{{Short description|Television station in Sioux City, Iowa}} {{for|current information on "CBS 14" in Sioux City|KPTH}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox television station | callsign = KMEG | city = | logo = | branding = | analog = | digital = 32 (UHF) | virtual = 14 | subchannels = | translators = {{ubl|K18KG-D Spencer, IA|K23PU-D Norfolk, NE}} | affiliations = {{ubl|'''14.1:''' Roar|''for others, see {{Section link||Technical information and subchannels}}''}} | network = | country = United States | founded = | airdate = {{start date|1967|9|5}} | last_airdate = | location = Sioux City, Iowa | callsign_meaning = Station broadcast with 1 megawatt when it went on air | former_callsigns = | former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 14 (UHF, 1967–2009)|'''Digital:''' 39 (UHF, until 2018)}} | owner = Sinclair Broadcast Group | licensee = KPTH Licensee, LLC | operator = | sister_stations = KPTH | former_affiliations = {{ubl|CBS (1967–2021)|Fox (secondary, 1988–1998)|UPN (secondary, 1995 and 2004–2006)|Dabl (2021–2025)}} | erp = 1,000 kW | haat = {{convert|611|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | class = | facility_id = 39665 | coordinates = {{coord|42|35|12|N|96|13|19|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} | licensing_authority = FCC | website = {{URL|https://siouxlandnews.com/}} }}
'''KMEG''' (channel 14) is a television station in Sioux City, Iowa, United States, airing programming from the digital multicast network Roar. It is owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside Fox/CBS affiliate KPTH (channel 44). The two stations share studios along I-29 (postal address says Gold Circle) in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; KMEG's transmitter is located northeast of Sioux City in Plymouth County, Iowa.
From its sign-on in 1967 to 2021, KMEG was the CBS affiliate in Sioux City. It was put on the air to provide the area with full three-network service for the first time. The station largely spent decades in third place under a succession of owners; it had no full-length local news programming from 1976 to 1999. KMEG briefly had the national spotlight in 1993 when its decision not to air the ''Late Show with David Letterman'' left Sioux City the only market where the show was not aired.
Waitt Broadcasting, the previous owner, acquired KMEG in 1998. New studios were built in Dakota Dunes and a new news operation was started. In 2005, Waitt outsourced most station operations to KPTH owner Pappas Telecasting; that station changed hands in 2009 and again in 2013. CBS programming moved to a "CBS 14" subchannel of Sinclair-owned KPTH in 2021, leaving KMEG to broadcast national digital multicast television networks. Sinclair acquired the KMEG license in 2025.
==History== ===Early years=== Medallion Broadcasters, Inc., applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in November 1966 seeking authority to build a television station on ultra high frequency (UHF) channel 14 in Sioux City. Medallion, a group of northwest Iowa residents, sought to bring the missing ABC network to Sioux City.<ref name="Siou661109">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-apply-for-uhf-channel/123940467/|date=November 9, 1966|page=B8|title=Apply for UHF Channel in Sioux City|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The group was headed by Robert Donovan, longtime sales manager of one of the two existing stations in Sioux City, KVTV (channel 9, now KCAU-TV).<ref name="Siou980107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-siouxland-tv-pioneer/123941686/|date=January 7, 1998|page=B8|title=Siouxland TV pioneer Robert Donovan dies|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081245/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-siouxland-tv-pioneer/123941686/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The commission granted the application on February 15, 1967.<ref name="Siou670215">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-fcc-grants-uhf-applic/123940482/|date=February 15, 1967|page=1|title=FCC Grants UHF Application for Sioux City|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081245/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-fcc-grants-uhf-applic/123940482/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Construction then began, with Medallion taking up space in a building at Seventh Street and Floyd Boulevard previously used by a coffee company.<ref name="Siou670329">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-channel-14-will-move/123940508/|date=March 29, 1967|page=B7|title=Channel 14 Will Move to New Offices|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081246/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-channel-14-will-move/123940508/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The call letters KMEG were selected to reflect that the station would broadcast with a megawatt, the first station in the region to do so.<ref name="Siou670525">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-new-television-statio/123940586/|date=May 25, 1967|page=20|title=New Television Station Here Will Be KMEG|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081246/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-new-television-statio/123940586/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->{{efn|Robert Donovan, the president of Medallion, also had a daughter named Meg.{{r|Siou980107}} }}
