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, with its transmitter based in Alleman.

1932: Purchase of KSO

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

1935: Call Letters Became KRNT

In 1935, the call letters for the original KSO became KRNT.

1942: KSO Ownership

In 1942, KSO radio also applied for the channel 8 construction permit. A decision was held up due to issues with the Cowles' ownership of Look magazine. Eventually, the two stations reached a settlement that allowed KRNT to own 60 percent of the TV station and KSO to own 40 percent. Yet once the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the station's license, KRNT immediately bought out KSO's share of the station.

July 31, 1955: KCCI Started as KRNT-TV

On July 31, 1955, KRNT-TV, the third television station in Des Moines and ninth in Iowa, began broadcasting. It was owned by the Cowles family, publishers of the Des Moines Register and the defunct Des Moines Tribune newspapers, along with KRNT radio.

1974: KRNT Radio and KRNQ-FM Sold

In 1974, the Cowles interests sold KRNT radio and KRNQ-FM to Stauffer Communications and retained both newspapers and KRNT-TV.

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: Beacon Powered Back Up

In 1987, KCCI powered back up the weather beacon after it was active until the 1970s energy crisis.

1990: Heidi Soliday Became Sports Director

In 1990, Heidi Soliday became the first female local sports director in the United States when she replaced Pete Taylor as sports director after he left to work at Iowa State University.

1992: H&C Plans To Sell

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

1993: KCCI Sold to Pulitzer

In 1993, KCCI and WESH were sold to Pulitzer.

1998: Hearst-Argyle Buys Pulitzer's TV Holdings

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

2002: KCCI Began Broadcasting in HDTV

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

October 2005: Website Name Switch

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

July 24, 2006: KCCI Launched "Weather Now"

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 until June 30, 2011.

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 Widescreen

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

June 12, 2009: Analog Signal Shut Down

On June 12, 2009, KCCI shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 8, as part of the federal mandate for the transition to digital broadcasts.

2009: Awards Won in 2009

In 2009, KCCI won National Edward R. Murrow Awards for Best Newscast and Overall Excellence. In 2009 KCCI won the Photography Station of the Year award in the small market division from the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA). The NPPA also named Photojournalist Cortney Kintzer as the Photographer of the Year in Region 5 (Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois).