KOMO-TV
An ABC-affiliated television station serving the Seattle–Tacoma market, known for local news, regional reporting, and early adoption of broadcast technology.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
KOMO-TV is a full-power television station serving Seattle, Tacoma, and surrounding communities in western Washington. Broadcasting on channel 4, it is affiliated with the ABC network and is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which also operates the station alongside Seattle-area sister station KUNS-TV. KOMO-TV's studios are located in KOMO Plaza in Seattle's Lower Queen Anne neighborhood, near the Space Needle, while its transmitter is located in the Queen Anne area. The station began regular broadcasting on December 11, 1953, as an NBC affiliate. It was established by the Fisher family, whose business interests included flour milling, lumber, and broadcasting. The station was created as the television counterpart to KOMO radio, which had been associated with the NBC Radio Network and had operated in Seattle since the 1920s. William W. Warren, a Fisher family member and longtime KOMO radio executive, played a central role in developing the television operation and remained involved in station management for decades. KOMO-TV became an ABC affiliate during Seattle's network realignment at the end of the 1950s. NBC reached an agreement with King Broadcasting, leading KING-TV to become the market's primary NBC station. KOMO-TV and KING-TV temporarily shared ABC and NBC programming before KOMO became an exclusive ABC affiliate in September 1959. Since then, KOMO has generally competed with KING-TV for leadership in Seattle local-news ratings and has often ranked among the market's strongest news operations. The station has emphasized technical innovation throughout its history. In 1954, a KOMO photographer developed a faster method for processing color film, enabling the station to broadcast true-color images at an unusually early stage of television's transition to color. KOMO became an early stereo broadcaster in 1984, began transmitting a high-definition digital signal in 1997, and introduced high-definition local newscasts in 1999. Some of its claims concerning being the first American station to provide daily high-definition news have been disputed by other broadcasters, including WRAL-TV and WFAA. KOMO's journalism has included local news, weather, public-affairs programming, documentaries, lifestyle content, and coverage of major regional events. Its reporting on the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens gained international attention after reporter and photographer Dave Crockett recorded dramatic footage from near the volcano. The station's local programming has also included long-running personalities and productions such as Don McCune's children's and regional programs, including the documentary series Exploration Northwest. In more recent years, KOMO has produced extensive daily local newscasts and the lifestyle-oriented Seattle Refined. The station experienced several significant operational and corporate events in the 2000s and 2010s. A major electrical fire at Fisher Plaza interrupted broadcasting in 2009. In 2013, Sinclair announced its acquisition of Fisher Communications, ending decades of local Fisher family ownership after regulatory approval and shareholder approval. In 2014, a news helicopter used by KOMO crashed near Seattle Center shortly after takeoff, killing pilot Gary Pfitzner and photographer Bill Strothman and seriously injuring a person on the ground. A later studio redesign incorporated visual memorial elements associated with the crash. KOMO remained part of Sinclair's Seattle operations after the proposed Sinclair acquisition of Tribune Media was abandoned in 2018. That transaction would have created substantial ownership conflicts in the Seattle market and drew scrutiny from the Federal Communications Commission before Tribune terminated the agreement. KOMO-TV's relationship with its former radio sister stations also ended in 2021 when those stations were sold to Lotus Communications, although cooperation and co-location arrangements continued for a time. KOMO-TV continues to operate as an ABC…
History
KOMO-TV's roots lie in the Fisher family's Seattle broadcasting activities. The family entered radio through KOMO, founded in the 1920s, and later sought a television license for channel 4. The station received authorization in 1953 after a competing application associated with KJR was withdrawn. KOMO-TV began regular service on December 11 of that year as an NBC affiliate, making it the fourth-oldest television station in the Seattle–Tacoma area. The station's history also includes an experimental transmission made in 1929, when KOMO radio engineer Francis J. Brott transmitted simple images over electrical lines to small screens. Although this did not constitute regular television service, it demonstrated the station's early involvement with visual broadcasting. Regular KOMO-TV operations were developed under the Fisher family, with