While the station was in the construction phase, KVTV announced it would change network affiliations from CBS to ABC.<ref name="Siou670516">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-channel-9-to-be-fullt/102689216/|date=May 16, 1967|page=B3|title=Channel 9 To Be Fulltime ABC Affiliate|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081246/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-channel-9-to-be-fullt/102689216/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Medallion then announced its intention to pursue the CBS affiliation for KMEG and signed an affiliation agreement.<ref name="Siou670717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-new-tv-lineup-in-fall/123940696/|date=July 17, 1967|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-tv/123940730/ 5]|first=Marvin|last=Hastings|title=New TV Lineup in Fall: KMEG Is CBS, KTIV Has NBC and KVTV, ABC|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081320/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-new-tv-lineup-in-fall/123940696/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
KMEG began broadcasting on September 5, 1967, from a transmitter site on high ground east of Sioux City.<ref name="Siou670910">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-sioux-citys-3rd-tv-s/123967306/|date=September 10, 1967|page=C3|title=Sioux City's 3rd TV Station Goes on Air with CBS|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081247/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-sioux-citys-3rd-tv-s/123967306/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Eighteen months after going on air, Medallion announced the sale of KMEG to John Fetzer;<ref name="DesM690311">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-fetzer-gains-kme/123967399/|date=March 11, 1969|page=7-S|title=Fetzer Gains KMEG Control|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081247/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-fetzer-gains-kme/123967399/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> the FCC approved the deal and noted that Medallion had sustained heavy losses in starting up and running channel 14.<ref name="Siou690819">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-ap-corrects-error-in/123967416/|date=August 19, 1969|page=15|agency=Associated Press|title=AP Corrects Error in TV Sale Report|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081250/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-ap-corrects-error-in/123967416/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> However, much carried over from the station's founding ownership. Donovan remained with KMEG as station manager until 1983,{{r|Siou980107}} while KMEG had still never turned a profit by 1976.{{r|DesM770102}} Fetzer sold off all of his broadcasting properties in the mid-1980s. KMEG was sold along with WKZO-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Nebraska's KOLN/KGIN to Gillett Holdings in 1985.<ref name="Siou850817">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-tv-station-sold-to-na/123942819/|date=August 17, 1985|page=A5|title=TV station sold to Nashville company|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081251/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-tv-station-sold-to-na/123942819/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
===Maine Radio and Television ownership=== Gillett only owned KMEG for a year before selling it to the Maine Radio and Television Company, the owner of WCSH-TV in Portland, Maine, and WLBZ-TV in Bangor, Maine. President Fred Thompson noted that the family-owned broadcaster chose KMEG for its first expansion outside New England because it was "small, controllable and affordable".<ref name="Siou861108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-new-england-family-bu/123942864/|date=November 8, 1986|page=A24|first=Bob|last=Gunsolley|title=New England family buys KMEG|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081248/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-new-england-family-bu/123942864/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> KMEG was a secondary affiliate of Fox beginning in 1989<ref name="Siou890915">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-to-carry-fox-pro/123968362/|date=September 15, 1989|page=B2|title=KMEG to carry Fox programs|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081248/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-to-carry-fox-pro/123968362/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> and was also a secondary affiliate of the United Paramount Network (UPN) for the first eight months of 1995, dropping UPN when it refused to carry programming beyond ''Star Trek: Voyager''.<ref name="Siou950825">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-bye-bye-voyager/123968227/|date=August 25, 1995|page=C1|title=Bye, bye 'Voyager'|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081248/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-bye-bye-voyager/123968227/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> It also had a local kids club with local host Tim Poppen, who had previously hosted the children's show ''Puppen's Place'' on the station.<ref name="Siou940522">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-siouxlanders-best-tv/123967691/|date=May 22, 1994|page=Living 1|first=Bill|last=Zahren|title=Siouxlanders' best TV friends|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081837/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-siouxlanders-best-tv/123967691/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The return of the NFL to CBS in 1998 after four years without caused KMEG to drop its coverage of the ''NFL on Fox''.<ref name="Siou990130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-super-bowl-game-wont/123968413/|date=January 30, 1999|page=A8|title=Super Bowl game won't be seen on local airwaves|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081826/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-super-bowl-game-wont/123968413/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
