KMBC-TV

{{Short description|Television station in Kansas City, Missouri}} {{About|the ABC-affiliated television station in Kansas City|other uses|KMBC (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox television station | callsign = KMBC-TV | city = | logo = KMBC 9 ABC.svg | logo_alt = In a red box, a white stylized circle and geometric sans serif 9. The ABC network logo sits atop it and overlaps on the right side. Left aligned with the red box are the black letters "K M B C" in a sans serif. | logo_size = 200px | branding = KMBC 9 | digital = 29 (UHF) | virtual = 9 | affiliations = {{ubl|'''9.1:''' ABC|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}} | owner = Hearst Television | licensee = Hearst Stations Inc. | location = Kansas City, Missouri | country = United States  | airdate = {{Start date|1953|08|02}} | last_airdate = | callsign_meaning = Midland Broadcasting Company, founding owners | sister_stations = KCWE | former_callsigns = WHB-TV (shared operation, 1953–1954) | former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 9 (VHF, 1953–2009)|'''Digital:''' 7 (VHF, 2002–2009)}} | former_affiliations = CBS (1953–1955) | erp = 1,000 kW | haat = {{convert|358|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id = 65686 | coordinates = {{coord|39|5|1|N|94|30|58|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} | licensing_authority = FCC | website = {{URL|https://www.kmbc.com/}} }}

'''KMBC-TV''' (channel 9) is a television station in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, affiliated with ABC. It is owned by Hearst Television alongside CW affiliate KCWE (channel 29). The two stations share studios on Winchester Avenue near Swope Park in southeast Kansas City, Missouri; KMBC-TV's transmitter is located at 23rd Street and Topping Avenue, east of downtown in the Blue Valley area.

Channel 9 began broadcasting on August 2, 1953. For the first ten months, two stations operated on the channel: KMBC-TV, associated with KMBC radio, and WHB-TV, the television adjunct of WHB radio. The stations had separate studios and staffs, alternating every 90 minutes on the air, but shared transmitter facilities and an affiliation with CBS. The two stations were combined in 1954 when Cook Paint and Varnish Company, owner of WHB radio and television, bought out KMBC radio and television and retained the KMBC facilities and designation. In 1955, a multi-market affiliation switch by the Meredith Publishing Company forced KMBC-TV to switch from CBS to ABC.

Metromedia acquired the KMBC stations in 1961, selling KMBC radio off in 1967. Under Metromedia, KMBC-TV became a competitive station in the market, at first in non-news programming—where its offerings sometimes resembled one of Metromedia's own independent stations—and later in news in the 1970s. This began to change at the end of the decade, as KCMO-TV (now KCTV) mounted a ratings challenge, and one of Metromedia's last substantive decisions as owner of the station was a watershed. In 1981, KMBC-TV fired anchorwoman Christine Craft after seven months on the air, claiming negative audience acceptance. Believing she was fired because of her looks, which the news director did not like, Craft sued Metromedia in a highly watched sex discrimination case; while she ultimately lost, the trial embarrassed KMBC-TV, whose manager testified that appearance was "at the top of the list" of qualities desired in a news anchor, and spotlighted the unequal treatment of women in TV news.

KMBC-TV was sold to Hearst in 1981 to make room for Metromedia's purchase of WCVB-TV in Boston. The news department, which had initially weathered the loss of Craft in the ratings, fell to third place. In the late 1980s, under general manager Dino Dinovitz, the station orchestrated a turnaround, commanding a news ratings lead in the market throughout the 1990s. KMBC-TV began programming channel 29 in 1996. In 2007, the stations moved out of their longtime home—the historic Lyric Theatre building—and to their present studios in southeast Kansas City. KMBC continues to compete for first place in local news ratings.

==History== ===Share-time operation with WHB-TV and early years=== Kansas City, Missouri, radio station KMBC was the fourth to apply to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to establish a television station, filing for channel 9 in January 1948.<ref name="Kans480131">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-kmbc-asks-for-tele/164102404/|date=1948-01-31|page=3|title=KMBC Asks for Television: Application Is the Fourth in Kansas City|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> A second application for the channel was received in June from the 20th Century-Fox movie studio,<ref name="Kans480629">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-seeks-a-video-perm/160349590/|date=1948-06-29|page=2|title=Seeks A Video Permit: FCC Receives Plea of Twentieth Century-Fox of Missouri|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> 20th Century-Fox had five applications pending at the FCC—for stations in Boston, Kansas City, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Seattle—by July 1948.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Movie TV: Broad FCC Probe Seen|work=Broadcasting|pages=22, 63|date=July 19, 1948|id={{pq|1014902773}} }}</ref> The FCC held up all of 20th Century Fox's applications while it investigated recent antitrust findings against it and other studios.<ref>{{Cite news|id={{pq|1016839640}}|page=60|date=March 21, 1949|work=Broadcasting|title=List of TV Pleas Held Up}}</ref> The company withdrew all five applications in January 1950 to focus on applications for TV in theaters. By that time, all new television station grants were frozen by the commission.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Station Bids: 20th Century-Fox Drops Five|id={{pq|1401178005}}|date=January 23, 1950|page=A12|work=Broadcasting}}</ref> Also applying prior to the 1948 freeze was Kansas City radio station WHB, which initially sought channel 5 along with KCMO and the New England Television Company.<ref name="Kans480216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-whb-files-for-telev/160376351/|date=1948-02-16|page=3|title=WHB Files for Television: Three Applicants Now Seeking Channel 5 Approval|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> The FCC lifted the freeze in April 1952, by which time KMBC and KCKN in Kansas City, Kansas, both sought channel 9.<ref name="Kans520414">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-go-ahead-to-tv-fr/118109726/|date=1952-04-14|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-go-ahead-to-tv/118109800/ 2]|title=Go-Ahead to TV: Freeze on New Stations Is Lifted by FCC, Creating a Much Bigger Field|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> By September, KCKN had switched its application to channel 5 and WHB to channel 9.<ref name="Kans520914">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-bid-for-channel-se/117993991/|date=1952-09-14|pages=1F, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-bid-fro-channel/117993973/ 3F]|title=Bid For Channel: Several Companies in Kansas City Area Are Planning on New Stations|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> [[File:LyricTheatreKC.JPG|right|thumb|The Lyric Theatre building, known by other names prior to 1974, housed KMBC-TV from its start until 2007.|alt=A four-story neoclassical building in a downtown setting]] Facing the possibility of a lengthy hearing delaying either party getting a station on the air, in June 1953, KMBC and WHB asked the commission to let them share time on channel 9, with alternating schedules.<ref name="Kans530624">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc-whb-ask-joint/118204435/|date=1953-06-24|page=1|title=KMBC-WHB Ask Joint TV: Application for Operation of Transmitter Filed With FCC.|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> The FCC granted construction permits to both stations on June 25, 1953.{{r|Kans530625}} KMBC-TV and WHB-TV would share an affiliation with CBS—KMBC radio was the sixth-oldest CBS affiliate{{r|Kans520914}}—as well as a transmitter facility, at first atop the Kansas City Power and Light Building and later a jointly financed facility at 23rd Street and Topping. However, KMBC-TV and WHB-TV would each have their own studios;<ref name="Kans530625">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-joint-tv-permit-au/118204461/|date=1953-06-25|page=1|title=Joint TV Permit: Authorization of Single Channel to KMBC and WHB Made by Government.|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> KMBC originated from the Playhouse at 11th and Central streets, while WHB-TV used temporary facilities on the 26th{{r|Kans530803}} or 30th{{r|Kans530913}} floor of the Power and Light Building. Channel 9 began broadcasting on August 2, 1953, with a CBS network program broadcast from KMBC-TV. The two stations alternated presenting the programs throughout the day.<ref name="Kans530803">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-new-tv-station-on/108623346/|date=1953-08-03|page=1|title=New TV Station on Air: Programming Is Begun by KMBC-TV and WHB-TV.|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> With a full-time CBS affiliate, many new CBS programs were seen in Kansas City, while WDAF-TV relinquished its CBS programs and replaced them with shows from its primary network, NBC.<ref name="Kans530726">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-tv-changes-soon-sa/108623274/|date=1953-07-26|page=17C|title=TV Changes Soon: Saturday Start Is Planned on Channel 9, With a Jump in Programs.|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> KMBC-TV and WHB-TV were the first share-time stations in the United States to go into service, though there had been proposals in other communities. The stations jointly promoted themselves as "channel 9" and had to liaise on efforts from news to promotion to avoid duplication. WHB-TV employees found themselves going back and forth between the studio and the Scarritt Building, which housed WHB radio; the company paid for an hourly shuttle service but hoped to build a common facility for WHB radio and television at some other site.<ref name="Kans530913">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-sigh-at-job-end-ex/164103413/|date=1953-09-13|page=3F|title=Sigh At Job End: Executives and Staff Members Have Task Putting Channel 9 on the Air|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref>

