History of KCCI in Timeline
KCCI is a CBS-affiliated television station located in Des Moines, Iowa. It is owned and operated by Hearst Television. The station's studios are situated on Ninth Street in downtown Des Moines, while its transmitter is located in Alleman, Iowa. KCCI serves the Des Moines television market, providing news, weather, and entertainment programming to viewers in the region.
2 hours ago : Iowa Schools Delay, Cancel Classes Due to Winter Storm and Snow Forecast
A winter storm warning in Iowa caused school delays and cancellations. The storm created slick travel conditions, with up to 6 inches of snow forecast, ending the false spring.
1932: Cowles Purchase of KSO
In 1932, Cowles earned a return on its purchase of KRNT radio's predecessor, the original KSO.
1935: KSO Call Letters changed to KRNT
In 1935, the call letters for KSO were changed to KRNT
1942: KSO Radio Ownership
In 1942, both the Cowles family and KSO radio applied for the channel 8 construction permit. A decision was delayed due to issues with the Cowles' ownership of Look magazine. KRNT would eventually own 60% of the station, and KSO would own 40%. KRNT immediately bought out KSO's share once the FCC approved the station's license.
July 31, 1955: KCCI Started as KRNT-TV
On July 31, 1955, KRNT-TV, the third television station in Des Moines and the ninth in Iowa, began broadcasting. It was owned by the Cowles family, who also published the Des Moines Register and the Des Moines Tribune newspapers, along with KRNT radio. The call letters KRNT stood for the newspapers' nickname in central Iowa, "the R 'n T".
1974: KRNT-TV Changes Callsign to KCCI-TV
In 1974, the Cowles interests sold KRNT radio and KRNQ-FM to Stauffer Communications, and retained both newspapers and KRNT-TV. KRNT-TV changed its callsign to KCCI-TV on February 25, 1974; the new calls stood for owner Cowles Communications, Inc.
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 after being inactive due to the 1970s energy crisis.
1990: Heidi Soliday Becomes First Female Local Sports Director
In 1990, KCCI reporter Heidi Soliday became the first female local sports director in the United States when Pete Taylor left his position.
1992: H&C Plans to Sell to Young Broadcasting
In 1992, H&C Communications initially planned to sell its entire television station group to Young Broadcasting.
1993: H&C Sells KCCI and WESH to Pulitzer
In 1993, H&C sold KCCI and WESH to Pulitzer.
1998: Hearst-Argyle Buys 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: Website Name Change
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 Launches Weather Now
On July 24, 2006, KCCI launched "Weather Now", a 24-hour local weather channel on digital subchannel 8.2, Mediacom digital cable channel 247, and the station's website.
December 10, 2008: Staffing Reorganization
On December 10, 2008, KCCI announced a staffing reorganization which eliminated six positions, including on-air talent.
April 20, 2009: KCCI Broadcasts Local News in 16:9 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 Shuts Down Analog Signal
On June 12, 2009, KCCI shut down its analog signal, transitioning to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal relocated from channel 31 to 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 Ratings Fall to Second Place
In the February 2010 sweeps period, KCCI fell to second behind WHO in the mornings and at 6 p.m., marking the first time KCCI had lost the lead in that timeslot in memory.
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 Upgrades 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 Loses Lead at 5 p.m.
In the May 2011 sweeps, KCCI lost the lead at 5 p.m. as well, but still held a narrow lead at 10 p.m.
June 30, 2011: Weather Now Ended
On June 30, 2011, KCCI's "Weather Now" ended it's run on digital subchannel 8.2, Mediacom digital cable channel 247, and the station's website.
July 1, 2011: KCCI Replaced Weather Channel with MeTV
On July 1, 2011, KCCI replaced the weather channel with MeTV on subchannel 8.2.
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 September 27, 2012, the weather beacon was permanently shut down.
2012: Tight Ratings Races
In 2012, KCCI had tight ratings races in 2011 and 2012.
June 12, 2013: Permit Canceled
On June 12, 2013, KCCI canceled the permit to construct a fill-in translator station on its pre-transition channel 31.
July 2013: KCCI Wins Every Time Slot
In July 2013, KCCI won every time slot among all audiences as well as the 25- to 54-year-old age group, widening its lead over WHO in many slots.
March 21, 2016: KCCI Adds 9 p.m. Newscast to MeTV Subchannel
On March 21, 2016, KCCI added a 9 p.m. newscast to its MeTV subchannel to compete with the WHO-produced news airing on KDSM-TV.
July 15, 2024: KCCI Added an Hourlong 4 p.m. Newscast
On July 15, 2024, KCCI added an hourlong 4 p.m. newscast, moving The Kelly Clarkson Show to 3 p.m. and The Jennifer Hudson Show to 12:37 a.m.
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