thumb|right|alt=A gray brick Romanesque Revival building with a signature clock tower|The Sioux City City Hall, rebuilt in 1997 In 1993, CBS debuted the ''Late Show with David Letterman''. The new late night show was in a time slot that the affiliates previously programmed with syndicated programming.<ref name="DesM930314">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-letterman-faces/123943098/|date=March 14, 1993|pages=3-TV, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-letterman-faces/123943083/ 7-TV]|first=Janis D.|last=Froelich|title=Letterman faces local competition|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081757/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-letterman-faces/123943098/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> In August, KMEG announced it would not carry the new network offering because its lineup in the so-called late fringe timeslot—''Cheers'' and ''Star Trek''—was strong and Letterman's ''Late Night'' show on NBC had not done well in the ratings locally.<ref name="Siou930806">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-wont-carry-new/123943122/|date=August 6, 1993|page=A1|first=Bruce R.|last=Miller|title=KMEG won't carry new Letterman show|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081757/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-wont-carry-new/123943122/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> On Letterman's first CBS show, he designated Sioux City the program's "home office", likely because it was the only market nationwide where the show was not carried.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wong Briggs |first=Tracey |title=There's no stopping 'Letterman' in Fargo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/usa-today-theres-no-stopping-letterman/176641693/ |access-date=July 13, 2025 |newspaper=USA Today |date=August 30, 1993 |page=3D |via=Newspapers.com|id={{ProQuest|306635144}} }}</ref>{{r|Gaze930904}} Sioux City officials capitalized by designating the "home office" to be the city's abandoned city hall and naming Letterman an honorary citizen.<ref name="Gaze930904">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-sioux-city-makes-city-hall-l/123943353/|date=September 4, 1993|page=10C|agency=Associated Press|title=Sioux City makes City Hall Letterman's 'home office'|newspaper=The Cedar Rapids Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081757/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-sioux-city-makes-city-hall-l/123943353/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Siou930929">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-sioux-city-will-celeb/123943384/|date=September 29, 1993|page=1A|title=Sioux City will celebrate with 'Home Office' party|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081827/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-sioux-city-will-celeb/123943384/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> After one season, KMEG began to air the program beginning in September 1994;<ref name="Siou940727">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-letterman-show-on-its/123943409/|date=July 27, 1994|page=A14|first=Patrick|last=Lalley|title=Letterman show on its way here|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081834/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-letterman-show-on-its/123943409/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> the "home office" formally left Iowa in 1995.<ref name="Iowa950614">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-lettermans-hom/123943525/|date=June 14, 1995|page=7A|agency=Associated Press|title=Letterman's 'home office' leaving Iowa|newspaper=Iowa City Press-Citizen|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081758/https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-lettermans-hom/123943525/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
===Waitt Broadcasting ownership; sale to Sinclair=== After decades of broadcasting, the Rines-Thompson family that owned Maine Radio and Television Company made the decision in the late 1990s to exit the business. The two Maine television stations were sold to Gannett in 1997;<ref name="Port971015">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120725760/two-maine-television-stations-to-be-sold/|date=October 15, 1997|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120725829/wcsh/ 7A]|first=Dean|last=Lunt|title=Two Maine television stations to be sold to Gannett Co. Inc.|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 12, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> the next year, a deal was reached to sell KMEG to Waitt Broadcasting, a company owned by Norm Waitt Jr. Waitt had co-founded computing company Gateway, Inc.<ref name="Siou980505">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-waitt-broadcasting-co/123941726/|date=May 5, 1998|page=A4|title=Waitt Broadcasting Co. to buy KMEG-TV from Maine owners|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081758/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-waitt-broadcasting-co/123941726/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> and was making an entry into broadcasting by buying KOTD-FM serving Omaha and KMEG as his first media properties.<ref name="Siou980507">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-new-kmeg-owner-eyes-n/123942442/|date=May 7, 1998|page=A4|title=New KMEG owner eyes news program|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081810/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-new-kmeg-owner-eyes-n/123942442/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The company then acquired additional television and radio stations in Iowa, Alabama, and Florida between 1998 and 1999.<ref name="Siou990328a">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-waitt-gathers-radio/123726088/|date=March 28, 1999|page=I10|title=Waitt gathers radio, recording TV under entertainment banner|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081829/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-waitt-gathers-radio/123726088/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
