View source for NBC Montana

{{short description|Network of western Montana NBC affiliates}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| name                 = NBC Montana
| location             = [[Missoula]], [[Kalispell]], [[Butte, Montana|Butte]], and [[Bozeman, Montana]] | country = US
| logo                 = LOGO NBCM solid calls vert blk.png
| logo_alt = The letters NBC and the NBC peacock, a six-colored, six-feathered stylized bird, above a thin black line and the word MONTANA below the line. On a third line are the call letters: K E C I, K C F W, and K T V M.
| virtual              = 13, 9, 6
| logo_upright         = 0.6
| owner                = [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
| licensee             = Sinclair Media Licensee, [[LLC]]
| airdate              = {{start date and age|1954|7|1|p=y}}, with the launch of KGVO-TV (now KECI-TV) in Missoula
| affiliations         = {{ubl|'''x.1:''' [[NBC]]|'''x.2:''' [[Comet (TV network)|Comet]]|'''x.3:''' [[Charge! (TV network)|Charge!]]|'''x.4:''' [[Roar (TV network)|Roar]]}}
| former_affiliations  = {{ubl|[[CBS]] (primary 1954–1965, secondary 1965–1966 and 1976–1984)|[[DuMont Television Network|DuMont]] (secondary, 1954–1956)|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (secondary, 1954–1976 and 1984–1989)}}
| webcast              = 
| website              = {{URL|www.nbcmontana.com}}
| embedded = ''For technical information, see {{section link||Stations}}.''
}}
{{geoGroup}}
'''NBC Montana''' is a regional network of three [[television station]]s in western [[Montana]], United States, [[network affiliate|affiliated]] with [[NBC]] and owned by [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]]. It is headquartered in [[Missoula]] and serves as the NBC affiliate for the Missoula and [[Butte, Montana|Butte]] [[media market|markets]]. 

The network comprises flagship '''KECI-TV''' (channel 13) in Missoula; full-power satellites '''KTVM-TV''' (channel 6) in Butte and '''KCFW-TV''' (channel 9) in [[Kalispell]]; and low-power satellite '''KDBZ-CD''' (channel 6) in [[Bozeman]]. Most station operations, including news production, are based in Missoula, with bureaus in Bozeman and Kalispell. The stations air the same programming, but KTVM and KCFW air separate commercials and [[station identification|legal identifications]]. KDBZ is a straight simulcast of KTVM. NBC Montana's reach is further extended by 25 [[broadcast relay station|translator]]s in western Montana and Idaho. 

The main station, KECI, began broadcasting in 1954 as KGVO-TV. Regional coverage became a reality in the 1960s with the installation of transmitters in Butte and Kalispell. The stations have been sole NBC affiliates since 1989. Sinclair purchased the group in 2017 as part of its acquisition of Bonten Media Group.

==History==
===Early years===
On March 11, 1953, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) granted Mosby's Incorporated, owner of [[KGVO (AM)|KGVO]] (1290 AM) in Missoula, a construction permit for a new television station on channel 13 in Missoula.<ref name="hc-keci">{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/38edee1a-8d52-5476-2887-4e334854939c|title=FCC History Cards for KECI-TV|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}}</ref> Construction began in November 1953 on a road to the approved mountaintop transmitter facility, the first of its kind in the state and at the highest elevation of any television transmitter of the period in the northwestern United States; while two stations had gone on the air in Butte and a third in [[Billings]], neither built their transmitters atop mountains.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 3, 1953 |title=Work Is Started On Road to Television Site |page=1 |work=The Daily Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88157616/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

