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Revision as of 19:31, 30 November 2024 editSammi Brie (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, File movers, Pending changes reviewers, Template editors150,821 editsm Replace republications with proper clippings of the Spokane papersTag: 2017 wikitext editor← Previous edit Revision as of 18:46, 1 December 2024 edit undoSammi Brie (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, File movers, Pending changes reviewers, Template editors150,821 edits start improving — this removal is significant because it fixes several errors. the DuMont affil of record in Spokane was KXLY, not KREM, and Cole Wylie never owned KREM-TV.Tag: 2017 wikitext editorNext edit →
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==History== ==History==
===Construction and early years===
KREM-TV signed on October 31, 1954, with an "inaugural program" at 6:30&nbsp;pm,<ref name="Spok541029">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-new-tv-station-plans-i/160039501/|date=October 29, 1954|page=3|title=New TV Station Plans Inaugural On Sunday Night|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> followed by a showing of the 1933 ] '']''.<ref>''Spokane Daily Chronicle'' - "Announcing the Telecast Premiere of KREM-TV" (advertisement) - October 30, 1954</ref> It was originally owned by Cole Wylie alongside KREM radio (AM 970, now ]; and FM 92.9, now ]). The King Broadcasting Company, run by Seattle businesswoman ], bought the KREM stations from Wylie in 1957; the radio stations were sold off in 1984. (Coincidentally, the former KREM-FM is now a sister station to KXLY-TV.) However, channel 2 retained the -TV suffix in its callsign until 2009.
After the ] (FCC) lifted its years-long freeze on television station allocations in 1952, Spokane was allotted three commercial TV channels—2, 4, and 6.<ref name="Spok520403">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-khq-files-application/160042090/|date=April 3, 1952|page=1|title=KHQ Files Application for TV Station in City|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In June 1952, Louis Wasmer applied to the FCC for channel 2.<ref name="Spok520606">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-wasmer-applies-for/160042175/|date=June 6, 1952|page=1|title=Wasmer Applies For TV License: Radio Man Planning to Build Tower Near City|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> At the time, Wasmer was in the process of selling one Spokane radio station, KSPO, to buy another, ], 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.<ref name="Spok520725">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-o-k-given-krems/160042304/|date=July 25, 1952|page=1|title=O. K. Given KREM's Sale to Wasmer: Radio Pioneer Sells KSPO in Two-Way Transaction|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> 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{{r|Spok520801}} the commission awarded ]'s construction permit.<ref name="Spok520723">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-knew-seeking-tv-cha/160042278/|date=July 23, 1952|page=21|title=KNEW Seeking TV Channel 2|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed -->


KREM-TV initially had a dual affiliation with ] and the ] Network, the latter shared with cross-town competitor ] because of its then-CBS affiliation at the time. After DuMont dissolved, KREM continued as an exclusive ABC affiliate. In the late 1950s, the station was briefly affiliated with the ].<ref name="Boxoffice7">{{Citation| title = Require Prime Evening Time for NTA Films| journal = Boxoffice| pages = 13| date = November 10, 1956| url = http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_111056-1}}</ref> KREM-TV was affiliated with ABC until August 8, 1976, when it swapped affiliations with KXLY-TV, whom CBS announced would be dropped in February for constantly preempting or delaying its network shows; however, CBS did not announce initially who would become their new affiliate in the market.<ref name="Spok760329">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-expected-in-august-kr/160039542/|date=March 29, 1976|page=5|title=Expected in August: KREM-TV to Join CBS Chain|first=Bill|last=Morlin|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon --> On August 8, the affiliation switch went into full effect,<ref name="Spok760806">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-on-sunday-tv-stations/160039593/|date=August 6, 1976|page=20|title=On Sunday: TV Stations Switching|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> with CBS programming moving to KREM (KREM wanted to wait until ABC finished airing the network's coverage of the ] to make the switch).<ref name="Spok760330">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-timing-decided-for/160039676/|date=March 30, 1976|page=16|title=Timing decided for TV shift|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> KXLY then picked up KREM's old ABC affiliation,<ref name="Spok760505">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-early-summer-kxly-s/160039725/|date=May 5, 1976|page=5|title='Early Summer': KXLY Set to Join ABC|first=Bill|last=Morlin|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Spok760303">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-cbs-plans-to-terminate/160039834/|date=March 3, 1976|page=5|title=CBS Plans to Terminate KXLY-TV Affiliation|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> KREM thus became Spokane's new CBS affiliate. Initially, CBS had approached KHQ-TV, while KREM was considered for a possible NBC affiliation because of the ]'s sister stations in ] and ] also being NBC affiliates, but KREM elected to take the CBS affiliation instead. It was the only non-NBC affiliated station in the King Broadcasting portfolio. The multiple applications threw the case to ],<ref name="Spok520801">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-tv-channel-2-hearin/160041976/|date=August 1, 1952|page=6|title=TV Channel 2 Hearing Slated|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> which opened in May 1953 after multiple delays.<ref name="Spok530527">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-channel-2-tv-hearin/160045608/|date=May 27, 1953|page=6|title=Channel 2 TV Hearing Begins|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Wasmer came under fire by Television Spokane for buying and selling radio stations,<ref name="Spok530530">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-wasmer-fights-for-t/160045639/|date=May 30, 1953|page=6|title=Wasmer Fights for TV Channel: Explains Radio Station Sales at D. C. Hearing|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> while Wasmer unsuccessfully impugned Television Spokane's financial capacity to build the proposed station.<ref name="Spok530605">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-television-firm-scores/160045750/|date=June 5, 1953|page=5|title=Television Firm Scores in Probe|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> 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.<ref name="Spok530602">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-illness-continues-to-f/160045683/|date=June 2, 1953|page=3|title=Illness Continues to Figure in Hearing at Washington|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> 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 ] should KREM-TV come up for sale.<ref name="Spok540301">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-knew-gives-up-channel/160045883/|date=March 1, 1954|page=5|title=KNEW Gives Up Channel 2 Bid, Hagadone Says|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref name="Spok540303">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-wasmer-awaits-go-ah/160045925/|date=March 3, 1954|page=6|title=Wasmer Awaits Go-Ahead on TV|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

