View source for KGWC-TV

{{Short description|Television station in Casper, Wyoming}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KGWC-TV
| city = 
| logo = KGWC-TV KGWL-TV KGWR-TV logo.png
| logo_size = 150px
| logo_alt = A blue sans serif 14 next to the CBS eye in black. On two lines in a wide sans serif, in blue then black, are the words K G W C and Casper.
| branding = {{ubl|CBS 14 KGWC Casper|''Your Wyoming Link'' (newscasts)}}
| analog = 
| digital = 14 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 14
| translators = 
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''14.1:''' [[CBS]]|'''[[KTWO-TV|14.2]]:''' [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] ([[KTWO-TV]])}}
| network = 
| founded = 
| airdate = {{start date and age|1980|8|12|p=y}}
| location = [[Casper, Wyoming]]
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning = Great Western Network/Casper, after former sister station [[KGWN-TV]]
| former_callsigns = KCWY-TV (1980–1986)
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 14 (UHF, 1980–2009)|'''Digital:''' 15 (UHF, 2002–2009)}}
| owner = Big Horn Television [[LLC]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacobson |first=Adam |date=October 8, 2019 |title=A Trio Of TV Re-Do Deals In Wyoming |url=https://www.rbr.com/a-trio-of-tv-deals-in-the-mountain-west/ |website=Radio & Television Business Report |access-date=November 26, 2019 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420071157/https://www.rbr.com/a-trio-of-tv-deals-in-the-mountain-west/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
| licensee = BHTV License LLC
| operator = Coastal Television Broadcasting Company LLC
| sister_stations = [[KFNB]], [[KTWO-TV]]
| former_affiliations = 
| erp = 53.3 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|562|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| class = 
| facility_id = 63177
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|42|44|26|N|106|21|36|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://yourwyominglink.com/}}
}}

'''KGWC-TV''' (channel 14) is a [[television station]] in [[Casper, Wyoming]], United States, affiliated with [[CBS]]. It is owned by Big Horn Television [[LLC]], which maintains a [[shared services]] agreement (SSA) with Coastal Television Broadcasting Company LLC, owner of [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[KFNB]] (channel 20), for the provision of certain services. Coastal also operates [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[KTWO-TV]] (channel 2) under a separate SSA with owner Vision Alaska LLC. The stations share studios on Skyview Drive in Casper, while KGWC-TV's transmitter is located atop [[Casper Mountain]]. KGWC-TV is rebroadcast on two [[broadcast relay station#Satellite stations|satellite stations]] in western Wyoming: '''KGWL-TV''' (channel 5) in [[Lander, Wyoming|Lander]] and '''KGWR-TV''' (channel 13) in [[Rock Springs, Wyoming|Rock Springs]] (part of the [[Salt Lake City]] [[media market|market]]).

Channel 14 began broadcasting as KCWY-TV—no relation to the [[KCWY-DT|present station with that call sign]]—in August 1980. Its debut marked the first time Casper had competing television stations since 1959; the new station struggled against dominant KTWO-TV in the ratings. The Lander and Rock Springs stations were put on the air in 1982; the Rock Springs station had previously operated on a standalone basis in the late 1970s but was off the air. The local Chrysostom Corporation sold the stations to [[Stauffer Communications]] in 1986; the stations received their present call letters and became dependent on [[KGWN-TV]] in [[Cheyenne, Wyoming|Cheyenne]] for most of their news programming. Under the ownership of [[Benedek Broadcasting]] in the late 1990s, full local newscasts from Casper resumed, though staff turnover prompted Benedek to discontinue the local operation once more in 2000.

When Benedek declared bankruptcy in 2002, KGWC-TV was sold to a hedge fund which separated it from the Cheyenne station by selling them to separate buyers. The general manager of KFNB, Mark Nalbone, acquired KGWC-TV and used the resources of KTWO-TV, which he also managed, to run channel 14. Nalbone tried to sell the station's assets and CBS affiliation to [[Gray Television]] in 2018 but was denied by federal authorities. The Nalbone-owned and managed stations were then sold to their present owners in 2020.

