History of KCCI in Timeline

KCCI is a CBS-affiliated television station located in Des Moines, Iowa, owned by Hearst Television. Its studios are situated on Ninth Street in downtown Des Moines, with a transmitter located in Alleman. The station serves the Des Moines television market.

1932: Cowles Purchase of KSO Predecessor

In 1932, Cowles earned a handsome return on its purchase of KRNT radio's predecessor, the original KSO.

1935: KSO Call Letters Changed to KRNT

In 1935, the call letters of KSO were changed to KRNT.

1942: KSO radio application

In 1942, Cowles family and rival KSO radio both applied for the channel 8 construction permit. A decision was delayed due to issues with Cowles' ownership of Look magazine. KRNT eventually owned 60 percent and KSO 40 percent of the TV station. Once the FCC approved the license, KRNT immediately bought out KSO's share.

July 31, 1955: KCCI Started Broadcasting

On July 31, 1955, KCCI started broadcasting as KRNT-TV, becoming the third television station in Des Moines and the ninth in Iowa. It was owned by the Cowles family, who also owned the Des Moines Register and the Des Moines Tribune newspapers, along with KRNT radio.

1974: KRNT Radio Sold; Callsign Changed to KCCI-TV

In 1974, the FCC tightened its ownership rules, forcing the Cowles interests to sell one of their Des Moines broadcast outlets. They sold KRNT radio and KRNQ-FM to Stauffer Communications and retained both newspapers and KRNT-TV, with the callsign changing to KCCI-TV on February 25, 1974.

1983: Cowles Family Breaks Up Media Empire

In 1983, the Cowles family announced it was breaking up its vast media empire, selling off most of its assets except the Minneapolis Star Tribune. KCCI and WESH went to H&C Communications.

1987: Weather Beacon Powered Back Up

In 1987, the weather beacon was powered back up by the station.

1992: H&C planned to sell television station group

In 1992, H&C initially planned on selling its entire television station group to Young Broadcasting.

1993: KCCI and WESH Sold to Pulitzer

In 1993, KCCI and WESH were sold to Pulitzer.

1998: Hearst-Argyle Television Bought Pulitzer's Television Holdings

In 1998, Hearst-Argyle Television bought all of Pulitzer's television holdings.

2002: KCCI Began Broadcasting in High-Definition Television

In 2002, KCCI began broadcasting in high-definition television on channel 8.1.

October 2005: KCCI Website Switched Back to kcci.com

In October 2005, KCCI switched back to the kcci.com name for its website, with theiowachannel.com serving as a redirect to kcci.com.

July 24, 2006: KCCI Launched "Weather Now" Channel

On July 24, 2006, KCCI launched "Weather Now", a 24-hour local weather channel that appeared on digital subchannel 8.2 as well as local Mediacom digital cable channel 247, and the station's website.

December 10, 2008: KCCI Staffing Reorganization

On December 10, 2008, KCCI President and General Manager Paul Fredericksen announced a staffing reorganization which eliminated six positions, including on-air talent.

April 20, 2009: KCCI Broadcast Local News in Widescreen

On April 20, 2009, KCCI became the first station in Des Moines to broadcast local news in 16:9 widescreen.

June 12, 2009: KCCI Shut Down Analog Signal

On June 12, 2009, KCCI shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 8, 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 relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 31 to its analog-era VHF channel 8.

2009: KCCI Wins National Edward R. Murrow Awards

In 2009, KCCI won National Edward R. Murrow Awards for Best Newscast and Overall Excellence. KCCI also won the Photography Station of the Year award in the small market division from the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA).

January 2010: Ice Storm Damages Weather Beacon

In January 2010, an ice storm damaged the weather beacon, but it was repaired later that year.

February 2010: KCCI Fell to Second Behind WHO in Ratings

During the February 2010 sweeps period, KCCI fell to second behind WHO in the mornings and at 6 p.m.

2010: KCCI Wins Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards

In 2010, KCCI won Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for Best Newscast and Overall Excellence.

April 26, 2011: KCCI Upgraded Local Newscasts to High Definition

On April 26, 2011, KCCI upgraded its local newscasts to high definition, beginning with the 5 p.m. newscast.

May 2011: KCCI Lost Lead at 5 p.m.

During the May 2011 sweeps, KCCI lost the lead at 5 p.m., but still held a narrow lead at 10 p.m.

June 30, 2011: "Weather Now" Channel Discontinued

On June 30, 2011, KCCI discontinued the "Weather Now" channel on digital subchannel 8.2 and its website.

July 1, 2011: MeTV Added to KCCI Subchannel

On July 1, 2011, KCCI replaced the weather channel with MeTV on subchannel 8.2.

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2011: KCCI Wins Photography Station of the Year Award

In 2011, KCCI won the Photography Station of the Year award in the small market division from the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA).

September 27, 2012: Weather Beacon Permanently Shut Down

On the morning of Thursday, September 27, 2012, the weather beacon was permanently shut down.

2012: Tight Ratings Races

After tight ratings races in 2011 and 2012, KCCI won every time slot, among all audiences as well as the 25- to 54-year-old age group in July 2013.

June 12, 2013: KCCI Canceled Permit for Fill-In Translator Station

On June 12, 2013, KCCI canceled the permit to construct a fill-in translator station on its pre-transition channel 31.

July 2013: KCCI Won Every Time Slot in Ratings

In July 2013, KCCI won every time slot, among all audiences as well as the 25- to 54-year-old age group. KCCI also widened its lead over WHO in many slots, including midday and evenings, compared with the year prior.