KGVO-TV began telecasting on July 1, 1954.{{r|hc-keci}} Originally, the station was a primary [[CBS]] affiliate, owing to its radio sister's long affiliation with [[CBS Radio Network|CBS radio]], but also carried programming from [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and [[DuMont Television Network|DuMont]];<ref name="ty1955">{{Cite book |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1955-1956%20TV/AL-MT-Telecasting%20YB%2055-56.pdf |title=1955–56 Telecasting Yearbook-Marketbook |year=1955 |page=170 |access-date=October 4, 2015}}</ref> DuMont ceased its existence as a network in 1955.<ref>{{Cite magazine|id={{ProQuest|1014914488}}|title=DuMont Network To Quit In Telecasting 'Spin-Off'|page=64|magazine=Broadcasting|date=August 15, 1955}}</ref> While the studios were originally at the transmitter site, owner Arthur Mosby purchased an [[American Legion]] hall on West Main Street in downtown Missoula that had been gutted by fire and renovated it to serve as new studios.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 17, 1956 |title=Legion Post Sells Building |page=12 |work=The Daily Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88157900/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On December 1, 1956, KGVO moved to the new site and concurrently changed its call letters to KMSO-TV, representing Missoula's airport code.<ref name="bt-kgvotokmso">{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1956 |id={{ProQuest|1285754965}}|title=KGVO-TV Changed to KMSO-TV; Station Moves Into New Studios |page=94 |work=[[Broadcasting-Telecasting]] |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-12-03-BC.pdf |access-date=October 4, 2015 |archive-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927153101/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-12-03-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> By 1957, KMSO had added a secondary affiliation with NBC.<ref name="ty1957">{{Cite book |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1957-1958%20TV/AL-MT-BC%20TV%20Annual%201957-58.pdf |title=1957–58 Telecasting Yearbook-Marketbook |year=1957 |page=164 |access-date=October 4, 2015}}</ref> Mosby sold KGVO radio to Dale Moore in 1959<ref name="b-kgvoamsold">{{Cite news |date=September 28, 1959 |title=Changing hands |page=98 |work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|id={{ProQuest|963318812}} |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1959/1959-09-28-BC.pdf |access-date=October 4, 2015 |archive-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927154521/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1959/1959-09-28-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> but held on to KMSO-TV until 1964, when Moore bought channel 13 as well;<ref name="b-saletomoore">{{Cite news |date=September 14, 1964 |title=Sale of KMSO-TV approved by commission |id={{ProQuest|1014489493}} |page=10 |work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]] |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1959/1959-09-28-BC.pdf |access-date=October 4, 2015 |archive-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927154521/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1959/1959-09-28-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> upon taking over, he changed its call letters back to KGVO-TV.{{r|hc-keci}} Under Moore's ownership, KGVO-TV switched its primary affiliation to NBC in 1965, though it still carried some CBS and ABC programming.{{r|high}} The transmitter was destroyed by fire in November 1966;<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 26, 1966 |title=KGVO-TV Returns To Direct Broadcast |page=7 |work=The Daily Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88159706/}}</ref> the FCC permitted the installation of two interim translators to get the station back on air until the TV Mountain facility could be reconstructed.{{r|hc-keci}}

