View source for KSEE

{{good article}}
{{Short description|Television station in Fresno, California}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{for|the airport in El Cajon, California|Gillespie Field}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KSEE
| city = 
| logo = KSEE NBC 24 Fresno, California Logo.svg
| logo_alt = At left, the letters K S E E in a sans serif with stylized cuts. At right, a two-tone blue oval containing a white numeral 24, overlaid by the NBC peacock at the lower left. Beneath the K S E E letters are the words "Local News that Matters".
| logo_size = 250px
| branding = KSEE 24
| digital = 20 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 24
| subchannels = 
| translators = 
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''24.1:''' [[NBC]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner = [[Nexstar Media Group]]
| licensee = Nexstar Media Inc.
| location = [[Fresno, California]]
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1953|5|31|p=y}}
| last_airdate = 
| callsign_meaning = pronounced "K-SEE"
| sister_stations = [[KGPE]]
| former_callsigns = KMJ-TV (1953–1981)
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 24 (UHF, 1953–2009)|'''Digital:''' 16 (UHF, 2002–2005), 38 (UHF, 2005–2020)}}
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[CBS]] (secondary, 1953–1956)}}
| erp = 221 kW
| haat = {{convert|601.1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 35594
| coordinates = {{Coord|37|4|14|N|119|25|34|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|www.yourcentralvalley.com/}}
}}

'''KSEE''' (channel 24) is a [[television station]] in [[Fresno, California]], United States, affiliated with [[NBC]]. It is owned by [[Nexstar Media Group]] alongside [[CBS]] affiliate [[KGPE]] (channel 47). The two stations share studios on McKinley Avenue in eastern Fresno; KSEE's transmitter is located on Bear Mountain (near [[Meadow Lakes, California|Meadow Lakes]]).

KSEE began broadcasting as KMJ-TV, the first television station in Fresno, on May 31, 1953. It was owned by [[McClatchy Newspapers]], alongside ''[[The Fresno Bee]]'' and [[KMJ (AM)|KMJ radio]], and was the market's leading station for most of McClatchy's ownership. However, the company owning the major daily newspaper in Fresno, its leading radio station, and its leading television station led to legal scrutiny in the 1970s and a five-year battle by local investors known as San Joaquin Communications Corporation to attempt to wrest the license from McClatchy. McClatchy opted to sell to the investors in 1979, a deal completed in 1981, but they soon sold the station for financial reasons. Nexstar acquired KSEE in 2013, shortly after purchasing KGPE, and moved the latter station's operations into the former's studio building. KSEE produces daily newscasts as well as other local programs.

==History==
===KMJ-TV: Early years===
[[File:Fresno Bee Building Dec 2012.jpg|left|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|KMJ-TV signed on from the [[Fresno Bee Building]] downtown.]]
[[McClatchy Newspapers]], owner of ''[[The Fresno Bee]]'' and [[KMJ (AM)|KMJ radio]] (580 AM), sought to enter the world of television as early as May 1948, when it applied for authority to build television stations on channel 7 in Fresno and channel 10 in [[Sacramento]].<ref name="Fres480507">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113014031/television-stations-are-sought-for/|date=May 7, 1948|page=1-A|title=Television Stations Are Sought For Fresno, Sacramento|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042809/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113014031/television-stations-are-sought-for/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> However, before the applications were acted on, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) instituted a four-year freeze on television station awards.<ref name="Fres501231">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113014151/two-vital-questions-on-television-in/|date=December 31, 1950|pages=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113014187/queries-on-tv-are-answered/ 6-A]|title=Two Vital Questions On Television in Fresno Area Are Answered|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042808/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113014151/two-vital-questions-on-television-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Channel 7 was removed from Fresno, and McClatchy modified its application to specify channel 24 in the new [[ultra high frequency]] (UHF) band.<ref name="Fres520621">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113014388/mcclatchy-tv-bid-is-revised-will-be/|date=June 21, 1952|page=3-A|title=McClatchy TV Bid Is Revised, Will Be Refiled With FCC|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042812/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113014388/mcclatchy-tv-bid-is-revised-will-be/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

On September 18, 1952, the FCC granted McClatchy a construction permit for Fresno's channel 24, the first such permit awarded in California since the freeze was lifted.<ref name="Fres520918">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113014650/mcclatchy-broadcasting-station-is/|date=September 18, 1952|page=1-A|title=McClatchy Broadcasting Station Is Granted First Valley Television Outlet|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042807/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113014650/mcclatchy-broadcasting-station-is/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->  Work began immediately on building Fresno's first television station. In December, the McClatchy Broadcasting Company purchased the former Fresno Ice Arena on Olive Avenue with the intent to convert it to studios (with ''The Bee''{{'s}} auditorium to be used as an interim facility),<ref name="Fres521212">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113018619/kmj-acquires-ice-arena-for-tv-studio/|date=December 12, 1952|page=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113018650/kmj-buys-new-tv-studio-site/ 4-A]|title=KMJ Acquires Ice Arena For TV Studio Location|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042805/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113018619/kmj-acquires-ice-arena-for-tv-studio/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> while {{convert|28|mi|km|sp=us}} east of Fresno on Bear Mountain, the station's transmitter was erected.<ref name="Fres530407">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113019986/new-target-date-is-set-for-start-of/|date=April 7, 1953|page=1-B|title=New Target Date Is Set For Start Of Fresno TV|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042810/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113019986/new-target-date-is-set-for-start-of/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> McClatchy also commissioned [[Walt Disney]] to design a cartoon bee mascot for KMJ-TV, "Teevy", to accompany the previous Disney designs of "Scoopy" and "Gaby", which were used as mascots for the ''Bee'' and the radio stations, respectively.<ref name="Fres530407a">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108521516/teevy-is-on-his-way-to-become-kmj-tv/|date=April 7, 1953|page=1-B|title=Teevy Is On His Way To Become KMJ-TV Symbol|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042822/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108521516/teevy-is-on-his-way-to-become-kmj-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

