get off the ground; the 1975 Montana Legislature scuttled a proposed educational network using the Butte channel 7 allotment. When Robert L. Cooper, a Bozeman native, decided to pursue a television station for the city, he filed with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to have channel 7 moved from Butte to Bozeman for commercial use, rejecting the use of a channel on the [[ultra high frequency]] (UHF) band as unsuitable. [[PBS]] agreed to the idea of adding channel 2 to Butte for educational use there, making it feasible for channel 7 to be reallocated to Bozeman. Several groups objected to the proposal, including Butte station [[KXLF-TV]]; Rocky Mountain Public Television; and Governor [[Thomas Lee Judge|Thomas Judge]], who continued his objection even after learning that plans would keep an educational channel in Butte.<ref name="Boze790103">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-station-planned/125666731/|date=January 3, 1979|page=1|title=Station planned: TV for Bozeman?|first=Ron|last=Peterson|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601061824/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-station-planned/125666731/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> KXLF had objected as part of the [[Montana Television Network]] as a whole; it feared that putting channel 2 at Butte would cause eventual interference issues with [[KTVQ]] in [[Billings]] on the same channel. The FCC, however, found that a growing Bozeman merited a commercial VHF station and granted Cooper's request in November 1980.<ref name="Boze801128">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-bozeman-tv-gets/125666831/|date=November 28, 1980|page=1|title=Bozeman TV gets channel|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601064827/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-bozeman-tv-gets/125666831/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

Cooper was among four applicants for the channel once applications closed in September 1981, joined by Edward Johnson, an attorney from [[Knoxville, Tennessee]]; Tri-B Broadcasting of [[Plentywood]]; and Bee Broadcasting, owned by Benny Bee, a radio DJ from [[Whitefish, Montana|Whitefish]].<ref name="Boze810922">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-four-apply-for-b/125666919/|date=September 22, 1981|page=1|title=Four apply for Bozeman TV license|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601061819/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-four-apply-for-b/125666919/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> However, a [[comparative hearing]] among the four applicants, scheduled for August 1982, was forestalled when merger negotiations began among the group; by this time, Johnson had all but dropped out.<ref name="Boze820816">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-possible-merger/125666998/|date=August 16, 1982|page=1|first=Carol|last=Schmidt|title=Possible merger delays hearing on TV|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601061826/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-possible-merger/125666998/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Bee Broadcasting owned 90 percent and Tri-B the remainder of the merged entity; Cooper's company, New West Broadcasting, dropped out in exchange for reimbursement of its expenses.<ref name="Boze820817">{{Cite news|first=JoAn|last=Mengel|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-tv-forces-merge/125667034/|date=August 17, 1982|page=1|title=TV forces merge; building may start in fall|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601070338/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-tv-forces-merge/125667034/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The [[construction permit]] was issued by the FCC on December 22, 1982.<ref name="Boze821223">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-tv-station-gets/125667068/|date=December 23, 1982|page=1|title=TV station gets construction go-ahead|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|first=Lynn|last=Israel|archive-date=April 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413050433/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-tv-station-gets/125667068/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

Bee approached the three major networks seeking affiliation. However, he was denied, first by [[CBS]]<ref name="Boze830322">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-network-nixes-pl/125667102/|date=March 22, 1983|page=9|first=Lynn|last=Israel|title=Network nixes plans for local television station|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601070336/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-network-nixes-pl/125667102/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> and later by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and [[NBC]]. At the time, in the Missoula–Butte market, the existing two stations each had their own network affiliations. The [[NBC Montana|Eagle Communications]] network (KECI-TV in Missoula and KTVM-TV in Butte) was an NBC–CBS affiliate, while KXLF-TV and [[KPAX-TV]] in Missoula had held first call rights to ABC programs while also airing some CBS shows.<ref name=b-kxlfabc>{{cite news|title=WSOC-TV ships on with ABC-TV|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|date=August 1, 1977|pages=32–33|id={{ProQuest|1014699856}}|quote=1976–…acquired KXLF-TV Butte, Mont., on channel 4, and channel 8 satellite KPAX-TV Missoula, Mont., from CBS on Aug. 30…}}</ref>{{r|Boze830322}} The networks believed Bozeman was adequately covered. With no network affiliation and no building permits locally for studios, Bee declared in July 1983 that he had "had his fill" of television and wanted to sell the construction permit.<ref name="Boze830707">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-broadcaster-may/125667172/|date=July 7, 1983|page=1|first=Lynn|last=Israel|title=Broadcaster may sell local TV license|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601061828/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-broadcaster-may/125667172/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> However, he reactivated plans for the station in February 1984, this time proposing to operate it as an [[independent station]] without network affiliation.<ref name="Boze840215">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-bozeman-televisi/125667245/|date=February 15, 1984|page=1|title=Bozeman television station on again|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601070335/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-bozeman-televisi/125667245/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

