KGWN-TV

KGWN-TV is a television station licensed to Cheyenne, Wyoming, serving as the CBS network affiliate for the Cheyenne–Scottsbluff market. Owned by Gray Television, its transmitter is located near Cheyenne, providing coverage across southeastern Wyoming, the Nebraska Panhandle, and portions of northeastern Colorado. The station has been a primary source of news and entertainment for the region since its sign-on in the mid-1950s.

History

The station first signed on the air on September 1, 1954, founded by the Cheyenne Television Company, with initial studio facilities located in downtown Cheyenne. It originally operated as a primary CBS affiliate with a secondary affiliation to the NBC network, a common practice in early television markets with limited station options. In 1965, following the sign-on of KTWO-TV in Casper, the secondary NBC affiliation moved to that station, solidifying its exclusive relationship with the CBS network. Ownership changed in 1979 when it was purchased by Meredith Corporation, a major media conglomerate known for its ownership of Better Homes and Gardens and numerous broadcast properties. Under Meredith Corporation, the station saw significant upgrades to its news department and transmission facilities. In 2021, as part of a larger corporate acquisition, Gray Television purchased the station from Meredith Corporation, integrating it into its extensive portfolio of stations across the United States.

Programming

As the CBS affiliate for the region, the station carries the full slate of the network's programming, including daytime dramas like The Young and the Restless, late-night talk shows such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and prime-time hits like NCIS and Survivor. Beyond network fare, it airs a limited schedule of syndicated programming, often including popular court shows and off-network sitcoms. The station has historically preempted very little CBS programming, maintaining a strong commitment to the network's schedule. It also produces several local public affairs programs and specials focusing on community issues within Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle, fulfilling its FCC obligations for local service.

Technical information

The station broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 5 from a transmitter site near Cheyenne, utilizing ATSC 1.0 technology. Its signal covers a wide area encompassing southeastern Wyoming, including cities like Laramie and Torrington, the Nebraska Panhandle communities of Scottsbluff and Gering, and parts of Weld County in Colorado. It is also available on regional cable providers such as Spectrum and Optimum, as well as via satellite through Dish Network and DirecTV. The station participates in the ATSC 3.0 next-generation broadcast standard as part of a local partnership in the Denver market, allowing for advanced features on compatible receivers.

News operation

The station operates a robust news department, producing over 20 hours of local newscasts each week from its studios on East Lincolnway in Cheyenne. Its daily schedule includes morning, midday, evening, and late-night newscasts under the branding "Wyoming News Now," a title shared with its Gray Television-owned sister station, KCHY-LD. The department maintains a bureau in Scottsbluff to serve the Nebraska Panhandle and employs a team of reporters and meteorologists who provide coverage of weather, particularly severe storms and winter blizzards impacting the High Plains region. Its weather forecasts utilize the First Warn branding and advanced radar technology, including data from the National Weather Service office in Cheyenne. The station's coverage has earned several awards from the Associated Press and the Colorado Broadcasters Association.

Notable alumni

Several journalists and broadcasters who began their careers at the station have moved on to prominent roles in larger markets. Steve Doocy, co-host of Fox & Friends on the Fox News Channel, worked as a reporter early in his career. Michele Tafoya, known for her work as a sideline reporter for NBC Sports and Sunday Night Football, also started in broadcasting there. Former sports director Kevin Kugler is now a national play-by-play announcer for Westwood One and Fox Sports, covering events like the NBA Finals and the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Meteorologist Chris Tomer later gained recognition as a mountain weather specialist for KDVR in Denver and as a contributor to The Weather Channel.

Category:Television stations in Wyoming Category:CBS network affiliates Category:Gray Television Category:Television channels and stations established in 1954 Category:Cheyenne, Wyoming