William W. Warren serving as a key executive during the station's formative decades. A network realignment changed KOMO's identity in the late 1950s. NBC entered into an agreement with King Broadcasting, whose KING-TV became the Seattle NBC affiliate. KOMO-TV temporarily carried programming from both NBC and ABC, but became an exclusive ABC station on September 27, 1959. The ABC affiliation has remained central to the station's business and programming model. During the 1960s, KOMO built a strong local personality and documentary presence. Don McCune became widely known as Captain Puget on a children's program, while Exploration Northwest presented regional people, places, and issues. The station also developed a reputation for technological experimentation. A faster color-film processing method developed by a KOMO photographer helped the station broadcast color material ahead of many competitors. In 1984, KOMO became an early daily stereo broadcaster. KOMO's field journalism became nationally recognized during the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens. Reporter and photographer Dave Crockett traveled toward the volcano and recorded the advancing ash cloud and mudflows. His footage, including a long sequence made in near-total darkness, was distributed widely and became one of the most recognizable records of the disaster. The vehicle used during the coverage was later preserved at a volcano museum. The station continued to invest in emerging television technology. It applied for an early high-definition test authorization in 1994, transmitted a digital high-definition signal beginning in 1997, and introduced high-definition daily newscasts in 1999. The station's claim to be the first in the United States to broadcast daily news in high definition has been challenged by competing claims from other stations, so the distinction remains disputed. KOMO operated for decades as the flagship television property of Fisher Communications and was the final major Seattle television station still controlled by a locally based owner. In 2009, an electrical fire in the Fisher Plaza complex interrupted KOMO's broadcast during an evening newscast. In 2013, Sinclair Broadcast Group agreed to acquire Fisher Communications. The transaction attracted shareholder litigation and scrutiny over valuation and the conduct of Fisher's board, but was approved and completed in August 2013. A major tragedy occurred on March 18, 2014, when a leased news helicopter crashed near Seattle Center shortly after departing Fisher Plaza. Pilot Gary Pfitzner and photographer Bill Strothman died, and a person in a vehicle was critically injured. The helicopter had been used by KOMO and KING under a local news-sharing arrangement. When KOMO unveiled a redesigned news studio in 2015, elements of the set served as a memorial to the two employees. Sinclair's later attempt to acquire Tribune Media had direct implications for KOMO. Tribune owned Seattle stations KCPQ and KZJO, and the proposed transaction would have created local ownership conflicts under broadcast rules. Sinclair proposed various divestiture arrangements, but the FCC referred the matter to an administrative law judge in 2018 because of concerns about the company's proposed station sales and the candor of its filings. Tribune terminated the transaction in August 2018. KCPQ and KZJO ultimately changed ownership through later transactions unrelated to completion of the proposed merger. The relationship between KOMO-TV and its radio namesakes changed in 2021, when KOMO and other Seattle radio properties were sold to Lotus Communications. The radio call sign was later changed, while Sinclair continued to operate KOMO-TV and retained control of the television brand. The station remains based at KOMO Plaza and continues to operate as an ABC affiliate with a substantial local-news operation, complemented by the KOMO News website and digital services.
- 2024
KUNS-TV becomes the Seattle CW affiliate
[1]KUNS-TV, operated alongside KOMO-TV, became the market's CW affiliate after ending its Univision affiliation.
- 2021
Television and radio operations separate
[1]The sale of KOMO's former radio sister stations to Lotus Communications ended common ownership of the radio and television operations.
- 2018
Sinclair–Tribune deal collapses
[1]The FCC's regulatory review and concerns about proposed divestitures preceded Tribune's termination of its proposed merger with Sinclair.
- 2015
New news studio opens
[1]KOMO introduced a redesigned studio containing Seattle-themed elements and a memorial reference to the 2014 helicopter victims.
- 2014
News helicopter crash
[1]A helicopter used by KOMO crashed near Seattle Center, killing pilot Gary Pfitzner and photographer Bill Strothman.
- 2013
Sinclair acquires Fisher Communications
[1]Sinclair completed its acquisition of Fisher Communications, ending the station's long period of Fisher family ownership.
- 2009
Fisher Plaza electrical fire
[1]A fire in an electrical vault at the station complex interrupted KOMO's broadcast during an evening newscast.