==History==
===Early years===
The Chrysostom Corporation, a group of five investors that included the Casper police chief,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wheaton |first=John |date=October 11, 1979 |title=Police chief resigns to manage television station |page=1 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53659212/police-chief-resigns-to-manage/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621200045/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53659212/police-chief-resigns-to-manage/ |url-status=live}}</ref> was formed in 1977 to apply for a license to build a station on channel 14 in Casper. The [[Federal Communications Commission]] approved the application on August 31, 1979, and KCWY-TV began broadcasting on August 12, 1980.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ansley |first=David |title='We made it': KCWY-TV is on the air |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53403655/ A12] |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53403542/we-made-it-kcwy-tv-is-on-the-air/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614045012/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53403542/we-made-it-kcwy-tv-is-on-the-air/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Channel 14, which has been affiliated with CBS since its launch, was the first new television station to go on the air in Casper since 1957 and marked the first time the city had two competing stations since 1959, when [[KSPR-TV (Wyoming)|KSPR-TV]] folded. It also was Wyoming's first [[UHF]] television station.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wheaton |first=John |date=August 14, 1980 |title=Don't bash your TV yet; just twist that UHF knob |page=A3 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53403186/dont-bash-your-tv-yet-just-twist-that/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614045012/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53403186/dont-bash-your-tv-yet-just-twist-that/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The new station entered into a tough years-long battle with [[KTWO-TV]], the other station in town. Channel 14 found itself at a constant disadvantage against the longer-established station. In its first ratings book, its ''Action News'' newscasts attracted two percent of the audience, compared to KTWO's 59 percent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Linihan |first=Richard |date=January 10, 1981 |title=KTWO clobbers KCWY in first audience ratings |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53475990/ratings/ A12] |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53476005/ktwo-clobbers-kcwy-in-first-audience/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621161000/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53476005/ktwo-clobbers-kcwy-in-first-audience/ |url-status=live}}</ref> KTWO trumpeted that it aired all 50 of the top 50 programs in Casper.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 13, 1981 |title=Once Again, KTWO Television is the overwhelming favorite among Wyoming television viewers |page=A4 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37361791/once-again-ktwo-television-is-the/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622114529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37361791/once-again-ktwo-television-is-the/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Undaunted, Chrysostom then began a push to build full-power satellites of KCWY. It filed for the open channel 4 at [[Lander, Wyoming]], which put it in competition with [[Central Wyoming College]]'s application to build [[Wyoming PBS|the first educational television station in the state]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bean |first=Greg |date=June 6, 1981 |title=KCWY owners tangle with CWC over Lander channel |page=A3 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53658946/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029130842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-kcwy-owners-tangle-w/53658946/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Channel 5 was found to be available, and both groups received channels. Chrysostom put KOWY on the air in Lander in 1982.{{r|rock}} At the same time, it bought KTUX-TV—a station on channel 13 in [[Rock Springs, Wyoming|Rock Springs]] that had signed on October 21, 1977, but was silent—and renamed it KWWY-TV.<ref name="rock">{{Cite news |date=July 24, 1982 |title=KCWY to buy TV station |page=A3 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53493113/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029130754/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-kcwy-to-buy-tv-stati/53493113/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sale to Stauffer===
The Chrysostom Corporation sold KCWY-TV and its satellites to [[Stauffer Communications]] of [[Topeka, Kansas]], in 1986 for $3.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 7, 1986 |title=Changing Hands |page=86 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-07-07.pdf |access-date=June 19, 2020 |id={{ProQuest|1014723381}} |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108165433/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-07-07.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> At the same time, Stauffer bought [[KGWN-TV|KYCU]], the CBS affiliate in [[Cheyenne, Wyoming|Cheyenne]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 3, 1986 |title=Kansas firm bids for Casper's KCWY-TV |page=A3 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53748105/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029130752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-kansas-firm-bids-for/53748105/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On New Year's Day 1987, the stations adopted new call letters of KGWC-TV, KGWL-TV (Lander), and KGWR-TV (Rock Springs), matching the Cheyenne station, which became KGWN-TV, representing the "Great Western Network".{{r|belt}} The [[KCWY]] call letters later returned to Casper on channel 13.<ref name="Casp030118">{{Cite news |last=Westreicher |first=Tara |date=January 18, 2003 |title=Channel surfing: NBC heading to 13 |page=A3 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-channel-surfing-nbc/53361528/ |access-date=October 13, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029130821/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-channel-surfing-nbc/53361528/ |url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

