KQDS-TV

KQDS-TV is a commercial television station licensed to Duluth, Minnesota, serving the Duluth–Superior television market and a broad rural area spanning northeastern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, and part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The station broadcasts as a Fox affiliate on virtual channel 21 and is commonly presented to viewers under the Fox 21 brand. Its facilities are located on London Road in Duluth near Interstate 35, while its main transmitter is west of downtown at Hilltop Park. Some master-control and operational functions have historically been shared with co-owned KVRR, another Fox affiliate based in Fargo, North Dakota. The station began broadcasting on March 21, 1995, under the call sign KNLD. It was initially the market’s first independent station, but its launch was deliberately modest. KNLD operated at low power and transmitted only a limited schedule, often for approximately three hours each morning. This minimum schedule was connected to efforts to preserve the license while ownership negotiated with Granite Broadcasting, the owner of established local station KBJR-TV. The geographic scale of the Duluth market also presented a technical and economic challenge: UHF signals did not cover the region easily, and a commercially useful service required an extensive network of translators. Greater cable penetration during the 1990s eventually made a new independent station more viable. By the late 1990s, much of KNLD’s programming consisted of Shop at Home Network content, along with syndicated material such as Big Ten college football. In 1998, Red River Broadcasting, through KQDS Acquisition Corporation, purchased the station and several area radio properties. The television station subsequently adopted the KQDS-TV call sign, aligning it with Red River’s KQDS radio brands. Red River pursued a technical expansion, including a replacement transmitter tower intended to provide coverage closer to that of the market’s established stations. The proposed tower generated concerns from school and city officials because of possible ice falling onto a parking area at Duluth Central High School. The final design placed the structure farther from the school’s parking lot. A major transition occurred on September 1, 1999. KQDS-TV activated its new transmitter tower, launched eight translators, and became the first Fox affiliate in the Duluth–Superior market. Before that date, local viewers generally received Fox programming through cable carriage of stations from other markets, including KMSP-TV or WFTC in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, KVRR from Fargo, and, in some systems, stations from Wisconsin, Michigan, or Detroit. The new terrestrial Fox service established KQDS as a permanent local network outlet and greatly expanded its reach across the region. KQDS initially obtained local news through a partnership with NBC affiliate KBJR. A jointly produced 9 p.m. newscast aired from KBJR’s Duluth studios, but it was canceled after roughly nine months because of weak ratings and replaced by a CNN Headline News simulcast. KQDS later developed its own news operation. In 2007, its evening newscast ranked third among the market’s evening news programs, and the operation received three Upper Midwest Emmy nominations that year. The station recorded stronger ratings in 2009 and received regional Emmy recognition for Best Newscast and Overall Station Excellence. It added a half-hour weeknight 6 p.m. newscast on June 28, 2010. KQDS discontinued regular analog broadcasting on February 1, 2009, as part of the United States digital television transition. Its digital transmission continued on UHF channel 17 while retaining virtual channel 21. A large translator network remains central to serving the market’s difficult terrain. Most of the listed translators were converted to digital operation by November 2016 and continued to map to virtual channel 21. Aitkin translator K39GG later went silent and had its license canceled in 2018 after the station determined that its audience did not justify continued operation and that the facility lay in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul market. Ownership changed in the 2020s. Forum Communications announced in November 2021 that it intended to acquire KQDS-TV, KVRR, and KVRR’s satellites from Red River Broadcasting for $24 million. Forum sought regulatory permission to own another top-four full-power station in the Fargo–Grand Forks market, while stating that it would not combine the WDAY and KVRR newsrooms. The proposed transaction was terminated in June 2023 after the regulatory process did not produce the required outcome. In December 2023, Red River announced a sale to Coastal Television Broadcasting Group, and the transaction was completed on April 5, 2024. KQDS-TV therefore remains an active local Fox station under Coastal ownership.

