KSTP-TV

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = KSTP-TV
city =
station_
station_slogan = Minnesota's News Leader
station_branding = 5 Eyewitness News
analog = 5 (VHF)
digital = 50 (UHF)
(moving to 35 (UHF) in 2009)
subchannels = 5.1 ABC
5.2 Eyewitness News Direct
other_chs = (see article)
affiliations = ABC
network =
founded = April 27, 1948
airdate =
location = St. Paul / Minneapolis, Minnesota
callsign_meaning = ST. Paul
former_callsigns =
former_channel_numbers =
owner = Hubbard Broadcasting Corporation
licensee = KSTP-TV, LLC
sister_stations = KSTC-TV, KSTP (AM), KSTP-FM, WFMP
former_affiliations = NBC (1948-1979)
DuMont (1948-1956) [http://members.aol.com/cingram/television/dumonta9.htm]
effective_radiated_power = 100 kW (analog)
1000 kW (digital)
HAAT = 451 m (analog)
433 m (digital)
class =
facility_id = 28010
coordinates = coord|45|3|44.8|N|93|8|22.6|W|type:landmark_scale:2000 (analog)
coord|45|3|43.9|N|93|8|22.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000 (digital)
homepage = [http://www.kstp.com/ www.kstp.com]

KSTP-TV, channel 5, is the ABC affiliate for the Twin Cities. Its transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota. It's the flagship station of Hubbard Broadcasting Corporation, which also owns several other TV stations across the United States and some other properties.

KSTP is licensed in St. Paul (as referenced by its call letters), but its studios lie right on the boundary line between St. Paul and Minneapolis, along with KSTC-TV (channel 45) and KSTP radio (AM 1500 and FM 94.5).

History

Stanley E. Hubbard, founder of KSTP radio, was one of broadcasting's foremost pioneers. In June 1939, he purchased one of the first television cameras available from RCA and began experimenting with television. But, the television blackout brought on by World War II prevented any transmissions from being made. The first telecast by KSTP reportedly occurred on December 7, 1947, when Jack Horner hosted a 25-minute program. On April 27, 1948 Channel 5's regular broadcasts began from their current studios straddling the St. Paul/Minneapolis line, making KSTP-TV the first commercial television station in Minnesota. However, an experimental mechanical TV station had set up by WDGY station engineers more than a decade earlier. That station's license expired in 1938 as the Federal Communications Commission was not interested in continuing mechanical TV broadcasts. KSTP has a number of claims for broadcasting "firsts." These include:

*First in the United States with a regularly scheduled seven-day newscast at 10 p.m. (1950)
*First in the country to broadcast fully in color (1961)
*First in the U.S. to include live satellite-fed reports (satellite news gathering) in local news broadcasts (1984)

KSTP-TV was originally an NBC affiliate, as KSTP-AM had long been an NBC radio affiliate. It was part of NBC's Midwest Network, a regional group of NBC affiliates that fed programming in the days before the coaxial cable link to New York City.

In the late 1970s, ABC began looking for stronger affiliates across the country--including the Twin Cities. KMSP-TV, the Twin Cities' ABC affiliate since 1961, had long struggled in the ratings. ABC had talks with WTCN-TV (Channel 11, now KARE--ironically, the original ABC affiliate in the Twin Cities from 1953 to 1961), CBS affiliate WCCO-TV, and KSTP-TV. Channel 5 surprised the industry in August 1978 by announcing its intention to sever ties with NBC and join ABC. Hubbard's relationship with NBC dated to 1928, when KSTP-AM joined NBC Radio (it had switched to independent status in 1974. Channel 5 became an ABC affiliate on March 5, 1979--the network's biggest coup at the time. “We want to go into the 1980s in a leadership position with a network which we think has the management, team and depth to be the best. That's ABC. We're just absolutely thrilled,” gushed KSTP's Stanley S. Hubbard.

A digital TV signal from KSTP started airing in 1999, and it became part of the first TV "duopoly" in the state with the purchase of KVBM-TV, channel 45 (now KSTC) the year after that (though there is a longstanding public television pair: KTCA/KTCI).