At that time, however, a brief opening appeared in western Montana television affiliations. Later in 1984, KXLF and KPAX, along with the other stations in MTN, became sole CBS affiliates. The Missoula-based [[NBC Montana|Eagle Communications]] network—which also had a station in Butte—then obtained the ABC affiliation, which precluded it from being available to Bee's proposed Bozeman outlet.<ref name="deal">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88181792/abc-deal-could-delay-tv-station-in/|date=June 15, 1984|title=ABC deal could delay TV station in Bozeman|first=William|last=Nell|work=The Billings Gazette|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88181850/tv-kctz-eagle-abc/ 14A]|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003836/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88181792/abc-deal-could-delay-tv-station-in/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 1984, Eagle Communications then filed to buy the KCTZ construction permit for $179,000, with a third of the purchase price to be paid in advertising credits with Eagle.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88162611/network-buys-station-permit-in-bozeman/|title=Network buys station permit in Bozeman|agency=Associated Press|work=Great Falls Tribune|page=7-C|date=September 13, 1984|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88162611/network-buys-station-permit-in-bozeman/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-12-10.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1014713033}}|date=December 10, 1984|title=For the Record|work=Broadcasting|page=99|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151327/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-12-10.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the application—contingent on the FCC reversing a decision to delete the permit for failure to build—languished at the commission for more than a year. The reason why was that the Reier family, which owned [[KBOZ (AM)|KBOZ]]-AM-[[KBOZ-FM|FM]], had objected to the sale at the start of 1985. It felt that local interests should have the opportunity to file for the channel and propose their own service.<ref name="Boze850108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-reiers-fcc-prot/125667434/|first=Peter|last=Caughey|date=January 8, 1985|page=1|title=Reier's FCC protest may delay TV station|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601064825/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-reiers-fcc-prot/125667434/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463508/fcc-delay-frustrates-tv-station-plans/|page=6-A|work=The Billings Gazette|agency=Associated Press|title=FCC delay frustrates TV station plans|date=December 31, 1985|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107233400/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463508/fcc-delay-frustrates-tv-station-plans/|url-status=live}}</ref> The commission granted the necessary extension in January 1986.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88182406/fcc-oks-extension-to-build-bozeman-tv/|page=15|work=The Missoulian|agency=Associated Press|title=FCC OKs extension to build Bozeman TV|date=January 25, 1986|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003837/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88182406/fcc-oks-extension-to-build-bozeman-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Eagle acquisition never panned out; in January 1987, the FCC denied the proposed sale, claiming that KTVM-TV was already seen in Bozeman and that a new satellite station would be duplicative.<ref name="Boze870410">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-broadcaster-sets/125667499/|date=April 10, 1987|page=13|first=William|last=Brock|title=Broadcaster sets new target for TV station|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601064829/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-broadcaster-sets/125667499/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Bee then set out to build the station itself, only to find yet more opposition from the Reiers. Bee claimed that Karen Reier had telephoned him in March 1987 and inquired as to whether Bee would sell the permit; in July, Bee then sued the Reiers for $10 million in damage, claiming their actions had caused potential deals with Eagle and [[KHMT|KOUS-TV]] in Billings to fall through.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463676/|first=Robert|last=Ekey|work=The Billings Gazette|title=TV-license flap spurs lawsuit|page=1C|date=July 29, 1987}}</ref> Meanwhile, construction of the station took place.<ref name="Boze870828">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-tv-station-getti/125667476/|date=August 28, 1987|page=3|first=William|last=Brock|title=TV station getting ready to broadcast|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601061817/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-tv-station-getti/125667476/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