Cook Paint and Varnish Company, the owner of WHB, agreed in April 1954 to purchase KMBC radio and television from Midland Broadcasting Company, retain the KMBC stations and their studio facility, and sell WHB radio to the Mid-Continent Broadcasting Company of Omaha, Nebraska.<ref name="Kans540420">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-kmbc-whb-shift-co/59186446/|date=1954-04-20|page=1|title=KMBC-WHB Shift: Cook Paint & Varnish Company Buys KMBC and Sells WHB to Omaha Group.|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> A driving factor in the transaction was the share-time situation on channel 9. The principals of Cook and Midland issued a joint statement reading, "We have learned that shared-time operation of a television channel can be successfully accomplished, but we have learned also that the difficulties of such shared time can be eliminated by one ownership."{{r|Kans540420}} On June 13, 1954, channel 9 became solely KMBC-TV; WHB-TV's staff and equipment were folded into the expanded operation, and the Power and Light Building studio was closed.<ref name="Kans540620">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-a-change-on-channel/185909272/|date=1954-06-20|page=3F|title=A Change on Channel 9: KMBC-TV Now Is Using That Outlet Exclusively.|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|title=Cook Takes Over KMBC-AM-TV, KFRM|date=June 14, 1954|page=95|id={{pq|1285710720}} }}</ref> In November 1954, the final transmitter facility was activated, bringing KMBC-TV's effective radiated power to the maximum of 316,000 watts and improving reception of the station.<ref name="Kans541205">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-a-viewer-boost-muc/185909203/|date=1954-12-05|page=100|title=A Viewer Boost: Much Wider Reception Reported by Channel 9 After Power Hike.|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref>

In January 1955, the Meredith Publishing Company, owner of KCMO-TV (channel 5, now KCTV), reached a group affiliation deal with CBS covering most of its radio and television properties. The agreement saw KCMO radio and television become CBS secondary outlets with immediate effect.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1955/1955-01-24-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=January 24, 1955|title=Five Meredith Stations Become CBS Affiliates|id={{ProQuest|1285718345}}|page=62|access-date=February 8, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025007/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1955/1955-01-24-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The news was received, per a report in ''Variety'', with "puzzlement" in Kansas City, given KMBC's long association with CBS.<ref>{{Cite news|pages=28, 34|work=Variety|title=WOW, KMBC Shift To CBS in Major Affiliate Juggle|date=January 26, 1955|id={{ProQuest|1032366674}}}}</ref> KCMO-TV joined CBS and KMBC-TV joined ABC on September 28, 1955, with their radio counterparts exchanging affiliations on December 1.<ref name="StJo550925">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117994035/kansas-city-tv-stations-will-trade-netwo/|date=September 25, 1955|page=1B|title=Kansas City TV Stations Will Trade Networks|newspaper=St. Joseph News-Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 8, 2023|archive-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211073204/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117994035/kansas-city-tv-stations-will-trade/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cook Paint acquired KDRO-TV (channel 6), an ABC affiliate in Sedalia, Missouri, in 1958.<ref name="Seda581210">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-application-for-sal/185909856/|date=1958-12-10|page=8|title=Application For Sale Of KDRO-TV|newspaper=The Sedalia Democrat|location=Sedalia, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> The call sign was changed to KMOS-TV on February 6, 1959.<ref name="Seda590206">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-call-letters-of-cha/69231253/|date=1959-02-06|page=1|title=Call Letters Of Channel 6 Change Today|newspaper=The Sedalia Democrat|location=Sedalia, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> Cook operated KMOS-TV as a semi-satellite of KMBC-TV, simulcasting the Kansas City station about 40% of the time.{{r|Kans601223}} The Kansas City studio building became home to the Victoria Theater and was converted to the Capri, a movie house, in 1959. It also housed other offices and a restaurant.<ref name="Kans590830">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-create-new-office-a/186071934/|date=1959-08-30|page=5D|title=Create New Office Area In KMBC Unit|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref>

