Forum buying KNBN (Rapid City)

[GodfreyGR 652]

Copying and pasting some of the release since Forum has a paywall. First Forum has dealt with NBC in decades since swapping for ABC in Fargo.

 

Forum Communications Company is expanding once again in South Dakota.

The acquisition will enhance Forum Communications’ ability to serve residents throughout South Dakota and to be a trusted news source for the state, said Josh Rohrer, vice president of broadcasting for Forum Communications.

“Combining the excellence of KNBN’s existing local news with the experience and reputation of Forum Communications will help to create a new home for the very best in local news, weather and sports in South Dakota,” Rohrer said.

 

KNBN is the only independently-owned TV network affiliate in South Dakota. That will remain the case, Rohrer said, but this acquisition creates an opportunity for expanded reach and impact.

The acquisition includes certain satellite stations delivering KNBN’s signal to the entire Rapid City DMA, according to a Forum Communications press release.

 

Viewers can also expect collaboration with Sioux Falls Live/ KSFL-TV and the Mitchell Republic on stories of statewide importance, Rohrer said.

 

“We have big plans in South Dakota,” said Mary Jo Hotzler, chief content officer for Forum Communications. “Mitchell has long been a news leader in the state and is unmatched when it comes to high school sports coverage. Sioux Falls has quickly become a go-to source for news and sports, especially the (SDSU) Jackrabbits, and we are excited about adding Rapid City. This is just the beginning for us in the state.”

The acquisition of KNBN is subject to receipt of regulatory and other approvals.

Edited August 14, 2024 by GodfreyGR
added link to Press Release

[SuFuEtTu 2]

So what exactly IS Forum’s TV play in South Dakota?  KNBN isn’t much of an operation.  I remember they purchased an independent station in Sioux Falls that they claimed they’d have a news operation to pair with their digital newspaper (Sioux Falls Live) but it’s been two years and nothing except they keep running NDSU/Fargo based programming on it.  Since the lady in the article mentions how well they’re doing in SDSU coverage, and you’d think they’d like to go after broadcasting deals like the ones have at NDSU, but they’re not endearing themselves to people now. 
 

Unless they’re planning to buy or sue Gray to get an affiliation I don’t see how that Indy station survives if it ever gets going.  

[plzstandby 31]

FCC has approved the purchase

[Recovering Producer 218]

Looks like the deal closed hours after FCC approval. Convenient to have a transaction close at the start of a new quarter. (Or possibly even a new fiscal year, depending on how Forum operates) 

https://www.siouxfallslive.com/business/forum-communications-completes-purchase-of-rapid-city-tv-station