A test pattern was broadcast on May 26, 1953;<ref name="Fres530526">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113020267/kmj-tvs-initial-test-pattern-is-termed/|date=May 26, 1953|page=1-B|title=KMJ-TV's Initial Test Pattern Is Termed Success|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042806/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113020267/kmj-tvs-initial-test-pattern-is-termed/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> an inaugural program was presented on May 31 with regular programming beginning the following day,<ref name="Fres530601">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113020514/daily-telecasts-begin-on-kmj-tv-after/|date=June 1, 1953|page=1-A|title=Daily Telecasts Begin On KMJ-TV After Inaugural|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042809/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113020514/daily-telecasts-begin-on-kmj-tv-after/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> using an interim lower-power transmitter as [[RCA]] could not deliver the full-power equipment in time.<ref name="Fres530527">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113020351/first-fresno-station-will-start/|date=May 27, 1953|page=21-B|first=Roger|last=Ellingson|title=First Fresno Station Will Start Telecasts By June: Work Of Preparing Transmitter, Studio For KMJ-TV|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042810/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113020351/first-fresno-station-will-start/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> KMJ-TV aired programs from all networks and became a primary [[NBC]] affiliate, sharing [[CBS]] with [[KGPE|KJEO-TV]] (channel 47) when it went on the air in September 1953<ref>{{cite news |title=One New Starter, 2 Quit |work=Television Digest |date=July 17, 1954 |page=3 |publisher=Radio News Bureau |last=Codel |first=Martin |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-TV-Digest/50s/Television-Digest-1954-07.pdf#page=31 |access-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308081339/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-TV-Digest/50s/Television-Digest-1954-07.pdf#page=31 |url-status=live }}</ref> and until [[KFSN-TV|KFRE-TV]] started in 1956.<ref name="Fres560316">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998107/kfre-tv-names-aides-plans-to-open-in-ju/|date=March 16, 1956|page=1-B|title=KFRE-TV Names Aides, Plans To Open in June|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050702/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998107/kfre-tv-names-aides-plans-to-open-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> In September 1954, KMJ-TV began transmitting NBC programs in color.<ref name="Fres540912">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113020840/kmj-tv-viewers-will-see-first-color/|date=September 12, 1954|page=1|title=KMJ-TV Viewers Will See First Color Telecasts Today|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042804/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113020840/kmj-tv-viewers-will-see-first-color/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> After moving to facilities on N Street in 1956, a new studio facility was built near the ''Bee'' complex on the corner of Van Ness Avenue and Calaveras Street in 1959; ''The Bee''{{'s}} circulation department was also relocated there, across the street, as the newspaper outgrew existing office space.<ref name="Fres590201">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115016270/construction-will-start-on-kmj-tv-studio/|date=February 1, 1959|page=1-B|title=Construction Will Start On KMJ-TV Studio|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222174108/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115016270/construction-will-start-on-kmj-tv-studio/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --><ref name="Fres840408">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115016360/tales-the-old-bee-building-could-tell/|date=April 8, 1984|page=G11|first=Gene|last=Rose|title=Tales the old Bee building could tell|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222174110/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115016360/tales-the-old-bee-building-could-tell/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

===San Joaquin Communications Corporation: The long fight===
{{see|KXTV#A long channel 10 battle|KOVR#Cross-ownership woes}}
The history of McClatchy's television undertakings was altered significantly in the 1970s by a problem that had been present nearly from the start. Like in Fresno, McClatchy had filed in 1948 to build a TV station on channel 10 in Sacramento, where it published ''[[The Sacramento Bee]]'' and owned radio station [[KFBK (AM)|KFBK]]. Unlike in Fresno, however, a competing applicant applied for channel 10 after the FCC freeze was lifted. Sacramento Telecasters objected to an initial decision by an FCC hearing examiner favoring McClatchy's proposal for the Sacramento station on grounds that McClatchy already owned too many mass media outlets in the city and that the decision ran counter to FCC policy favoring diversification of media ownership.<ref name="Sacr531111">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107482525/telecasters-plan-to-file-protest-in-tv/|date=November 11, 1953|page=1|title=Telecasters Plan To File Protest in TV Decision|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 13, 2022|archive-date=August 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813074907/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107482525/telecasters-plan-to-file-protest-in-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Sacr531110">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107482463/mcclatchy-tv-wins-okeh-of-fcc-examiner/|date=November 10, 1953|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107482487/mcclatchy-tv-wins-examiners-ruling/ 8]|title=McClatchy TV Wins Okeh Of FCC Examiner|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 13, 2022|archive-date=August 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813074906/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107482463/mcclatchy-tv-wins-okeh-of-fcc-examiner/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The FCC agreed with Sacramento Telecasters in October 1954 and awarded it the construction permit for [[KXTV|KBET-TV]],<ref name="Pres541005">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107482706/sacramento-tv-channel-denied-to/|date=October 5, 1954|page=10|agency=Associated Press|title=Sacramento TV Channel Denied To M'Clatchy|newspaper=The Press Democrat|location=Santa Rosa, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 13, 2022|archive-date=August 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813074958/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107482706/sacramento-tv-channel-denied-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> though McClatchy exhausted its appeals until February 1958.<ref name="Sacr580211">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107483613/mcclatchy-ends-legal-fight-for-tv/|date=February 11, 1958|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107483629/mcclatchy-ends-legal-fight-for-tv/ A2]|title=McClatchy Ends Legal Fight For TV Channel 10|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 13, 2022|archive-date=August 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813075001/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107483613/mcclatchy-ends-legal-fight-for-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