===Metromedia ownership=== Cook Paint announced on December 23, 1960, that it was selling KMBC radio and television to the Metropolitan Broadcasting Corporation for $10.25 million.<ref name="Kans601223">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc-is-sold-by-coo/185909733/|date=1960-12-23|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc-is-sold-by-coo/185909791/ 2]|title=KMBC Is Sold By Cook Paint: The Metropolitan Broadcasting Corporation of New York Is Purchaser.|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> Metropolitan did not retain KMOS-TV, which was concurrently sold to Jefferson Television Company, owner of KRCG in Jefferson City. The sales marked Cook Paint's exit from broadcasting after 30 years to focus on its paint manufacturing business.<ref name="Seda601223">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-sale-of-kmos-tv-is/69230803/|date=1960-12-23|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-sale-kmos/69230834/ 5]|title=Sale of KMOS-TV Is Announced Here|newspaper=The Sedalia Democrat|location=Sedalia, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> The transactions closed in August 1961,<ref name="Kans610829">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-kmbc-radio-tv-to/185910380/|date=1961-08-29|page=1|title=KMBC Radio, TV to New Owner: Details of Sale to MetroMedia of New York Will Be Concluded Today.|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref><ref name="Seda610829">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-new-owners-of-kmos/185910212/|date=1961-08-29|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-kmbc-radio-tv-to/185910405/ 2]|title=New Owners Of KMOS-TV Take Charge: Sale Finalized; Station to Air CBS, ABC Shows|newspaper=The Sedalia Democrat|location=Sedalia, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> with Metropolitan Broadcasting having renamed itself Metromedia the preceding April.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1285745524}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1961/1961-04-03-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=April 3, 1961|title=It's Metromedia: Metropolitan stockholders vote to change firm name|page=56|via=World Radio History|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712151915/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1961/1961-04-03-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Metromedia and new general manager Al Krivin, the station moved from a third-place position locally to a slight first-place lead by 1963.<ref name="Var630320">{{Cite news|first=Les|last=Brown|date=March 20, 1963|page=39|title=Kansas City TV: A Mex Standoff|id={{ProQuest|1017101686}}|work=Variety}}</ref> KMBC-TV began presenting local programming in color in 1966.<ref>{{Cite news|page=29|title=Color TV Keys KMBC Hoopla On New K.C. Sked|date=September 7, 1966|work=Variety|id={{pq|1032438932}} }}</ref> In 1967, the KMBC radio stations were spun off to Bonneville International Corporation,<ref name="Kans670204">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-kmbc-radio-sells-i/185919364/|date=1967-02-04|page=4C|title=KMBC Radio Sells Its Two Stations: The Metromedia AM and FM Outlets Are Bought by Bonneville|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> with KMBC AM changing its call sign to the similar-sounding KMBZ.<ref name="Kans670528">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-local-broadcasting/185919386/|date=1967-05-28|page=4F|first=Joyce|last=Wagner|title=Local Broadcasting Changes Bring New Voices to Town|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref>

In its early years under Metromedia ownership, KMBC-TV was a comparatively high pre-empter of ABC network programs.<ref>{{cite news|title=ABC's Lower Higher Than Cloud 9; Gets Rave From Affils on Election Coverage & Still Reports to Top|work=Variety|date=November 23, 1966|page=35|id={{pq|1017150432}} }}</ref> Writing for ''Variety'' in 1963, Les Brown noted that KMBC-TV had 14 of the market's top 15 syndicated programs, reportedly owned "as much as syndicated film as an [[independent station|independent [station]]], and reputedly programs in the manner of an indie".{{r|Var630320}} This was particularly apt for Metromedia, which had become known as a quality operator of major-market independent stations.<ref>{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|pages=42–46, 49|id={{pq|1016847858}}|title=The independents' bigger bite|date=October 14, 1968}}</ref> In 1968, ''Variety''{{'s}} Bill Greeley reported that one Metromedia sales executive had recommended to his bosses that the station drop its network affiliation, while some speculated that Metromedia could trade with Cox Broadcasting for its independent in Oakland, California, KTVU, giving Metromedia another independent and Cox another network affiliate.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Cox–M'Media TV Swap Ahead? Frisco–K.C. Hints in the Air|first=Bill|last=Greeley|work=Variety|date=September 18, 1968|page=39|id={{pq|963048395}} }}</ref> In 1969, Ellis Shook moved from Metromedia's WTTG in Washington, D.C., to run KMBC-TV. He put an end to the independent-style programming and pre-emptions while launching a series of new local programs: ''Dimensions in Black'' and the talk show ''Etcetera''. During his tenure, KMBC began airing the ''ABC Evening News'', which previously had not aired in Kansas City.<ref name="Kans750723">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-kmbc-tv-loses-broa/185919492/|date=1975-07-23|page=35|first=Joyce|last=Wagner|title=KMBC-TV Loses Broadcast Rarity|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> In 1980, when ABC debuted the late-night newscast ''Nightline'', KMBC-TV delayed it to show reruns after its late newscast;<ref name="Kans801117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-nightline-is-tv/185943664/|date=1980-11-17|page=A-12|first=Steve|last=Nicely|title='Nightline' is TV news with depth|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> this practice of deferring ABC's late-night programming lasted until January 2015.<ref name="Kans110104">{{cite news|title=KMBC boss: Earlier 'Nightline' is 'probably indefinite'|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/04/2559977/kmbc-moves-nightline-to-pre-midnight.html|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|date=January 4, 2011|access-date=January 5, 2011}}</ref><ref name="BC110117">{{cite web|title=K.C.'s Two-Pronged Attack|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/kcs-two-pronged-attack-42693|first=Michael|last=Malone|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=January 17, 2011|access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Kans141218">{{cite news|title=KMBC dropping sitcom reruns for 'Jimmy Kimmel' and 'Nightline'|url=http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/tv/article4640655.html|first=Tim|last=Engle|work=The Kansas City Star|date=December 18, 2014|access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref>

The theater inside the KMBC building was used by the Kansas City Lyric Theatre beginning in 1970<ref name="Kans700816">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-the-lyrics-1970-se/186071795/|date=1970-08-16|page=1D|title=The Lyric's 1970 Season To Be Played in a New Home|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> and renamed the Lyric Theatre in 1974.<ref name="Kans740801">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-lyric-signs-lease/186071341/|date=1974-08-01|page=16C|first=John|last=Haskins|title=Lyric Signs Lease For Capri Theater|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref>