At last, KCTZ began broadcasting on August 31, 1987. On its fourth day of operation, the station had to go off the air for five hours because its broadcasts interfered with medical telemetry equipment at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital that also used channel 7 spectrum.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463686/tv-station-has-troubled-start/|title=TV station has troubled start|work=The Billings Gazette|agency=Associated Press|page=3-C|date=September 6, 1987|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107233402/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463686/tv-station-has-troubled-start/|url-status=live}}</ref> Having fought years of battles, however, Bee was thinly capitalized. When Bozeman Cable TV could not include the station on its lineup until after the start of 1988, starving it of much-needed advertising revenue, Bee decided he could hold out no longer and decided to put the station up for sale. He reached a deal with Big Horn Communications, owner of KOUS-TV, though he first had to offer Cooper the ability to buy KCTZ under the terms of his 1982 buyout.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88182528/|title=TV station on the block: Broadcaster 'lost patience' with Bozeman cable firm|work=The Billings Gazette|agency=The Associated Press|date=November 11, 1987|page=2-B|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214075134/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88182528/tv-station-on-the-block-broadcaster/|url-status=live}}</ref> The transfer to Big Horn was approved in July 1988<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88528898/|date=July 29, 1988|title=Transfer of Bozeman TV station OK'd|page=5|agency=Associated Press|work=The Montana Standard|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214075140/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88528898/transfer-of-bozeman-tv-station-okd/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=fcc-kousonkctz>{{cite journal|last1=Felker|first1=Alex D.|title=In re Applications of BEE BROADCASTING ASSOCIATES, A Limited Partnership … Station KCTZ(TV), Bozeman, Montana|journal=FCC Record |url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1623/m1/255/|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 29, 2015|date=July 15, 1988|volume=3 |issue=14 |pages=4085–4354 |archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925135231/http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1623/m1/255/|url-status=live}}</ref> and consummated that November,<ref name=fcc-saletobighorn>{{cite web|title=Application Search Details (KBZK)|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=106280|website=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004130645/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=106280|url-status=live}}</ref> though the Reiers alleged that Big Horn had taken control without a formal application, leading to proceedings that did not end until 1991.{{r|fcc-kousonkctz}}

===Sale to KXLF===
Big Horn put KCTZ on the market in 1990, but because of the overlap of contours of KCTZ and the Butte stations, at least one prospective buyer opted not to make a deal.{{r|fcc-kctzksvitokxlf}} In 1993, the [[Evening Post Publishing Company]], owner of KXLF-TV, acquired the station and received permission to operate it as a satellite of the Butte outlet.<ref name=fcc-kctzksvitokxlf>{{cite journal|last1=Caton|first1=William F.|title=In Re Application of BIG HORN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Assignor) and KCTZ COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Assignee) For Consent to Assign the License for Station KCTZ(TV), Channel 7, Bozeman, Montana|journal=FCC Record |url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1865/m1/161/|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 20, 2015|date=September 17, 1993|volume=8 |issue=19 |pages=6621–6998 |archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107232915/https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1865/m1/161/|url-status=live}}</ref>