[[File:KCFW Studios Kalispell MT.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|alt=An Art Deco building painted white with turquoise accents. It sits on a corner. Above the door is a sign with a stylized 9 and the call sign KCFW-TV.|KCFW-TV's Kalispell studios and offices]]
Additionally, the station pursued a policy of regional expansion. In 1965, it built a 100-watt translator on channel 9 in Kalispell. The [[Flathead Valley|Flathead]] had been without a local station since the folding of [[KULR-TV|KGEZ-TV/KULR]] in 1959.<ref name="high">{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1965 |title=First high power VHF TV translator is state station |page=11 |work=The Montana Standard-Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88159304/ |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214074750/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88159304/first-high-power-vhf-tv-translator-is/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That December, the FCC simultaneously approved a channel 6 translator for KGVO-TV in Butte as well as a translator for Butte's local station, CBS affiliate [[KXLF-TV]], in Missoula.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1965 |title=New television translator at Butte okayed |page=8 |work=Montana Standard-Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88058324/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030225338/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88058324/new-television-translator-at-butte/ |archive-date=October 30, 2021}}</ref> On June 10, 1968, the Kalispell translator was upgraded to a full-power semi-satellite under the call letters KCFW-TV,<ref name="roll">{{Cite news |last=Eggert |first=Richard |date=June 4, 1968 |title=KCFW Preparing to Roll |page=10 |work=The Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58499507/ |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214074834/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58499507/kcfw-preparing-to-roll/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 11, 1968 |title=Television Station Goes On Air |page=2 |work=The Daily Inter Lake |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88160427/}}</ref> while the Butte translator was replaced with full-power semi-satellite KTVM in May 1970. In 1976, primary coverage of ABC programs shifted from KGVO-TV to KXLF and its Missoula satellite, [[KPAX-TV]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 19, 1976 |title=KPAX, KXLF Are ABC Affiliates |page=2-A |work=The Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463313/kpax-kxlf-are-abc-affiliates/ |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101184633/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463313/kpax-kxlf-are-abc-affiliates/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Eagle Communications era===
Dale Moore's Western Broadcasting Company reached a deal to sell KGVO-TV, KCFW, and KTVM to Eagle Communications, Inc.—a company formed by former ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' producer Robert Precht and Advance Communications, owner of [[KFBB-TV]] in [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]]—in 1977.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 20, 1977 |title=Western Broadcasting Sells Three TV Stations |page=16 |work=The Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88161399/ |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214074750/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88161399/western-broadcasting-sells-three-tv/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite a protest from a citizens' group, Montanans for Quality Television, the deal received FCC approval in September 1978,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 17, 1978 |title=Missoula TV fetches bundle |page=24 |work=The Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88161475/}}</ref> and on November 1, KGVO-TV became KECI-TV. The new owners pledged to improve news coverage, in part under a pact with the citizens' group.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shirley |first=Steve |date=November 2, 1978 |title=New TV station owner vows to improve programs |page=14 |work=The Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85354726/ |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214074754/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85354726/new-tv-station-owner-vows-to-improve/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Eagle stations also aired ''[[Sesame Street]]'' for three years from 1978 to 1981, dropping the program due to a lack of underwriters.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1981 |title=Local station cancels 'Sesame Street' show |page=9 |work=The Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88162130/}}</ref>

Eagle demonstrated an increased commitment to the Butte area, which had never been served by any specific local programming, even after the launch of KTVM. After expressing interest in establishing a Butte office in 1978,<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 11, 1978 |title=KTVM pledges more coverage |page=Time Out 3 |work=The Montana Standard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88161762/ |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214074900/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88161762/ktvm-pledges-more-coverage/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the station did so in 1982 and began producing local news reports for inclusion in KECI's newscasts.<ref name="Mont820814">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1982 |title=Eagle TV lands in Butte |page=Time Out 4 |work=The Montana Standard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88162275/}}</ref> Precht Communications  acquired full control of Eagle Communications by 1981.<ref name="by1982">{{Cite book |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1982/A%20Broadcasting%20in%20General%20BC%20YB%201982%20All-4.pdf |title=Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1982 |year=1982 |page=A-38 |access-date=October 4, 2015}}</ref> NBC signed primary affiliation agreements with the Eagle stations in 1983; though they were dual NBC–CBS affiliates on paper, the best CBS shows aired on KXLF–KPAX, and CBS had turned down Eagle's bid for primary affiliation with that network to protect its relationship with the other stations in the [[Montana Television Network]] (MTN).<ref>{{Cite news|page=42|title=NBC Signs Up Four Affiliates|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 27, 1983|id={{ProQuest|1438368523}} }}</ref>

