KEYC-TV
kW | |
HAAT | 317 m (1,040 ft) |
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Transmitter coordinates | 43°56′12.4″N 94°24′38.5″W / 43.936778°N 94.410694°W |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Website | www |
KEYC-TV (channel 12) is a
The Mankato
History
KEYC-TV signed on October 5, 1960, just in time to broadcast the first game of the
KEYC was a major beneficiary of an exception to the FCC's "2+1⁄2 + 1" plan for allocating VHF television bandwidth. In the early days of broadcast television, there were twelve VHF channels available, and 69
However, what would become of the Mankato market was sandwiched between Minneapolis–Saint Paul (channels
) to the southeast. This created a large "doughnut" in Mankato where there could only be one VHF license. KEYC was fortunate enough to gain that license. To this day, KEYC is the only full-power commercial station based in Mankato, in the 13th smallest TV market (Nielsen DMA #198). However, KEYC is not without significant competition because outlets from the Twin Cities, the 15th largest market, cover major news and weather events in the region, and their signals are extended into the region via an extensive translator network.On July 1, 2007, the station signed on a new second digital subchannel and brought Fox programming to the market for the first time; this subchannel replaced Minneapolis stations WFTC (channel 29) and later KMSP-TV (channel 9), which have both been carried on cable systems in southwestern Minnesota since before the Fox network began operations in 1986.[2] KEYC's broadcasts became digital-only effective June 12, 2009.[3]
On February 8, 2019, Gray Television announced it was purchasing the United stations, including KEYC. In advance of the purchase, Gray assumed control of the station via a local marketing agreement (LMA) on March 1.[4] KEYC would be Gray's first station in Minnesota.[5] The sale was completed on May 1.[6]
Programming
KEYC-TV airs the entire CBS schedule; it began clearing the CBS News program known as the CBS Overnight News when it started 24-hour-a-day broadcasting on September 14, 2020.
KEYC-TV maintains a highly local focus such as through its production of the long-running music series Bandwagon. Another program that have aired almost throughout the station's history was a local religious program, I Believe in Miracles, which first aired on February 19, 1961. Miracles aired for the last time on KEYC on February 8, 2015. Various other local programs have aired over the years as well as a variety of specials such as on holiday music or major community issues.
Newscasts
On January 15, 2018, KEYC debuted a new weekday morning newscast. KEYC News Now This Morning airs for one hour starting at 6 a.m.[7] On February 25, 2019, it was expanded to 1+1⁄2 hours starting at 5:30 a.m. There are local news and weather cut-ins during CBS Mornings from 7 to 9 a.m. KEYC News Now offers local newscasts weekdays at noon for a half-hour, Monday through Friday at 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday nights at 6, and every night at 10. KEYC News Now at 9 airs seven nights a week on KEYC-DT2. In September 2022, KEYC launched Kato Living, a weekday lifestyle program.
Technical information
Subchannels
The station's digital signal is
Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming |
---|---|---|---|---|
12.1 | 1080i | 16:9 |
KEYC-HD | Main KEYC-TV programming / CBS |
12.2 | 720p | FOX12HD | KEYC-DT2 / Fox | |
12.3 | 480i | ION | Ion Television | |
12.4 | WX | KEYC Weather Now | ||
12.5 | OXG | Oxygen |
Former translator stations
The broadcast signal of KEYC was extended by way of three digital translators in southern Minnesota until December 22, 2017, when United Communications could not negotiate a new leasing agreement with tower owner BENCO/CTV.[9]
The Frost and Jackson translators were located in the Minneapolis–St. Paul market, while the St. James translator was in the Mankato market.
References
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for KEYC-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- Mankato Free Press, June 6, 2007
- ^ KEYC Switching To Digital Signal In June, KEYC-TV 12, February 12, 2009
- ^ "Gray Television Announces Purchase of KEYC-TV". KEYC-TV. February 8, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
- ^ "Gray Enters New York State and Minnesota with Purchase of United's Strong Television Stations" (PDF). Gray Television. February 8, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
- ^ "Consummation Notice", CDBS Public Access, Federal Communications Commission, Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- ^ "KEYC - KEYC News 12 to Launch Morning News in 2018". Archived from the original on November 21, 2017.
- ^ RabbitEars TV Query for KEYC
- ^ Keegan, Mitch (December 20, 2017). "Translator Changes May Impact Some Over-the-Air Viewers of KEYC News 12". KEYC.com. United Communications. Retrieved February 9, 2019.