KQDS-TV began service on March 21, 1995, under the call sign KNLD. It was created as an independent station for the Duluth–Superior market, but its initial operation was constrained by the region’s unusual economics and geography. The market covers a large area, and UHF television signals require extensive infrastructure to provide reliable service across northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and nearby Michigan. KNLD initially transmitted at low power and aired only a short morning schedule, generally the minimum needed to maintain its authorization while negotiations continued with Granite Broadcasting, owner of KBJR-TV. The station’s prospects improved as cable penetration expanded. Cable carriage was especially important in the Northland because many viewers could not receive a strong terrestrial signal from Duluth stations. During its early independent period, KNLD carried syndicated programs and, by the late 1990s, substantial programming from the Shop at Home Network. It also carried syndicated Big Ten college football at one stage. In 1998, Red River Broadcasting acquired KNLD through KQDS Acquisition Corporation. The transaction also involved several area radio stations, including KQDS AM, KQDS-FM, WWAX, and KZIO. The television station changed its call sign to KQDS-TV. Red River then invested in a technical overhaul, including a new transmitter tower designed to improve the station’s coverage. The tower project prompted objections from some school and city officials, who were concerned that ice falling from the structure could endanger vehicles and people near Duluth Central High School. Red River modified the siting plan and placed the tower farther from the school’s parking area. On September 1, 1999, the new tower went into service and eight translators were activated. The same day, KQDS-TV became the first Fox affiliate in the Duluth–Superior market. Previously, viewers had received Fox through cable imports from stations such as KMSP-TV and WFTC in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, KVRR in Fargo, and stations from Wisconsin, Michigan, or Detroit. Local Fox affiliation gave KQDS a distinct network identity and made its signal expansion commercially meaningful. KQDS’s first local news effort was produced through an agreement with KBJR. A 9 p.m. program originated from KBJR’s Duluth studios and featured Mark Mallory, meteorologist Paul Heggen, and sports anchor Tom Hansen. The program lasted about nine months and was canceled because of low ratings, after which a CNN Headline News simulcast filled the time period. KQDS later established an independent news operation. During its first ratings period in May 2007, the station ranked third among the market’s evening newscasts. Its news department received three Upper Midwest Emmy nominations in August 2007, and in 2009 it won regional Emmys for Best Newscast and Overall Station Excellence. A half-hour weeknight 6 p.m. newscast was added on June 28, 2010. The station completed the transition from analog to digital broadcasting on February 1, 2009. Its digital signal remained on UHF channel 17 while using virtual channel 21. Translators continued to be important because of the size and terrain of the service area. Most of KQDS’s translators had converted to digital operation by November 2016. K39GG in Aitkin, Minnesota, later ceased operation and had its license canceled by the FCC on June 27, 2018. KQDS said the translator’s audience was too small to justify its costs, and its location in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul market created additional affiliation and ratings complications. Ownership negotiations became significant again in the 2020s. Forum Communications announced in November 2021 that it planned to purchase KQDS-TV, KVRR, and KVRR’s satellites from Red River Broadcasting for $24 million. Forum sought an FCC waiver concerning ownership of another top-four full-power station in the Fargo–Grand Forks market and stated that it would keep the WDAY and KVRR newsrooms separate. The transaction was terminated in June 2023. Red River later announced a sale to Coastal Television Broadcasting Group in December 2023. Coastal completed the acquisition on April 5, 2024. KQDS-TV continues to operate as an active Fox affiliate serving the Northland.

• 2024

  Coastal Television completes acquisition

  [1]KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Coastal completes its purchase of KQDS-TV on April 5.

• 2023

  Forum transaction ends and Coastal deal is announced

  [1]KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The Forum proposal is terminated, and Red River announces a sale to Coastal Television Broadcasting Group.

• 2021

  Forum Communications announces proposed purchase

  [1]KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Forum announces a planned acquisition of KQDS-TV and related stations from Red River Broadcasting.

• 2018

  K39GG translator license canceled

  [1]KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The FCC cancels the license of the former Aitkin translator after it goes silent.

• 2010

  6 p.m. newscast launches

  [1]KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KQDS adds a weekday 6 p.m. local newscast.

• 2009

  Digital transition and regional Emmy awards

  [1]KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The station completes its analog shutdown and later receives regional Emmy recognition for its newscast and overall station performance.

• 2007

  News operation receives Emmy nominations

  [1]KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KQDS’s local news department receives three Upper Midwest Emmy nominations.

• 1999

  Fox affiliation and transmitter expansion

  [1]KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KQDS activates a new transmitter, adds eight translators, and becomes the market’s first Fox affiliate.

• 1998

  Red River Broadcasting acquires the station

  [1]KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Red River purchases KNLD through KQDS Acquisition Corporation and later changes the call sign to KQDS-TV.

• 1995

  KNLD begins broadcasting

  [1]KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The station signs on as a low-power independent station in the Duluth–Superior market.

Local Fox network affiliate serving the geographically broad Duluth–Superior Northland market, with an emphasis on regional news, weather, sports, entertainment, and market-wide over-the-air reach.

• Network television affiliation · 1999

  Fox 21 network service

  KQDS-TV carries programming from the Fox network on virtual channel 21. The affiliation began on September 1, 1999, making the station the first local Fox outlet in the Duluth–Superior market. Network programming provides the station’s core entertainment, sports, and primetime schedule, supplemented by local and syndicated content.

