Midwest Radio and Television
Encyclopedia
Midwest Radio and Television was a broadcasting company based in the Upper Midwest United States.
Its history dates back to August 1952, when the original owners of WTCN-AM
-FM-TV
decided to sell the stations. While the radio stations went to a separate owner, WTCN-TV was sold to the owners of WCCO Radio (which CBS
held a minority ownership stake in), and became WCCO-TV
. The company expanded over the years, launching WCCO-FM
(now WLTE) in the 1970s.
In the 1980s, Midwest Radio and Television bought ABC affiliate WFRV-TV
in Green Bay and its satellite in Escanaba, Michigan
, WJMN-TV (CBS did not initially take an ownership stake in either of those two stations at the time). Midwest Radio and Television also bought KCMT in Alexandria, Minnesota
and its satellite in Walker, Minnesota
, KNMT. The stations' calls became KCCO and KCCW respectively, and the stations became satellites of WCCO-TV.
In 1992, the company merged with CBS, and WFRV/WJMN became CBS affiliates. Today, only the Minneapolis stations are retained by CBS Corporation
(WFRV/WJMN was sold to Liberty Media
in 2007, then to Nexstar Broadcasting Group
in 2011).
Midwest also owned the Midwest Sports Channel, which was originally associated with WCCO-TV. MSC became a CBS owned and operated network following its acquisition of WCCO. In 1999, shortly after CBS was acquired by Viacom, MSC was sold to Fox Sports Net, eventually becoming the current day Fox Sports North, along with later sister network Fox Sports Wisconsin'.
Midwest Radio and Television was not associated with Midwest Television, owners of KFMB
, KFMB-FM
, and KFMB-TV
in San Diego, California
.
Its history dates back to August 1952, when the original owners of WTCN-AM
WWTC
WWTC is a long-standing radio station serving the Twin Cities region. Despite its up-and-down history, the station spawned two of the area's major television stations and had some very innovative and unusual periods in its history...
-FM-TV
WCCO-TV
WCCO-TV, is the CBS owned and operated television station that serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. Its transmitter is at the Telefarm complex in Shoreview, Minnesota.- History :...
decided to sell the stations. While the radio stations went to a separate owner, WTCN-TV was sold to the owners of WCCO Radio (which CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
held a minority ownership stake in), and became WCCO-TV
WCCO-TV
WCCO-TV, is the CBS owned and operated television station that serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. Its transmitter is at the Telefarm complex in Shoreview, Minnesota.- History :...
. The company expanded over the years, launching WCCO-FM
WLTE
WLTE is a radio station in Minneapolis-St. Paul that carries a "Lite rock" adult contemporary format and has done so for more than two decades. WLTE is owned by CBS Corporation, which also owns WCCO radio today...
(now WLTE) in the 1970s.
In the 1980s, Midwest Radio and Television bought ABC affiliate WFRV-TV
WFRV-TV
WFRV-TV is a CBS-affiliated television station licensed to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and serving Green Bay, the Fox Valley, and Northeastern Wisconsin. The station broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 39 from a transmitter north of the Brown County town of Morrison...
in Green Bay and its satellite in Escanaba, Michigan
Escanaba, Michigan
Escanaba is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, located in the banana belt on the state's Upper Peninsula. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 13,140, making it the third-largest city in the Upper Peninsula after Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie...
, WJMN-TV (CBS did not initially take an ownership stake in either of those two stations at the time). Midwest Radio and Television also bought KCMT in Alexandria, Minnesota
Alexandria, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,820 people, however the most recent count suggests a population upwards of 10,000, which is displayed on Alexandria's city limits signs. The census lists 4,047 households, and 2,011 families residing in the city. The population density was 992.5 people per...
and its satellite in Walker, Minnesota
Walker, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,069 people, 449 households, and 258 families residing in the city. The population density was 734.3 people per square mile . There were 517 housing units at an average density of 355.1 per square mile...
, KNMT. The stations' calls became KCCO and KCCW respectively, and the stations became satellites of WCCO-TV.
In 1992, the company merged with CBS, and WFRV/WJMN became CBS affiliates. Today, only the Minneapolis stations are retained by CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on commercial broadcasting, publishing, billboards and television production, with most of its operations in the United States. The President and CEO of the company is Leslie Moonves. Sumner Redstone, owner of National Amusements, is CBS's...
(WFRV/WJMN was sold to Liberty Media
Liberty Media
Liberty Media Corporation is an American media conglomerate and the control is exercised by company Chairman John C. Malone, who owns a majority of the voting shares....
in 2007, then to Nexstar Broadcasting Group
Nexstar Broadcasting Group
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., is an entity of broadcast television stations headquartered in Irving, Texas. The company consists of 50 television stations across the U.S., ranging from market sizes 9 to 201 . 43 of the stations are broadcasting at full power, with the other 4 broadcasting at...
in 2011).
Midwest also owned the Midwest Sports Channel, which was originally associated with WCCO-TV. MSC became a CBS owned and operated network following its acquisition of WCCO. In 1999, shortly after CBS was acquired by Viacom, MSC was sold to Fox Sports Net, eventually becoming the current day Fox Sports North, along with later sister network Fox Sports Wisconsin'.
Midwest Radio and Television was not associated with Midwest Television, owners of KFMB
KFMB (AM)
KFMB is a conservative talk radio station in San Diego, California, co-owned with KFMB-FM and KFMB-TV. KFMB is one of the few stations in the U.S. that increases power at night. The daytime power is limited due to KBRT , a religious-programming station with transmitters on Santa Catalina Island....
, KFMB-FM
KFMB-FM
KFMB-FM is a commercial radio station located in San Diego, California, broadcasting on 100.7 FM. KFMB-FM airs an adult hits music format branded as "Jack FM".-History:...
, and KFMB-TV
KFMB-TV
KFMB-TV is the local CBS television affiliate in San Diego, California. Its studios are located on Engineer Road in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego along with its sister radio stations, AM 760 and FM 100.7...
in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.