KSTP-TV has used its "groovy 5" logo, or variations on it, since 1970--the longest-used logo in the Upper Midwest. By 1982, the design contained a white '5' on a red rounded edge square background. The number was italicized for a time in the mid-to-late 80s. In the early 90s, a red triangular backdrop was in place. Eventually, the logo endured a more dramatic makeover, with a gold colored '5' on an ABC-style disc, outlined in green. By the late 1990s, a brighter, classier logo--still with a gold '5'--returned the rectangular look, adding a black ABC logo. Since 2004, a white '5' has been used on a red parallelogram, also with a black ABC logo.

In April, 2008, KSTP started airing commercials commemorating their 60 years on the air. The commercials ended with what is presumably a new slogan, "Minnesota's News Leader".

Programming and personalities

Channel 5 had been the dominant Twin Cities news channel from its inception until the late 1960s, when WCCO-TV created its popular "The Scene Tonight." Trying to reclaim the ratings crown, KSTP installed the market's first co-anchor team in 1970, with longtime station anchors Bob Ryan and John MacDougall. They failed to attract more viewers and were fired from the station in 1971. Channel 5 grabbed the "Eyewitness News" moniker for its newscasts in 1973; KMSP-TV had used the title since 1969, but discarded it in favor of 'newsnine'. In 1974, KSTP struck gold with the hiring of Ron Magers and soon returned to #1 status. The news team was strengthened even further with the addition of the well-respected Cyndy Brucato in 1979. The anchor duo led a strong ratings era, which has been unparalleled at the station.

The good times wouldn't last long. Barry ZeVan--'the weather man', as well as top sports personality Tom Ryther left the station in the late 70s, followed by weekend weatherman, Roy Finden, in 1980. After highly publicized fallout with management, Ron Magers abruptly departed KSTP in 1981, joining WMAQ-TV in Chicago.

With all of the on-air fluctuation, KSTP-TV once again fell from its top perch. WCCO-TV climbed back to #1, but the market and the national networks were changing. Gannett bought WTCN-TV in 1983 and immediately revitalized the station. Also, NBC began a major climb in primetime ratings it hadn't seen in years, while ABC lost steam. This combination of events, along with the 'anchor-go-round' at KSTP, allowed a significant third contender into the Twin Cities news race. Despite its extensive news background, Channel 5 dipped to 3rd in the ratings by 1986--the same year it lost ZeVan's replacement, Dennis Feltgen to KARE and replaced Cyndy Brucato as anchor. It has remained near the bottom of the heap since then, occasionally dropping to fourth behind 9:00 p.m. newscasts on KMSP-TV. Even a shakeup and quirky advertisements featuring Ed Asner (emulating Lou Grant)cite news
first = Joel
last = Meyer
url = http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6273075.html?display=News
title = Twin Cities Tradition: Hubbard's historic KSTP faces new challenges
work = BroadcastingCable.com
publisher = Reed Elsevier
date = 17 October 2005
accessdate = 2007-11-26] didn't help.

Despite all the upheaval, a few staffers have managed to stay at KSTP for several years. Stan Turner wore a number of hats at Channel 5--from news director to news anchor--beginning in 1968 through the late 80s. Starting in October 1976, reporter Jason Davis produced feature stories. Since 2003, Davis has been host and executive producer of a half hour program called "On the Road," broadcast on Sunday nights at 10:35 (originally a segment produced for newscasts). Meteorologist Dave Dahl was hired at the station in 1977 and has been doing on-air weather reporting since 1979. He became Chief Meteorologist in 1986. Dahl is noted and criticized for being a skeptic of global warming. Joe Schmit was Sports Reporter/Director for 20 years, beginning in 1985, before switching to news anchor from 2005-2006.