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.<ref name="Spok540319">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-wasmer-starts-krem/160045972/|date=March 19, 1954|page=33|title=Wasmer Starts KREM-TV Work|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> KREM-TV signed on October 31, 1954, with an "inaugural program" at 6:30&nbsp;p.m.<ref name="Spok541029">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-new-tv-station-plans-i/160039501/|date=October 29, 1954|page=3|title=New TV Station Plans Inaugural On Sunday Night|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> It was briefly an ],<ref name="Spok541030">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-telecast-due-on-cha/160046105/|date=October 30, 1954|page=23|title=Telecast Due on Channel 2|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> though on December 6, 1954, it affiliated with ].<ref>{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|page=78|date=December 20, 1954|title=ABC-TV Adds 4 Vhf Stations Bringing Affiliation to 222|id={{pq|1285739705}} }}</ref><ref name="Spok541222">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-krem-to-relay-abc-tele/160046113/|date=December 22, 1954|page=3|title=KREM to Relay ABC Telecasts|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

In July 1957, the King Broadcasting Company and its owner, Seattle businesswoman ], agreed to buy the KREM stations—KREM AM, ], and KREM-TV—for $2&nbsp;million.<ref name="Spok570713">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-king-seattle-buys-co/160046349/|date=July 13, 1957|page=5|title=KING, Seattle, Buys Control of KREM Here|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Spok570820">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-wasmer-seeks-krem-s/160046147/|date=August 20, 1957|page=6|title=Wasmer Seeks KREM Sale O. K.: Radio and TV Outlets Would Bring $2,000,000|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The FCC granted the sale in September<ref name="Spok570927">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-fcc-approves-sale-o/160046184/|date=September 27, 1957|page=12|title=FCC Approves Sale of KREM|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> only to stay its approval when Television Spokane protested that its right of first refusal had not been respected.<ref name="Spok571121">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-krem-sale-o-k-stayed/160046201/|date=November 21, 1957|page=5|title=KREM Sale O. K. Stayed by FCC|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> To resolve the dispute, Wasmer acquired Television Spokane, clearing the way for the sale to be reapproved by the commission.<ref name="Spok571220">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-protest-is-withdrawn/160046384/|date=December 20, 1957|page=3|title=Protest Is Withdrawn, FCC O. K.s KREM Sale|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Wasmer continued as president of the KREM stations until he departed in 1963.<ref name="Spok630809">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-l-wasmer-quits-pos/160046460/|date=August 9, 1963|page=5|title=L. Wasmer Quits Post With KREM|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