- 1999
High-definition local newscasts introduced
[1]KOMO began producing daily local newscasts in high definition, although its first-in-the-nation claim is disputed.
- 1997
High-definition digital transmission begins
[1]The station began broadcasting a high-definition digital signal.
- 1984
Daily stereo broadcasting
[1]KOMO became the first television station identified in the reference material as broadcasting daily programming in stereo.
Products and positioning
A Seattle-focused broadcast and digital news brand combining ABC network programming with strong local reporting, weather coverage, regional storytelling, and technical production capabilities.
Local television news · 1953
KOMO News local newscasts
KOMO's core offering is its locally produced news operation, covering Seattle, Tacoma, western Washington, weather, transportation, public safety, politics, business, and community issues. The station has historically competed closely with KING-TV for local-news leadership and is recognized for field reporting and major-event coverage.
Broadcast television programming · 1959
ABC network programming
As the Seattle market's ABC affiliate, KOMO carries the network's entertainment, news, sports, and special-event programming, supplemented by station-produced material and local advertising.
Lifestyle and branded content
Seattle Refined
Seattle Refined is a lifestyle newsmagazine produced by KOMO. Its content covers local culture, food, travel, people, and consumer-oriented subjects, and can include advertorial material alongside editorial-style features.
Digital news
KOMO News digital platform
The KOMO News website extends the station's broadcast identity into continuously updated digital publishing. It distributes local news, weather, video, live coverage, regional features, and selected station programming through the KOMO News domain.
Sports broadcasting · 1953
Regional sports coverage
KOMO has carried major network sports programming relevant to the Seattle market, including Seattle Seahawks games during periods when ABC broadcast Monday Night Football and other NFL events. The station also provides sports news and regional team coverage.
Controversies
2019
Seattle Is Dying controversy
KOMO's documentary special Seattle Is Dying examined homelessness, drug use, and public disorder in Seattle. Critics argued that the program presented a misleadingly negative account of the city, noted that local crime levels were lower than in earlier decades, and reported that at least one interview subject believed his portrayal had been distorted.
Brand decisions
2024
KUNS-TV changes to CW affiliationStrategyBackground
The Seattle market's network affiliation structure changed after CBS News and Stations withdrew its CW affiliation option following Nexstar's acquisition of a controlling interest in the network.
Action taken
KUNS-TV, the station operated alongside KOMO-TV, ended its Univision affiliation and became the Seattle CW affiliate.
Aftermath
The change strengthened the shared Sinclair-operated station group in the Seattle market and followed a temporary period in which a KOMO-TV subchannel carried CW programming.
2017
Proposed Sinclair acquisition of Tribune MediaM&ABackground
Tribune owned Seattle stations KCPQ and KZJO, creating potential local ownership conflicts because KOMO-TV and related stations were already part of Sinclair's Seattle portfolio.
Action taken
Sinclair proposed a series of station divestitures intended to satisfy broadcast ownership rules while retaining KOMO-TV, but the FCC later referred the transaction for administrative review.
Aftermath
Tribune terminated the transaction in 2018, and the proposed merger did not occur.
Announced acquisition consideration. $3.9 billion plus assumption of approximately $2.7 billion in Tribune debt (2017 announcement)
2013
Fisher Communications acquisitionM&ABackground
KOMO-TV was Fisher Communications' flagship station and one of the last major Seattle television properties controlled by a locally based owner.
Action taken
Sinclair Broadcast Group agreed to acquire Fisher Communications and completed the transaction in August 2013.
Aftermath
KOMO-TV became part of Sinclair's national station portfolio. The transaction faced shareholder litigation and scrutiny over valuation before closing.
Announced transaction value. Approximately $373.3 million transaction value; shareholders were approved to receive $41 per share (2013 announcement and closing)
1959
Transition to exclusive ABC affiliationStrategyBackground
NBC's agreement with King Broadcasting changed the affiliation structure of the Seattle market, with KING-TV taking the NBC service.
Action taken
KOMO-TV ended its shared NBC and ABC arrangement and became an exclusive ABC affiliate.
Aftermath
ABC became the station's principal network identity and remains its affiliation.
Sources2 sources
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