Cyndy Brucato made a surprise return to the KSTP-TV anchor desk in 2004, after an 18-year absence from the station. Her comeback had been preceded by a guest appearance as a fill-in sportscaster, at Joe Schmit's request. Management then decided to rehire her for a news anchor position. While Brucato's return only caused an initial bump in the ratings, her greater significance has been to add insight and depth to the news desk, which has many newer personalities in the market. Brucato has also given public support for the Hubbard family.

A notable local program produced each week is "At Issue", a political discussion show hosted by Tom Hauser, with former state governor Wendell Anderson as a regular guest.

"Sports Wrap" airs twice a week--on Friday nights from September through May, for high school sports and on Sunday nights, featuring Minnesota Vikings football, as well as other pro sports. These segments are usually hosted by Rod Simons and Anne Hutchinson.

From 1982 to 1994 when nationally-syndicated talk shows started ruling the daytime airwaves, KSTP ran a talk program of its own known as "Good Company". Married couple Sharon Anderson and Steve Edelman hosted the show. They appeared briefly in the movie "Fargo" as show hosts. The two continue to be recognized as area celebrities from time to time. Currently, Edelman runs Edelman Productions, a company that produces TV shows for Food Network, HGTV, The History Channel and DIY with his wife Anderson hosting a few of them. Edelman Productions is headquartered in California where both Edelman and Anderson now live, but they have offices both in California and Minnesota where they produce their shows.

In 2007, Channel 5 decided to bring back an hour long afternoon talk program similar to "Good Company." A public casting call at the Mall of America attracted a Burnsville, Minnesota native, John Hanson, who was selected from over 500 people. A few months later, a Milwaukee TV news anchor, Rebekah Wood, was hired as his partner. The new program is called "Twin Cities Live", "a show about Minnesotans created by Minnesotans." Its first air date is slated for April 21, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. [ [http://kstp.com/article/stories//s400303.shtml?cat=86 KSTP.com - Twin Cities Live launches April 21 at 3pm ] ]

In late 2004, the station became part of the controversies surrounding missing explosives following the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Anchor/Reporter Dean Staley and cameraman Joe Caffrey visited the Al Qa'qaa munitions dump on April 18, 2003. By the next year, Staley had moved on to another station, but the tapes still existed and Caffrey was still at KSTP. When reports surfaced that explosive material might have been stolen from the site, the two realized that they had filmed at the facility during an important time.

On May 12, 2006, KSTP announced it was adding a half hour newscast at 4 p.m. On September 10, 2007, it was switched to 4:30 p.m., allowing the show to blend with the 5 p.m. newscast. For the first year, KSTP had no news competition at that time. However, in late May 2007, KARE began an online/television lifestyles show at 4 p.m. But, KSTP can now claim the market's only hour long afternoon and evening newscasts--at 4:30 and 6:00.

For much of the 1980s KQRS-FM morning show host Tom Barnard was the station announcer.

In August 2007, News Director Chris Berg left the station. A report to the Star Tribune says that his departure was "mutual" and was also delayed due to KSTP's coverage of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse.

Newscasts

* "The 10 PM Report on KSTP" (1960s-1973)
*"(Channel) 5 Eyewitness News" (1973-present)
* "Eyewitness News Update" -- 10 p.m. (mid-80s)

News anchors

* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s796.shtml?cat=28 Cyndy Brucato] - 6 & 6:30 p.m.
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s237.shtml?cat=28 John Mason] - 5, 6, 6:30 & 10 p.m.
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s10087.shtml?cat=28 Leah McLean] - 4:30, 5, & 10 p.m.
* [http://kstp.com/article/stories/s238.shtml?cat=28 Vineeta Sawkar] - Weekday mornings and midday
* [http://kstp.com/article/stories/s330670.shtml?cat=28 Art Barron] - Weekday mornings and midday
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s262.shtml?cat=28 Jessica Miles] - Weekends
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s266.shtml?cat=28 Brad Sattin] - Weekends