===Hearst ownership=== Metromedia agreed to buy WCVB-TV in Boston in 1981 for $220 million, then the single most expensive TV station sale in history. FCC ownership rules of the time limited one station group to five VHF TV stations; Metromedia was already at the maximum and needed to sell one, with speculation leaning toward a sale of KMBC-TV over WTCN-TV in Minneapolis.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Metromedia • WCVB-TV Boston • $220 million|work=Broadcasting|pages=27–28|date=July 27, 1981|id={{pq|962735720}} }}</ref><ref name="Kans810723">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-metromedia-may-sell/185919881/|date=1981-07-23|page=2B|first=Gerald B.|last=Jordan|title=Metromedia may sell KMBC-TV|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> The Hearst Corporation agreed to purchase KMBC for $79 million that September,<ref name="Kans810909">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-hearst-corp-to-buy/185919900/|date=1981-09-09|page=4A|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Hearst Corp. to buy KMBC, Channel 9|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-11-30}}</ref> representing the second-most expensive single-station sale.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 14, 1981|page=81|work=Broadcasting|title=Hearst to buy Kansas City VHF for $79 million|id={{pq|962734962}} }}</ref> Hearst sold the studio building to the Lyric organization in 1991, a year and a half after damage closed the theater, with the goal of eventually moving KMBC-TV to another space.<ref name="Kans910514">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-opera-plan-to-buy-l/185920732/|date=1991-05-14|page=B-1|first=Scott|last=Cantrell|title=Opera plan to buy Lyric is reported|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> KMBC was the broadcaster of Kansas City Chiefs preseason football from 1989 through 1996.<ref name="Kans930810">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-chiefs-ring-up-big/160413643/|date=1993-08-10|page=C-3|first=Randy|last=Covitz|title=Chiefs ring up big numbers in ratings for exhibition|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref><ref name="Kans970807">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-chiefs-call-two-tv/160413669/|date=August 7, 1997|page=E-2|first=Christopher Jr.|last=Hearne|title=Chiefs call two TV signals for preseason schedule|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 5, 2025}}</ref>

Hearst helped put a new Kansas City TV station on the air on September 14, 1996. KCWB (channel 29), an affiliate of The WB, was programmed by the company under a local marketing agreement.<ref name="Kans960824">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kcwb-says-hello-wg/117921787/|date=August 24, 1996|pages=E-1, [https://newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kcwb/117921780/ E-10]|first=Robert W.|last=Butler|title=KCWB says hello, WGN says goodbye|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 20, 2024|archive-date=February 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220072706/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kcwb-says-hello-wg/117921787/|url-status=live}}</ref> A month after launching, KMBC and KCWB obtained rights to Kansas City Royals baseball in a 50-game agreement sublicensed from Fox Sports Rocky Mountain; 15 games were slated for airing on channel 9.<ref name="Kans961018">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-royals-tv-picture/118012310/|date=October 18, 1996|page=1-D|title=Royals' TV picture now is crystal clear: Channels 9 and 29 to carry over-the-air games in new set-up|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 20, 2024|archive-date=February 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220072709/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-royals-tv-picture/118012310/|url-status=live}}</ref> After an affiliation exchange with KSMO-TV (channel 62) in 1998, KCWB became KCWE, a UPN affiliate.<ref name="Kans980226">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117975706/upn-expects-trek-to-take-it-to-channel-2/|date=February 26, 1998|page=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117975804/upn-expects-voyage-to-channel-29/ A-10]|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=UPN expects trek to take it to Channel 29|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 5, 2023|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304022617/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117975706/upn-expects-trek-to-take-it-to-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Kans980324">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117975862/star-trek-voyager-leads-return-of-upn/|date=March 24, 1998|page=D-3|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title='Star Trek: Voyager' leads return of UPN shows to KC|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 5, 2023|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304022603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117975862/star-trek-voyager-leads-return-of/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Kans060308">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kcwe-snags-new-netw/117976086/|date=March 8, 2006|pages=C-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-network-jointly-ow/117976109/ C-8]|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=KCWE snags new network: Affiliation with The CW is a minor coup for buyer Hearst|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221225959/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kcwe-snags-new-netw/117976086/|url-status=live}}</ref> It affiliated with The CW in 2006,{{r|Kans060308}} the same year Hearst-Argyle{{efn|Hearst merged its broadcast division with Argyle Television in 1997,<ref name="Cinc970327">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-channel-5-parent-in/186093385/|date=1997-03-27|page=6B|first=Greg|last=Paeth|title=Channel 5 parent in merger with Hearst|newspaper=The Cincinnati Post|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> forming Hearst-Argyle Television.<ref name="Time970830">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-argyle-shareholders-ok-merg/186093623/|date=1997-08-30|page=2A|title=Argyle shareholders OK merger|newspaper=Times Record|location=Fort Smith, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> The name continued until 2009, when the Hearst Corporation acquired Argyle's stake in the venture, took it private, and renamed it Hearst Television.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/hearst-moves-merger-34881|date=June 3, 2009|title=Hearst Moves On Merger|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Michael|last=Malone|access-date=July 16, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407011414/https://www.nexttv.com/news/hearst-moves-merger-34881|url-status=live}}</ref>}} was approved to buy it outright,<ref name="Kans060816">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-owner-of-kmbc-can-a/141798484/|date=August 16, 2006|page=C3|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=Owner of KMBC can acquire KCWE, government says|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221230214/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-owner-of-kmbc-can-a/141798484/|url-status=live}}</ref> creating Kansas City's third duopoly.<ref>{{Cite news|page=15|title=Where Duopolies Abound|first=Allison|last=Romano|id={{ProQuest|225327877}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=November 14, 2005}}</ref>

In 2007, KMBC and KCWE moved from the downtown studios into a {{convert|53,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility at the Winchester Business Center, near Swope Park in southeastern Kansas City, Missouri. The facility, five years in the planning<ref>{{cite news|id={{Gale|A172665229}}|title=KMBC-TV, KCWE-TV find new digs in Kansas City for SD, HD simulcasting|url=https://business.highbeam.com/437251/article-1G1-172665229/kmbctv-kcwetv-find-new-digs-kansas-city-sd-hd-simulcasting|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220140331/https://business.highbeam.com/437251/article-1G1-172665229/kmbctv-kcwetv-find-new-digs-kansas-city-sd-hd-simulcasting|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2016|periodical=Broadcast Engineering|date=December 16, 2007|access-date=December 14, 2016}}</ref> and under construction since 2005,<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051018120612/http://www.gatewaycityradio.com/news/local.asp?ID=328|archive-date=October 18, 2005|title=KMBC-TV Breaks Ground On New Station|url=http://www.gatewaycityradio.com/news/local.asp?ID=328|publisher=KMBC-TV|via=Gateway City Radio|date=July 4, 2005|access-date=December 10, 2016}}</ref> was designed after the buildings at Country Club Plaza. It enabled the KMBC–KCWE operation to operate more efficiently. Prior to the relocation, offices spilled out from the Lyric into an annex across the street. It also offered a helipad and secure parking, unlike the Lyric.<ref name="Kans070819">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc-goes-hd/141799431/|date=August 19, 2007|page=F12|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=KMBC goes HD|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221230214/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc-goes-hd/141799431/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==News operation== In the early 1960s, KMBC had the smallest news staff in Kansas City television yet contended in the ratings, which showed volatility based on lead-in and lead-out programs.{{r|Var630320}} The station instituted an hour of early evening news in 1973, consisting of two local half-hours at 5 and 6 p.m. wrapped around the ''ABC Evening News'',<ref name="Kans730812">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc-tv-takes-big-s/186053902/|date=1973-08-12|page=4F|first=Joyce|last=Wagner|title=KMBC-TV Takes Big Step With 90-Minute Newscast|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> and added another local half-hour the next year—only for a bad economy and poor ratings of ABC to force the station back into a half-hour early-evening newscast after one year.{{r|Kans750723}} Meanwhile, at 10 p.m., the station's ''Total News'' challenged KCMO-TV for first place, with a stronger performance among younger viewers.<ref name="Kans760509">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-viewers-outspoken-a/164757824/|date=1976-05-09|page=4F|first=Joyce|last=Wagner|title=Viewers Outspoken About Local News|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> Retrospectively, the KMBC news operation in the mid-1970s was seen as a "news giant" at the top of its game.{{r|Kans850428}}

