KDLT-TV

KDLT-TV is the NBC-affiliated television station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, serving Eastern South Dakota and Southwestern Minnesota. The station broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 47, which remaps to analog channel 46 via PSIP. It also operates a full-powered satellite station: KDLV-TV in Mitchell, South Dakota (digital channel 26, virtual channel 5). KDLT's studios and offices are located on South Westport Avenue in Sioux Falls and its 2,000 feet (610 m) transmitter tower is located south near Rowena.

History

On June 12, 1960, KDLT started broadcasting from Mitchell, South Dakota as KORN-TV on channel 5, an NBC affiliate with a secondary ABC affiliation. The station's original call letters were intended to honor the famous Mitchell Corn Palace. It was owned by Mitchell Broadcasting Associates. Only a month later, KSOO-TV (now KSFY-TV) signed on. From then until 1969, KSOO-TV and KORN-TV operated as a regional network, although separately owned. KSOO-TV served the eastern portion of the market, while KORN-TV served the western portion. But in April 1969, the Federal Communications Commission ruled against this combination, suggesting that they operate as competitors in the Sioux Falls-Mitchell market. So on May 12 of that year, Channel 5 affiliated with ABC and moved its tower closer to Sioux Falls, although KCAU-TV in Sioux City was well received in Sioux Falls and identified at that time as Siouxland ABC. Mitchell Broadcasting sold the station to Buford Television of Tyler, Texas in 1972.