• Local news broadcasting · 2007

  Fox 21 local news

  KQDS-TV’s local news operation provides reporting, weather, sports, and public-affairs coverage for the Northland. An early 9 p.m. newscast was produced under a news-sharing arrangement with KBJR, but that program was discontinued after approximately nine months. KQDS subsequently developed its own news department, expanded its schedule, and added a weeknight 6 p.m. newscast in 2010.

• Broadcast signal distribution · 1999

  Translator network

  A network of translators extends KQDS-TV’s programming beyond the primary Duluth transmitter into communities including Ashland, Bigfork–Marcell, Grand Rapids, Hayward, Hibbing, International Falls, Ironwood, Max, and Virginia. The translator system is important because of the market’s large geographic footprint and challenging terrain. Most listed translators were converted to digital operation by November 2016.

• Television programming · 1995

  Syndicated and independent programming

  Before becoming a Fox affiliate, the station carried syndicated programming and Shop at Home Network content. It also aired syndicated Big Ten college football at one point. After the 1999 affiliation change, these types of programs became supplementary to Fox network content and KQDS’s local news schedule.

• 1998

  Transmitter tower siting controversy

  A proposed replacement transmitter tower drew concern from school and city officials over the possibility of ice falling onto a parking area near Duluth Central High School. Red River Broadcasting revised the siting plan and placed the tower farther from the parking lot.

  Source

Read more

• 2023

  Sell the station to Coastal TelevisionM&A

  Background

  After the proposed Forum Communications transaction ended, Red River Broadcasting sought another buyer for KQDS-TV and associated stations.

  Action taken

  Red River announced an agreement to sell the stations to Coastal Television Broadcasting Group in December 2023.

  Aftermath

  The sale was completed on April 5, 2024, making Coastal the station’s owner.

  Source

• 2021

  Pursue sale to Forum CommunicationsM&A

  Background

  Red River Broadcasting sought to sell KQDS-TV, KVRR, and KVRR’s satellites. Forum Communications proposed acquiring the stations for $24 million and required an FCC waiver concerning ownership limits in the Fargo–Grand Forks market.

  Action taken

  Forum announced the intended acquisition and sought regulatory approval while stating that it would not combine the WDAY and KVRR newsrooms.

  Aftermath

  The proposed transaction was terminated in June 2023.

  proposed acquisition price. $24 million (announced November 30, 2021; transaction terminated June 2023)

  Source

• 2018

  End service from the K39GG translatorStrategy

  Background

  The Aitkin, Minnesota, translator went silent, and the station determined that its audience was insufficient to support continued operation. The facility was also located in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul television market.

  Action taken

  KQDS allowed K39GG to remain off the air, and the FCC canceled its license on June 27, 2018.

  Aftermath

  KQDS continued serving the wider market through its remaining translator network.

  Source

• 2010

  Add a 6 p.m. weekday newscastProduct launch

  Background

  KQDS had expanded its news operation and sought to provide local programming at an earlier evening time.

  Action taken

  The station launched a half-hour weeknight 6 p.m. newscast on June 28.

  Aftermath

  The newscast broadened KQDS’s local-news schedule beyond its existing evening programming.

  Source

• 2009

  Complete the digital television transitionGeneration change

  Background

  United States television stations were required to transition from regular analog broadcasting to digital transmission.

  Action taken

  KQDS discontinued regular analog programming on February 1, 2009, while retaining virtual channel 21 on its digital service.

  Aftermath

  The station continued digital broadcasting on pre-transition UHF channel 17.

  Source

• 2007

  Develop an independent local news operationProduct launch

  Background

  An earlier 9 p.m. newscast produced by KBJR had ended after about nine months because of low ratings. KQDS later sought to build its own local news presence.

  Action taken

  KQDS operated its own news department and competed in the market’s evening-news ratings.

  Aftermath

  The operation ranked third in its first reported May 2007 ratings period and received three Upper Midwest Emmy nominations later that year.

  Source

• 1999

  Adopt Fox affiliation and expand coverageStrategy

  Background

  Before 1999, Fox programming reached parts of the market through imported cable stations from other television markets. KQDS needed a stronger signal and wider distribution to establish a sustainable local network service.

  Action taken

  The station activated a new transmitter tower, launched eight translators, and became the Duluth–Superior market’s first Fox affiliate.

  Aftermath

  KQDS gained a distinct network identity and a substantially improved ability to serve the geographically large Northland region.

  Source

1. 1KQDS-TVen.wikipedia.org
2. 2KQDS-TV official websitefox21online.com