In 1977, Ridge Shannon took over as KMBC-TV's news director. Over the next few years, the station experienced a near-total turnover in news personnel as people were fired or, as in the case of anchor Larry Moore, took jobs elsewhere.<ref name="Kans780804">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-overbay-carmack/185943212/|date=1978-08-04|first=George|last=Koppe|pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-channel-9-fires-th/185943226/ 3B]|title=Overbay, Carmack, Hanson Go: Channel 9 News Fires Three|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> KMBC fell in the ratings<ref name="Kans781230">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-local-competition/185943415/|date=1978-12-30|page=44|title=Local Competition Stiff In 10 p.m. News Race|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> and lost a third of its audience share at 10 p.m. in two years with new anchor Scott Feldman.<ref name="Kans790619">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-channel-5-news-ove/164757857/|date=1979-06-19|page=9A|first=Steve|last=Nicely|title=Channel 5 News Overthrows Channel 9 as King of the Ratings|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> In January 1980, the ''Total News'' moniker was dropped and replaced with ''The News'', in a format that utilized beat reporting and aimed to present more substantive stories.<ref name="Kans800315">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-olympics-not-new/185943490/|date=1980-03-15|page=C-4|first=Steve|last=Nicely|title=Olympics — not new format — may be why Channel 9's 10 p.m. news ratings jumped|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> Three months later, Don Fortune–sports director since 1975 and last remaining member of the top-rated ''Total News'' anchor team of the 1970s–departed to work for KCMO.<ref name="Kans800403">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-don-fortune-leaves/179573290/|date=1980-04-03|page=7B|first=Gerald B.|last=Jordan|title=Don Fortune leaves a gap|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref>

===Christine Craft=== {{further|Christine Craft}} In January 1981, Shannon hired newscaster Christine Craft from KEYT in Santa Barbara, California, to team with Feldman on the weeknight editions of ''The News''.<ref name="Kans810102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-channel-9s-new-ne/185943812/|date=1981-01-02|page=C-4|first=Steve|last=Nicely|title=Channel 9's new newscaster is equally at home on ocean and air waves|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> Craft had been hired because the consultants that advised KMBC-TV had circulated an audition tape of her, and their research showed that Feldman—seen as solid but somewhat harsh—needed a female co-anchor as a counterpart. Craft's tenure as co-anchor lasted seven months before Shannon moved to demote her to reporter on August 14. This came after research from the same firm claimed that Kansas Citians had rejected Craft, finding her old and unattractive;{{r|Kans810817}} she had been kept only on the insistence of following a fashion consultant's advice on clothes and makeup, which included a "fashion calendar" prescribing her outfits by day.<ref name="LosA820412">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-sour-saga-of-a-wom/186116843/|date=1982-04-12|pages=VI:1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-sour-saga-of-a-wom/186116852/ 2], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-female-anchor/186116863/ 3]|first=Howard|last=Rosenberg|author-link=Howard Rosenberg|title=Sour Saga of a Woman TV Anchor|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|location=Los Angeles, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-03}}</ref> Craft refused the demotion and was fired.<ref name="Kans810817">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbcs-co-anchor-a/185944007/|date=1981-08-17|page=2B|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=KMBC's co-anchor a casualty of public whim|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> News of Craft's firing shocked her counterparts at competing stations, who believed that KMBC had not given Craft enough time to establish herself on the air. WDAF-TV's Cynthia Smith noted, "To me, this is scary for all women in broadcasting."<ref name="Kans810825">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-anchors-shocked-by/185944123/|date=1981-08-25|page=2B|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Anchors shocked by firing of Christine Craft|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> The reasoning was also belied by the ratings: while the Arbitron survey showed KMBC in second place at 10 p.m., Nielsen showed KMBC in the lead at 6 and 10 for the first time in nearly three years.<ref name="Kans810826">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-nielsen-ratings-sho/185943747/|date=1981-08-26|page=2B|title=Nielsen ratings show KMBC news in No. 1 spot|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> The station continued to be number-one in the news ratings in 1982,<ref name="Kans820219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-channel-9-pulls-sli/118271059/|date=1982-02-19|page=2B|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Channel 9 pulls slightly ahead in evening news|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> with Craft's replacement: Brenda Williams, the first Black weeknight anchor in Kansas City.<ref name="Kans821219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-local-tv-news-progr/117538175/|date=December 19, 1982|pages=3E, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-news/117538144/ 4E]|first=Gerald B.|last=Jordan|title=Local TV news programs ready to butt heads for top ratings|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 5, 2025|archive-date=January 21, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121080751/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-local-tv-news-progr/117538175/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Quote box | quote = Channel 9 became known by many in the national broadcast industry as the station that gave local newscasts a bad name. It became known as the station that put appearance before journalistic integrity. | author = Barry Garron | source = ''The Kansas City Star''<ref name="Kans850701">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-in-victory-channel/185920534/|date=1985-07-01|page=2B|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=In victory, Channel 9 still pays|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> | align = right | width = 250px | salign = right }} Craft returned to Santa Barbara, working for half the salary she earned in Kansas City.{{r|LosA820412}} She sued Metromedia—but not Hearst or KMBC-TV itself—in January 1983, seeking $1.2 million in damages and alleging a pattern of sex discrimination at Metromedia.<ref name="Kans830106">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-christine-craft-ask/185920376/|date=1983-01-06|page=2B|first=Gerald B.|last=Jordan|title=Christine Craft asks $2 million|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> Testifying in the trial, KMBC general manager R. Kent Replogle stated that appearance was "at the top of the list" of qualities desired in a news anchor. He noted that Arbitron—which showed KMBC in a worse ratings position than Nielsen—was how the station sold 90 percent of its advertising.<ref name="Kans830728">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-tv-official-testifi/185944415/|date=1983-07-28|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-craft/185944378/ 6A]|first=Joe|last=Henderson|title=TV official testifies in bias suit|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> Two juries awarded Craft monetary damages, but the verdicts against Metromedia were overturned, first by a judge and later by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.{{r|Kans850701}}<ref name="Sacr860126">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-starting-over-the-la/155728163/|date=1986-01-26|pages=Magazine 6, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-craft/155728183/ 7], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-craft/155728195/ 8], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-craft/155728218/ 9]|first=Bob|last=Wisehart|title=Starting over: The lawsuit behind her, newscaster Christine Craft pulls her life back together|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref>

