KTVH-DT

{{good article}} {{Short description|Television station in Helena, Montana}} {{About||the television station in Sapporo, Japan|Television Hokkaido|the former KTVH in Kansas|KWCH-DT}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox television station dual | name1 = KTVH-DT | city1 = Helena, Montana | logo = KTVH (2019).svg | logo_upright = .9 | logo_alt = The letters K T V H in white against a light blue rectangular background. The NBC peacock is set in the lower right corner. The words "Helena, Montana" appear below, widely tracked. | image = KTGF (2019).svg | image_upright = .9 | image_alt = The letters K T G F in white against a light blue rectangular background. The NBC peacock is set in the lower right corner. The words "Great Falls" appear below, widely tracked. | branding1 = KTVH, ''MTN News'' | digital1 = 31 (UHF) | virtual1 = 12 | translators = ''see {{Section link||Translators}}'' | network = Montana Television Network | affiliations = {{ubl|'''12.1/50.1:''' NBC|'''12.2:''' Independent "MTN"|''for others, see {{section link||Technical information}}''}} | country = US | airdate1 = {{start date|1958|01|01}} | callsign_meaning1 = "Television Helena" | former_callsigns1 = {{ubl|KXLJ-TV (1958–1961)|KBLL-TV (1961–1973)|KTCM (1973–1980)|KTVG (1980–1985)|KTVH (1985–2009)}} | former_channel_numbers1 = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 12 (VHF, 1958–2008)|'''Digital:''' 14 (UHF, 2004–2009); 12 (VHF, 2009–2025)}} | former_affiliations1 = The CW (12.2, 2015–2023) | owner = E. W. Scripps Company | licensee = Scripps Broadcasting Holdings LLC | sister_stations = KRTV, KXLH-LD | erp1 = 530 kW | haat1 = {{convert|671.2|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id1 = 5290 | coordinates1 = {{coord|46|49|29.4|N|111|42|15.6|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KTVH-DT}} | licensing_authority = FCC | website1 = {{URL|www.ktvh.com}} | name2 = KTGF-LD | city2 = Great Falls, Montana | branding2 = KTGF, ''MTN News'' | digital2 = 19 (UHF) | virtual2 = 50 | airdate2 = {{start date|2004|11|16}} | callsign_meaning2 = "Television Great Falls" | former_callsigns2 = {{ubl|KBGF-LP (2004–2014)|KBGF-LD (2014–2018)}} | former_channel_numbers2 = '''Analog:''' 50 (UHF, 2004–2014) | erp2 = 15 kW | haat2 = {{convert|116|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id2 = 128063 | class2 = LD | coordinates2 = {{coord|47|32|7.5|N|111|17|5.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KTGF-LD}} | website2 = {{URL|www.krtv.com/ktgf}} }}

'''KTVH-DT''' (channel 12) is a television station in Helena, Montana, United States, affiliated with NBC. It is owned by the E.{{nbsp}}W. Scripps Company alongside CBS affiliate KXLH-LD (channel 9). The two stations share studios on West Lyndale Avenue in Helena; KTVH-DT's transmitter is located on Hogback Mountain. KTVH-DT operates low-power translator '''KTGF-LD''' (channel 50) in Great Falls, where Scripps also owns CBS affiliate KRTV.

The only full-service commercial TV station serving Montana's capital city for most of its history, channel 12 came to air in 1958 as KXLJ-TV and struggled through a fight with a competing local cable company, during which it shut down for six months before eventually being purchased by the firm. In the late 1960s and 1970s, channel 12 was owned by former Montana governor Tim Babcock before being sold to two owners who each struggled with financial issues. In 1997, a possible threat of disaffiliation from NBC opened the door for Sunbelt Communications Company, later changed to Intermountain West Communications Company (IWCC), to purchase the station. Under IWCC, the station expanded geographically and secured the NBC affiliation in the larger Great Falls market. Before IWCC owner Jim Rogers died, the station was sold twice to larger station groups before being acquired by Scripps.

It is the only NBC affiliate in the Montana Television Network, with separate programming from the group of mostly CBS affiliates and separate newscasts from KXLH.

==History== ===KXLJ-TV=== The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allotted two VHF channels to Helena. Helena TV filed for channel 10, while Peoples Forum of the Air, owner of radio station KXLJ (1240 AM) and part of the statewide Z-Bar Network, also applied for channel 10 on April 14, 1956.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=85500 |title= History Cards for KTVH-DT|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards)</ref> After the latter amended its application to specify channel 12, both parties were granted construction permits on February 13, 1957; the FCC also rejected a proposal to reallocate channel 12 from Helena to Bozeman.<ref name="Inde570214">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96536639/piehl-says-tv-development-is-under-way/|date=February 14, 1957|page=5|title=Piehl Says TV Development Is Under Way|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182325/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96536639/piehl-says-tv-development-is-under-way/|url-status=live}}</ref> The application from Peoples Forum of the Air specified the station to operate as a satellite service to KXLF-TV in Butte.{{r|hc}} Peoples Forum of the Air transferred the permit to Capital City Television, Inc., in September 1957, and the first broadcast—the Rose Bowl—went out on January 1, 1958. However, the station was not yet ready in terms of equipment to begin full-time program service on that date;<ref name="Grea580103">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96536971/tv-station-airs-first-program/|date=January 3, 1958|page=9|title=TV Station Airs First Program|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96536971/tv-station-airs-first-program/|url-status=live}}</ref> viewers would have to wait until January 30 to see a full slate of programs from the new station.{{r|Mont590120}} As with its Butte parent, the stations were affiliated with NBC and ABC, NBC being the affiliation across the Z-Bar network.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-01-06-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=January 6, 1958|title=Newly on Air: WMBD-TV, KXLF-TV Satellite KXLJ-TV|id={{ProQuest|1285743789}}|page=84|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028020708/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-01-06-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Studios and transmitter were located at the southwest corner of Cherry Street and Montana Avenue, and the station broadcast with an effective radiated power of just 973 watts.{{r|hc}}

The early years of channel 12 in Helena were marked by turbulence and a dispute that pitted the local television station versus a cable system importing out-of-market signals, which Helena TV also owned. In January 1959, arguments were heard in a lawsuit by Z-Bar versus Helena TV, with KXLJ-TV's counsel arguing that the cable firm had "used our property for gain without our consent".<ref name="Grea590117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537197/arguments-heard-on-tv-signal-use/|date=January 17, 1959|page=5|agency=Associated Press|title=Arguments Heard on TV Signal Use|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182325/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537197/arguments-heard-on-tv-signal-use/|url-status=live}}</ref> The manager of KXLJ-TV warned that the station might have no choice but to close unless an appeals court granted an injunction against the cable company bringing stations from Spokane, Washington, to Helena viewers; he predicted that cable systems and an FCC decision negatively impacting the use of over-the-air VHF boosters to retransmit stations' signals could ultimately force every television station in Montana out of business.<ref name="Mont590120">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537265/tv-station-might-close/|date=January 20, 1959|page=2|agency=Associated Press|title=TV Station Might Close|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537265/tv-station-might-close/|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 1, 1959, KXLJ-TV ceased broadcasting.<ref name="Inde590202">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537396/helena-television-station-suspends-opera/|date=February 2, 1959|page=5|title=Helena Television Station Suspends Operations Sunday|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182328/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537396/helena-television-station-suspends/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The plight of KXLJ-TV attracted significant political attention. The four-member Montana delegation to Congress wrote to the FCC, asking for an investigation.<ref name="Grea590203">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537468/solons-ask-fcc-probe-tv-closure/|date=February 3, 1959|page=4|title=Solons Ask FCC Probe TV Closure|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182327/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537468/solons-ask-fcc-probe-tv-closure/|url-status=live}}</ref> FCC chair John C. Doerfer planned to visit Montana, but he was called to present the commission's budget to the House of Representatives and could not make the trip.<ref name="Mont590214">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537541/chairman-of-fcc-cancels-his-trip-to-mont/|date=February 14, 1959|page=2|agency=Associated Press|title=Chairman of FCC Cancels His Trip to Montana|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182329/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537541/chairman-of-fcc-cancels-his-trip-to/|url-status=live}}</ref> Helena TV, which had abandoned its application for channel 10, made a new request to build a station.<ref name="Mont590219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537590/asks-authority-for-helena-tv/|date=February 19, 1959|page=2|agency=Associated Press|title=Asks Authority For Helena TV|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182329/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537590/asks-authority-for-helena-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> The appeals court ordered the FCC to give Capital City Television a hearing in May.<ref name="Inde590521">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537624/court-of-appeals-orders-hearing-in-helen/|date=May 21, 1959|page=9|agency=Associated Press|title=Court of Appeals Orders Hearing In Helena Case|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182332/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537624/court-of-appeals-orders-hearing-in/|url-status=live}}</ref>

KXLJ-TV won a favorable order from the FCC ordering the removal of the Spokane channels from the Helena cable system in July 1959; when an appeals court placed a 30-day temporary injunction on the order, the station waited to resume operations.<ref name="Mont590710">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537820/fcc-order-against-helena-cable-tv-blocke/|date=July 10, 1959|page=2|agency=Associated Press|title=FCC Order Against Helena Cable TV Blocked by Court|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182332/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537820/fcc-order-against-helena-cable-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> When the injunction was vacated and the Spokane stations removed<ref name="Inde590806">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537883/cable-to-appeal-signals-curbing/|date=August 6, 1959|page=1|agency=Associated Press|title=Cable to Appeal Signals Curbing|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182330/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537883/cable-to-appeal-signals-curbing/|url-status=live}}</ref> at 3:45 p.m. on August 6, channel 12 returned at 6:50 p.m. that night.<ref name="Grea590807">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537925/helena-tv-station-resumes-broadcasts-ca/|date=August 7, 1959|page=20|title=Helena TV Station Resumes Broadcasts, Cable Firm Readying Appeal Action|agency=UPI|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182331/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537925/helena-tv-station-resumes-broadcasts/|url-status=live}}</ref> The cable firm won out in the long run: a Helena district judge ruled in 1960 that the cable company's rebroadcast of other Montana stations, particularly KFBB-TV from Great Falls, did not violate Z-Bar's rights.<ref name="Grea600605">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96538192/judge-upholds-rights-of-cable-tv-company/|date=June 5, 1960|page=1|first=Luke|last=Wilson|title=Judge Upholds Rights Of Cable TV Company|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227054910/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96538192/judge-upholds-rights-of-cable-tv-company/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===KBLL-TV and KTCM=== In October 1960, Ed Craney—owner of the Z-Bar Network—announced that Joe Sample would acquire his remaining broadcasting holdings and would sell KXLJ radio and television in Helena to Helena TV, the cable firm with which channel 12 had been dueling for almost all of its brief history.<ref name="Inde601011">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87442569/cable-firm-to-buy-helena-kxlj-tv-radio/|date=October 11, 1960|page=7|agency=Associated Press|title=Cable Firm to Buy Helena KXLJ-TV, Radio Stations|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182431/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87442569/cable-firm-to-buy-helena-kxlj-tv-radio/|url-status=live}}</ref> The $300,000 purchase was not only significant in separating KXLJ-TV from KXLF-TV; it also meant that the TV station would drop its longstanding opposition to supplementing the area with Spokane stations, allowing the cable company to reinstate the Spokane stations to its lineup.<ref name="Inde601011a">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96538609/new-owners-of-tv-station-lists-future-pl/|date=October 11, 1960|page=1|title=New Owners of TV Station Lists Future Plans; Purchase Price $300,000|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182431/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96538609/new-owners-of-tv-station-lists-future/|url-status=live}}</ref> After the FCC approved of the sale, the stations became KBLL radio and television formally on March 29{{r|hc}} and began using the designation on April 10; that same day, Spokane's KREM and KHQ-TV returned to the cable lineup after 20 months.<ref name="Inde610409">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96538716/helena-tv-inc-is-happy-to-announce-tha/|date=April 9, 1961|page=20|title=Helena-TV, Inc. Is Happy To Announce That Effective Monday...|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182433/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96538716/helena-tv-inc-is-happy-to-announce/|url-status=live}}</ref> This was a major economic relief for the company, which in a January 1960 open letter had noted the decision had a material impact on its income.<ref name="Inde600103">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539254/helena-tv-inc-to-the-tv-viewers-of-th/|date=January 3, 1960|page=2|title=Helena TV, Inc., To the TV Viewers of the Helena Area|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182434/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539254/helena-tv-inc-to-the-tv-viewers-of/|url-status=live}}</ref> The new KBLL-TV also added programming from CBS to its lineup.<ref name="Inde610409a">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89078598/cable-cutting-ceremony/|date=April 9, 1961|page=15|title=Cable Cutting Ceremony|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182435/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89078598/cable-cutting-ceremony/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Helena TV sold KBLL-TV to Capital City Television in 1963; under the new ownership, Helena TV owner W. L. Piehl maintained a significant stake, joined by Bob Magness and Paul B. McAdam.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1014465903}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-06-17-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=June 17, 1963|page=140|title=For the Record|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151336/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-06-17-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1966, a second television transmitter opened in Helena, a low-power translator for KFBB-TV on channel 10; the translator protected any program being aired the same day by KBLL-TV by blacking it out.<ref name="Inde660815">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539350/helena-tv-schedule/|date=August 15, 1966|page=13|title=Helena TV Schedule|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182436/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539350/helena-tv-schedule/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early 1968, negotiations began to sell KBLL radio and television to a partnership of Tim Babcock, the then-serving governor of Montana, and Willard L. Holter of Glasgow.<ref name="Inde680130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539453/dickering-continues-for-kbll/|date=January 30, 1968|page=3|title=Dickering Continues For KBLL|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182437/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539453/dickering-continues-for-kbll/|url-status=live}}</ref> The sale was announced at the end of January, with Babcock declaring he would not be active in management and calling the purchase "an investment in Montana".<ref name="Inde680131">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539470/radio-station-sale-complete/|date=January 31, 1968|page=1|title=Radio Station Sale Complete|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071930/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539470/radio-station-sale-complete/|url-status=live}}</ref> Holter pulled out of the deal after FCC approval was granted,<ref name="Inde680724">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539501/kbll-sale-to-governor-is-expected/|date=July 24, 1968|page=5|title=KBLL Sale To Governor Is Expected|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071917/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539501/kbll-sale-to-governor-is-expected/|url-status=live}}</ref> but Babcock and Magness entered into a deal to own the stations,<ref name="Inde680901">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539545/starving-wibaux-residents-to-have-chicke/|date=September 1, 1968|page=2|first=J.D.|last=Holmes|title=Starving Wibaux Residents To Have Chicken in the Pot|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182438/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539545/starving-wibaux-residents-to-have/|url-status=live}}</ref> with the $201,421 purchase receiving FCC approval on December 18, 1968.{{r|hc}}<ref name="Inde681219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539582/fcc-approves-tims-deal-for-station/|date=December 19, 1968|page=22|title=FCC Approves Tim's Deal For Station|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071933/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539582/fcc-approves-tims-deal-for-station/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1969, KBLL-TV was granted permission to build a satellite station on channel 2 in Anaconda, near Butte, though this was not built.<ref name="Inde691218">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539158/kbll-tv-gets-permission-to-build-satelli/|date=December 18, 1969|page=4|title=KBLL-TV Gets Permission To Build Satellite Station|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182439/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539158/kbll-tv-gets-permission-to-build/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1973, Babcock sold KBLL radio to Holter, not including channel 12.