Wikipedia

KREM (TV)

This article is about the CBS affiliate in Spokane, Washington. For the cable television station in Belize, see Krem Television.
Not to be confused with KREN-TV.

KREM (channel 2) is a television station in Spokane, Washington, United States, affiliated with CBS. It is owned by Tegna Inc. alongside CW affiliate KSKN (channel 22). The two stations share studios on South Regal Street in the Southgate neighborhood of Spokane; KREM's transmitter is on Krell Hill to the southeast.

KREM
CitySpokane, Washington
Channels
BrandingKREM 2 (pronounced "crem")
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
KSKN
History
First air date
October 31, 1954 (70 years ago) (1954-10-31)
Former call signs
KREM-TV (1954–2009)
Former channel number(s)
Analog: 2 (VHF, 1954–2009)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID34868
ERP893 kW
HAAT641 m (2,103 ft)
Transmitter coordinates47°35′41″N 117°17′57″W / 47.59472°N 117.29917°W / 47.59472; -117.29917
Translator(s)see § Translators
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.krem.com

The station is carried on cable systems in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, both of which are double the size of KREM's American coverage area. One result of this is that stations in Calgary and Edmonton air American shows on Pacific Time, even though Calgary and Edmonton are both on Mountain Time. It is one of five local Spokane area television stations seen in Canada on the Shaw Direct satellite service. It can also been seen on local cable systems in southeastern British Columbia.

KREM is one of two CBS affiliates based in the Spokane television market; KREM is typically considered the primary CBS affiliate for the market. However, Sinclair Broadcast Group–owned KLEW-TV (channel 3), based in Lewiston, Idaho, focuses on the southern portion of the market including the Lewis–Clark Valley and the Palouse. Both KREM and KLEW are available on Dish Network and DirecTV throughout the Spokane market.

History

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Construction and early years

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After the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lifted its years-long freeze on television station allocations in 1952, Spokane was allotted three commercial TV channels—2, 4, and 6.[2] In June 1952, Louis Wasmer applied to the FCC for channel 2.[3] At the time, Wasmer was in the process of selling one Spokane radio station, KSPO, to buy another, KREM (970 AM), from Cole Wylie in a deal approved by the FCC in July 1952; Wasmer found KREM's facilities, on the Moran Prairie, well-suited for television transmission.[4] A second group, Spokane radio station KNEW (as Television Spokane, Inc.), applied for channel 2; this came after their filing for channel 4 came the same day[5] the commission awarded KXLY-TV's construction permit.[6]

The multiple applications threw the case to comparative hearing,[5] which opened in May 1953 after multiple delays.[7] Wasmer came under fire by Television Spokane for buying and selling radio stations,[8] while Wasmer unsuccessfully impugned Television Spokane's financial capacity to build the proposed station.[9] It was bedeviled by medical problems. KNEW's chief engineer collapsed on the witness stand during questioning; Wasmer suffered from food poisoning; and the wife of Burl Hagadone, a 40-percent owner of Television Spokane, was hospitalized in Montana, prompting the entire proceeding to be recessed.[10] It never resumed, as the Television Spokane bid was withdrawn on March 1, 1954, in exchange for reimbursement of permit expenses by Wasmer and a right of first refusal should KREM-TV come up for sale.[11][12]

Following Television Spokane's withdrawal, an FCC hearing examiner recommended Wasmer be granted channel 2, and within two weeks he began construction on KREM-TV, including a studio expansion to KREM's existing radio facilities.[13] KREM-TV signed on October 31, 1954, with an "inaugural program" at 6:30 p.m.[14] It was briefly an independent station,[15] though on December 6, 1954, it affiliated with ABC.[16][17]

In July 1957, the King Broadcasting Company and its owner, Seattle businesswoman Dorothy Bullitt, agreed to buy the KREM stations—KREM AM, KREM-FM 92.9, and KREM-TV—for $2 million.[18][19] The FCC granted the sale in September[20] only to stay its approval when Television Spokane protested that its right of first refusal had not been respected.[21] To resolve the dispute, Wasmer acquired Television Spokane, clearing the way for the sale to be reapproved by the commission.[22] Wasmer continued as president of the KREM stations until he departed in 1963.[23]