In 1964, McClatchy acquired [[KOVR]], a station in [[Stockton, California|Stockton]] that also served Sacramento.<ref name="Stoc640730">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108359990/fcc-in-reversal-oks-kovr-sale/|date=July 30, 1964|page=1|title=FCC in Reversal, OK's KOVR Sale|newspaper=Stockton Evening and Sunday Record|location=Stockton, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828043105/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108359990/fcc-in-reversal-oks-kovr-sale/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The transaction had attracted scrutiny for potentially creating a "monopoly of news", and a court challenge to McClatchy's ownership of the station was filed in 1969 and abandoned in 1971.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-07-07-BC.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1014523390}}|title=Court asked to void 1964 KOVR purchase: Construction firm claims McClatchy has monopoly on advertising in area|page=44|work=Broadcasting|via=World Radio History|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=January 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128015146/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-07-07-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sacr710717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108417169/mckeon-drops-lawsuit-in-kovr-issue/|date=July 17, 1971|page=A9|title=McKeon Drops Lawsuit in KOVR Issue|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828043106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108417169/mckeon-drops-lawsuit-in-kovr-issue/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

When KMJ-TV's [[broadcast license]] came up for renewal in November 1974, San Joaquin Communications Corporation (SJCC), a company led by R. W. "Duke" Millard and owned by local investors, filed a competing application to establish a channel 24 station with the FCC. SJCC contended that McClatchy had "great concentration of control" and was "a monolithic media giant" as a result of its newspaper, radio, and television holdings in Fresno. A group representing local Mexican Americans also objected to the KMJ-TV license; McClatchy defended its community service record and expressed confidence that KMJ-TV's license would be renewed.<ref name="Fres741101">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114993689/new-group-seeks-kmj-tvs-license-other/|date=November 1, 1974|page=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114994652/tv-bid/ D9]|title=New Group Seeks KMJ-TV's License; Other Challenges|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042813/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114993689/new-group-seeks-kmj-tvs-license-other/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The [[United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division]] also lodged a petition with the commission asking it to order the breakup of McClatchy's Fresno media holdings due to the dominance of ''The Bee'', the main daily newspaper, and the radio and television stations.<ref name="Bake741102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114994758/us-fights-mcclatchy-broadcasting-contr/|date=November 2, 1974|page=2|agency=Associated Press|title=U.S. fights McClatchy broadcasting control|newspaper=The Bakersfield Californian|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050657/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114994758/us-fights-mcclatchy-broadcasting/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> As evidence, federal attorneys noted that the ''Bee''–KMJ combination commanded 80.4 percent of the advertising revenue in Fresno media as of 1972.<ref name="Fres741102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114994921/us-attempts-to-sever-bee-3-kmj-stations/|date=November 2, 1974|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114994947/mcclatchy-us-challenge/ A2]|title=US Attempts To Sever Bee, 3 KMJ Stations|first=Lanny|last=Larson|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042824/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114994921/us-attempts-to-sever-bee-3-kmj-stations/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

While the FCC accepted a citizens' agreement with the Mexican American group in July 1975,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-07-14-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=July 14, 1975|title=Auburn citizen pact rejected, Fresno agreement accepted by FCC|id={{ProQuest|1016877243}}|page=46|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206150114/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-07-14-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and it dismissed the Justice Department opposition in 1976,<ref name="Merc760930">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995091/fcc-nixes-denial-of-license/|date=September 30, 1976|page=3|agency=Associated Press|title=FCC Nixes Denial of License|newspaper=Merced Sun-Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042806/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995091/fcc-nixes-denial-of-license/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> the SJCC application continued to simmer as attitudes on cross-ownership of mass media entered the national spotlight. In response to a federal appeals court ordering divestitures of such combinations, in 1977, McClatchy proposed to trade KOVR to [[Multimedia, Inc.]] for [[WYFF|WFBC-TV]] in [[Greenville, South Carolina]]; SJCC opposed the deal and refused to rescind its petition to deny, contributing to its cancellation after a year in pending status.<ref name="Sacr780315">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108362042/mcclatchy-multimedia-will-not-swap-tv/|date=March 15, 1978|page=A17|title=McClatchy, Multimedia Will Not Swap TV Stations|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828043107/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108362042/mcclatchy-multimedia-will-not-swap-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Gree780315">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108362138/deal-to-swap-tv-stations-cancelled/|date=March 15, 1978|page=8-C|title=Deal to swap TV stations cancelled|newspaper=The Greenville News|location=Greenville, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2022}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