When the sale closed, KXLF's CBS programming and news moved to KCTZ from translator K26DE. "K26" and K43DU in Butte then inherited most of the ABC programming and the Bozeman local news that KCTZ had aired.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61016691/|title=Bozeman ABC station takes over channel 11|work=The Montana Standard|page=C2|first=Paul|last=Tash|date=April 16, 1994|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214075135/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61016691/bozeman-abc-station-takes-over-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Boze931123">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-kctz-plans-to-ax/125667864/|date=November 23, 1993|page=3|first=Shawn|last=Vestal|title=KCTZ plans to ax some news staff, change air time|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601061823/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-kctz-plans-to-ax/125667864/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name=bdc-k26denoabc>{{cite news|last1=Ellig|first1=Tracy|title=Bozeman to get new ABC TV station owner|url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/bozeman-to-get-new-abc-tv-station-owner/article_cf617ec3-84b6-54a0-b9b8-b69272329672.html|access-date=September 30, 2015|work=[[Bozeman Daily Chronicle]]|date=October 21, 1996|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109041144/https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/bozeman-to-get-new-abc-tv-station-owner/article_cf617ec3-84b6-54a0-b9b8-b69272329672.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After [[KWYB]] (channel 18) signed on in September 1996 and took the ABC affiliation in the Butte-Bozeman market, K43DU was taken [[off the air]]<ref name=bdc-k26denoabc/> (the repeater was sold to [[Montana State University]] in 2001<ref name=fcc-k43dumsu>{{cite web|title=Application Search Details (K43DU-D)|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=564199|website=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004131103/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=564199|url-status=live}}</ref> and now carries [[Montana PBS]]); on October 31, after K26DE's ABC affiliation ended in advance of the launch of KWYB repeater K28FB (channel 28, now [[KWYB-LD]]), KCTZ became a [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate, and channel 26 returned to translating KXLF.<ref name=bdc-kctztofox>{{cite news|last1=Ellig|first1=Tracy|title=TV news station changes affiliation|url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/tv-news-station-changes-affiliation/article_357ab780-79ea-59df-a22d-5c310581714b.html|access-date=September 30, 2015|work=[[Bozeman Daily Chronicle]]|date=October 24, 1996|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107232926/https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/tv-news-station-changes-affiliation/article_357ab780-79ea-59df-a22d-5c310581714b.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During this time, channel 7 also took on a secondary affiliation with [[UPN]].<ref name=upn-upnonkctz>{{cite web|title=UPN Affiliate Stations (Montana)|url=http://www.upn.com/affiliates/hmaffmt.htm|website=[[UPN|UPN.com]]|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991006083146/http://www.upn.com/affiliates/hmaffmt.htm|archive-date=October 6, 1999}}</ref>

KCTZ dropped Fox on August 21, 2000, saying that the network usually generated lower ratings than the [[Big Three television networks]] in smaller markets.<ref name=bdc-kctztocbs>{{cite news|last1=Lutey|first1=Tom|title=Bozeman TV station drops affiliation with Fox|url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/bozeman-tv-station-drops-affiliation-with-fox/article_71adecba-96c2-513e-8543-e17bc84e226e.html|access-date=September 30, 2015|work=[[Bozeman Daily Chronicle]]|date=August 2, 2000|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109034220/https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/bozeman-tv-station-drops-affiliation-with-fox/article_71adecba-96c2-513e-8543-e17bc84e226e.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At that point, the station once again became a satellite of KXLF-TV (though with separate advertising)<ref name=bdc-kxlfonkctz>{{cite news|last1=Lutley|first1=Tom|title=KCTZ pulls pin on Fox Network|url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/kctz-pulls-pin-on-fox-network/article_b3ff3b4f-3b3d-53fb-8452-9a3f7834d1cc.html|access-date=September 30, 2015|work=[[Bozeman Daily Chronicle]]|date=August 22, 2000|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108182959/https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/kctz-pulls-pin-on-fox-network/article_b3ff3b4f-3b3d-53fb-8452-9a3f7834d1cc.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and changed its call letters to KBZK-TV (the "-TV" suffix was dropped eight days later).<ref name=fcc-kbzkcallsigns>{{cite web|title=Call Sign History (KBZK)|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=33756&Callsign=KBZK|website=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004112159/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=33756&Callsign=KBZK|url-status=live}}</ref> Area cable systems then picked up [[Foxnet]] for Fox programming after an unsuccessful attempt to pipe in KHMT from Billings;<ref name=bdc-kxlfonkctz/> the Butte–Bozeman market would not get another Fox affiliate until [[KBTZ]] (channel 24) signed on in 2003. In Butte, Foxnet was still used by [[Bresnan Communications]] until its discontinuation in 2006.<ref name="Mont060917">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-cable-subscribers-w/145276870/|date=September 17, 2006|page=D1|first=Erin|last=Nicholes|title=Cable subscribers will still get Fox|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