<ref name="Inde730318">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539781/babcock-applies-to-sell-kbll/|date=March 18, 1973|page=21|title=Babcock applies to sell KBLL|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182439/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539781/babcock-applies-to-sell-kbll/|url-status=live}}</ref> New call letters KTCM ("Television for the Capital of Montana") were selected for the TV station, and an application was filed to move the transmitter to Hogback Mountain.<ref name="Inde730520">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539798/kbll-plans-signal-improvement/|date=May 20, 1973|page=27|title=KBLL plans signal improvement|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182440/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539798/kbll-plans-signal-improvement/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{r|hc}} The new 251,000-watt facility, completed in 1975, substantially expanded the television station's reach.<ref name="Inde750807">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539927/ktcms-enlarged-coverage-to-be-completed/|date=August 7, 1975|page=8|title=KTCM's enlarged coverage to be completed by late fall|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182441/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539927/ktcms-enlarged-coverage-to-be/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===KTVG and KTVH=== In 1979, Babcock sold KTCM to Lynn Koch, who had previously been associated with KMSO-TV in Missoula.<ref name="Inde790823">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540009/babcock-sells-tv/|date=August 23, 1979|page=9|title=Babcock sells TV|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071912/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540009/babcock-sells-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> Koch announced a focus on improving local news coverage, which under Babcock had received updated equipment and electronic news gathering facilities.<ref name="Inde790824">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540026/new-ktcm-owner-to-improve-coverage/|date=August 24, 1979|page=9|first=Ellen|last=Burks|title=New KTCM owner to improve coverage|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182441/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540026/new-ktcm-owner-to-improve-coverage/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 28, 1980,{{r|hc}} Koch changed the call letters to KTVG, hoping to emphasize the "television" part of the call sign.<ref name="Inde800802">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539876/ktcm-now-ktvg/|date=August 2, 1980|page=5|title=KTCM now KTVG|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071935/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96539876/ktcm-now-ktvg/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rumors of a potential sale of the station were floated as early as February 1983.<ref name="Inde830213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540117/tv-station-for-sale/|date=February 13, 1983|page=2D|title=TV station for sale?|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182442/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540117/tv-station-for-sale/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, KTVG's financial picture was quickly becoming complicated. With debts coming due, licensee Helena TV, Inc. (of no relation to the 1960s company) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in June 1983.<ref name="Inde830623">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540149/local-television-station-files-for-reorg/|date=June 23, 1983|page=1A|title=Local television station files for reorganization|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182459/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540149/local-television-station-files-for/|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 1984, one of the company's creditors filed to liquidate the business.<ref name="Inde840523">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540190/bid-made-to-liquidate-ktvg/|date=May 23, 1984|page=1A|title=Bid made to liquidate KTVG|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|first=Bill|last=Skidmore|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540190/bid-made-to-liquidate-ktvg/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 1984, a bankruptcy court approved the sale of channel 12 to Great Northern Communications, which signed a contract to purchase the license and physical assets for $1.16 million in March 1985. Great Northern was owned by Don Bradley and Lyle Courtnage, who had recently purchased KMON radio in Great Falls.<ref name="Grea850309">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540291/kmon-owners-buy-ktvg/|date=March 9, 1985|page=7|title=KMON owners buy KTVG|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071939/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540291/kmon-owners-buy-ktvg/|url-status=live}}</ref> After becoming available for use the year prior, the KTVH call letters were instituted in August 1985.<ref name="Inde850820">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540340/new-owners-staff-name-at-helena-tv/|date=August 20, 1985|page=9A|first=Jerry|last=Wright|title=New owners, staff, name at Helena TV|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540340/new-owners-staff-name-at-helena-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Heavily leveraged, Bradley and Courtnage sold KTVH in 1988 to John Radeck of Jacksonville, Florida; Radeck had previously managed stations in other parts of the United States, though KTVH was the first broadcast property he owned outright.<ref name="Inde880521">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540389/ktvh-sold-to-a-man-in-florida/|date=May 21, 1988|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540425/ 12A]|first=Jill|last=Sundby|title=KTVH sold to a man in Florida|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182501/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540389/ktvh-sold-to-a-man-in-florida/|url-status=live}}</ref> Radeck's company, Big Sky Broadcasting, then sued the former ownership for what it claimed were a series of negligent acts, including failure to maintain full transmitter power, failure to operate at normal staffing levels during sale negotiations, and poor maintenance of equipment.<ref name="Inde881201">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540464/ktvh-files-suit-against-ex-owners/|date=December 1, 1988|page=1B|first=Tad|last=Brooks|title=KTVH files suit against ex-owners|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182501/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540464/ktvh-files-suit-against-ex-owners/|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, Radeck made purchases of new equipment and planned new weekend and morning newscasts as part of an overhaul to give Helena a "full-service news operation".<ref name="Inde881014">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540504/new-owner-eyes-local-tv-changes/|date=October 14, 1988|page=1B|first=Sherry|last=Jones|title=New owner eyes local TV changes|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182502/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540504/new-owner-eyes-local-tv-changes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===The Sunbelt and Beartooth years=== In September 1996, Grapevine Broadcasting of Atlanta, owned by Wendell Reilly, announced its intention to buy KTVH and another Radeck property, KSWT in Yuma, Arizona; Reilly had a background in the publishing and outdoor advertising industries.<ref name="Inde960906">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540692/helena-tv-station-being-sold/|date=September 6, 1996|page=1A|title=Helena TV station being sold|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182502/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540692/helena-tv-station-being-sold/|url-status=live}}</ref> The sale, however, had a wrench thrown into it by an owner of four other NBC affiliates. Meridian Communications of Montana, a subsidiary of Sunbelt Communications Company of Las Vegas, proposed constructing a new NBC affiliate on channel 10, which was still unused by a full-service station. If KTVH had lost the NBC affiliation, with Helena in the viewing areas of KFBB-TV from Great Falls for ABC and KXLF-TV from Butte for CBS, its future would have been uncertain.<ref name="Inde961107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540771/in-helena-nbc-eyes-affiliation-nevada/|date=November 7, 1996|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540795/ 8A]|first=Mark|last=Goldstein|title=In Helena, NBC eyes affiliation: Nevada company vies with the new owners of KTVH|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540771/in-helena-nbc-eyes-affiliation-nevada/|url-status=live}}</ref>

