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Study Guide: KMEG: Television Station History and Operations

Cheat Sheet:
KMEG: Television Station History and Operations Study Guide

Genesis and Early Operations (1967-1980s)

KMEG holds a broadcast license for the television station serving the Sioux City, Iowa region.

Answer: True

Explanation: The station's licensing and service area are established as Sioux City, Iowa.

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KMEG commenced broadcasting operations on September 5, 1967.

Answer: True

Explanation: The station's initial broadcast date was September 5, 1967.

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KMEG was established with the objective of providing the Sioux City area with comprehensive three-network television service.

Answer: True

Explanation: The station's founding purpose was to introduce full three-network television service to the Sioux City market.

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During its initial years of operation, KMEG consistently achieved a dominant position in the Sioux City ratings.

Answer: False

Explanation: The station generally operated in third place in the ratings during its early years, rather than achieving dominance.

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Medallion Broadcasters, Inc. initially petitioned the FCC for the ABC network affiliation for channel 14 in Sioux City.

Answer: True

Explanation: Medallion Broadcasters, Inc. was the initial applicant seeking the ABC affiliation for channel 14.

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Robert Donovan served as KMEG's founding station manager until 1986.

Answer: False

Explanation: Robert Donovan served as the founding station manager until 1983, not 1986.

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What is the primary city served by KMEG?

Answer: Sioux City, Iowa

Explanation: KMEG is licensed to and primarily serves the city of Sioux City, Iowa.

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In what year did KMEG commence broadcasting?

Answer: 1967

Explanation: KMEG began its broadcasting operations in the year 1967.

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What was the principal objective behind KMEG's establishment?

Answer: To provide the Sioux City area with full three-network television service.

Explanation: The primary goal for KMEG's establishment was to introduce comprehensive three-network television service to the Sioux City region.

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How did KMEG generally perform in the Sioux City ratings during its initial years?

Answer: It largely operated in third place.

Explanation: During its early operational period, KMEG typically held a third-place position in the Sioux City television market ratings.

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Which company initially submitted an application to establish KMEG, seeking an ABC affiliation?

Answer: Medallion Broadcasters, Inc.

Explanation: Medallion Broadcasters, Inc. was the entity that initially applied to the FCC for the construction of KMEG, with the intention of securing an ABC affiliation.

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Prior to serving as KMEG's founding station manager, Robert Donovan held what professional position?

Answer: Sales Manager for one of Sioux City's existing stations

Explanation: Robert Donovan's prior role before becoming KMEG's founding station manager was Sales Manager for one of Sioux City's established stations.

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Ownership Evolution and Corporate History

Waitt Broadcasting, founded by Norm Waitt Jr. of Gateway, Inc., acquired KMEG in 1998.

Answer: True

Explanation: Norm Waitt Jr.'s Waitt Broadcasting acquired KMEG in 1998.

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In 2005, KMEG entered into a shared services agreement with Pappas Telecasting, the owner of KMEG's sister station.

Answer: True

Explanation: A shared services agreement was established in 2005 between KMEG and Pappas Telecasting, which owned KPTH.

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Pappas Telecasting's bankruptcy filing in May 2008 resulted in the cancellation of the planned sale of KMEG to Siouxland Television, LLC.

Answer: True

Explanation: The bankruptcy of Pappas Telecasting in May 2008 directly led to the failure of the proposed sale of KMEG to Siouxland Television, LLC.

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Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired KMEG's license outright in 2025, thereby establishing a legal duopoly with KPTH.

Answer: True

Explanation: The outright acquisition of KMEG's license by Sinclair Broadcast Group in 2025 created a legal duopoly with its sister station, KPTH.

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By 1976, KMEG had achieved profitability shortly after John Fetzer's acquisition.

Answer: False

Explanation: Despite John Fetzer's purchase, KMEG had not yet turned a profit by 1976.