Under Stauffer, cuts were made to the operation in Casper to reduce costs, respond to the weak regional economy, and take advantage of synergies with the Cheyenne station. In early 1987, the station ceased producing its own local weathercasts and began taking legislative and state capitol reports from KGWN; it cut its news department from 11 reporters down to 8.<ref name="belt">{{Cite news |last=Ensor |first=Kendra |date=April 1, 1987 |title=TV channel 14 'tightens belt,' will use more reports from Cheyenne |page=A3 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53494476/tv-channel-14-tightens-belt-will-use/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621063610/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53494476/tv-channel-14-tightens-belt-will-use/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Even deeper cutbacks followed the next year, eliminating additional news positions in Casper; KGWC switched to producing local news and weather inserts into KGWN's newscasts from Cheyenne. The switch would have been made in late 1987 but was derailed by problems in relaying the KGWN signal to Casper.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quarterman |first=Emily |date=January 6, 1988 |title=Channel 14 television plans staff layoffs |page=A3 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53494627/channel-14-television-plans-staff/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621092347/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53494627/channel-14-television-plans-staff/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Quarterman |first=Emily |date=February 1, 1988 |title=Channel 14 begins new news format |page=A3 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53494693/channel-14-begins-new-news-format/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621073530/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53494693/channel-14-begins-new-news-format/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Benedek revival===
In 1995, Stauffer sold its holdings to [[Morris Communications]]. Morris kept the newspapers and spun off the television stations to [[Benedek Broadcasting]] of [[Rockford, Illinois]], for $60&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 6, 1995 |title=KGWC-TV sold to Illinois company |page=C1 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53539881/kgwc-tv-sold-to-illinois-company/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622013918/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53539881/kgwc-tv-sold-to-illinois-company/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Benedek poured considerable resources into KGWC, relaunching a full schedule of newscasts. Channel 14 increased the visibility of its product, running billboards and TV advertisements for its newscasts. In December 1996, it poached Rich Bircumshaw from [[KTWO (AM)|KTWO radio]] to serve as the news director<ref name="bircumshaw">{{Cite news |last=Stanton |first=Susan |date=December 24, 1996 |title=Bircumshaw to take news helm at KGWC |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53539812/bircumshaw/ A10] |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53539819/bircumshaw-to-take-news-helm-at-kgwc/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622090221/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53539819/bircumshaw-to-take-news-helm-at-kgwc/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and KTWO-TV news director Vicki Daniels as assignment editor.{{r|heads}} It added weekend newscasts and doubled its staff.{{r|bircumshaw}} Benedek leased an electronics store building on CY Avenue to serve as the station's studios and outfitted it with $500,000 in new equipment, improving the technical quality of its broadcasts.<ref name="heads">{{Cite news |last=Stoelzle |first=Deirdre |date=February 20, 1997 |title=K2's Vicki Daniels heads to Channel 14 |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53749297/ A10] |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53749239/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029130752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-k2s-vicki-daniels-h/53749239/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

However, the product failed to be viable in the long run for Benedek. The news department's size slowly shrank, and the station had three general managers in less than two years. On June 4, 2000, the station turned into a satellite of KGWN with no local newscasts or advertising. All but two KGWC staffers were laid off; only an engineer and one other staffer—the bare minimum to run the station-were retained.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Tom |date=June 4, 2000 |title=Former employees recall the past, ponder the future |pages=A3, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53494769/kgwc/ A4] |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53382963/former-employees-recall-the-past/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622013916/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53382963/former-employees-recall-the-past/ |url-status=live}}</ref> KGWN-TV general manager Mike DeLier, who was also Benedek's regional vice president for the Cheyenne and Casper markets, said that despite good ratings, poor personnel and "management problems" required rebuilding the station from scratch. Benedek vowed to restore local news but did not give a timetable.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Tom |date=June 9, 2000 |title=Benedek vows KGWC-TV news' return |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53361458/station-no-timetable-for-return-of/ A12] |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53361480/benedek-vows-kgwc-tv-news-return/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621203717/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53361480/benedek-vows-kgwc-tv-news-return/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Chelsey ownership and sale to Mark III Media===
After the closure of the KGWC-TV operation, financial problems developed at Benedek. The [[early 2000s recession]] reduced ad sales and caused the company to miss interest payments on a set of bonds issued in 1996, prompting a filing for [[Chapter 11]] bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McClellan |first=Steve |last2=Trigoboff |first2=Dan |date=April 1, 2002 |title=Benedek couldn't hang on |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/benedek-couldnt-hang-91986 |access-date=June 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621152739/https://www.nexttv.com/news/benedek-couldnt-hang-91986 |url-status=live}}</ref> While most of Benedek's stations were sold to [[Gray Television]], some—including KGWC-TV and KGWN-TV—went to Chelsey Broadcasting, an affiliate of the Chelsey Capital hedge fund.<ref name="cst-kgwnandchelsey">{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Tom |date=November 29, 2002 |title=CBS affiliates under new ownership |work=[[Casper Star-Tribune]] |url=http://trib.com/news/local/article_b2c7dce2-47c5-513a-ae10-2253cd46b0c7.html |access-date=February 6, 2010 |archive-date=December 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112811/http://trib.com/news/local/article_b2c7dce2-47c5-513a-ae10-2253cd46b0c7.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2003, Chelsey Broadcasting divested its Wyoming stations in two separate sales. KGWN and [[Scottsbluff, Nebraska]], satellite KSTF were sold to [[SagamoreHill Broadcasting]], while KGWC, KGWL, and KGWR were sold separately to Mark III Media, headed by Mark Nalbone, general manager of Casper Fox affiliate KFNB. Nalbone also served as a consultant to KTWO-TV. The sale languished during a lengthy approval process at the FCC due to several objections, primarily concerning whether the sale would effectively put the stations under common ownership with KFNB and KTWO-TV. James Cable, the parent of the cable system serving [[Douglas, Wyoming]], wrote in its objection, "To paraphrase Shakespeare, something is rotten in the state of Wyoming".{{r|cst-saleobjections}} [[Equity Broadcasting Corporation]] also objected to the arrangement but withdrew its protest shortly before selling KTWO-TV to the company consulted by Nalbone, leaving James wondering whether Equity had been truthful in stating it did not receive any compensation for withdrawing the objection.<ref name="cst-saleobjections">{{Cite news |last=Van Dusen |first=Matthew |date=June 8, 2004 |title=TV trouble |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=http://trib.com/news/local/article_049d649f-9809-5a36-bd8d-2b9779755634.html |access-date=February 6, 2010 |archive-date=December 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112431/http://trib.com/news/local/article_049d649f-9809-5a36-bd8d-2b9779755634.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Mark III programmed KGWC separately from KGWN under a time brokerage agreement.{{r|nolte}}