In April 1978, ten days of hearings were held comparing the record and proposals of McClatchy's KMJ-TV and those of San Joaquin Communications Corporation. SJCC officials sought to highlight that the public service activities of KMJ television were influenced by the KMJ radio stations and McClatchy itself, while McClatchy defended its viewership and record by noting that channel 24 was the most-watched station in most time periods and that it enjoyed a comparatively favorable reputation.<ref name="Fres780430">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995322/first-round-of-hearings-ends-in-kmj-tv-l/|date=April 30, 1978|page=A11|title=First round Of Hearings Ends in KMJ-TV License Challenge|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050658/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995322/first-round-of-hearings-ends-in-kmj-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> More rounds of hearings were held in Washington, D.C., and Fresno during 1978, with technical and antitrust issues at play.<ref name="Fres781129">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995504/kmj-tv-lioense-hearings-resume/|date=November 29, 1978|page=B7|first=Dayle|last=Molen|title=KMJ-TV Lioense Hearings Resume|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042812/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995504/kmj-tv-lioense-hearings-resume/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> SJCC charged that McClatchy had aggressively investigated the backgrounds of its members and went as far as to destroy taped conversations about the topic.<ref name="Fres781205">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995597/kmj-tv-hearings-center-on-tapes/|date=December 5, 1978|page=B8|first1=Lorena|last1=Molen|first2=Dayle|last2=Molen|title=KMJ-TV Hearings Center On Tapes|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042818/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995597/kmj-tv-hearings-center-on-tapes/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Representations about transmitter sites and finances and the possibility of upgraded KMJ-TV transmitting facilities overlapping with those of KOVR were also discussed in the marathon sessions. Dayle Molen, whose coverage of the hearings appeared in ''The Bee'', noted that for the teams of attorneys from Washington, "Their principal recreation was sampling the cuisine of various Fresno restaurants."<ref name="Fres781225">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995668/fcc-ends-fresno-hearing-but-kmj-issues-s/|date=December 25, 1978|page=B2, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995858/fccs-fresno-hearings-end-but-the-issues/ B7]|title=FCC Ends Fresno Hearing But KMJ Issues Still Hang|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050713/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995668/fcc-ends-fresno-hearing-but-kmj-issues/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

===KSEE: SJCC and Meredith ownership===
Four and a half years of legal wrangling unexpectedly ended in May 1979, when McClatchy announced it would sell KMJ-TV to SJCC for $13.5 million to avoid a continued legal burden and as many as five or six more years of hearings and appeals.<ref name="Sacr790501">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108361658/tv-station-at-fresno-to-be-sold/|date=May 1, 1979|page=D7|title=TV Station at Fresno To Be Sold|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828043107/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108361658/tv-station-at-fresno-to-be-sold/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1979/BC-1979-05-28.pdf|work=Broadcasting|pages=58–59|title=Fresno fight ends|id={{ProQuest|1014710789}}|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207021146/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1979/BC-1979-05-28.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The KMJ radio stations would remain under McClatchy ownership.<ref name="Fres790501">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995940/mcclatchy-agrees-to-sell-kmj-tv/|date=May 1, 1979|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995969/mcclatchy-kmj-tv-sale-okd/ A16]|first=Jim|last=Boren|title=McClatchy Agrees To Sell KMJ-TV|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042809/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114995940/mcclatchy-agrees-to-sell-kmj-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The company then decided to put KOVR, its only other television station, up for sale; citing "increasingly strong government opposition" to cross-ownership, president [[C. K. McClatchy II]] noted that he felt it was in the community interest to ensure an "orderly transition" of ownership at that station.<ref name="Sacr790518">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108361636/kovr-channel-13-for-sale-community/|date=May 18, 1979|page=B1|title=KOVR, Channel 13, For Sale; 'Community Interest' Cited|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828043108/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108361636/kovr-channel-13-for-sale-community/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

However, an unexpected obstacle formed in November when six different social activist groups filed petitions to deny the transfer, largely because they felt that the station's new owners would not have an adequate editorial policy. National Land for People, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, the Mexican-American Political Association, the United Professors of California, the Fresno Democratic Coalition, and El Concilio de Fresno objected to the presence of several large landowners in SJCC's ownership consortium; several of the groups, notably National Land for People, were already contesting these landowners in the [[Westlands Water District]] for their use of water.<ref name="Fres791130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114996084/fresno-groups-seeking-kmj-tv-transfer-de/|date=November 30, 1979|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114996061/kmj-tv-six-fresno-groups-petition-for/ B6]|first=Jim|last=Boren|title=Fresno groups seeking KMJ-TV transfer denial|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050657/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114996084/fresno-groups-seeking-kmj-tv-transfer/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Despite a story in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' that suggested ''The Bee'' shelved a story about SJCC principal Frank Garabedian that would have linked him to a bribery scheme in order to protect the transaction,<ref name="Sacr801001">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114996603/both-sides-in-mcclatchy-tv-station-deal/|date=October 1, 1980|page=A7|title=Both Sides in McClatchy TV Station Deal Expect OK From FCC|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042814/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114996603/both-sides-in-mcclatchy-tv-station-deal/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> the FCC granted approval to the transaction on November 18, 1980.<ref name="Fres801119">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114996679/135-million-kmj-tv-sale-cleared-by-fcc/|date=November 19, 1980|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114996709/kmj-tv/ A12]|title=$13.5&nbsp;million KMJ-TV sale cleared by FCC|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042826/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114996679/135-million-kmj-tv-sale-cleared-by-fcc/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