1976 affiliation switch

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On February 19, 1976, CBS sent a notice of termination to its Spokane affiliate, KXLY-TV. Cited in the network's decision was its "judgment that we could get wider exposure for our programs with another station"; one source noted that a high rate of program preemptions prompted the disaffiliation.[24] It was the first time CBS had disaffiliated from a station since 1971.[25] This put CBS in the position of choosing between KHQ-TV (channel 6), the NBC affiliate, and KREM-TV for its new Spokane-area outlet. Though some speculation indicated KREM was interested in affiliating with NBC, thereby aligning it with its King Broadcasting sister stations in Seattle (KING-TV) and Portland (KGW-TV), and CBS approached both stations, KHQ-TV opted to continue with NBC, and KREM agreed to affiliate with CBS.[26][27] The switch took place on August 8, 1976, with KXLY becoming the new ABC affiliate.[28]

Providence Journal, Belo, and Gannett/Tegna ownership

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King Broadcasting Company put itself up for sale in 1990, citing the age of its majority owners, Patsy Bullitt Collins and Harriet Stimson Bullitt, the daughters of the late Dorothy Bullitt.[29] It accepted an offer from the Providence Journal Company in 1991;[30] the transaction closed in 1992.[31] Under Providence Journal, KREM became a contributor to the new Northwest Cable News (NWCN) regional service when it launched in 1995, with one reporter dedicated to NWCN based in Spokane.[32] The Belo Corporation purchased Providence Journal in 1996.[33]

In July 1996, KREM began programming KSKN (channel 22), an independent station, under a local marketing agreement.[34] The next year, that station joined UPN and began airing a 10 p.m. newscast produced by KREM.[35] After the 1999 legalization of duopolies, Belo purchased KSKN for $5 million in 2001.[36]

On June 13, 2013, the Gannett Company announced that it would acquire Belo.[37] The sale was completed on December 23.[38] Gannett's TV stations and newspapers split into separate companies in 2015, the former being named Tegna.[39]

Programming

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KREM shares the rights to non-national Seattle Kraken games with sister station KSKN.[40]

News operation

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In 1997, KREM, with its reporter Tom Grant, won an Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award "for Investigative Reporting on the Wenatchee Child Sex Ring."[41][42][43]

In April 2010, KREM and KSKN began broadcasting its local newscasts in 16:9 enhanced definition widescreen, and KREM became the third station in Spokane to switch in either HD or widescreen.[44][45][46]

From September 15, 2014, to January 2, 2015, KREM was the only station to air their newscasts from 7 to 9 a.m. on its sister station KSKN.[47] KREM switched to Gannett's "This is Home" music and graphics package on October 25, 2014, at the 5 p.m. newscast.[48] KREM became the last station in the Spokane market to switch their newscasts to HD.

On October 17, 2021, the station had to apologize for showing a moving image from a pornographic video on a weather center monitor during that evening's 6 p.m. newscast, and the origin of the video's appearance on an internal station monitor, be it internally or from another source, is under police and corporate investigation.[49]

Notable former on-air staff

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Technical information

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Subchannels

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The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of KREM[56]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
2.1 1080i 16:9 KREM-HD CBS
2.2 480i Crime True Crime Network
2.3 CourtTV Court TV
2.4 Twist The Nest
2.5 Shop LC
2.6 4:3 Get
2.7 16:9 QVC2 Outlaw
2.8 Comet
2.9 Cozi TV[57]

Analog-to-digital conversion

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KREM discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over VHF channel 2, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 20,[58][59] using virtual channel 2.