==News operation==
In April 1988, KCTZ began producing a local 6 p.m. newscast.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463764/bozeman-tv-to-air-local-news/|work=Great Falls Tribune|date=March 25, 1988|title=Bozeman TV to air local news|page=14A|agency=Associated Press|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108024017/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463764/bozeman-tv-to-air-local-news/|url-status=live}}</ref> The news programs aired on weekdays only.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87465273/second-local-station-signs-on-in-bozeman/|title=Second local station signs on in Bozeman|date=August 22, 1993|agency=Associated Press|page=F-2|work=The Missoulian|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003838/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87465273/second-local-station-signs-on-in-bozeman/|url-status=live}}</ref> When KCTZ was sold to Cordillera, the newscasts moved to K26DE.<ref name=bdc-k26denoabc/> Local news returned to KCTZ after the switch to Fox in 1996;<ref name=bdc-kctztofox/> the station aired a 9 p.m. newscast, replacing its prior 6 and 10 p.m. programs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-09-15.pdf|date=September 15, 1997|pages=38–44|work=Broadcasting & Cable|id={{ProQuest|1016945109}}|title=Fox affiliates gamble on news|first1=Kim|last1=McAvoy|first2=Michelle Y.|last2=Green|page= |access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108024018/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-09-15.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 1999, the 9 p.m. news was moved back to 10 p.m., where its ratings tripled, and a 6 p.m. newscast was reintroduced, citing advertiser demand.<ref name="Boze990815">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-local-tv-station/125667897/|date=August 15, 1999|page=3|title=Local TV stations expand nightly news|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601061821/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-local-tv-station/125667897/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> However, after channel 7 became KBZK in 2000, the newscasts were canceled and replaced with simulcasts of KXLF's newscasts, retaining a small newsroom in Bozeman to cover stories from the area.<ref name=bdc-kxlfonkctz/>

In 2006, KXLF and KBZK began presenting a newscast with an anchor in Butte and another in Bozeman;<ref name="Mont060430">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-cbs-changes-newscas/125668087/|date=April 30, 2006|page=D4|title=CBS changes newscast|newspaper=The Montana Standard|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601070333/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-cbs-changes-newscas/125668087/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> this was later replaced with separate local newscasts for both areas. When the anchor for the KXLF newscasts opted not to continue with the station, in 2011, Bozeman began producing newscasts for both areas, with KBZK evening anchor [[Donna Kelley]] anchoring the Butte programs.<ref name="Mont111123">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kxlf-drops-butte-an/145274172/|date=November 23, 2011|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kxlf/145274216/ 8A]|first=Justin|last=Post|title=KXLF drops Butte anchor|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

===Notable former on-air staff===
* [[Cara Capuano]] – sports director and play-by-play announcer, 1998–1999<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://a.espncdn.com/null/s/2010/0917/5585679.html|website=ESPN|title=Cara Capuano|date=September 17, 2010|access-date=April 13, 2024}}</ref>

==Technical information==
In December 2021, Scripps filed petitions for rulemaking to relocate all five high-power MTN transmitters to the UHF band, including KBZK, for which Scripps proposed operation on channel 27.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917d974636017db4ae41cf27be&id=25076f917d974636017db4ae41cf27be&goBack=N|title=Channel Substitution/Community of License Change (177585)|publisher=FCC Licensing and Management System|date=December 21, 2021|access-date=December 22, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222195659/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917d974636017db4ae41cf27be&id=25076f917d974636017db4ae41cf27be&goBack=N|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Subchannels===
KBZK airs the same subchannels as KXLF-TV:
{{#section:KXLF-TV|subs}}

===Translators===
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|35961|3=K26DE-D}}''' [[Bozeman]] 
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|168710|3=K36PI-D}}''' [[Livingston, Montana|Livingston]], etc. 

Livingston is also served by a second transmitter of KBZK itself, which was approved in 2020 after the main KBZK facility was relocated to High Flat to retain service to Livingston.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f91758b3ff80175ae9476203692&id=25076f91758b3ff80175ae9476203692&goBack=N|title=Modification of a License to Convert from DTV to DTS Application (126747)|date=November 10, 2020|publisher=FCC Licensing and Management System|access-date=December 22, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222195705/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f91758b3ff80175ae9476203692&id=25076f91758b3ff80175ae9476203692&goBack=N|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://kbzk.com}}

{{Butte/Bozeman TV}}
{{TV Stations Montana}}
{{Scripps Sports}}
{{EWS CORP}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kbzk}}
[[Category:1987 establishments in Montana]]
[[Category:CBS affiliates]]
[[Category:Court TV affiliates]]
[[Category:E. W. Scripps Company television stations]]
[[Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Ion Television affiliates]]
[[Category:Montana Television Network]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1987]]
[[Category:Television stations in Montana|BZK]]