Waitt made significant investments in its first years of owning KMEG. It moved its antenna to a tower being built by a new Siouxland television station, KPTH (channel 44), to improve its signal quality.<ref name="Siou981212">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-1980-foot-tower-for/123921808/|date=December 12, 1998|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-tower-will-be-used-by/123921782/ A3]|first=Michele|last=Linck|title=1,980-foot tower for new FOX affiliate going up near Hinton|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502165342/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-1980-foot-tower-for/123921808/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Ground was broken in September 1999 on studios in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, where Waitt maintained a home and an office; the facility would house KMEG and Waitt-owned KZSR (102.3 FM).<ref name="Siou990918">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-breaks-ground-fo/123968149/|date=September 18, 1999|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-upgrades-mean-mo/123968138/ A3]|first=Michele|last=Linck|title=KMEG breaks ground for new studios in Dunes|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081829/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-breaks-ground-fo/123968149/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Siou000326">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-prepares-for-dig/123747798/|date=March 26, 2000|pages=H11, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-new-facility-is-quadr/123747763/ H14]|first=Michele|last=Linck|title=KMEG prepares for digital future|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081805/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-prepares-for-dig/123747798/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Under Waitt, the station returned to a secondary affiliation with UPN by 2004.{{r|Siou040107}}
In May 2005, Waitt Broadcasting entered into a shared services agreement with Pappas Telecasting, owner of KPTH. Pappas assumed operations of KMEG and moved KPTH into the Dakota Dunes studios from its offices in South Sioux City, Nebraska.<ref name="Siou050503">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-pappas-will-begin-ope/123922199/|date=May 3, 2005|page=A4|title=Pappas will begin operating KMEG|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502165327/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-pappas-will-begin-ope/123922199/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> In November 2007, Waitt announced it would sell KMEG to Siouxland Television, LLC, with Pappas continuing to operate it as part of the deal. However, KPTH was among the company's stations which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2008.<ref name="Siou081221">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-stations-look-to-emer/123923119/|date=December 21, 2008|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-auction-can-city-sup/123923139/ D7]|first=Dave|last=Dreeszen|title=Stations look to emerge from bankruptcy: KMEG, KPTH, eight other Pappas affiliates auctioned for|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502165317/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-stations-look-to-emer/123923119/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> As a result, the sale of KMEG to Siouxland Television fell through. On January 16, 2009, it was announced that several of the Pappas stations involved in the bankruptcy (including KPTH) would be sold to New World TV Group (also known as Titan Broadcast Management or Titan TV Broadcast Group) after the transaction received United States bankruptcy court approval; New World/Titan also took over their operations while the sale was completed.<ref name="tvnd-pappastonw">{{cite news|url=http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2009/01/16/daily.11/|title=New World Gets Pappas TVs for $260M|date=January 16, 2009|work=TVnewsday|access-date=January 18, 2009|archive-date=July 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730080517/http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2009/01/16/daily.11/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Titan announced the sale of most of its stations, including KPTH, to the Sinclair Broadcast Group on June 3, 2013.<ref name=tvnc-saletosinclair>{{cite news|title=Sinclair Buys 6 Titan Television Stations|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/67978/sinclair-buys-6-titan-television-stations|access-date=June 4, 2013|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=June 3, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054920/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/67978/sinclair-buys-6-titan-television-stations|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair announced the closing of the sale on October 3.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://sbgi.net/site_mgr/temp/Titan%20close.pdf |title=Sinclair Broadcast Group Closes on Acquisition of the Titan Stations |publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group |access-date=October 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215829/http://sbgi.net/site_mgr/temp/Titan%20close.pdf |archive-date=October 4, 2013 }}</ref>