In 1984, KXLF–KPAX and the other MTN stations became full-time CBS outlets. As a result, most ABC programs moved to the Eagle network.<ref name="by1985">{{Cite book |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1985/C-Television-BC-YB-1985.pdf |title=Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985 |year=1985 |page=C-36 |access-date=October 4, 2015}}</ref> Between 1984 and 1989, KECI aired an 11 p.m. late local newscast—highly unusual for the [[Mountain Time Zone]] (most network affiliates in the Mountain Time Zone aired their late newscasts at 10 p.m.). While this allowed KECI to clear more ABC programs, it created further scheduling headaches and put its late news at a disadvantage.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McInally |first=Mike |date=August 4, 1989 |title=KECI plans to shuffle time for late news |page=E-21 |work=The Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51913438/keci-plans-to-shuffle-time-for-late-news/ |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214074900/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51913438/keci-plans-to-shuffle-time-for-late-news/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Viewers cited confusion over the availability of programs, and returning the late news to 10 p.m. allowed Eagle to restore ''[[The Tonight Show]]'' and ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' to its lineup en route to becoming a sole NBC affiliate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ragsdale |first=Anne |date=September 25, 1989 |title=Eagle changes TV lineup |page=A-5 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88162928/ |work=The Missoulian |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214074903/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88162928/eagle-changes-tv-lineup/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A full-time ABC outlet for Missoula, [[KTMF]] (channel 23), was established in 1990.<ref name="sister">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36531985/ktgfs_sister_station_goes_on_air_in/|date=December 23, 1990|first=Marc|last=Stergionis|work=Great Falls Tribune|title=KTGF's sister station goes on air in Missoula|access-date=September 30, 2019|page=2B}}</ref>

The 1980s also saw Eagle seek to increase its presence in Bozeman. It first attempted to buy the construction permit for [[KBZK|KCTZ]] (channel 7), which had sought an ABC affiliation only to have its hopes dashed by Eagle's June 1984 acquisition of the ABC rights in the Missoula–Butte market.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nell |first=William |date=June 15, 1984 |title=ABC deal could delay TV station in Bozeman |page=3A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88181850/tv-kctz-eagle-abc/ 14A] |work=The Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88181792/abc-deal-could-delay-tv-station-in/ |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003836/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88181792/abc-deal-could-delay-tv-station-in/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 13, 1984 |title=Network buys station permit in Bozeman |page=7-C |work=Great Falls Tribune |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88162611/network-buys-station-permit-in-bozeman/ |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88162611/network-buys-station-permit-in-bozeman/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The opposition of two local residents and radio station owners caused the deal to languish for 16 months at the FCC until the green light was given in January 1986,<ref>{{Cite news |title=FCC OKs extension to build Bozeman TV station |page=15 |work=The Missoulian |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88182406/fcc-oks-extension-to-build-bozeman-tv/ |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003837/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88182406/fcc-oks-extension-to-build-bozeman-tv/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the deal fell apart when the commission agreed with a petitioner who claimed the purchase was duplicative. When KCTZ began broadcasting, it caused interference issues to KTVM's signal in the Bozeman area.<ref name="Boze880302">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-tv-wars-bad-rec/125667554/|date=March 2, 1988|page=3|first=William|last=Brock|title=TV Wars: Bad reception sparks signal flap|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> In 1989, Eagle purchased the construction permit for low-power K42BZ, which took to the air as a translator for KTVM in January 1990.<ref name="Boze900119">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-ktvm-tv-6-announ/125667605/|date=January 19, 1990|page=A-11|title=KTVM-TV 6 Announces the Addition of Bozeman Translator K42BZ|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> In 2002, after the introduction of the [[Class A television service]], the FCC approved K42BZ to be designated as a Class A station.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Arn=20001127AAT|title= BLTTA-20001127AAT License to Convert Analog LPTV Authorization to Analog Class A Application|date=November 27, 2000|website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}}</ref>