SJCC took control of KMJ-TV on January 28, 1981, and changed the call sign to KSEE on February 27.<ref name="Fres810128">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75485688/sjcc-takes-over-fresnos-channel-24/|date=January 28, 1981|pages=A1, A16|first=Mark|last=Najarian|title=SJCC takes over Fresno's Channel 24|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218213551/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75485688/sjcc-takes-over-fresnos-channel-24/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> As it turned out, the time it spent obtaining the station—more than six years—dwarfed the time it actually owned it. The investments made by the SJCC principals were rewarded with financial reverses, partly because NBC was the third-rated television network at the time of the acquisition, as well as increased capital requirements. As a result, when three station groups made unsolicited overtures to purchase KSEE in January 1982, San Joaquin Communications listened and entered into negotiations with the [[Meredith Corporation]] to sell channel 24.<ref name="Fres820520">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997087/iowa-based-firm-negotiates-to-buy-fresno/|date=May 20, 1982|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997132/ksee/ B2]|first=Rick|last=Rodriguez|title=Iowa-based firm negotiates to buy Fresno TV station|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997087/iowa-based-firm-negotiates-to-buy/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The deal was announced and filed with the FCC that August for $17.6&nbsp;million.<ref name="Fres820808">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997274/meridith-sic-files-agreement-to-buy-ks/|date=August 8, 1982|page=F5|title=Meridith [sic] files agreement to buy KSEE for $17.6&nbsp;million|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997274/meridith-sic-files-agreement-to-buy/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

The Meredith transaction also faced objections before the FCC, from a Black group over minority hiring practices and the same Mexican American group for similar reasons,<ref name="Fres821029">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997313/ksee-sale-battle-black-groups-challeng/|date=October 29, 1982|page=D9|first=Mark|last=Najarian|title=KSEE sale battle: Black groups' challenge claims bias|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997313/ksee-sale-battle-black-groups/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Fres821102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997377/ksee-sale-draws-new-protest/|date=November 2, 1982|page=A9|title=KSEE sale draws new protest|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042827/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997377/ksee-sale-draws-new-protest/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> but the groups negotiated a settlement agreement with Meredith in April 1983, withdrawing their opposition.<ref name="Fres830413">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997431/objections-to-ksee-sale-withdrawn/|date=April 13, 1983|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997514/ksee/ B2]|first=Ted|last=Reed|title=Objections to KSEE sale withdrawn|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042831/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114997431/objections-to-ksee-sale-withdrawn/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Meredith took over operations the next month, promising improvements in programming and news.<ref name="Fres830519">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75486063/meredith-takes-over-channel-24/|date=May 19, 1983|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75486088/meredith/ C2]|first=Royal|last=Calkins|title=Meredith takes over Channel 24|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042807/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75486063/meredith-takes-over-channel-24/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> It also began a two-year search for a site to relocate and build new studios; in 1985, KSEE announced it would construct a facility near the [[Fresno Air Terminal]].<ref name="Fres850914">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115016623/channel-24-moving-its-studios/|date=September 14, 1985|page=F9|title=Channel 24 moving its studios|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222175921/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115016623/channel-24-moving-its-studios/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> These studios opened in 1987, and Fresno's public television station, KMTF (now [[KVPT]]), moved into the former KSEE plant.<ref name="Fres930531">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115017063/forty-years-of-drama-tears-and-laughter/|date=May 31, 1993|page=F4|first=Lanny|last=Larson|title=Forty years of drama, tears and laughter on Channel 24|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115017063/forty-years-of-drama-tears-and/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

===Granite ownership===
In 1993, Meredith sold two of its stations—KSEE and [[WTVH]] in [[Syracuse, New York]]—to [[Granite Broadcasting]], a Black-owned company in New York; the transaction gave Meredith tax certificates for selling stations to a minority.<ref name="Fres930616">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998781/ksee-is-sold-to-ny-firm/|date=June 16, 1993|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998796/ksee-granite-buys-fresno-station/ A10]|title=KSEE is sold to N.Y. firm|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222051129/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998781/ksee-is-sold-to-ny-firm/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The sale was closed that December.<ref name="Fres931224">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998970/ksee-sale-is-official/|date=December 24, 1993|page=18|title=KSEE sale is official|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222051128/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998970/ksee-sale-is-official/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

Granite assumed advertising sales functions for [[KPXF]], the local [[Ion Television|Pax TV]] [[owned-and-operated station]], under a [[joint sales agreement]] in 2000; in addition, KPXF reaired KSEE newscasts.<ref name="Fres000830">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114999059/ksee-begins-kpxf-takeover-with-newscast/|date=August 30, 2000|page=E7|first=Rick|last=Bentley|title=KSEE begins KPXF takeover with newscast|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222051131/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114999059/ksee-begins-kpxf-takeover-with-newscast/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> This ended in March 2003 when the sale of KPXF to [[Univision]] and conversion to [[Telefutura]] as KTFF took place.<ref name="Fres030225">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114999225/channel-61-switches-to-spanish-programmi/|date=February 25, 2003|page=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114999243/tv-pax-will-move-to-a-cable-channel/ E5]|first=Rick|last=Bentley|title=Channel 61 switches to Spanish programming|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050719/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114999225/channel-61-switches-to-spanish/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