While Craft lost, the trial spotlighted the double standards faced by women in TV news. Columnists such as Ellen Goodman of ''The Boston Globe''<ref name="Bost830802">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-tv-women-unfair-battle/186117066/|date=1983-08-02|page=11|first=Ellen|last=Goodman|title=TV women: Unfair battle|newspaper=The Boston Globe|location=Boston, Massachusetts|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-03}}</ref> and Sally Bedell Smith in ''The New York Times''<ref>{{Cite news|first=Sally|last=Bedell Smith|author-link=Sally Bedell Smith|title=TV Newswoman's Suit Stirs A Debate on Values in Hiring|work=The New York Times|pages=1, 44|id={{pq|122172262}}|date=August 6, 1983}}</ref> grappled with the questions the trial posed about how the television industry treated women journalists. It also was damaging to KMBC-TV{{r|Kans850428}} and to the industry. In a letter to the editor of ''Broadcasting'', David Dary, a professor at the University of Kansas, claimed the trial "singed the image of professionalism of TV news" by exposing the behind-the-scenes maneuvering involved.<ref>{{Cite news|first=David|last=Dary|title=Open Mike: Craft aftermath|page=26|date=September 19, 1983|work=Broadcasting|id={{pq|963249361}} }}</ref>

===Rebuilding=== {{Quote box | quote = We were the 28th largest market at the time, but we could've been 128th. We didn't have a news truck, didn't have a live truck. | author = Russ Mitchell | source = on his days at KMBC-TV, 1982–1985, to Aaron Barnhart of ''The Kansas City Star''{{r|Kans970719}} | align = right | width = 250px | salign = right }} When Hearst took over, it found itself hamstrung by poor decisions made in the late Metromedia era, particularly under Ridge Shannon. While KMBC-TV itself had not been sued by Craft, the long-term impact of the Craft saga tarnished the station's image and hurt talent recruitment.<ref name="Kans850428">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-channel-9-how-a-ne/185920454/|date=1985-04-28|pages=1J, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc/185920441/ 2J], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc/185920434/ 3J]|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Channel 9: How a news giant falls|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> Shannon resigned in April 1983,<ref name="Kans830421">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-ridge-shannon-leavi/185920395/|date=1983-04-21|page=2B|first=Gerald B.|last=Jordan|title=Ridge Shannon leaving KMBC-TV's news job|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> shortly before ratings surveys that showed KMBC was in third at 6 p.m. and either third or second at 10 p.m. Replogle ordered major changes in the news staff; he rehired Larry Moore, who had worked in San Francisco and Chicago after leaving KMBC.<ref name="Kans830731">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc-tv-plays-catch/185942809/|date=1983-07-31|pages=1J, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc/185942797/ 3J]|first=Gerald B.|last=Jordan|title=KMBC-TV plays catch-up on news|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> Moore was reluctant to return, telling the news director, "Your crisis is so severe, I don't think I want to get involved."{{r|Kans850428}} Simultaneously, Hearst increased its news budget, enabling the smallest news staff in Kansas City to grow.<ref name="Kans830731-Moore">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-can-the-old-magic-w/185942785/|date=1983-07-31|pages=3J, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-moore/185942849/ 4J]|title=Can the old magic work again in a new situation?|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> But ratings did not immediately increase, as KMBC remained behind KCTV and a revitalized WDAF, struggled with ABC's poor national ratings, and lacked a news identity of its own.{{r|Kans850428}}

In 1985, Hearst hired former Kansas Citian Paul "Dino" Dinovitz as KMBC-TV's new general manager. At the time, KMBC was in third place in local news ratings at 5, 6, and 10 p.m.<ref name="Kans850620">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-channel-9s-new-man/185920504/|date=1985-06-20|page=2B|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Channel 9's new manager has tall order|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> Things had not changed by January 1987, when Brian Bracco was hired as news director.<ref name="Kans870113">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-channel-9-hires-new/118271243/|date=1987-01-13|page=2C|title=Channel 9 hires news director|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> Under Bracco, KMBC added a 6:30 a.m. newscast, the first in Kansas City.<ref name="Kans880217">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-channel-9-adds-news/118402002/|date=1988-02-17|page=2C|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Channel 9 adds news in morning|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> Ratings rose to levels not seen since 1984,<ref name="Kans880823">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-summer-upset-chann/118271300/|date=1988-08-23|page=2C|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Summer upset: Channel 9 gains in news ratings|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> and in October 1989, KMBC regained first place at 10 p.m.<ref name="Kans891109">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-channel-9-back-on-t/185945500/|date=1989-11-09|page=2D|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Channel 9 back on top in 10 p.m. news race|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> By the early 1990s, ratings showed KMBC in the lead in all three evening news time slots.<ref name="Kans911114">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-channel-9-widens-it/185945733/|date=1991-11-14|page=F-2|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Channel 9 widens its ratings lead|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref><ref name="Kans930311">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118271393/channel-9-clearly-leads-news-pack/|date=March 11, 1993|page=G-2|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Channel 9 clearly leads news pack|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 9, 2023|archive-date=February 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209060450/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118271393/channel-9-clearly-leads-news-pack/|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 1994, its 10 p.m. audience share reached 34 percent, tied for its best in 15 years.<ref name="Kans941207">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-territory-of-kc-new/164764329/|date=1994-12-07|page=G-3|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Territory of KC news now has a two-tier landscape|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref>