===Lamco, BlueStone, Bonten and Sinclair ownership===
In 1997, Precht sold the Eagle system to Lamco Communications,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ludwick |first=Jim |date=December 30, 1997 |title=Area TV stations to be sold |page=B2 |work=The Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88163317/area-tv-stations-to-be-sold/ |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88163317/area-tv-stations-to-be-sold/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which in turn sold its stations to BlueStone Television in 2004.<ref name="m-saletobluestone">{{Cite news |last=Holien |first=Mick |date=January 15, 2004 |title=Missoula's KECI among 12 stations sold in Lamco acquisition |work=[[The Missoulian]] |url=http://missoulian.com/news/local/missoula-s-keci-among-stations-sold-in-lamco-acquisition/article_3db3cf61-b526-522a-8e1e-30a9d59bd6cc.html |access-date=October 4, 2015 |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026182912/https://missoulian.com/news/local/missoula-s-keci-among-stations-sold-in-lamco-acquisition/article_3db3cf61-b526-522a-8e1e-30a9d59bd6cc.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Bonten Media Group]] acquired the BlueStone stations in 2007.<ref name="tvnc-saletobonten">{{Cite news |date=June 5, 2007 |title=Bonten Closes on $230M BlueStone Buy |work=TVNewsCheck |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/13291/bonten-closes-on-230m-bluestone-buy |access-date=October 4, 2015 |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926051803/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/13291/bonten-closes-on-230m-bluestone-buy/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 2000s also saw digital conversion for the network, as KCFW and KTVM began broadcasting in digital on February 1 and 28, 2002;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2006-Factbook/TV-Factbook-2006-Vol%20I.pdf#page=1358|chapter=KTVM-DT|title=Television & Cable Factbook|date=2006|page=A-1344|via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2006-Factbook/TV-Factbook-2006-Vol%20I.pdf#page=1387|chapter=KCFW-DT|title=Television & Cable Factbook|date=2006|page=A-1363|via=World Radio History}}</ref><!--KECI-TV listed with NO start date--> all three full-power stations shut down their analog signals on June 12, 2009, the official [[Digital television transition in the United States|digital transition date]]. After the transition, all three stations abandoned their [[ultra high frequency]] (UHF) pre-transition digital channels (for KECI-TV, KCFW-TV, and KTVM-TV, respectively, 40, 38, and 33) to return to their [[very high frequency]] (VHF) channels of 13, 9, and 6.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |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 |access-date=March 24, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-90A1.pdf |title=In the Matter of DTV Buildout: Requests for Waiver of July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2006 "Use or Lose" Deadline; Requests for Waiver of the August 4, 2005 "Checklist" Deadline|access-date=May 26, 2008 |archive-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019004739/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-90A1.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> While digital broadcasts had also begun in Bozeman by the June 12 deadline, the low-power K42BZ was not required to discontinue analog service and planned to remain on the air through the end of 2009.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jodi|last=Hausen|work=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|date=June 30, 2009|title=Analog TV signals still on air, for now |url=https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/analog-tv-signals-still-on-air-for-now/article_4d443d92-1151-57d3-a39e-17df7ef5c5df.html}}</ref>