Weather

* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s223.shtml?cat=28 Dave Dahl] - Weeknights at 6:00, 6:30 & 10:00 & Chief Meteorologist (AMS Certified)
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s10088.shtml?cat=28 Patrick Hammer] - Weekday Mornings (AMS Certified)
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s234.shtml?cat=28 Rob Koch] - Weekends (AMS Certified)
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s19505.shtml?cat=28 Chikage Windler] - Weekdays at 4:30pm & 5:00pm (NWA/AMS)

Sports

* Phil Aldrich Weekdays 5pm,6pm,10pm
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s239.shtml?cat=28 Anne Hutchinson] - Weekend anchor/reporter
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s10760.shtml?cat=28 Ryan Kibbe] - Sports Reporter

Reporters

* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s10759.shtml?cat=28 Mark Albert]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s16499.shtml?cat=28 Glen Barbour]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s260.shtml?cat=28 Jason Davis] - Host and Executive Producer for 'On the Road'
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s236.shtml?cat=28 Rusty Gatenby] - Morning traffic and entertainment
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s15948.shtml?cat=28 Jennifer Griswold]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s241.shtml?cat=28 Tom Hauser] - Chief Political Reporter, and 'At Issue' host
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s39771.shtml?cat=28 Chris Keating]
* [http://kstp.com/article/stories/s149032.shtml?cat=28 Colleen Mahoney]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s15075.shtml?cat=28 Joe Mazan]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s261.shtml?cat=28 Bob McNaney] - Investigations
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s493094.shtml?cat=28 Maggie Newland]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s73294.shtml?cat=28 Chris O'Connell]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s14916.shtml?cat=28 Kristi Piehl] - Investigations
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s85593.shtml?cat=28 Justin Piehowski] - Web Manager/Reporter
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s493139.shtml?cat=28 Elizabeth Ries]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s493166.shtml?cat=28 Bay Scroggins]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s6188.shtml?cat=28 Rod Simons]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s44429.shtml?cat=28 Steve Shaw]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s19500.shtml?cat=28 Tim Sherno]
* [http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s33529.shtml?cat=28 Susanna Song]