In January 2021, Sinclair renewed its CBS affiliation agreement, with KPTH—instead of KMEG—listed as the Sioux City affiliate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/viacomcbs-sinclair-sign-new-affiliation-agreements|date=January 13, 2021|first=Jon|last=Lafayette|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=ViacomCBS, Sinclair Sign New Affiliation Agreements|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=October 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001203040/https://www.nexttv.com/news/viacomcbs-sinclair-sign-new-affiliation-agreements|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 4, the CBS 14 subchannel of KMEG, including its programming and local news, moved to KPTH 44.3, requiring a rescan for over-the-air viewers; KMEG's 14.1 subchannel began broadcasting Dabl.<ref name="cbskpth">{{cite web|url=https://siouxlandnews.com/news/local/siouxlands-cbs-channel-moving-to-a-new-home-february-4th|title=Siouxland's CBS channel moving to a new home February 4th|website=siouxlandnews.com|date=January 20, 2021|access-date=January 22, 2021|archive-date=January 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130175745/https://siouxlandnews.com/news/local/siouxlands-cbs-channel-moving-to-a-new-home-february-4th|url-status=live}}</ref>
thumb|KMEG's last logo as a CBS affiliate, used until 2021.|alt=From left: The letters K M E G in a bold sans serif, the CBS eye, and a numeral 14. On July 28, 2021, the FCC issued a forfeiture order stemming from a lawsuit against KMEG owner Waitt Broadcasting. The order came six months after KMEG lost its CBS affiliation. The lawsuit, filed by AT&T, alleged that Waitt failed to negotiate for retransmission consent in good faith for KMEG. Owners of other Sinclair-managed stations, such as Deerfield Media, were also named in the lawsuit. Waitt was ordered to pay a fine of $512,228.<ref name="forfeiture">{{Cite news|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-21-89A1.pdf|title=Forfeiture Order|date=July 28, 2021|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=October 4, 2021|archive-date=December 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202200300/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-21-89A1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair acquired KMEG outright from Waitt for $500,000 in a 2025 deal, creating a legal duopoly with KPTH.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Mark K. |date=2025-05-27 |title=Station Trading Roundup: 3 Deals, $770,000 |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/station-trading-roundup-3-deals-770000/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=TVNewsCheck |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/consummationDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff3985817e70198673264c10acd&id=25076ff3985817e70198673264c10acd&goBack=N|title=Notification of Consummation|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=August 1, 2025|accessdate=August 3, 2025}}</ref> In August 2025, KMEG became a Roar affiliate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Mark|date=August 13, 2025|title=Sinclair's Multicast Broadcast Networks Add Affiliates|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/sinclairs-multicast-broadcast-networks-add-affiliates/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815021305/https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/sinclairs-multicast-broadcast-networks-add-affiliates/|archive-date=August 15, 2025|access-date=August 15, 2025|website=TV News Check}}</ref>
==News operation== When it signed on, KMEG broadcast newscasts under the name ''Newsbeat 14''. It made little headway in the ratings, however; by the time channel 14 was on the air, Sioux City viewers already had formed news habits watching long-established KTIV and KCAU-TV. In 1976, station manager Donovan—with the support of Fetzer management—made the decision to cease producing traditional local newscasts, with a three-person staff kept on to produce public affairs programming and documentaries.<ref name="DesM770102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-iowas-tv-statio/123967456/|date=January 2, 1977|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-corporate-labyri/123967492/ 5A]|first=Nicholas|last=Johnson|title=Iowa's TV stations—Who owns them?|newspaper=Des Moines Sunday Register|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081817/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-iowas-tv-statio/123967456/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Gillett briefly evaluated returning KMEG's news department to a full-size news operation upon purchasing the station, though at the time advertising revenues for TV stations were depressed throughout Iowa.<ref name="Siou851203">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-may-beef-up-its/48746574/|date=December 3, 1985|page=A26|first=Betsy|last=Burkhard|title=KMEG may beef up its local news|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081759/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-may-beef-up-its/48746574/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> In 1993, the station began airing regular weather updates, including the hiring of two meteorologists to produce custom forecasts.<ref name="Siou931112">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-opens-weatherey/123942711/|date=November 12, 1993|page=A10|first=Bruce R.|last=Miller|title=KMEG opens 'WeatherEye' Monday|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081759/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-opens-weatherey/123942711/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