On April 21, 2017, [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] announced its intent to purchase the Bonten stations for $240 million.<ref name="tvnc-sinclairbonten">{{Cite web |title=Sinclair Buying Bonten Stations For $240M |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/103465/sinclair-buying-bonten-stations-for-240m |access-date=April 21, 2017 |website=TVNewsCheck |date=April 21, 2017 |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809144039/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/103465/sinclair-buying-bonten-stations-for-240m/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The sale was completed September 1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Consummation Notice |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1765838&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=308 |website=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=September 6, 2017 |archive-date=September 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906140325/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1765838&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=308 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==News operations==
Historically, the stations aired a mix of local and regional news programming. From its outset in 1968, KCFW produced its own early evening newscast; it was not until 1982 that one was established at KTVM in Butte.{{r|Mont820814}} KTVM also had a Bozeman news bureau from 1983 to 1985.<ref name="Boze850329">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-butte-tv-station/125667974/|date=March 29, 1985|page=3|first=Kim|last=Brown|title=Butte TV station closes Bozeman news bureau|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> By 1993, the three Eagle network stations aired regional newscasts from Missoula at 5 and 10 p.m. and local news programs for their specific areas at 6 p.m. That year, the company underwent a major restructuring of its news operations, untangling the stations from each other to produce local 6 and 10 p.m. programs, and it announced the addition of a fourth local news service for Bozeman, upgrading K42BZ into a low-power station with its own local news.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 13, 1993 |title=KTVM will add 10 p.m. newscast |page=Time Out 9 |work=The Montana Standard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76283442/ktvm-will-add-10-pm-newscast/ |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003837/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76283442/ktvm-will-add-10-pm-newscast/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The weekend newscasts for Bozeman were that city's first; the only other news operation in the city, at KCTZ, aired on weekdays only.<ref name="second">{{Cite news |date=August 22, 1993 |title=Second local station signs on in Bozeman |page=F-2 |work=The Missoulian |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87465273/second-local-station-signs-on-in-bozeman/ |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003838/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87465273/second-local-station-signs-on-in-bozeman/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Bozeman newscast debuted October 4, 1993. Just 25 days later, citing costs and the fact that the Butte local operation had never made money, Eagle opted to shutter the Butte operation and originate news for both areas from Bozeman, firing the 15 news and production staffers it had in the Mining City.<ref name="Boze931103">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bozeman-daily-chronicle-butte-station-cl/125667770/|date=November 3, 1993|page=9|title=Butte station closes in favor of Bozeman|newspaper=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|first=Shawn|last=Vestal}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kirkpatrick |first=Dave |date=October 30, 1993 |title=KTVM-TV office closes; staff fired |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88143627/ktvm/ 10] |work=The Montana Standard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88143606/ktvm-tv-office-closes-staff-fired/ |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88143606/ktvm-tv-office-closes-staff-fired/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the same time, KECI anchor Jill Valley defected to crosstown competitor KPAX, causing the station to plunge in the ratings—especially in Missoula itself.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McInally |first=Mike |date=January 5, 1994 |title=KPAX ratings surge past KECI |page=D-2 |work=The Missoulian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88181500/ |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214074904/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88181500/kpax-ratings-surge-past-keci/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

KECI debuted a morning newscast, ''Montana Today'', in 1997. Originally 35 minutes in length, it grew to an hour in 1999.<ref name="Miss970602">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-local-montana-today/162072142/|date=June 2, 1997|page=A4|title=Local: 'Montana Today'|newspaper=The Missoulian|location=Missoula, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 2, 2025}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref name="Mont990829">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-ktvm-tv-announces-p/88143631/|date=August 29, 1999|page=E2|title=KTVM-TV announces program changes|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 2, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sun --> In 2004, KECI added a 5 p.m. local newscast, giving the station two early evening news programs, seeking to fill the void created when KTMF disbanded its news department of that period.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Missoula TV stations shake up schedules of nightly newscasts|work=Missoulian|first=Mick|last=Holien|date=January 16, 2004|page=A2|id={{ProQuest|392292608}} }}</ref> ''Montana Today'' expanded to two hours in 2012.<ref name="Dail120917">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-inter-lake-polson-native-to-jo/162072247/|date=September 17, 2012|page=Flathead Business Journal 10|title=Polson native to join NBC program 'Montana Today' as co-anchor|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|location=Kalispell, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 2, 2025}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