Mark III resurrected a local newscast in 2004, using reporting resources shared with KTWO-TV. KTWO sponsored an "Anchorman for a Day" contest, which was won by Marvin Nolte, a retired man from [[Bar Nunn]] with no previous broadcasting experience; he wound up getting a permanent position after one of KGWC-TV's anchors moved to Cheyenne.<ref name="nolte">{{Cite news |last=Dillon |first=Jenni |date=April 29, 2005 |title=Anchorman contestant gets TV job |pages=A3, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53751419/ A7] |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53751039/ |access-date=June 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029130752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-anchorman-contestant/53751039/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However, the program failed to make headway in the ratings against KTWO and KCWY, which had begun a local newscast in 2003; as a result, KGWC canceled the newscast on January 3, 2006.<ref name="cst-nc14canceled">{{Cite news |last=Matteson |first=Cory |date=January 5, 2006 |title=Back down to two |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=http://trib.com/news/local/article_3078ec91-3455-586a-813c-ff0972391378.html |access-date=February 6, 2010 |archive-date=January 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126014946/http://trib.com/news/local/article_3078ec91-3455-586a-813c-ff0972391378.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Gray sale attempt and sale to Big Horn===
Mark III Media announced the sale of KGWC-TV to Gray Television, owner of KCWY-DT and KGWN, on February 12, 2018.<ref name="ktwoam-kgwcsaletogray">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Roger |date=February 12, 2018 |title=Casper's Channel 13 to Purchase CBS Affiliate KGWC |work=[[KTWO (AM)|K2Radio.com]] |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |url=http://k2radio.com/caspers-channel-13-to-purchase-cbs-affiliate-kgwc/ |access-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213025944/http://k2radio.com/caspers-channel-13-to-purchase-cbs-affiliate-kgwc/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Under the terms of the deal, the KGWC license was to be donated to a non-profit organization and would receive a new call sign and [[virtual channel]] number;<ref name="fcc-kgwrkgwlsaletogray">{{Cite web |title=Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1768321&Service=DT&Form_id=314&Facility_id=63170 |access-date=February 13, 2018 |website=Consolidated Database System |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |archive-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213135656/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1768321&Service=DT&Form_id=314&Facility_id=63170 |url-status=dead}}</ref> on March 6, Gray agreed to donate the license and transmitter to Central Wyoming College. Central Wyoming College planned to convert channel 14 into a non-commercial license as KEWY, with the station being used to broadcast [[PBS Kids]] programming full-time.<ref name="fcc-kgwcdonationtocwc">{{Cite web |title=Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1780293&Service=DT&Form_id=314&Facility_id=63177 |access-date=March 15, 2018 |website=Consolidated Database System |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315142201/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1780293&Service=DT&Form_id=314&Facility_id=63177 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dugas |first=Terry |date=March 22, 2018 |title=WyomingPBS acquires Casper station |url=https://www.cwc.edu/about/news/spring-2018/wyomingpbs-acquires-casper-station.php |access-date=April 15, 2018 |publisher=[[Central Wyoming College]] |archive-date=April 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415124902/https://www.cwc.edu/about/news/spring-2018/wyomingpbs-acquires-casper-station.php |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2018 |title=Media Bureau Call Sign Actions |url=https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2018/db0510/DOC-350634A1.pdf |access-date=May 10, 2018 |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |archive-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611080417/https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2018/db0510/DOC-350634A1.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