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In 1986, KMEG was acquired by the Maine Radio and Television Company, which was seeking a significant presence in large markets.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Maine Radio and Television Company acquired KMEG in 1986, viewing it as a small, controllable, and affordable entry into a new market, not necessarily a large market presence.

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Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired KMEG's license in 2013, immediately establishing a legal duopoly.

Answer: False

Explanation: Sinclair acquired KMEG's license outright in 2025, not in 2013. The 2013 acquisition was of Titan Broadcast Management's stations, which included KPTH.

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Who holds the outright ownership of KMEG's license as of its 2025 acquisition?

Answer: Sinclair Broadcast Group

Explanation: Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired KMEG's license outright in 2025.

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Which entity acquired KMEG in 1998, marking a significant change in ownership?

Answer: Waitt Broadcasting

Explanation: Waitt Broadcasting acquired KMEG in 1998.

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What event in 2008 directly caused the planned sale of KMEG to Siouxland Television, LLC, to be unsuccessful?

Answer: Pappas Telecasting, which had assumed operations, filed for bankruptcy.

Explanation: The bankruptcy filing of Pappas Telecasting in May 2008 directly led to the failure of the planned sale of KMEG to Siouxland Television, LLC.

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In 1986, the Maine Radio and Television Company acquired KMEG, viewing it primarily as:

Answer: A small, controllable, and affordable entry into a new market.

Explanation: The Maine Radio and Television Company acquired KMEG in 1986, characterizing it as a small, controllable, and affordable market entry.

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Which company assumed operational control of KMEG and KPTH following the bankruptcy proceedings of Pappas Telecasting?

Answer: New World TV Group (Titan Broadcast Management)

Explanation: New World TV Group, also operating as Titan Broadcast Management, took over the operations of several Pappas stations, including KPTH, during the bankruptcy proceedings.

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What was the primary significance of Sinclair Broadcast Group's outright acquisition of the KMEG license in 2025?

Answer: It created a legal duopoly with its sister station, KPTH.

Explanation: Sinclair Broadcast Group's 2025 acquisition of KMEG's license established a legal duopoly, signifying joint ownership and operation with KPTH in the same market.

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Network Affiliations and Programming Shifts

As of August 2025, KMEG's national network affiliation is NBC.

Answer: False

Explanation: Current affiliation data for August 2025 indicates KMEG is associated with the Roar network, not NBC.

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KMEG has primarily been affiliated with the ABC network since its inception in 1967.

Answer: False

Explanation: KMEG's primary affiliation for most of its history was with CBS, not ABC.

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In 1993, KMEG opted not to air 'The Late Show with David Letterman' due to the prior underperformance of its late-night programming.

Answer: False

Explanation: The decision not to air 'The Late Show with David Letterman' was primarily due to KMEG's existing strong syndicated programming lineup in that time slot, not the underperformance of prior late-night content.

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Sioux City acquired the designation of 'home office' for 'The Late Show with David Letterman' because KMEG was the sole market nationwide broadcasting the program.

Answer: False

Explanation: Sioux City became the 'home office' because KMEG was the only market nationwide *not* broadcasting the show, leading to a humorous designation.

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KMEG lost its CBS affiliation in 2021, with the programming subsequently migrating to a subchannel of KMEG itself.

Answer: False

Explanation: Following the loss of the CBS affiliation in 2021, the programming moved to a subchannel of KPTH, not KMEG.

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Following the cessation of its CBS affiliation, KMEG's 14.1 subchannel began broadcasting programming from the Fox network.

Answer: False

Explanation: After losing the CBS affiliation, KMEG's 14.1 subchannel began broadcasting programming from the Dabl network, not Fox.

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KMEG's 14.2 subchannel currently broadcasts programming from the Charge! network.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Charge! network is currently broadcast on KMEG's 14.2 subchannel.

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KMEG was a full-time affiliate of the United Paramount Network (UPN) for several years during the mid-1990s.

Answer: False

Explanation: KMEG served as a secondary affiliate of UPN only for the first eight months of 1995, not for several years.