===1976 affiliation switch===
On February 19, 1976, ] 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.<ref name="Spok760303">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-cbs-plans-to-terminate/160039834/|date=March 3, 1976|page=5|title=CBS Plans to Terminate KXLY-TV Affiliation|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> It was the first time CBS had disaffiliated from a station since 1971.<ref>{{cite news|work=Variety|page=57|date=March 17, 1976|title=CBS Pulls The Plug On KXLY, Shoos For New Spokane Affil|id={{pq|1286011235}} }}</ref> This put CBS in the position of choosing between ] (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 ] (]) and ] (]), and CBS approached both stations, KHQ-TV opted to continue with NBC, and KREM agreed to affiliate with CBS.<ref name="Spok760329">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-expected-in-august-kr/160039542/|date=March 29, 1976|page=5|title=Expected in August: KREM-TV to Join CBS Chain|first=Bill|last=Morlin|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref name="Spok760330">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-timing-decided-for/160039676/|date=March 30, 1976|page=16|title=Timing decided for TV shift|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The switch took place on August 8, 1976, with KXLY becoming the new ABC affiliate.<ref name="Spok760806">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-on-sunday-tv-stations/160039593/|date=August 6, 1976|page=20|title=On Sunday: TV Stations Switching|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Spokane, Washington|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri -->


King Broadcasting was sold in 1992 to the ], which merged with ] five years later. On June 13, 2013, the ] announced that it would acquire Belo.<ref name=krem-saletogannett>{{cite news|title=Gannett to buy KREM-TV owner Belo for $1.5 billion|url=http://www.krem.com/news/local/Gannett-to-buy-KREM-TV-owner-Belo-for-15-billion-211384851.html|access-date=June 13, 2013|newspaper=KREM.com|date=June 13, 2013|agency=]}}</ref> The sale was completed on December 23.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2013 |title=Gannett Completes Its Acquisition Of Belo |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/gannett-completes-its-acquisition-of-belo/ |access-date=February 5, 2023 |website=TV News Check |language=en}}</ref> King Broadcasting was sold in 1992 to the ], which merged with ] five years later. On June 13, 2013, the ] announced that it would acquire Belo.<ref name=krem-saletogannett>{{cite news|title=Gannett to buy KREM-TV owner Belo for $1.5 billion|url=http://www.krem.com/news/local/Gannett-to-buy-KREM-TV-owner-Belo-for-15-billion-211384851.html|access-date=June 13, 2013|newspaper=KREM.com|date=June 13, 2013|agency=]}}</ref> The sale was completed on December 23.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2013 |title=Gannett Completes Its Acquisition Of Belo |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/gannett-completes-its-acquisition-of-belo/ |access-date=February 5, 2023 |website=TV News Check |language=en}}</ref>
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==Programming== ==Programming==
In 1987, KREM was one of numerous CBS affiliates that declined to carry an adaptation of '']'', owing to concerns about it being a promotion for the ] and about its heavy violence and ridiculing of the disabled; because of these decisions, CBS opted to remove the cartoon from its Saturday morning lineup and the series, to date, has never aired in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1345&dat=19870918&id=gw8TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ufoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4994,641862|title=Spokane Chronicle – Google News Archive Search|access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/adambombcartoons/why.htm |title=WebCite query result |publisher=Geocities.com |access-date=December 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021132611/http://geocities.com/adambombcartoons/why.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2009 }}</ref> In 1987, KREM was one of numerous CBS affiliates that declined to carry an adaptation of '']'', owing to concerns about it being a promotion for the ] and about its heavy violence and ridiculing of the disabled; because of these decisions, CBS opted to remove the cartoon from its Saturday morning lineup and the series, to date, has never aired in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1345&dat=19870918&id=gw8TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ufoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4994,641862|title=Spokane Daily Chronicle – Google News Archive Search|access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/adambombcartoons/why.htm |title=WebCite query result |publisher=Geocities.com |access-date=December 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021132611/http://geocities.com/adambombcartoons/why.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2009 }}</ref>


KREM aired the ] team's ] championship game appearances in ] and ]. KREM shares the rights to non-national ] games with sister station KSKN.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.krem.com/article/sports/hockey/krem-2-seattle-kraken-broadcast-more-than-70-games-starting-in-2024/293-a77f885d-479a-4923-bfe4-da856144ab76 |title=KREM 2 partners with Seattle Kraken to broadcast more than 70 games starting in 2024 |publisher=KREM|access-date=September 16, 2024|date=April 25, 2024 }}</ref> KREM aired the ] team's ] championship game appearances in ] and ]. KREM shares the rights to non-national ] games with sister station KSKN.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.krem.com/article/sports/hockey/krem-2-seattle-kraken-broadcast-more-than-70-games-starting-in-2024/293-a77f885d-479a-4923-bfe4-da856144ab76 |title=KREM 2 partners with Seattle Kraken to broadcast more than 70 games starting in 2024 |publisher=KREM|access-date=September 16, 2024|date=April 25, 2024 }}</ref>

Revision as of 18:46, 1 December 2024

CBS affiliate in Spokane, Washington 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
CitySpokane, Washington
Channels
BrandingKREM 2 (pronounced "crem")
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
Sister stationsKSKN
History
First air dateOctober 29, 1954 (70 years ago) (1954-10-29)
Former call signsKREM-TV (1954–2009)
Former channel number(s)Analog: 2 (VHF, 1954–2009)
Former affiliations
  • ABC (1954–1976)
  • DuMont (secondary, 1954–1956)
  • NTA (secondary, 1956–1961)
Technical information
Licensing authorityFCC
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

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.