Gray would have retained the KGWC call letters and CBS programming, moving them to its low power KCBZ-LD, formerly KSBF-LD (channel 36); per the donation agreement, KCBZ-LD was to have taken the virtual channel 14 to maintain CBS programming on channel 14.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donation Agreement |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101780293&qnum=5040&copynum=1&exhcnum=1 |website=Consolidated Database System |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=July 7, 2018 |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320023710/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101780293&qnum=5040&copynum=1&exhcnum=1 |url-status=live}}</ref> Gray would have acquired and retained KGWR-TV and KGWL-TV.<ref name="fcc-kgwrkgwlsaletogray" /> The sale of KGWC-TV and its satellites was canceled in October 2018;<ref name="fcc-kgwcnosale">{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2018 |title=Notification of Non-consummation (KGWC-TV) |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1793963&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=63177 |access-date=October 9, 2018 |website=Consolidated Database System |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |archive-date=October 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009175144/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1793963&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=63177 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fcc-kgwrkgwlnosale">{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2018 |title=Notification of Non-consummation (KGWR-TV/KGWL-TV) |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1793945&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=63170 |access-date=October 9, 2018 |website=Consolidated Database System |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |archive-date=October 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009172652/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1793945&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=63170 |url-status=live}}</ref> on January 24, 2019, Gray disclosed that its acquisition of the CBS affiliation had been blocked by the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] (DOJ).<ref name="cst-kgwccbsdoj">{{Cite news |last=Klamann |first=Seth |date=January 24, 2019 |title=KCWY 13 to combine with Cheyenne station, reduce Casper reporting workforce to 4 |language=en |work=[[Casper Star-Tribune]] |url=https://trib.com/news/local/casper/kcwy-to-combine-with-cheyenne-station-reduce-casper-workforce-to/article_000a551a-7137-5459-8b6e-54535902a539.html |access-date=January 28, 2019 |archive-date=January 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128083011/https://trib.com/news/local/casper/kcwy-to-combine-with-cheyenne-station-reduce-casper-workforce-to/article_000a551a-7137-5459-8b6e-54535902a539.html |url-status=live}}</ref> This came primarily because the DOJ regarded KGWL in Lander as a Casper station, and Casper had too few stations to legally permit an outright television [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopoly]].<ref name="rbr-kgwldoj">{{Cite news |last=Jacobson |first=Adam |date=January 24, 2019 |title=ACA Slams Gray For DOJ Blame On Wyoming News Cut |work=Radio & Television Business Report |url=https://www.rbr.com/aca-slams-gray-for-doj-blame-on-wyoming-news-cut/ |access-date=January 28, 2019 |archive-date=January 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128083438/https://www.rbr.com/aca-slams-gray-for-doj-blame-on-wyoming-news-cut/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 8, 2019, Mark III Media announced that it would sell KGWC-TV and its satellites to Big Horn Television, run by Michael Hogan; the sale was concurrent with Vision Alaska's purchase of KTWO-TV and Coastal Television Broadcasting Company's purchase of KFNB.<ref name="ktwoam-saletobighorn">{{Cite news |last=Learned |first=Nick |date=October 9, 2019 |title=21 Wyoming TV Stations to be Sold in 3 Transactions |language=en |work=[[KTWO (AM)|K2 Radio]] |url=https://k2radio.com/21-wyoming-tv-stations-to-be-sold-in-3-transactions/ |access-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615041419/https://k2radio.com/21-wyoming-tv-stations-to-be-sold-in-3-transactions/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The sale was completed on June 1, 2020.<ref name="fcc-saletobighorncomplete">{{Cite web |last=Hogan |first=Michael G. |date=June 5, 2020 |title=Consummation Notice |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1818330&Form_id=905&Facility_id=63177 |access-date=June 15, 2020 |website=CDBS Public Notice |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615034830/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1818330&Form_id=905&Facility_id=63177 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
The stations' signals are [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of KGWC-TV,<ref>{{Cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KGWC |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KGWC#station |website=[[RabbitEars]] |access-date=September 14, 2016 |archive-date=September 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920082606/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KGWC#station |url-status=live}}</ref> KGWL-TV,<ref>{{Cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KGWL |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KGWL#station |website=[[RabbitEars]] |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313062447/https://rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KGWL#station |url-status=live}}</ref> and KGWR-TV<ref>{{Cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KGWR |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KGWR#station |website=[[RabbitEars]] |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313062446/https://rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KGWR#station |url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" colspan="3"|[[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|[[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|[[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" colspan="3"|Short name
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|Programming
|-
! scope = "col" |{{small|KGWC-TV}}||{{small|KGWL-TV}}||{{small|KGWR-TV}}||{{small|KGWC-TV}}||{{small|KGWL-TV}}||{{small|KGWR-TV}}
|-
! scope = "col" | 14.1 || 5.1 || 13.1
| [[1080i]] || [[16:9]] || KGWC || KGWL-DT || KGWR || [[CBS]]
|- style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"
! scope = "col" |[[KTWO-TV|14.2]] || [[KTWO-TV|5.2]] || [[KTWO-TV|13.2]] 
| [[480i]] || [[4:3]] || style="text-align: center;" colspan=3|KTWO-SD || [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] ([[KTWO-TV]]) in [[standard-definition television|SD]]
|}
{{legend|#E6FFF7|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}}