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KMEG ceased its secondary affiliation with 'NFL on Fox' in 1998 because CBS regained the rights to broadcast NFL games.

Answer: True

Explanation: KMEG dropped its secondary Fox affiliation in 1998 due to CBS regaining NFL broadcast rights, prioritizing its primary CBS affiliation.

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KMEG's 14.5 subchannel currently broadcasts programming from the Comet network.

Answer: False

Explanation: KMEG's 14.5 subchannel broadcasts the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), not Comet.

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Which digital multicast network is KMEG affiliated with as of August 2025?

Answer: Roar

Explanation: As of August 2025, KMEG is affiliated with the Roar digital multicast network.

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For the majority of its operational history, KMEG was primarily affiliated with which major television network?

Answer: CBS

Explanation: Throughout the majority of its operational history, from 1967 until 2021, KMEG maintained its primary affiliation with the CBS network.

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What was the stated reason for KMEG's decision not to air 'The Late Show with David Letterman' in 1993?

Answer: KMEG had a strong syndicated programming lineup in that slot and Letterman's previous show hadn't performed well locally.

Explanation: KMEG cited its robust syndicated programming schedule and the prior local underperformance of Letterman's previous show as reasons for not airing 'The Late Show with David Letterman'.

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When KMEG lost its CBS affiliation in 2021, where did the CBS programming subsequently relocate?

Answer: To a subchannel of Sinclair-owned KPTH.

Explanation: Following the loss of its CBS affiliation in 2021, the CBS programming moved to a subchannel of Sinclair-owned KPTH.

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What network began broadcasting on KMEG's 14.1 subchannel subsequent to the CBS affiliation's relocation?

Answer: Dabl

Explanation: After the CBS affiliation moved, KMEG's 14.1 subchannel commenced broadcasting programming from the Dabl network.

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Which network is currently broadcast on KMEG's 14.2 subchannel?

Answer: Charge!

Explanation: The Charge! network is currently broadcast on KMEG's 14.2 subchannel.

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Why did KMEG discontinue its secondary affiliation with 'NFL on Fox' in 1998?

Answer: KMEG decided to focus solely on CBS programming after CBS regained NFL rights.

Explanation: KMEG dropped its secondary 'NFL on Fox' affiliation in 1998 because CBS regained the rights to broadcast NFL games, prompting KMEG to prioritize its primary CBS affiliation.

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Which network is currently broadcast on KMEG's 14.5 subchannel?

Answer: Chicago Sports Network (CHSN)

Explanation: KMEG's 14.5 subchannel broadcasts programming from the Chicago Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as CHSN.

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Why did Sioux City become colloquially known as the 'home office' for 'The Late Show with David Letterman'?

Answer: KMEG was the only market nationwide where the show was initially not broadcast.

Explanation: The designation arose because KMEG's refusal to air 'The Late Show with David Letterman' in 1993 made Sioux City the sole market nationwide without the program.

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Which of the following networks was NOT listed as currently broadcast on KMEG's subchannels?

Answer: ESPN

Explanation: ESPN was not listed among the networks currently broadcast on KMEG's subchannels; Roar, Comet, and Charge! were.

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Technical Specifications and Infrastructure

KMEG shares studio facilities with KPTH, located in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota.

Answer: True

Explanation: The station's studio facilities are co-located with KPTH in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota.

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Following Waitt Broadcasting's acquisition, KMEG's antenna was relocated to a tower shared with KMTV.

Answer: False

Explanation: The antenna was moved to a tower shared with KPTH, not KMTV.

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The call sign KMEG was selected to signify the station's intended broadcast power of one megawatt.

Answer: True

Explanation: The call sign KMEG was chosen specifically to reflect the station's design for a one-megawatt broadcast power output.

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KMEG ceased broadcasting its analog signal on UHF channel 14 on February 17, 2009.

Answer: True

Explanation: The transition from analog to digital broadcasting led KMEG to shut down its analog signal on February 17, 2009.

