The existence of one company running two or more major TV network affiliations is the rule rather than the exception in small and medium markets around the country. This is usually accomplished either by using a subchannel or a low-power station, neither of which is covered by ownership rules.
Here’s a look at the combinations that exist in the Upper Midwest:
| Market | Networks | Owner | Form of second network |
| Bismarck-Minot | NBC, FOX | Gray | Subchannel |
| Cedar Rapids | CBS, FOX | Sinclair | Subchannel |
| Des Moines | No big-4 duopoly | FOX affiliate newscast produced by NBC affiliate | |
| Duluth | NBC, CBS | Gray | Subchannel |
| Fargo | NBC, CBS | Gray | Low-power station/subchannel simulcast |
| Green Bay | No big-4 duopoly | ||
| La Crosse-Eau Claire | No big-4 duopoly | FOX affiliate newscast produced by NBC affiliate | |
| Lincoln-Tri Cities | CBS, NBC | Gray | Second full-power station acquired through failing station waiver prior to NBC affiliation |
| Lincoln-Tri Cities | ABC, FOX | Sinclair | Second full-power station does not overlap (a second separately-owned ABC affiliate also exists) |
| Madison | No big-4 duopoly | FOX affiliate newscast produced by CBS affiliate | |
| Mankato | CBS, FOX, NBC | Gray | FOX on subchannel, NBC on low-power station |
| Marquette | NBC, FOX | Gray | Subchannel |
| Milwaukee | No big-4 duopoly | ||
| Minneapolis | No big-4 duopoly | ||
| North Platte | NBC, CBS, FOX | Low-power stations/subchannel simulcast | |
| Omaha | No big-4 duopoly | ||
| Ottumwa-Kirksville | ABC, CBS | Sinclair | Subchannel |
| Ottumwa-Kirksville | FOX, NBC | Gray | Subchannel |
| Quad Cities | CBS, FOX | Nexstar | Shared services agreement |
| Rapid City | ABC, FOX | Gray | Low-power station/subchannel simulcast |
| Rochester-Austin-Mason City | NBC, FOX | Gray | Shared services agreement |
| Sioux City | FOX, CBS | Sinclair | Subchannel |
| Sioux Falls | ABC, NBC, FOX | Gray | Waiver of rules for NBC; subchannel for FOX |
| Wausau-Rhinelander | CBS, FOX | Gray | Low-power station/subchannel simulcast |
RELATED: Ownership of big-four affiliates in the Upper Midwest