For a time at the end of 1996, the result was two competing plans to build: one by Meridian with minority stockholder the Uhlmann Company for channel 10—which, if it could not secure NBC, would look to acquire the Fox affiliation for the market—and another by Grapevine, which included a new building for KTVH.<ref name="Inde961115">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540829/helena-will-soon-have-two-tv-stations/|date=November 15, 1996|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540934/ 8A]|first=Marie|last=Hoeffner|title=Helena will soon have two TV stations|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227082144/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540829/helena-will-soon-have-two-tv-stations/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 1997, with the Grapevine sale application having fallen apart the month before, Sunbelt then moved to buy the station from Big Sky,<ref name="Inde970204">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540962/tv-station-sale-near-buyer-says/|date=February 4, 1997|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540972/ 7A]|first=Mark|last=Goldstein|title=TV station sale near, buyer says|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227082141/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540962/tv-station-sale-near-buyer-says/|url-status=live}}</ref> announcing plans to build a studio at a site adjacent to Carroll College. Sunbelt had just built a site under a similar arrangement at Great Basin College for KENV in Elko, Nevada.<ref name="Inde970322">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540992/new-ktvh-owners-may-build-at-carroll/|date=March 22, 1997|page=1A|first=Mark|last=Goldstein|title=New KTVH owners may build at Carroll|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227082144/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540992/new-ktvh-owners-may-build-at-carroll/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Inde970704">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541127/ktvh-building-studio-at-carroll/|date=July 4, 1997|page=1A|first=Mark|last=Goldstein|title=KTVH building studio at Carroll|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084942/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541127/ktvh-building-studio-at-carroll/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Carroll building, completed in 1998, also housed the channel 10 station, which came to air as Fox and UPN affiliate KMTF that August; the stations shared a building but had separate management and sales staffs.<ref name="Inde980626">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541803/fox-tv-coming-to-helena/|date=June 26, 1998|page=1A|title=Fox TV coming to Helena|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227082137/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541803/fox-tv-coming-to-helena/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Inde981011">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541789/kmtf-fox-10-top-10/|date=October 11, 1998|page=7B|title=KMTF Fox 10 Top 10|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182504/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541789/kmtf-fox-10-top-10/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After Jim Rogers took over, eleven employees were fired or forced to resign, resulting in discussion of the unionization of KTVH's staff.<ref name="Inde980111">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541143/ktvh-workers-consider-union/|date=January 11, 1998|page=1A|first=Eve|last=Byron|title=KTVH workers consider union|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227082133/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541143/ktvh-workers-consider-union/|url-status=live}}</ref> While they successfully voted to unionize, no contract was signed after more than nine months.<ref name="Inde980926">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541169/employees-picket-helena-tv-station/|date=September 26, 1998|page=2A|title=Employees picket Helena TV station|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084959/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541169/employees-picket-helena-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, expansion plans were in the works. Sunbelt sought to replicate what it had done at KENV in Havre and proposed constructing KBBJ (channel 9), a satellite station of KTVH to be based at Montana State University–Northern. The station in the Hi-Line attracted some concern from the incumbent NBC affiliate in Great Falls, KTGF (channel 16), which claimed Havre as part of its market.<ref name="Grea990114">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541695/tv-station-may-be-built-on-havre-campus/|date=January 14, 1999|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541681/kbbj-developer-is-courting-nbc-but/ 10A]|first=Eric J.|last=Greene|title=TV station may be built on Havre campus|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084934/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541695/tv-station-may-be-built-on-havre-campus/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sunbelt then announced it would start KBAO (channel 13) in Lewistown, which was also in the Great Falls market; simultaneous with the news, KTGF purchased a translator in that town.<ref name="Grea990509">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541732/lewistown-to-get-local-tv-news/|date=May 9, 1999|page=1A|first=Karen|last=Ivanova|title=Lewistown to get local TV news|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227085002/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541732/lewistown-to-get-local-tv-news/|url-status=live}}</ref> Both stations were in service as rebroadcasters by the end of 2000,<ref name="Grea010104">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541772/hi-lines-first-television-station-up-an/|date=January 4, 2001|page=1M|first=Eric J.|last=Greene|title=Hi-Line's first television station up and broadcasting|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182505/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541772/hi-lines-first-television-station-up/|url-status=live}}</ref> formally signing on January 2 and 3, 2001.<ref name="tf2002">{{cite book|title=Television & Cable Factbook 2002 Edition|year=2002|pages=A-807, A-811|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2002-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-2002-IA-NC.pdf|access-date=September 23, 2018|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182505/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2002-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-2002-IA-NC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Financial troubles in 2001 led to cutbacks at KTVH, including the end of a 5 p.m. newscast and a short-lived 9 p.m. show it produced for KMTF,<ref name="Inde010301">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541848/ktvh-cuts-reporting-staff-will-scale-ba/|date=March 1, 2001|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541854/ 8A]|first=Christina J.|last=Quinn|title=KTVH cuts reporting staff, will scale back coverage|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182507/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541848/ktvh-cuts-reporting-staff-will-scale/|url-status=live}}</ref> which soon after lost the Fox affiliation.<ref name="Grea010630">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541835/lack-of-advertising-sinks-helena-fox-tv/|date=June 30, 2001|page=3M|agency=Associated Press|title=Lack of advertising sinks Helena FOX TV station|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227085009/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541835/lack-of-advertising-sinks-helena-fox-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, as early as January 2002, the station stated that it would take over the NBC affiliation for the Great Falls market by 2005.<ref name="Inde020120">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541892/ktvh-bringing-back-weekend-news/|date=January 20, 2002|page=3E|title=KTVH bringing back weekend news|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084946/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96541892/ktvh-bringing-back-weekend-news/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In preparation for expanding to Great Falls, Rogers acquired recently permitted low-power TV station K50IQ. The call letters were changed to KBGF-LP, and the station began broadcasting as the NBC affiliate in that city on July 1, 2005.<ref name="Grea050629">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542065/who-will-offer-nbc-check-the-dial-frida/|date=June 29, 2005|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542226/ 3A]|first=James E.|last=Larcombe|title=Who will offer NBC? Check the dial Friday to find out|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182506/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542065/who-will-offer-nbc-check-the-dial/|url-status=live}}</ref> The then-incumbent NBC affiliate, KTGF, protested, but it cleared the air, conceded NBC to KBGF, and affiliated with Fox;<ref name="Grea050701">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542263/kbgf-wins-nbc-ktgf-adopts-fox/|date=July 1, 2005|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542275/ 8A]|first=James E.|last=Larcombe|title=KBGF wins NBC; KTGF adopts Fox|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182506/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542263/kbgf-wins-nbc-ktgf-adopts-fox/|url-status=live}}</ref> NBC noted that it had switched affiliations because of issues it had with one of KTGF's previous owners, having made the decision "many years ago".<ref name="Inde050701">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542288/new-nbc-station-to-broadcast-in-great-fa/|date=July 1, 2005|page=2C|agency=Associated Press|title=New NBC station to broadcast in Great Falls|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182527/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542288/new-nbc-station-to-broadcast-in-great/|url-status=live}}</ref> Now that KTVH had grown to a four-station operation in two media markets, it adopted the brand "Beartooth NBC".<ref name="Grea050701a">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542322/great-falls-home-for-nbc-beartooth-nbc/|date=July 1, 2005|page=Hot Ticket 6|title=Great Falls' Home for NBC, Beartooth NBC|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182527/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542322/great-falls-home-for-nbc-beartooth-nbc/|url-status=live}}</ref> The name stuck, even though the Havre and Lewistown stations closed on January 25, 2008;<ref name="fcc-kbbjoff">{{cite web |title=Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA (KBBJ) |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1231955&Service=TV&Form_id=910&Facility_id=83689 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=September 23, 2018 |date=February 4, 2008 |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924034946/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1231955&Service=TV&Form_id=910&Facility_id=83689 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fcc-kbaooff">{{cite web |title=Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA (KBAO) |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1231960&Service=TV&Form_id=910&Facility_id=84794 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=September 23, 2018 |date=February 4, 2008 |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924041213/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1231960&Service=TV&Form_id=910&Facility_id=84794 |url-status=live }}</ref> in July 2009, Sunbelt requested that the licenses for KBBJ and KBAO be canceled.<ref name="fcc-kbbjclosed">{{cite web |title=DTV Quarterly Activity Station Report (KBBJ) |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1320883&Service=DT&Form_id=388&Facility_id=83689 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=September 23, 2018 |date=July 9, 2009 |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924034839/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1320883&Service=DT&Form_id=388&Facility_id=83689 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fcc-kbaoclosed">{{cite web |title=DTV Quarterly Activity Station Report (KBAO) |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1320882&Service=DT&Form_id=388&Facility_id=84794 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=September 23, 2018 |date=July 9, 2009 |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924034401/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1320882&Service=DT&Form_id=388&Facility_id=84794 |url-status=live }}</ref> KTVH itself was the first television station in Montana to cease analog broadcasts, doing so on November 10, 2008; the accelerated switch was carried out to avoid major work at the Hogback Mountain site during February winter weather conditions.<ref name="Inde081111">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96563057/ktvh-goes-digital-early/|date=November 11, 2008|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96563158/ 10A]|first=John|last=Harrington|title=KTVH goes digital early|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182527/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96563057/ktvh-goes-digital-early/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rogers's presence in Montana would also come to change the name of Sunbelt Communications Company. He purchased a summer home in the state and, while exiting a restaurant, was asked why his license plate read "Sunbelt". As a result, Sunbelt became the Intermountain West Communications Company (IWCC).<ref name="cancer">{{cite news|date=January 5, 2014|title=TV owner Jim Rogers has second battle with cancer|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/norm-clarke/tv-owner-jim-rogers-has-second-battle-cancer|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=January 8, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108092801/http://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/norm-clarke/tv-owner-jim-rogers-has-second-battle-cancer|url-status=dead|first=Norm|last=Clarke}}</ref>