Immediately upon buying KMEG, Waitt Broadcasting announced its intention to pursue the return of local news to channel 14; Waitt declared, "One of the first things we're going to do is take a good hard look at what it would take to develop a first-rate local news operation."{{r|Siou980507}} Even with the Dakota Dunes studio in the design concept stage, it was decided to begin producing a newscast from the existing Sioux City studios.<ref name="Siou990328">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-sets-strategy-b/123726084/|date=March 28, 1999|page=I10|first=Michele|last=Linck|title=KMEG sets strategy: Broadcaster plans more local programming|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081813/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-sets-strategy-b/123726084/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Local newscasts at 6 and 10 p.m. debuted on August 24, 1999.<ref name="Siou990824">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-starts-broadcast/123968119/|date=August 24, 1999|page=A4|first=Michele|last=Linck|title=KMEG starts broadcasts of local news|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081843/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-starts-broadcast/123968119/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> However, the station continued to struggle. In 2004, it fired most of its existing news anchors and canceled its weekend newscasts.<ref name="Siou040107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-dismisses-anchor/123968236/|date=January 7, 2004|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg/123968232/ A3]|first=Michele|last=Linck|title=KMEG dismisses anchors, restructures its news operation|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081853/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-dismisses-anchor/123968236/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
The 2005 merger of KMEG and KPTH's operations led to the announcement that KMEG would extend its news operation to channel 44.{{r|Siou050503}} Weekend newscasts were eliminated on both stations as a cost-cutting move when Titan assumed control of the Pappas stations in March 2009; the KPTH newscast had only just been expanded to weekends in January.<ref name="Siou090319">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-and-kpth-cut-sta/123922403/|date=March 19, 2009|page=A7|title=KMEG and KPTH cut staffs, end weekend newscasts|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502165343/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-and-kpth-cut-sta/123922403/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->{{r|Siou081221}}
The news operation migrated exclusively to subchannels of KPTH with the 2021 move of the CBS affiliation. Sinclair discontinued local newscasts in Sioux City in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 28, 2023|title=Local TV News to End on CBS-14 & KPTH|url=https://kscj.com/2023/04/28/local-tv-news-to-end-on-cbs-14-kpth/|access-date=April 30, 2023|work=Talk Radio 1360 (KSCJ)|language=en-US|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502165318/https://kscj.com/2023/04/28/local-tv-news-to-end-on-cbs-14-kpth/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/sinclair-shutters-five-news-markets-we-just-turned-off-the-lights-for-many/|title=Sinclair Shutters Five News Markets: 'We Just Turned Off The Lights For Many'|date=May 1, 2023|work=TVNewsCheck|first=Michael|last=Stahl|access-date=May 1, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074516/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/sinclair-shutters-five-news-markets-we-just-turned-off-the-lights-for-many/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Technical information and subchannels== KMEG's transmitter is located northeast of Sioux City in Plymouth County, Iowa.{{r|FCC-LMS-39665}} Its signal is multiplexed: {| class="wikitable" |+Subchannels of KMEG<ref name="rei">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KMEG#station|website=RabbitEars|title=TV Query for KMEG|access-date=June 19, 2014|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222017/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KMEG#station|url-status=live}}</ref> ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 14.1 | rowspan=4|480i || ROAR || Roar |- ! scope = "row" | 14.2 | Charge! || Charge! |- ! scope = "row" | 14.3 | Comet || Comet |- ! scope = "row" | 14.4 | TheNest || The Nest |- ! scope = "row" | 14.5 | 720p || CHSN || Chicago Sports Network |}
===Analog-to-digital conversion=== KMEG shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 14, at noon on February 17, 2009, which had originally been the date of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2009/02/17/news/local/559211bae0111b0d8625755f007f2829.txt|title=Today is the day for digital TV switch|first=Dave|last=Dreeszen|work=Sioux City Journal|date=February 17, 2009}}</ref> The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 39, using virtual channel 14.<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> The station switched to broadcasting on channel 32 on November 30, 2018, as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.<ref name="Repack Table">{{Cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|title=FCC TV Spectrum Phase Assignment Table|format=CSV|website=Federal Communications Commission|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160749/http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Translators=== KMEG's signal is repeated over two translators:{{r|rei}}
* Spencer: K18KG-D * Norfolk, NE: K23PU-D
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website}}
{{SUX TV}} {{Iowa TV}} {{Nebraska TV}} {{South Dakota TV}} {{SBGI}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kmeg}} Category:1967 establishments in Iowa Category:Charge! (TV network) affiliates Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates Category:The Nest (TV network) affiliates Category:Roar (TV network) affiliates Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group Category:Television channels and stations established in 1967 MEG Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2008