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

Construction and early years

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. In June 1952, Louis Wasmer applied to the FCC for channel 2. 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. 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 the commission awarded KXLY-TV's construction permit.

The multiple applications threw the case to comparative hearing, which opened in May 1953 after multiple delays. Wasmer came under fire by Television Spokane for buying and selling radio stations, while Wasmer unsuccessfully impugned Television Spokane's financial capacity to build the proposed station. 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. 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.

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. KREM-TV signed on October 31, 1954, with an "inaugural program" at 6:30 p.m. It was briefly an independent station, though on December 6, 1954, it affiliated with ABC.

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. The FCC granted the sale in September only to stay its approval when Television Spokane protested that its right of first refusal had not been respected. To resolve the dispute, Wasmer acquired Television Spokane, clearing the way for the sale to be reapproved by the commission. Wasmer continued as president of the KREM stations until he departed in 1963.

1976 affiliation switch

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. It was the first time CBS had disaffiliated from a station since 1971. 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. The switch took place on August 8, 1976, with KXLY becoming the new ABC affiliate.

King Broadcasting was sold in 1992 to the Providence Journal Company, which merged with Belo Corporation five years later. On June 13, 2013, the Gannett Company announced that it would acquire Belo. The sale was completed on December 23.

On June 29, 2015, the Gannett Company split in two, with one side specializing in print media and the other side specializing in broadcast and digital media. KREM and KSKN were retained by the latter company, named Tegna.

KREM and KSKN are a part of a cluster of television stations in the Northwestern United States owned by Tegna, which includes KING-TV and its sister station KONG in Seattle; KGW in Portland, Oregon; and KTVB in Boise. All four stations had provided material to co-owned Northwest Cable News, a regional 24-hour cable news service based in Seattle that served much of the region. KREM was the only non-NBC affiliate to be a primary contributor to NWCN, with the exception of KSKN and Seattle independent station KONG. The channel, which started in 1995, shut down on January 6, 2017.

Programming

In 1987, KREM was one of numerous CBS affiliates that declined to carry an adaptation of Garbage Pail Kids, owing to concerns about it being a promotion for the then-popular trading card line of that name and about its heavy violence and ridiculing of the disabled; because of these decisions, CBS opted to remove the cartoon from its Saturday morning lineup and the series, to date, has never aired in the United States.

KREM aired the Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team's NCAA tournament championship game appearances in 2017 and 2021. KREM shares the rights to non-national Seattle Kraken games with sister station KSKN.

News operation

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."

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.

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. KREM switched to Gannett's "This is Home" music and graphics package on October 25, 2014, at the 5 p.m. newscast. 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.

Notable former on-air staff

Technical information

Subchannels

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of KREM
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

Analog-to-digital conversion

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, using virtual channel 2.

Translators

Notes

  1. The Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook says October 31, while the Television and Cable Factbook says October 29.

References

  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. ^ "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.
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  20. "FCC Approves Sale of KREM". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. September 27, 1957. p. 12. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
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  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.
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  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. "Gannett to buy KREM-TV owner Belo for $1.5 billion". KREM.com. Associated Press. June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  30. "Gannett Completes Its Acquisition Of Belo". TV News Check. December 23, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
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  33. "WebCite query result". Geocities.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
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  43. Epperly, Emma (October 18, 2021). "Pornographic video shown on KREM's evening newscast; police investigating". The Spokesman Review. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  44. "KPIX's Paul Deanno, two others leaving station". EastBayTimes.com. September 27, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  45. "Eric Johnson". KOMOnews.com. November 20, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
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  50. "RabbitEars.Info". RabbitEars.info.
  51. "Get Cozi TV".
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  53. "CDBS Print".

External links

Broadcast television in the Inland Northwest (Spokane Valley Region and Lewis-Clark Valley Region)
This region includes the following cities: Spokane/Pullman/Clarkston, WA
Coeur d'Alene/Moscow/Lewiston, ID
Reception may vary by location and some stations may only be viewable with cable television
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Repeater of KREM, Spokane, WA

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