KSTP-TV History

KSTP-TV Channel 5, the upper Midwest’s first commercial television station, is owned by the pioneering broadcasting company Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc.

Channel 5 signed on the air April 27, 1948 and today remains the only locally-owned, locally-operated broadcasting company in the Twin Cities.

Eyewitness News is the station’s hallmark, presenting local news, weather, and sports coverage daily for Channel 5 (ABC network affiliate) and its UHF sister station, Channel 45 (independent).

Channel 5’s distinguished history includes many “firsts.” Here are a few:

First commercial television station in Minnesota to broadcast in high definition digital format:

We flipped the switch for digital TV on November 8th, 1999. DTV broadcasts in the Twin Cities metro area on Channel 50 and outstate via the station’s translator system.

First Minnesota duopoly with the debut of KSTC-TV Channel 45 on September 11th, 2000:

FCC duopoly rules permit a broadcasting company to own more than one station in a designated market area. Channel 45 is the only fully independent television station in the Twin Cities and is a free over-the-air UHF broadcast signal – not cable

First commercial television station serving the upper Midwest:

We signed on the air April 27th, 1948

First full color television station in the United States

First station in the country to inaugurate a regularly scheduled seven-day newscast

First in this region to feature investigative reporting

First station in the country to institute remote satellite news reports in local news broadcasts

Hubbard Broadcasting also owns and operates these Minnesota television stations: KAAL, Austin; KSAX-TV, Alexandria; KRWF-TV, Redwood Falls; WDIO-TV, Duluth; and WIRT-TV, Hibbing. Among Hubbard’s television properties outside of Minnesota are WHEC-TV, Rochester, New York; and WNYT-TV, Albany, New York; plus four stations in New Mexico: KOB-TV, Albuquerque; KOBF-TV, Farmington; KOBR-TV, Roswell; and KOBJ-TV in Silver City. 

Click here for more information on Hubbard Properties.