===Sale to Nexstar and merger with KGPE===
On February 6, 2013, Granite sold KSEE's non-license assets to the [[Nexstar Broadcasting Group]], with Nexstar also intending to purchase KSEE's license following [[Federal Communications Commission]] approval; in the interim, Nexstar operated the station via a [[local marketing agreement|time brokerage agreement]].<ref name=b&c-saletonexstar>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Nexstar to Acquire KSEE Fresno for $26.5 Million|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/491741-Nexstar_to_Acquire_KSEE_Fresno_for_26_5_Million.php|access-date=February 6, 2013|newspaper=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=February 6, 2013|archive-date=February 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211021107/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/491741-Nexstar_to_Acquire_KSEE_Fresno_for_26_5_Million.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal made KSEE a sister station to CBS affiliate KGPE (the former KJEO-TV), which Nexstar had just acquired from [[Newport Television]].<ref name=b&c-saletonexstar/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/65597/nexstar-closes-on-three-calif-stations |title=Nexstar Closes On Three Calif. Stations |work=TVNewsCheck |date=February 19, 2013 |access-date=February 19, 2013 |archive-date=May 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509065918/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/65597/nexstar-closes-on-three-calif-stations |url-status=live }}</ref> While most duopolies of [[Big Three television networks|Big Four or Big Three]] network affiliates contain two of the four highest-rated stations in the market and are usually not permissible, Nexstar presented viewership figures showing that [[Univision]] station KFTV was second in the market, with KGPE fourth and KSEE fifth, making the combination legal.<ref name="exhibit">{{cite report |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101543915&qnum=5170&copynum=1&exhcnum=1 |title=Multiple Ownership Exhibit |author=Nexstar Broadcasting Group|format=PDF |date=February 13, 2013 |work=fcc.gov |access-date=May 25, 2016 |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919085943/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101543915&qnum=5170&copynum=1&exhcnum=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|Such combinations under outright ownership are rare. The first example was the combination of NBC affiliate [[WTLV]] and ABC affiliate [[WJXX]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], in 2000; WJXX rated fifth in that market at the time.<ref name="FTU991117">{{cite news|title=Gannett buying second Jacksonville station: New rules allow to purchase [sic]|page=A-1|first=Mark|last=Basch|date=November 17, 1999|work=[[The Florida Times-Union]]}}</ref> In most combinations in which Nexstar ''operates'' a second Big Four station, that station is owned by another company, such as [[Mission Broadcasting]].}} The purchase was approved on April 17<ref>{{cite report |url=https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-320324A1.pdf |title=Public Notice: Broadcast Actions |date=April 23, 2016 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |work=fcc.gov |access-date=May 25, 2016 |archive-date=January 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126093717/https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-320324A1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and completed by May 31.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101557569&formid=905&fac_num=35594 |title=Consummation Notice |author=Nexstar Broadcasting Group|date=May 31, 2013 |work=fcc.gov |access-date=May 25, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101105/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101557569&formid=905&fac_num=35594 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After acquiring KSEE and KGPE, Nexstar moved to consolidate the operations of both stations by relocating KGPE into KSEE's larger facilities and renovating the building.<ref name=bee-consolidation>{{cite web |last=Bentley |first=Rick |title=Fresno TV stations KSEE, KGPE to share building |url=http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/05/21/3308209/fresno-tv-stations-ksee-kgpe-to.html |date=May 21, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Fresno Bee]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610155652/http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/05/21/3308209/fresno-tv-stations-ksee-kgpe-to.html |archive-date=June 10, 2013 |access-date=May 25, 2016}}</ref> New [[High-definition television|high definition]]-capable studios were built for the two stations, and the KSEE Building was renamed the McKinley Media Center.<ref name=fb-kseekgpemovein>{{cite news |last=Bentley |first=Rick |title=Fresno's KSEE, KGPE: Under one roof, rebuilding from ground up |url=http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/10/02/3531871/fresnos-ksee-kgpe-under-one-roof.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002220309/http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/10/02/3531871/fresnos-ksee-kgpe-under-one-roof.html |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=May 25, 2016 |newspaper=[[The Fresno Bee]] |date=October 2, 2013}}</ref>

==Local programming==
===News operation===
Dean Mell, KMJ-TV's first newscaster, recalled in 1985 that the station's news operation at the outset focused entirely on gathering local news, with only two cameramen on the news staff along with Mell. National and international film was supplied by the [[Movietone News]] newsreels and flown in daily; if fog developed in Fresno, footage might be seen days late.<ref name="Fres850924">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115016718/live-from-fresno-the-television-age/|date=September 24, 1985|page=C7|first=Charles|last=Milos|title=Live from Fresno: The television age!|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222175924/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115016718/live-from-fresno-the-television-age/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