===21st century=== thumb|right|The KMBC-TV and Hearst-Argyle logos, painted on the side of the Lyric|alt=Refer to caption Dinovitz left in 1998, when Hearst-Argyle acquired KCRA-TV in Sacramento, California, and named him to manage it.<ref name="Kans981219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-general-manager-of/141680374/|date=1998-12-19|pages=C-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kmbc-general-manag/141680362/ C-2]|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=General manager of KMBC is named to California TV post|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> He was replaced by Wayne Godsey, an executive from the recently acquired Pulitzer station group.<ref name="Kans990227">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-channel-9s-new-bos/185920911/|date=1999-02-27|page=E4|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=Channel 9's new boss brings experience to new home|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> The station acquired the services of a helicopter in 2000, giving Kansas City competing TV news helicopters for the first time since 1997.<ref name="Kans000408">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kc-skies-make-room/185946555/|date=2000-04-08|page=E4|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=KC skies make room for another news/traffic copter|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> However, ratings began to decline among total households, putting an end to the dominant status KMBC had enjoyed in the 1990s. In 2004, KCTV beat KMBC in the 10 p.m. news race for the first time in a decade, while WDAF edged out KMBC in morning news.<ref name="Kans041202">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-live-late-breaking/160352508/|date=December 2, 2004|pages=E-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kctv-its-live-la/160352484/ E-7]|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=Live, late-breaking... and the leader|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 5, 2024}}</ref> Though KMBC preserved leads in key demographics, the market had become more competitive.<ref name="Kans071017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-ketz-gets-a-new-tim/185921091/|date=2007-10-17|page=C3|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=Ketz gets a new time slot|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref>

Three female employees of KMBC-TV—Maria Antonia, Kelly Eckerman, and Peggy Breit—sued the station in November 2008, alleging age and gender discrimination and a practice of demoting older women in favor of younger women. Antonia claimed that Godsey had told her that she "[would] never anchor at Channel 9 again", while Breit alleged that KMBC management passed over older assignment reporters for higher-profile shifts in favor of younger hires.<ref>{{cite web|title=Employees sue KMBC-TV, alleging sex and age discrimination|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2008/11/10/daily49.html|newspaper=Kansas City Business Journal|date=November 14, 2008|access-date=December 10, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Kans081114">{{cite news|title=Christine Craft II, in 3-D: Trio of KMBC female stars sue, claiming age, gender discrim |first=Aaron|last=Barnhart |url=http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2008/11/christine-craft.html |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |date=November 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927115013/http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2008/11/christine-craft.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref> Hearst settled with the three anchors in September 2010.{{r|kcstar-kcwenews}}

KMBC remained ahead of its competitors in 2010 in the morning, early evening, and late evening news ratings.{{r|BC110117}} By 2013, WDAF had moved past KMBC to first in early evening news, even though KMBC had surpassed channel 4 in mornings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-sprint-finish-line-44026|title=Market Eye: A Sprint to the Finish Line|date=May 5, 2013|first=Michael|last=Malone|work=Broadcasting & Cable|archive-date=July 31, 2021|access-date=February 5, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731090836/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-sprint-finish-line-44026|url-status=live}}</ref> That November, Larry Moore retired from regular anchor duties and transitioned into an anchor emeritus role, in which he contributed to special projects reports.<ref>{{cite news|title=Why I'll miss Channel 9's Larry Moore|url=http://www.kansas.com/latest-news/article1128459.html|first=Tim|last=Engle|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|via=The Wichita Eagle|date=November 25, 2013|access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=KMBC 9 News Anchor Larry Moore makes special announcement|url=http://www.kmbc.com/article/kmbc-9-news-anchor-larry-moore-makes-special-announcement/3678981|first=Brian|last=Foster|website=KMBC-TV|date=October 30, 2013|access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref> A 4 p.m. afternoon newscast was added in 2016.{{r|KMBC160408}} KMBC's 10 p.m. newscast was a close second to KCTV in the ratings in 2020, with KMBC and WDAF in a close race in other time slots.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 16, 2020|title=Standalone Station Is Chief in Kansas City|first=Michael|last=Malone|work=Broadcasting & Cable|url=https://www.nexttv.com/features/standalone-station-is-chief-in-kansas-city|archive-date=December 4, 2023|access-date=February 5, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204072423/https://www.nexttv.com/features/standalone-station-is-chief-in-kansas-city|url-status=live}}</ref> A Sunday night sports program was added to the KMBC-TV lineup in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=2024-07-23 |title=KMBC Kansas City To Launch Local Weekly Sports Show |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/kmbc-in-kansas-city-to-launch-local-weekly-sports-show |access-date=2025-12-02 |website=Broadcasting+Cable |language=en}}</ref>