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In 2018, KMEG transitioned its digital broadcast channel from UHF 39 to UHF 32.

Answer: True

Explanation: The station's digital broadcast channel was changed from UHF 39 to UHF 32 in 2018 as a result of the spectrum auction repack.

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KMEG's signal is rebroadcast by translators located in Spencer, Iowa, and Norfolk, Nebraska.

Answer: True

Explanation: Translators in Spencer, Iowa, and Norfolk, Nebraska, are used to extend the reach of KMEG's signal.

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KMEG's virtual channel designation is 14.

Answer: True

Explanation: The station's virtual channel number is 14, corresponding to its original channel assignment.

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KMEG's Effective Radiated Power (ERP) is rated at 1,000 kilowatts.

Answer: True

Explanation: The station's Effective Radiated Power (ERP) is documented as 1,000 kW.

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KMEG's transmitter is situated at the geographical coordinates 42°35′12″N 96°13′19″W.

Answer: True

Explanation: The precise geographical coordinates for KMEG's transmitter location are 42°35′12″N 96°13′19″W.

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Where are KMEG's studios physically located?

Answer: Along I-29 in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota

Explanation: KMEG shares studio facilities located along I-29 in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota.

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What was the original intended significance of the call sign KMEG?

Answer: It signified the station's design for one megawatt of power.

Explanation: The call sign KMEG was chosen to reflect the station's design for a one-megawatt broadcast power output.

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On what date did KMEG cease broadcasting its analog signal?

Answer: February 17, 2009

Explanation: KMEG concluded its analog signal transmission on February 17, 2009.

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KMEG's digital channel reassignment in 2018 was primarily precipitated by what event?

Answer: The 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.

Explanation: The digital channel shift in 2018 was a consequence of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction, which necessitated frequency reallocations.

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What is KMEG's Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT)?

Answer: 611 meters (2,005 feet)

Explanation: KMEG's Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT) is measured at 611 meters, equivalent to 2,005 feet.

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Local News and Content Development

KMEG maintained traditional local newscasts without interruption from its launch in 1967 until 2021.

Answer: False

Explanation: KMEG ceased producing traditional local newscasts for a significant period between 1976 and 1999.

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KMEG's initial news program upon signing on in 1967 was titled 'Sioux City News'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The station's initial news program was named 'Newsbeat 14', not 'Sioux City News'.

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KMEG reinstated a local news operation in 1999 under the ownership of Waitt Broadcasting.

Answer: True

Explanation: Waitt Broadcasting acquired KMEG in 1998 and reintroduced local news programming in 1999.

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In 2004, KMEG expanded its news coverage by hiring additional anchors and launching new weekend programs.

Answer: False

Explanation: In 2004, KMEG actually reduced its news operations by canceling weekend newscasts and dismissing anchors, contrary to expansion.

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Following the 2021 affiliation change, KMEG's local news operation continued exclusively on KMEG's own subchannels.

Answer: False

Explanation: After the 2021 affiliation shift, KMEG's news operation migrated to KPTH's subchannels, not KMEG's own.

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For how many years did KMEG refrain from producing traditional local newscasts?

Answer: 23 years

Explanation: KMEG did not produce traditional local newscasts for a period of 23 years, from 1976 until 1999.

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What was the designation of KMEG's inaugural local newscast upon commencing operations in 1967?

Answer: Newsbeat 14

Explanation: Upon its launch in 1967, KMEG broadcast its newscasts under the title 'Newsbeat 14'.

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Under which ownership group did KMEG reintroduce traditional local newscasts in 1999?

Answer: Waitt Broadcasting

Explanation: Waitt Broadcasting, having acquired KMEG in 1998, was the ownership group under which local newscasts were reintroduced in 1999.

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What significant modifications were made to KMEG's news operations in March 2009?

Answer: Weekend newscasts were eliminated on both KMEG and KPTH.

Explanation: In March 2009, weekend newscasts were discontinued for both KMEG and its sister station KPTH.

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