Translators

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KREM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "KHQ Files Application for TV Station in City". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. April 3, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Wasmer Applies For TV License: Radio Man Planning to Build Tower Near City". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. June 6, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "O. K. Given KREM's Sale to Wasmer: Radio Pioneer Sells KSPO in Two-Way Transaction". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. July 25, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "TV Channel 2 Hearing Slated". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. August 1, 1952. p. 6. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "KNEW Seeking TV Channel 2". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. July 23, 1952. p. 21. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Channel 2 TV Hearing Begins". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. May 27, 1953. p. 6. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Wasmer Fights for TV Channel: Explains Radio Station Sales at D. C. Hearing". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. May 30, 1953. p. 6. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Television Firm Scores in Probe". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. June 5, 1953. p. 5. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Illness Continues to Figure in Hearing at Washington". Spokane Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. June 2, 1953. p. 3. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "KNEW Gives Up Channel 2 Bid, Hagadone Says". Spokane Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. March 1, 1954. p. 5. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Wasmer Awaits Go-Ahead on TV". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. March 3, 1954. p. 6. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Wasmer Starts KREM-TV Work". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. March 19, 1954. p. 33. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "New TV Station Plans Inaugural On Sunday Night". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. October 29, 1954. p. 3. Retrieved November 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Telecast Due on Channel 2". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. October 30, 1954. p. 23. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "ABC-TV Adds 4 Vhf Stations Bringing Affiliation to 222". Broadcasting. December 20, 1954. p. 78. ProQuest 1285739705.
  17. ^ "KREM to Relay ABC Telecasts". Spokane Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. December 22, 1954. p. 3. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "KING, Seattle, Buys Control of KREM Here". Spokane Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. July 13, 1957. p. 5. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Wasmer Seeks KREM Sale O. K.: Radio and TV Outlets Would Bring $2,000,000". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. August 20, 1957. p. 6. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "FCC Approves Sale of KREM". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. September 27, 1957. p. 12. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "KREM Sale O. K. Stayed by FCC". Spokane Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. November 21, 1957. p. 5. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Protest Is Withdrawn, FCC O. K.s KREM Sale". Spokane Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. December 20, 1957. p. 3. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "L. Wasmer Quits Post With KREM". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. August 9, 1963. p. 5. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "CBS Plans to Terminate KXLY-TV Affiliation". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. March 3, 1976. p. 5. Retrieved November 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "CBS Pulls The Plug On KXLY, Shoos For New Spokane Affil". Variety. March 17, 1976. p. 57. ProQuest 1286011235.
  26. ^ Morlin, Bill (March 29, 1976). "Expected in August: KREM-TV to Join CBS Chain". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. p. 5. Retrieved November 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Timing decided for TV shift". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. March 30, 1976. p. 16. Retrieved November 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "On Sunday: TV Stations Switching". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. August 6, 1976. p. 20. Retrieved November 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Bowers, Jim (August 22, 1990). "KTVB, sister stations go up for sale". The Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. pp. 1A, 12A. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ Beebe, Paul (March 2, 1991). "Owner of Channel 7 to sell TV, cable interests". The Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. p. 6B. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Thomas, Ursula (February 25, 1992). "Channel 7, other stations sold by King". The Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. p. 6B. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ Kershner, Jim (December 24, 1995). "New sweeps don't show clear leader". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. pp. E3, E4. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ Tucker, John (September 27, 1996). "KTVB gets new owner: Dallas firm will buy Boise's Channel 7". The Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. pp. 5B, 8B. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Kershner, Jim (July 14, 1996). "Sweetness is in demand". The Spokesman-Review. p. E3, E8. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Kershner, Jim (August 17, 1997). "KREM-2 caters to early bedtimes with 10 p.m. news". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. E3. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Belo group cutting 160 jobs, freezing wages". Electronic Media. October 15, 2001. p. 4.
  37. ^ "Gannett to buy KREM-TV owner Belo for $1.5 billion". KREM.com. Associated Press. June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  38. ^ "Gannett Completes Its Acquisition of Belo". TVNewsCheck. December 23, 2013. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  39. ^ "Separation of Gannett into two public companies completed". Tegna. June 29, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  40. ^ "KREM 2 partners with Seattle Kraken to broadcast more than 70 games starting in 2024". KREM. April 25, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  41. ^ "Silver Batons: Medium Market Television". Columbia University News (Press release). 1997. Archived from the original on December 7, 2005.
  42. ^ "Grant Wins 'Pulitzer of Broadcasting' | the Spokesman-Review".
  43. ^ "KREM-TV, Investigative Reporting on the Wenatchee Child Sex Ring | 1997 duPont-Columbia Award Winner in 1997 duPont Winners on Vimeo". April 1, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2020 – via Vimeo.
  44. ^ "Is Your local news in HD?". Avsforum.com. February 17, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  45. ^ "KXLY 4 HD". August 1, 2008. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2012 – via YouTube.
  46. ^ "KHQ Local News 11@11 HD Open - 2008". October 18, 2008. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2012 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ "For the first time, 7:00-9:00 a.m. morning news in Spokane". changingnewscasts.wordpress.com. August 31, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  48. ^ "New design coming to KREM 2 newscasts". krem.com. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  49. ^ Epperly, Emma (October 18, 2021). "Pornographic video shown on KREM's evening newscast; police investigating". The Spokesman Review. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  50. ^ "KPIX's Paul Deanno, two others leaving station". EastBayTimes.com. September 27, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  51. ^ "Eric Johnson". KOMOnews.com. November 20, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  52. ^ "Sports Anchor Tim Lewis Leaving Spokane to Join His Dad at Seattle's KOMO". Adweek. April 19, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  53. ^ "Dan Lewis, Tim Lewis share anchor desk for first time". KOMONews.com. July 18, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  54. ^ Shanks, Adam. "Spokane's Next Mayor". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  55. ^ "Woodward claims victory in race for mayor | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  56. ^ "RabbitEars.Info". RabbitEars.info.
  57. ^ "Get Cozi TV".
  58. ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  59. ^ "CDBS Print".
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