===Gray, Cordillera, and Scripps ownership=== In January 2014, Jim Rogers announced he had bladder cancer for the second time.{{r|cancer}} He had already begun to sell off IWCC's stations, and in May 2014, Beartooth NBC was the next property to be sold and the last outside of the state of Nevada. That May, IWCC announced the sale of KTVH and KBGF to Gray Television; Gray also purchased KMTF, by then an affiliate of The CW, through a failed station waiver. Gray took over KTVH's operations through a local marketing agreement on June 1,<ref name=tvnc-saletogray>{{cite news|title=Gray Buys Three Montana Stations|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/76164/gray-buys-three-montana-stations|access-date=May 7, 2014|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=May 7, 2014|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508025240/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/76164/gray-buys-three-montana-stations|url-status=live}}</ref> two weeks before Rogers died on June 14.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nevada leaders remember media titan, education leader Jim Rogers, dead at 75|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/nevada-leaders-remember-media-titan-education-leader-jim-rogers-dead-75|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=June 15, 2014|access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-date=October 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028044549/http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/nevada-leaders-remember-media-titan-education-leader-jim-rogers-dead-75|url-status=dead}}</ref> The sale of KTVH to Gray closed on November 3, 2014.<ref name=tvnc-ktvhgraycomplete>{{cite news|title=Gray Closes on KTVH, KBGF-LP Buy|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/80513/gray-closes-on-ktvh-kbgflp-buy|access-date=November 4, 2014|work=TVNewsCheck|date=November 3, 2014|archive-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104032035/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/80513/gray-closes-on-ktvh-kbgflp-buy|url-status=live}}</ref> After the sale closed, Gray dropped the "Beartooth NBC" brand in favor of "KTVH/KBGF". It also completed a much-needed digital conversion for the Great Falls transmitter, which as a low-power station was not subject to the 2009 digital television transition deadline; on December 1, KBGF-LP converted to digital as KBGF-LD, having started on October 26.<ref name=gft-kbgfldon>{{cite news|last1=Ecke|first1=Richard|title=NBC channel goes digital, HD over the air in Great Falls|url=http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2014/10/29/nbc-channel-goes-digital-hi-def-air-great-falls/18150063/|access-date=November 4, 2014|work=Great Falls Tribune|date=October 29, 2014|archive-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104064131/http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2014/10/29/nbc-channel-goes-digital-hi-def-air-great-falls/18150063/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Grea141204">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542521/the-day-analog-tv-died-in-great-falls/|date=December 4, 2014|page=1M, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542514/analog/ 2M]|first=Rich|last=Ecke|title=The day analog TV died in Great Falls|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182527/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542521/the-day-analog-tv-died-in-great-falls/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 1, 2015, Gray announced that it would sell KTVH-DT to Cordillera Communications; concurrently, sister station KMTF was donated to Montana State University and joined the Montana PBS network as KUHM-TV, with its CW programming being transferred to a KTVH subchannel.<ref name=tvnc-saletocordillera>{{cite news|title=Gray In 4 New Deals, Closes 3 Earlier Ones|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/86603/gray-in-4-new-deals-closes-3-earlier-ones|access-date=July 2, 2015|work=TVNewsCheck|date=July 1, 2015|archive-date=July 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704063534/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/86603/gray-in-4-new-deals-closes-3-earlier-ones/|url-status=live}}</ref> The sale was completed on October 30.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1697494&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=5290|title=Consummation Notice|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=November 4, 2015|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204205331/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1697494&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=5290|url-status=live}}</ref> Cordillera's purchase of KTVH made it a sister station to CBS affiliate KXLH-LD (channel 9) and resulted in the integration of KTVH into the Montana Television Network (MTN).<ref name="Grea151108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542449/group-buys-3-tv-stations/|date=November 8, 2015|page=1B|first=Peter|last=Johnson|title=Group buys 3 TV stations|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182528/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96542449/group-buys-3-tv-stations/|url-status=live}}</ref> KBGF-LD became KTGF-LD on July 1, 2018;<ref name="fcc-ktgfldcallsigns">{{cite web |title=Call Sign History (KTGF-LD) |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=128063&Callsign=KTGF-LD |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=July 3, 2018 |archive-date=July 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703222127/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=128063&Callsign=KTGF-LD |url-status=live }}</ref> that same day, channel 16 in Great Falls switched from KTGF to KJJC-TV. All but one Cordillera station, including the entirety of MTN, was acquired by the E. W. Scripps Company in 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-oks-scripps-purchase-of-cordillera-stations|date=April 5, 2019|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=John|last=Eggerton|title=FCC OKs Scripps Purchase of Cordillera Stations|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214204033/https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-oks-scripps-purchase-of-cordillera-stations|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2021, Scripps filed to switch all of the full-power MTN stations, including KTVH, from the VHF to the UHF band in order to improve reception; it requested and received channel 31 for KTVH.<ref name="ktvhtouhf">{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff37cce28ca017cd797001b0e56&id=25076ff37cce28ca017cd797001b0e56|title=Channel Substitution/Community of License Change|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=December 21, 2021|accessdate=December 22, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222221524/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff37cce28ca017cd797001b0e56&id=25076ff37cce28ca017cd797001b0e56|url-status=live}}</ref>{{r|ktvhtouhf}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1234A1.pdf|title=Report & Order|publisher=Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission|date=November 29, 2022|access-date=January 12, 2023}}</ref> The conversion of the transmitter facility to UHF took place in August 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2025 |title=KTVH Transmitter Upgrade: Here's how to rescan your TV |url=https://www.ktvh.com/news/ktvh-transmitter-upgrade-heres-how-to-rescan-your-tv |access-date=October 22, 2025 |website=KTVH |language=en}}</ref>