In 2017, when then-congressional candidate [[Greg Gianforte]] got into a physical altercation with [[Ben Jacobs (journalist)|Ben Jacobs]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'', NBC Montana initially refused to report the story or provide coverage to [[NBC News]] and the network's affiliates. ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine reported that news director Julie Weindel told NBC News that her station would not cover the story for the network, calling Jacobs "a reporter for a politically biased publication" and telling NBC, "You are on your own for this."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Yashar |author-link=Yashar Ali |date=2017-05-25 |title=Montana NBC Affiliate Refused to Cover Gianforte 'Body Slam' |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/05/montana-nbc-affiliate-refused-to-cover-gianforte-body-slam.html |access-date=2025-01-02 |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Notable former on-air staff===
* [[Savannah Guthrie]] – weekend anchor at KTVM in Butte, October 1993; had worked at station 10 days when the Butte news operation was closed<ref name="Mont931023">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-news-never-rests-on/137165993/|date=October 23, 1993|page=Time Out 22|type=Advertisement|title=News never rests on the weekend. Why should we?|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref>{{Cite news |last=Guthrie |first=Marisa |date=December 5, 2016 |title=Savannah Guthrie Talks TV News in Trump Era |language=en-US |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/savannah-guthrie-talks-tv-news-trump-era-952405/ |access-date=December 21, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Dari Nowkhah]] — sports director for KCFW<ref>{{Cite news |last=Haisten |first=Bill |date=April 26, 2011 |title=Tulsa native Dari Nowkhah rises from KOTV to ESPN |work=Tulsa World |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/othersports/tulsa-native-dari-nowkhah-rises-from-kotv-to-espn/article_09fe63f5-a928-5288-a330-ccc771f3218a.html |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102004345/https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/othersports/tulsa-native-dari-nowkhah-rises-from-kotv-to-espn/article_09fe63f5-a928-5288-a330-ccc771f3218a.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Meg Oliver]] — reporter and anchor at KCFW<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 20, 2006 |title=Oliver Named to Anchor Position on CBS's 'Up to the Minute' |work=TVWeek |url=https://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2006/03/oliver-named-to-anchor-positio/ |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102004347/https://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2006/03/oliver-named-to-anchor-positio/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Stations ==
=== Main stations ===
{|class="wikitable"
|+ NBC Montana stations
! scope = "col" | Station
! scope = "col" | [[City of license]]
! scope = "col" | Channel
! scope = "col" | [[Virtual channel|{{abbr|VC|Virtual channel}}]]
! scope = "col" | [[Facility ID|{{abbr|FID|Facility ID}}]]
! scope = "col" | [[effective radiated power|{{abbr|ERP|Effective radiated power}}]]
! scope = "col" | [[height above average terrain|{{abbr|HAAT|Height above average terrain}}]]
! scope = "col" | Transmitter<br>coordinates
! scope = "col" | First air date
! scope = "col" | Former call signs
! scope = "col" | Public license<br>information
|-
! scope = "row" | KECI-TV
| [[Missoula]]
| 13 (VHF){{efn|KECI-TV holds a [[construction permit]] to eventually move to UHF channel 20 with an ERP of 950&nbsp;kW from this site.}}
| 13
| 18084
| 41.3&nbsp;[[kW]]
| {{convert|610|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|47|1|4|N|114|0|50|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KECI-TV}}
| {{start date|1954|7|1}}
| {{ubl|KGVO-TV (1954–1956, 1964–1978)|KMSO-TV (1956–1964)}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KECI-TV|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|18084|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | KCFW-TV
| [[Kalispell]]
| 9 (VHF){{efn|KCFW-TV holds a construction permit to eventually move to UHF channel 17 with an ERP of 17&nbsp;kW from this site.}}
| 9
| 18079
| 2.5&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|850|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|48|0|48|N|114|21|58|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KCFW-TV}}
| {{start date|1968|6|10}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KCFW-TV|Public file}}<br>{{FCC-LMS-Facility|18079|3=LMS}}
|-
! scope = "row" | KTVM-TV
| [[Butte, Montana|Butte]]
| 20 (UHF)
| 6
| 18066
| 1,000&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|591.3|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|46|0|27|N|112|26|33|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KTVM-TV}}
| {{start date|1970|5|12}}
| KTVM (1970–2009)
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KTVM-TV|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|18066|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | KDBZ-CD
| [[Bozeman]]
| 29 (UHF)
| 6
| 18083
| 15&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|205.8|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|45|38|19.84|N|111|15|57.49|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KDBZ-CD}}
| {{start date|1990|1}}
| {{ubl|K42BZ (1990–2011)|K42BZ-D (2011–2014)}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KDBZ-CD|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|18083|3=LMS}}}}
|}