KMJ-TV and KFSN-TV generally traded leadership in news ratings through the late 1970s, but the latter took a dominant lead in the market by the end of the decade thanks to  a new anchor pairing.<ref name="Fres791227">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115018090/kfsn-is-first-in-news-ratings/|date=December 27, 1979|page=C13|first=Kathey|last=Clarey|title=KFSN is first in news ratings|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222183847/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115018090/kfsn-is-first-in-news-ratings/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Fres790726">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998558/the-tv-news-ratings-game/|date=July 26, 1979|page=D6|first=Kathey|last=Clarey|title=The TV News Ratings Game|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222183848/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998558/the-tv-news-ratings-game/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Channel 24, however, was first in the area with live reports in its newscasts, in 1980.<ref name="Fres800131">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115019692/kmj-is-first-to-go-live-in-its-newscas/|date=January 31, 1980|page=F2|first=Kathey|last=Clarey|title=KMJ is first to go 'live' in its newscasts|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050712/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115019692/kmj-is-first-to-go-live-in-its/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

By the time of Meredith's purchase in 1983, however, KSEE was described as a station "in dire need of repair". Meredith dispatched Ken Coy, an anchor and news director at its [[KPHO-TV]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], to Fresno to lead the KSEE news department.<ref name="Ariz830724">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89551683/after-10-years-in-the-valley-ken-coy-si/|date=July 24, 1983|page=F1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89551712/coy-kpho/ F2]|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|title=After 10 years in the Valley, Ken Coy signs off|newspaper=Arizona Republic|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89551683/after-10-years-in-the-valley-ken-coy/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Several changes were made on the news staff, including the firing of two on-air personalities.<ref name="Fres830917">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115018475/channel-24-fires-fure-wood-in-effort-to/|date=September 17, 1983|page=D15|first=Doug|last=Hoagland|title=Channel 24 fires Fure, Wood in effort to 'rebuild' station|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115018475/channel-24-fires-fure-wood-in-effort/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Coy remained at the station for the rest of the decade, including two years where he served as news anchor in addition to running the newsroom.<ref name="Fres890901">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115018641/channel-24-news-director-ken-coy-has-ret/|date=September 1, 1989|page=F8|first=Lanny|last=Larson|title=Channel 24 news director Ken Coy has retirement plans|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050708/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115018641/channel-24-news-director-ken-coy-has/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Ratings stabilized at second, behind KFSN but ahead of KJEO. The station also won a [[Peabody Award]] for its 1994 report "The Atomic Bombshell", in which Dale Julin uncovered a radiation hazard resulting from a 1950 military plane crash.<ref name="Fres950330">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115020501/ksee-reporter-wins-peabody-for-story-on/|date=March 30, 1995|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115020572/peabody-reporter-wins-top-award/ B3]|first=Lanny|last=Larson|title=KSEE reporter wins Peabody for story on 1950 nuke accident|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222201745/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115020501/ksee-reporter-wins-peabody-for-story-on/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> KSEE's news ratings generally remained in second place in the 2000s, with a noted downturn late in the decade.<ref name="Fres010628">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115024798/ksee-isnt-getting-rich-off-rodriguez/|date=June 28, 2001|page=E3|first=Rick|last=Bentley|title=KSEE isn't getting rich off Rodriguez|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222201743/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115024798/ksee-isnt-getting-rich-off-rodriguez/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Fres081004">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114999318/ksee-news-anchor-rich-rodriguez-leaves/|date=October 4, 2008|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114999318/ksee-news-anchor-rich-rodriguez-leaves/ B5]|first=Mike|last=Osegueda|title=KSEE news anchor Rich Rodriguez leaves station|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222200722/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114999318/ksee-news-anchor-rich-rodriguez-leaves/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

On September 3, 2002, KSEE launched a half-hour 4&nbsp;p.m. newscast, the market's first;<ref>{{cite news|title=Fresno-Visalia, Calif.|page=14|work=Mediaweek|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson|volume=13|issue=22|date=June 2, 2003|id={{ProQuest|213641421}}|via=ProQuest}}</ref> the program was retooled in 2011 into a lifestyle and news program, ''We Are Fresno Live''.<ref name="Fres101209">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115021327/ksee-newscast-gears-up-for-change/|date=December 9, 2010|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115021345/tv-beat/ D6]|first=Rick|last=Bentley|title=KSEE newscast gears up for change|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222200722/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115021327/ksee-newscast-gears-up-for-change/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Between 2006 and 2009, KSEE produced a newscast at 10&nbsp;p.m. for [[MyNetworkTV]] affiliate [[KAIL]].<ref name="Fres060420">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115021793/ksee-kail-will-unite-on-new-newscast/|date=April 20, 2006|first=Rick|last=Bentley|page=E3|title=KSEE, KAIL will unite on new newscast|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222200723/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115021793/ksee-kail-will-unite-on-new-newscast/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Fres090820">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115021838/10-pm-newscast-on-kail-comes-to-an-end/|date=August 20, 2009|page=D1. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115021862/bentley/ D6]|title=10 p.m. newscast on KAIL comes to an end|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222200734/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115021838/10-pm-newscast-on-kail-comes-to-an-end/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

In April 2013, prior to the merger of KSEE and KGPE's news departments, the two stations began sharing reporters and photographers, but they continued to maintain separate on-air talent.<ref name=bee-consolidation/> Both stations relaunched their news products in October 2013, with KSEE newscasts being refocused to cover "local news that matters" and several changes in the schedule including the cancellation of ''We Are Fresno Live'' and changes in the timing of some other newscasts to reduce overlap to KGPE.<ref name=fb-kseekgpemovein/>