Despite being operated by KMBC, KCWB/KCWE did not air any local newscasts until March 3, 2008, with the debut of ''KMBC 9 FirstNews on KCWE'', a morning newscast extension which aired weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m.<ref name="Kans080302">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-what-to-watch/141801014/|date=March 2, 2008|page=F14|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=What to watch|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221230156/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-what-to-watch/141801014/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, the station debuted a half-hour 9 p.m. newscast, seven nights a week;<ref name="kcstar-kcwenews">{{cite news|title=KMBC changes weather channel, settles discrim lawsuit, adds 9 p.m. news |url=http://www.tvbarn.com/tv-barn/kcwe-adds-9-p-m-news-kctvs-super-early-starts-913/ |first=Aaron|last= Barnhart |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |date=September 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904150856/http://www.tvbarn.com/tv-barn/kcwe-adds-9-p-m-news-kctvs-super-early-starts-913/ |archive-date=September 4, 2010 }}</ref> the weeknight editions were expanded to an hour in 2016.<ref name="KMBC160408">{{cite web|title=KMBC to launch 4 p.m. newscast, expand news on KCWE|url=http://www.kmbc.com/article/kmbc-to-launch-4-p-m-newscast-expand-news-on-kcwe/3693644|website=KMBC-TV|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=December 10, 2016|archive-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221013625/http://www.kmbc.com/article/kmbc-to-launch-4-p-m-newscast-expand-news-on-kcwe/3693644|url-status=live}}</ref> A noon newscast was added to the KCWE schedule in September 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/features/standalone-station-is-chief-in-kansas-city|first=Michael|last=Malone|title=Standalone Station Is Chief in Kansas City|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=December 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204072423/https://www.nexttv.com/features/standalone-station-is-chief-in-kansas-city|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notable former on-air staff== * Walt Bodine – commentator, 1984–2001<ref name="Kans840204">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-walt-bodine-his-m/186097204/|date=1984-02-04|pages=E-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-walt-bodines-voic/186097235/ E-2]|first=James C.|last=Fitzpatrick|title=Walt Bodine: His most distinctive voice still is breezy with a bite|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref><ref name="Kans010228">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-bodine-ready-to-lea/186097161/|date=2001-02-28|page=F6|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=Bodine ready to leave TV of his own accord|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> * Jonathan Coachman – sportscaster, 1999–2000<ref name="Wich990311">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-coachmans-search-find/185948032/|date=1999-03-11|page=2C|first=Jeffrey|last=Parson|title=Coachman's search finds him in KC|newspaper=The Wichita Eagle|location=Wichita, Kansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref><ref name="Wich991210">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-coachman-lands-wwf-gig/185948249/|date=1999-12-10|page=2C|first=Jeffrey|last=Parson|title=Coachman lands WWF gig, brother|newspaper=The Wichita Eagle|location=Wichita, Kansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> * Len Dawson – sportscaster, 1966–1975 while a Kansas City Chiefs quarterback; sports director, 1985–2009; sports contributor and analyst, 2009–2022<ref name="Kans660505">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-sports-spike/185947240/|date=1966-05-05|page=3B|first=Dick|last=Mackey|title=Sports Spike|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref><ref name="Kans850312">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-len-dawson-to-carry/186096676/|date=1985-03-12|page=2B|first=Barry|last=Garron|title=Len Dawson to carry ball at Channel 9|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref><ref name="Kans090317">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-new-role-for-dawson/185947342/|date=2009-03-17|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-dawson/185947355/ C6]|first=Randy|last=Covitz|title=New role for Dawson|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hills |first=Connor |date=2023-06-20 |title=Remembering legendary Chiefs quarterback and Kansas City broadcaster Len Dawson |url=https://www.kmbc.com/article/len-dawson-kansas-city-chiefs-qb-88-birthday/44269545 |access-date=2025-12-02 |website=KMBC |language=en}}</ref> * Steve Doocy – local host of ''PM Magazine''; news staffer, January–August 1984{{r|Kans850428|p=3J}} * Jeremy Hubbard – reporter and anchor, 1998–2004<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-03-25 |title=Hubbard Named Early Morning Co-Anchor |first=Steve|last=Kapsinow|website=TVNewser|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/hubbard-named-early-morning-co-anchor/ |access-date=2025-12-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> * Bill Macatee – sports anchor, 1978<ref name="Kans780723">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-convicts-argue-fact/186096459/|date=1978-07-23|page=3J|title=Convicts Argue Fact and Fiction|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref>–1979<ref name="Kans790611">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-anchors-here-can-m/186096409/|date=1979-06-11|page=2C|first=Steve|last=Nicely|title=Anchors Here Can Make $40,000: Newscasters' Salaries Aren't Small Change|newspaper=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> * Russ Mitchell – reporter, 1982–1985<ref name="Kans970719">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-molinaris-co-host/185946078/|date=1997-07-19|page=E-4|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=Molinari's co-host Mitchell shows strong Missouri roots|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> * Craig Sager – sportscaster, 1979<ref name="News790808">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press-winks-sager-going-to-kansas/180121052/|date=1979-08-08|page=1C|first=Jay|last=Lawrence|title=WINK's Sager going to Kansas City station|newspaper=News-Press|location=Fort Myers, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref>–1981<ref name="Kans810304">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-anchors-resignatio/185944701/|date=1981-03-04|page=10B|first=Gerald B.|last=Jordan|title=Anchor's resignation second in two days|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> * John Sanders – sportscaster, 1966–1978<ref name="Kans780122">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-scripts-convert-tv/186095552/|date=1978-01-22|page=4F|first=Steve|last=Nicely|title=Scripts Convert TV To a Teaching Tool|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref>{{r|Kans780804}}

==Technical information== ===Subchannels=== KMBC-TV's transmitter is located at 23rd Street and Topping Avenue east of downtown Kansas City, Missouri.{{r|FCC-LMS-65686}} The station's signal is multiplexed: {| class="wikitable" |+ Subchannels of KMBC-TV<ref>{{cite web|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KMBC|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KMBC#station|website=RabbitEars|access-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Aspect ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 9.1 | 1080i || rowspan="4" | 16:9 || KMBC-HD || ABC |- ! scope = "row" | 9.2 | rowspan="3" | 480i || Me TV || MeTV |- ! scope = "row" | 9.3 | STORY || Story Television |- ! scope = "row" | 9.4 | Nosey || Nosey |-style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;" ! scope = "row" | 62.2 | rowspan="2"|480i || rowspan="2"|16:9 || H & I || Heroes & Icons (KSMO-TV) |-style="background-color:#DFEBF6;" ! scope = "row" | 62.3 | Dabl || Dabl (KSMO-TV) |} {{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}

KMBC-TV began broadcasting a digital signal on VHF channel 7 on April 24, 2002.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter=KMBC-DT|title=Television & Cable Factbook|date=2006|page=A-1297|publisher=Warren Communications News|volume=74}}</ref> It was the first commercial TV station in Kansas City to broadcast in digital, though public station KCPT had begun broadcasting in 1998.<ref name="Kans030319">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-lost-in-the-hi-def/118404795/|date=March 19, 2003|pages=F-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-hi-def-most-local/118404783/ F-7]|first=Aaron|last=Barnhart|title=Lost in the hi-def frontier: KC stations, viewers lag behind visual revolution|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 5, 2025}}</ref> The signal was full-power but had to be curtailed to the south to protect KOAM-TV in Pittsburg, Kansas, which was short-spaced.<ref name="Kans090121">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-channel-9s-broadca/186118199/|date=2009-01-21|page=C2|title=Channel 9's broadcast signal gets lost in space|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=Kansas City, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=2025-12-03}}</ref>{{r|Kans090218}} Though KMBC-TV had originally been projected to continue digital broadcasting in VHF on channel 9 after the transition concluded,<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and 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=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> this would have made it the only major Kansas City station transmitting on the VHF band. The FCC granted permission to switch that assignment to channel 29 effective February 19, 2009. The channel had been vacated when KCWE terminated analog broadcasts on February 17. This also resolved the spacing issue to KOAM and allowed for a stronger signal to areas south of Kansas City. Analog service continued until the final digital television transition date of June 12, 2009,<ref name="Kans090218">{{cite news|title=KMBC-DT moves to its final resting place (we think) Thursday |url=http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2009/02/kmbc-dt-moves-t.html |first=Aaron|last=Barnhart |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |date=February 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221045123/http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2009/02/kmbc-dt-moves-t.html |archive-date=February 21, 2009 }}</ref> and was followed by a "nightlight" service to provide digital transition information.<ref name="FCC Nightlight">{{cite web|title=UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-291375A1.pdf|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=June 4, 2012}}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website}} * [http://www.metvkansascity.com/ KMBC MeTV website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kmbc-Tv}} Category:1953 establishments in Missouri Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates Category:Hearst Television Category:Metromedia Category:MeTV affiliates Category:Story Television affiliates Category:Television channels and stations established in 1953 Category:Television stations in the Kansas City metropolitan area

KMBC-TV

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