===Analog-to-digital transition===
KGWL and KGWR began broadcasting digital television service by February 2009, when they ceased analog service.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 17, 2009 |title=List of TV stations ending analog broadcasts |work=NBC News |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29245267 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106052115/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29245267 |url-status=live}}</ref> KGWC had operated a digital signal on channel 15 for some time before then but moved it to channel 14 after shutting down its analog transmitter.<ref name="Casp090217">{{Cite news |date=February 17, 2009 |title=TV channels may change |page=A5 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121204702/tv-channels-may-change/ |access-date=March 19, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195154/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121204702/tv-channels-may-change/ |url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

===Repeaters===
====Satellite stations====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ {{sronly|Satellite stations of KGWC-TV}}
! scope = "col" | Station
! scope = "col" | [[City of license]]
! scope = "col" | [[channel (broadcasting)|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | First air date
! scope = "col" | [[call signs in North America|Former call signs]]
! scope = "col" | [[effective radiated power|ERP]]
! scope = "col" | [[HAAT]]
! scope = "col" | [[Facility ID]]
! scope = "col" | Transmitter coordinates
! scope = "col" | Public license information
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
! scope = "row" | {{nowrap|KGWL-TV}}
| [[Lander, Wyoming|Lander]]
| {{ubl|7 ([[VHF]])|Virtual: 5}}
| {{start date and age|1982|9|p=y}}{{efn|The ''Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook'' says September 10,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=KOWY |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984/1984-BC-YB.pdf#page=548 |website=Broadcasting Yearbook |page=C-62 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223093417/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984/1984-BC-YB.pdf#page=548 |url-status=live}}</ref> while the ''Television and Cable Factbook'' says September 12.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=KOWY |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-1984-NEB-USVI.pdf#page=428 |website=Television Factbook |page=1001 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131092751/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-1984-NEB-USVI.pdf#page=428 |url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| KOWY (1982–1986)
| 14.3 [[kW]]
| {{convert|113|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 63162
| {{coord|42|53|42.8|N|108|43|36.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KGWL-TV}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KGWL|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|63162|3=LMS}} }}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
! scope = "row" | {{nowrap|KGWR-TV}}
| [[Rock Springs, Wyoming|Rock Springs]]
| {{ubl|13 (VHF)|Virtual: 13}}
| {{start date and age|1977|10|21|p=y}}
| {{ubl|KTUX-TV (1977–1982)|KWWY-TV (1982–1986)}}
| 14.2&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|495|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 63170
| {{coord|41|26|20.8|N|109|6|44.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KGWR-TV}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KGWR|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|63170|3=LMS}} }}
|}

====Translators====
The signal of KGWC-TV (or its satellites) is rebroadcast over the following translators:<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2021 |title=List of TV Translator Input Channels |url=https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195336/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |access-date=December 17, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Big Piney, Wyoming|Big Piney]], etc.: K32JN-D
* [[Bondurant, Wyoming|Bondurant]]: K17JZ-D (KGWR-TV)
* [[Clareton, Wyoming|Clareton]]: K28KM-D
* [[Douglas, Wyoming|Douglas]]: K11RN-D
* [[Gillette, Wyoming|Gillette]]: K16AE-D
* [[Pinedale, Wyoming|Pinedale]]: K18JA-D
* [[Sheridan, Wyoming|Sheridan]]: K26LW-D
* [[Shoshoni, Wyoming|Shoshoni]]: K13NZ-D
* [[Wyodak, Wyoming|Wyodak]]: K30MX-D
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://yourwyominglink.com/}}

{{Casper/Riverton TV}}
{{SLC TV}}
{{CBS Wyoming}}
{{Coastal TV Broadcasting}}

[[Category:1980 establishments in Wyoming]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates]]
[[Category:Big Horn Television]]
[[Category:Casper, Wyoming]]
[[Category:CBS affiliates]]
[[Category:Coastal Television]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1980]]
[[Category:Television stations in Wyoming|GWC-TV]]