==News operation== For most of its history, KTVH was the only source of television news covering the Helena area, and local news capacity was slowly built up over the years by different owners. In 1983, there were 4.5 full-time positions in news at channel 12;<ref name="Inde831023">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540172/channel-12-news-helenas-ktvg-is-seekin/|date=October 23, 1983|page=3D|first=Russell|last=Hill|title=Channel 12 News: Helena's KTVG is seeking better reviews and a long, bright future|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96540172/channel-12-news-helenas-ktvg-is/|url-status=live}}</ref> there were eight by 2008.{{r|Inde081111}} It was not until the 2010s that serious news competition came to the capital city. In 2010, KXLH-LD started local newscasts for the Helena area, produced by KRTV in Great Falls, which quickly attracted considerable viewership.<ref name="Inde120422">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96559881/ratings-war-helena-style-local-tv/|date=April 22, 2012|page=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96559920/ 3E]|first=Butch|last=Larcombe|title=Ratings war, Helena style: Local TV stations beef up their news coverage, battle to gain viewers|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96559881/ratings-war-helena-style-local-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After Cordillera acquired KTVH, the station continued to air its own separate newscasts under the MTN brand at 5, 6, and 10 p.m., later adding a weekday morning newscast known as ''Daybreak''; in contrast, the MTN CBS affiliates, such as KXLH, air their early evening local newscasts at 5:30 p.m.{{r|Grea151108}}