Former personalities

* Angela Astore (anchor/reporter 1985-1993)
* Todd Baer
* John Barr
* Art Barron (Morning anchor/reporter)
* JoAnn Bemoras
* Jo Bender (Weather) -- Now with KARE
* Mike Binkley (reporter/morning anchor, 1986-2006)
* Bridgette Bornstein
* Dennis Bounds (5pm anchor) Now with KING-TV
* Paul Brand (Automotive reporter)
* Bob Bruce (Sports and later Morning anchor/host, 1978-1990) Now with WPXI
* Wally Brueske (sidekick, Treasure Chest, Dialing for Dollars)
* Randall Carlisle (anchor, 1988-1990)
* Reg Chapman (now with WNBC)
* Chris Conangla (main anchor/midday anchor, 1993-2000)
* Angela Davis (Mornings) (now with WCCO-TV)
* Heidi Deja (1993-1997-reporter/anchor) now a media relations manager in NC
* Harris Faulkner (Evenings) (now with Fox News Channel)
* Dennis Feltgen (Weather, 1978-1986) Now with NOAA
* Marcia Fluer (reporter, political correspondent, and weekend anchor, 1972-1984)
* Micheal Gargiulo (Anchor/Reporter) (now with WNBC)
* Gretchen Gehlbach (now a teacher 1971-1972)
* David George (weekend meteorologist, 1994-1997)
* Eric Gislason (Sports, 1989-2004)
* Jim Guy (morning meteorologist, 1993-2005)
* Val Holley-Dennis (Evening anchor, 1990-1993 -- now in media relations for Sonic Automotive, Inc.)
* Jim Hutton (host, Treasure Chest, Dialing for Dollars, Dial 5)
* Bill Ingram (Original anchor, 1948-1959)
* Jeff James (weather)
* Beth Jett (Now at KQDS-TV)
* Jane Johnston (women's affairs, Dialing for Dollars, Dial 5)
* Ed Karow (Sports)
* Kalley King Yanta (anchor, 1994-2000)
* Janel Klein
* Jay Kolls
* Mike LaPoint (Midday weather)
* Rob Leer (Sports & later Investigations, 1979-2003)
* Kirsten Lindquist (anchor/reporter, 1988-1990)
* Wendy Lubovich (anchor)
* Dr. Walt Lyons (Weather, 1975-1978)
* John MacDougall (anchor, 1959-1971)
* Ron Magers (main anchor, 1974-1981)
* Richelle McGinnis
* Randy Meier (anchor)
* Johnny Morris (weather)
* Julie Nelson (anchor, 1998-2002) (now with KARE)
* Dick Nesbitt (sports)
* Craig Nigrelli (Reporter/Anchor)
* Kent Ninomiya (anchor, 2003-2004)
* Kris Patrow
* [http://www.kcra.com/kcranewsteam/1689158/detail.html Lynsey Paulo] (Investigations/Anchor) - Now with KCRA in Sacramento
* Gail Plewacki (Investigative reporter)
* Cale Ramaker (5 pm Anchor)
* Lorraine Roe (Investigative reporter - now psychic)
* Bob Ryan (anchor, 1948-1971)
* Tom Ryther (Sports, 1971-1978)
* Laird Brooks Schmidt (Late-night movie host, 1978-79)
* Joe Schmit (Sports Director/anchor)
* Phil Schwarz (Weather)
* Scott Seroka (reporter, 2004-2007 -- now with KARE)
* Kathleen Shannon (reporter/anchor)
* Andy Skoogman (reporter)
* Frank Somerville (Morning Anchor, 1980s)
* Ruth Spencer (anchor/reporter, 1985-1989 -- now with WDIV Detroit)
* Karl Spring- weather (Now at KBJR and KDLH)
* Dean Staley (weekend anchor/reporter)
* David Stone (agriculture & Hymn Time show)
* John Stone (anchor/reporter)
* Mark Suppelsa (anchor, 1987-1993)
* Al Tighe (sports)
* Allision Triarssi
* Stan Turner (News Director, anchor/reporter, 1968-1989) Later with All News Channel, now in radio.
* Jimmy Valentine (announcer & children's programming)
* Betty Wolden (reporter)
* Barry ZeVan (weather, 1971-1974)

Broadcast center

KSTP-TV's studios and offices are located on University Avenue, precisely on the Minneapolis-St. Paul border. The sidewalk in the adjacent photo of the building is on the city line. The principal broadcast studios are on the Minneapolis side of the building. Most of the rest of the operation is on the St. Paul side, including the business side--hence the St. Paul mailing address. There is a large transmitting tower behind the station, with one leg in each city and a third leg precisely on the city line. This tower is primarily used to relay the station's signal to the Telefarm paired tower setup in Shoreview (shared with KSTP-FM, WCCO-TV, KARE, and WUCW).

tation Slogans

*"100% News, 0% Fat" (Parody used for billboards, early 2000's)
*"0 to informed in 30 Minutes" (Used for advertising, 2000's)
*"We Are More News"
*"Leading With More News" (2003-2008)
*"Minnesota's News Leader" (April 2008- Present)

Logos

Outlying stations and translators

Combined with satellites KSAX Alexandria and KRWF in Redwood Falls, KSTP has the most extensive network of television broadcast translators in the state, reaching much of central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Listed here are the translators served directly by KSTP:

ee also

*KSAX / KRWF
*KAAL
*WDIO / WIRT

External links

* [http://www.kstp.com/ KSTP-TV]
* [http://www.ev1.pair.com/colorTV/kstp.html KSTP-TV in 1960]
* [http://www.ev1.pair.com/colorTV/kstp.html KSTP-TV in 1962] , from "Broadcast News" magazine.
* [http://www.freewebs.com/twincitiestv/5eyewitnessnewsabc.htm/ KSTP at Twin Cities Tv Source]
*BIA|KSTP|TV|TV

TV queries

*TVQ|KSTP
**TVQ|K60FY
**TVQ|K30FN
**TVQ|W57AS
**TVQ|K57CN
**TVQ|K58AF

References