====Notable former on-air staff====
* [[Caroline Collins]] – anchor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/tiktok-caroline-collins-fox26-17691529.php|first=Ariana|last=Garcia|date=January 3, 2023|title=News anchor and TikTok star Caroline Collins makes Houston debut|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|access-date=January 5, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104194600/https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/tiktok-caroline-collins-fox26-17691529.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Mike Hill (sportscaster)|Mike Hill]] – sports anchor/reporter (1995–1997)<ref name="Fres970308">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115025552/weekend-sports-anchor-debuts-at-ksee-ton/|date=March 8, 1997|page=G7|title=Weekend sports anchor debuts at KSEE tonight|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050701/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115025552/weekend-sports-anchor-debuts-at-ksee/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
* [[Raj Mathai]] – sports anchor/reporter (1997–1998); was known as Roger Mathai in Fresno{{r|Fres970308}}<ref name="Fres981025">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115025665/youre-so-marvelous-the-11-most-beauti/|date=October 25, 1998|page=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115025634/youre-so-marvelous/ E8]|first=Mary Lou|last=Aguirre|title=You're So Marvelous!: The 11 most beautiful people in the Valley|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050719/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115025665/youre-so-marvelous-the-11-most/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

===Sports programming===
KSEE launched ''Bulldog Insider'', a weekly magazine program covering athletics at [[Fresno State University]], in 2007.<ref name="Fres070816">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115022006/fresno-state-riders-and-runners-get-airt/|date=August 16, 2007|page=E4|first=Rick|last=Bentley|title=Fresno State riders and runners get airtime|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050701/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115022006/fresno-state-riders-and-runners-get/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

Since 2022, KSEE airs 11 [[Los Angeles Clippers]] regular season games a year syndicated from Nexstar sister station [[KTLA]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nba.com/clippers/news/live-la-clippers-basketball-returns-to-free-over-the-air-tv-on-ktla-5 | title=Live LA Clippers Basketball Returns To Free Over-The-Air TV On KTLA 5 | date=September 20, 2022 | website=Clippers.com | access-date=May 8, 2023}}</ref>

===Other local programming===
In 2003, KSEE debuted a medical discussion program titled ''MedWatch'', which aired Saturdays at 6:30&nbsp;p.m.; the program, hosted by longtime anchor Cindy Suryan, focused on medical and health topics as well as breakthroughs in medical technology, it was canceled in 2009 but was later revived in 2019 as ''MedWatch Today''. In September 2007, KSEE debuted an hour-long business/entertainment show, ''Central Valley Today''; originally airing at 11&nbsp;a.m., the program moved to 3&nbsp;p.m. on October 30, 2013.<ref name=fb-kseekgpemovein/>

==Technical information==

===Subchannels===
The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of KSEE<ref name="rabbitears">{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KSEE#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KSEE|website=RabbitEars|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222202708/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KSEE#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.1
| [[1080i]] || rowspan="4"|[[16:9]] || KSEE-HD || [[NBC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.2
| rowspan="3"|[[480i]] || Bounce || [[Bounce TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.3
| Grit || [[Grit (TV network)|Grit]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.4
| Rewind || [[Rewind TV]]
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope = "row" | [[KMPH-TV|26.4]]
| [[720p]] || 16:9 || FOX26 || [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] ([[KMPH-TV]] via [[KFRE-TV|KFRE-DT4]])
|}

{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}

The 26.4 subchannel is hosted on KSEE as part of Fresno's [[ATSC 3.0]] (NextGen TV) deployment, launched June 2022, in which Nexstar is a participant.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/tech/article/five-stations-launch-nextgen-tv-in-fresno-visalia/|title=Five Stations Launch NextGen TV In Fresno-Visalia|date=June 9, 2022|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222204457/https://tvnewscheck.com/tech/article/five-stations-launch-nextgen-tv-in-fresno-visalia/|url-status=live}}</ref>

KSEE ended regular programming on its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 24, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 38, using [[virtual channel]] 24;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 }}</ref> the analog signal remained on the air until June 19 to provide transition information as part of the [[SAFER Act]],<ref name="FCC Nightlight">{{cite web|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-291375A1.pdf|title=UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=June 4, 2012|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201225603/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/wnbc-ch-4-trims-promo-featuring-nypd-commissioner-ray-kelly-super-bowl-airing-article-1.1018204|url-status=live}}</ref> The station was then moved to channel 20 in the 10th and final phase of the [[2016 United States wireless spectrum auction|repack]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/repackchannels.php?country=B&city=Fresno&state=CA&mktid=&owner=Nexstar+Broadcasting&sort=|title=Repack Plan for Nexstar Broadcasting in Fresno, CA|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050706/https://www.rabbitears.info/repackchannels.php?country=B&city=Fresno&state=CA&mktid=&owner=Nexstar+Broadcasting&sort=|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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

{{Fresno TV}}
{{NBC California}}
{{NXST TV}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ksee}}
[[Category:1953 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Bounce TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:NBC affiliates]]
[[Category:Nexstar Media Group]]
[[Category:Rewind TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1953]]
[[Category:Television stations in Fresno, California|SEE]]