Nexstar’s KXMB/12 (Bismarck) is adding several hours per day of local news content as it switches its primary affiliation from CBS to the CW.
On Aug. 1, CBS moved to Forum Communications’ KBMY/17.2 (Bismarck) and KMCY/14.2 (Minot). KBMY and KMCY continue to air ABC on their DT1 channels.
KXMB is among a half-dozen Nexstar stations nationwide dropping their CBS affiliation. KXMB is relayed on KXMC/13 (Minot), KXMD/11 (Williston), and KXMA/2 (Dickinson); KXMB, KXMC, and KXMD had previously carried CW on their DT2 channels while KXMA had carried CW on DT1 and CBS on DT2.
Program listings indicate KXMB will expand its “KX News” programming, with local news replacing CBS programming in some timeslots.
“Good Day Dakota,” which had aired from 5 to 7 a.m., will move to 6 to 9 a.m., going head-to-head with the network morning shows and giving western North Dakota viewers their first local option after 7 a.m.
During the daytime, KXMB will retain its hourlong “Studio 701” lifestyle show at 9 a.m. and its half-hour noon newscast, with syndicated programming and reruns replacing CBS network programming.
In late afternoon, KXMB will replace the CBS Evening News with an additional half-hour of local news at 5:30, adding to existing newscasts to create an three-hour block.
CW’s 7 to 9 p.m. prime time block will move from KXMB-DT2 to its primary channel along the station’s 9 p.m. CW newscast, which will expand to an hour, followed by the existing 10 p.m. newscast.
Weekend listings show half-hour newscasts at 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday and at 9 p.m. Sunday.
KXMB’s former CW channel is now carrying Antenna TV. Both the CW and Antenna TV are owned by Nexstar.
Meanwhile, program listings for KBMY/KMCY’s new CBS channel are not yet available. The stations’ ABC channel relays newscasts from Forum’s WDAY-TV/6 (Fargo).
The affiliation change means CBS is no longer available over the air in the Dickinson and Williston areas because KBMY does not have any satellite stations or translators in those cities.
Disclosure: Jon Ellis is an employee of Gray Media Group. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.