=== Translators ===

* [[Basin, MT]]: K11LA-D (KTVM-TV)
* [[Boulder, MT]]: K13KP-D (KTVM-TV)
* [[Dillon, MT]]: K25OA-D (KTVM-TV)
* [[Drummond, MT]]: K26KA-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Eureka, MT]]: K02AO-D (KCFW-TV)
* [[Ferndale, Montana|Ferndale, MT]]: K24ID-D (KCFW-TV)
* [[Frenchtown, MT]]: K14IU-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Hot Springs, MT]]: K05AH-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Lake McDonald|Lake McDonald, MT]]: K05FC-D (KCFW-TV)
* [[Libby, Montana|Libby]]: K18KD-D (KCFW-TV)
* [[Philipsburg, MT]]: K25LF-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Plains, Montana|Plains]]–[[Paradise, MT]]: K11JP-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Polaris, Montana|Polaris, MT]]: K09MY-D (KTVM-TV)
* [[Polson, MT]]: K16GJ-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Sula, MT]]: K05ML-D (KTVM-TV)
* [[Superior, MT]]: K03DT-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Thompson Falls, MT]]: K11FQ-D (KECI-TV), K25OS-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Trout Creek, MT]]: K12QT-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Virginia City, MT]]: K10HL-D (KTVM-TV)
* [[Weeksville, Montana|Weeksville, MT]]: K29ID-D
* [[Leadore, ID]]: K16KO-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Salmon, ID]]: K11TY-D (KECI-TV), K30PW-D (KECI-TV)
* [[Tendoy]]–[[Leadore, ID]]: K27MM-D (KECI-TV)

==Subchannels==
The stations' signals are [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+ NBC Montana subchannels<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KECI#station |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KECI |website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=June 24, 2014 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213648/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KECI#station |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite web |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCFW#station |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KCFW |website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=June 24, 2014 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063235/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCFW#station |url-status=live }}
*{{Cite web |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTVM#station |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KTVM |website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=June 24, 2014 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234430/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTVM#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|KECI-TV}}
! scope = "col" | {{small|KCFW-TV}}
! scope = "col" | {{small|{{ubl|KTVM-TV|KDBZ-CD}}}}
! scope = "col" | {{small|KECI-TV}}
! scope = "col" | {{small|KCFW-TV}}
! scope = "col" | {{small|{{ubl|KTVM-TV|KDBZ-CD}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | 13.1
! scope = "row" | 9.1
! scope = "row" | 6.1
| [[1080i]] || rowspan=4|[[16:9]] || KECI-DT || KCFW-DT || KTVM-DT || [[NBC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 13.2
! scope = "row" | 9.2
! scope = "row" | 6.2
| rowspan = "3" | [[480i]] || colspan=3; align="center" | COMET || [[Comet (TV network)|Comet]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 13.3
! scope = "row" | 9.3
! scope = "row" | 6.3
| colspan=3; align="center" | CHARGE! || [[Charge! (TV network)|Charge!]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 13.4
! scope = "row" | 9.4
! scope = "row" | 6.4
| colspan=3; align="center" | TBD || [[Roar (TV network)|Roar]]
|}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.nbcmontana.com/}}

{{Missoula TV}}
{{Butte/Bozeman TV}}
{{NBC Montana}}
{{SBGI}}
{{Missoula, Montana}}

[[Category:1954 establishments in Montana]]
[[Category:Charge! (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:NBC affiliates|Montana]]
[[Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1954]]
[[Category:Television stations in Missoula, Montana]]