==Technical information== ===KTVH-DT subchannels=== KTVH-DT's signal, broadcast from Hogback Mountain in Helena,{{r|FCC-LMS-5290}} is multiplexed:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTVH#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KTVH|website=RabbitEars|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=August 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808073305/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTVH#station|url-status=live}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+ Subchannels of KTVH-DT ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Aspect ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 12.1 | 1080i || rowspan=6| 16:9 || KTVH-HD || NBC |- ! scope = "row" | 12.2 | 720p || MTN || Independent "MTN" |- ! scope = "row" | 12.3 | rowspan=4| 480i || BOUNCE || Cozi TV |- ! scope = "row" | 12.4 | CourtTV || Court TV |- ! scope = "row" | 12.5 | Mystery || Ion Mystery |- ! scope = "row" | 12.6 | QVC || QVC |}

===KTGF-LD subchannels=== KTGF-LD is broadcast rom its transmitter site on Old Havre Highway in Great Falls.{{r|FCC-LMS-128063}} Aside from using major channel 50, KTGF-LD broadcasts a slightly different mix of subchannels. This is because the MTN independent service is aired as a subchannel of KRTV in Great Falls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTGF-LD#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KTGF-LD|website=RabbitEars|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=August 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808104408/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTGF-LD#station|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Subchannels of KTGF-LD ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Aspect ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 50.1 | 1080i || rowspan=6| 16:9 || KTGF-LD || NBC |- ! scope = "row" | 50.2 | rowspan=5| 480i || BOUNCE || Bounce TV |- ! scope = "row" | 50.3 | CourtTv || Court TV |- ! scope = "row" | 50.4 | Mystery || Ion Mystery |- ! scope = "row" | 50.5 | BUSTED || Busted |- ! scope = "row" | 50.6 | QVC || QVC |}

===Translators=== In addition to KTGF-LD, KTVH-DT's signal is rebroadcast over the following translators:<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2021|title=List of TV Translator Input Channels|url=https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195336/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|archive-date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=40em}} * Chinook: K18KT-D * Conrad: K25MZ-D * Dodson: K36CW-D * Joplin: K33PR-D * Jordan, etc.: K11HE-D * Malta: K09JG-D * Phillips County: K20BP-D * Saco: K15AS-D * Sweetgrass: K30MW-D * Townsend: K04QX-D * Whitewater: K34DN-D {{div col end}}

===Former satellites=== From January 2001 through January 25, 2008, KTVH also operated two full-service satellite stations in northern and central Montana:

{| class="wikitable" ! scope = "col" | Station ! scope = "col" | City of license ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Facility ID ! scope = "col" | ERP ! scope = "col" | HAAT ! scope = "col" | Transmitter coordinates ! scope = "col" | First air date ! scope = "col" | Last air date ! scope = "col" | Ref |- ! scope = "row" | KBBJ | Havre | 9 | 83689 |9 kW | {{convert|388.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} | {{coord|48|20|32|N|109|43|44|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KBBJ}} | {{start date|2001|1|2}} | {{end date|2008|1|25}} | <ref>{{cite book|chapter=KBBJ|via=World Radio History|title=Television Factbook|date=2008|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2008-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-2008-IOA-OHI.pdf#page=515|page=A-1404}}</ref> |- ! scope = "row" | KBAO | Lewistown | 13 | 84794 |9 kW | {{convert|636|m|ft|abbr=on}} | {{coord|47|10|40|N|109|32|10|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KBAO}} | {{start date|2001|1|3}} |{{end date|2008|1|25}} | <ref>{{cite book|chapter=KBAO|via=World Radio History|title=Television Factbook|date=2008|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2008-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-2008-IOA-OHI.pdf#page=522|page=A-1411}}</ref> |}

==References== {{reflist}}

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ktvh-Dt}} Category:1958 establishments in Montana Category:Court TV affiliates Category:Cozi TV affiliates Category:E. W. Scripps Company television stations Category:Ion Mystery affiliates Category:NBC affiliates Category:Television channels and stations established in 1958 TVH-DT