Montana Radio and TV Station Photos from the John in Arizona Collection
The photos in the Montana section are listed in alphabetical order by call letters. All photos are the property of John C Johnson / John In Arizona / johninarizona.com and may not be used in any form elsewhere.
Welcome to Montana sign - 2010.
KAAK: This KAAK Radio FM 98.9 Great Falls billboard photo is from 1978. Known as K99, this billboard promoted their new sound.
KAAK FM 98.9 Great Falls billboard - 1978.
KALS: The KALS Radio FM 97.1 Kalispell station photo is from 1975, less than a year after this station came on the air. At this time their tower was located next to the studios. They have since moved their studios and tower.
KALS FM Radio 97.1 Kalispell studio and transmitter location - 1975.
KANA: This KANA Radio 580 Anaconda tower photo is from 2007. The transmitter and tower are located north of Highway 1 as you head into Anaconda from I-90. Just north of this tower is the Old Works Golf Course. Studios are located with KGLM FM 97.7 at 105 Main Street. See KGLM below.
KANA Radio 580 Anaconda tower - 2007.
KARR: The KARR Radio 1400 Great Falls station and tower photo is from 1978. This station started out as KXLK, changed to KARR, then to KYOT and they are now KXGF and is known as ESPN Radio 1400.
KARR Radio 1400 Great Falls studios and tower - 1978.
KATL: This station photo for KATL Radio 770 Miles City is from 1989. KATL came on the air in the 1940's on 1340. They moved to clear channel 770 in the mid 1980's. KATL is pronounced "cattle" which is fitting for the "Cow Capitol of the West" Miles City.
KATL Radio 770 Miles City studios - 1989.
KBBB: The KBBB Radio FM 103.7 Billings transmitter is located at the KTVQ transmitter site. They share the Channel 2 tower. KBBB was known as "B 103.7" with an adult contemporary format. This station started on November 26, 1987 as KOHZ "Cozy" and changed to KBBB on November 8, 1996. The KBBB 103.7 transmitter photo is from 2006.
KBBB FM Radio 103.7 Billings transmitter - 2006.
KBCK: KBCK 1400 "The Buck" Deer Lodge was KDRG up to 2002. This 2007 photo is of their studios and tower located about I-90 and Sam Beck Road.
KBCK Radio 1400 Deer Lodge studios, transmitter, and tower - 2007.
KBGS TV: Until early June 2009 PBS broadcasts in Billings were seen on translator K20HB. The translator remains on the air even though KBGS TV Channel 16 is on the air. KBGS broadcasts 4 channels. 16-1 is KBGS HD PBS main programming. 16-2 KBGS-K features kids programs. 16-2 KBGS-C offers crafts and how-to programs. 16-4 features various programs from Montana government broadcasts. KBGS' Harris DiamondCD UHF ATSC Transmitter is located in the KTVQ transmitter building. The KBGS photos are from 2009 and 2014. KBGS call letters are derived from the city of location, BillinGS. The KBGS 16-1 on air ID is from before KUGF Great Falls Channel 21 came on the air.
K20HB Channel 20 translator for KUSM-TV Bozeman until 2009.
K20HB Channel 20 analot translator for KBSG digital - 2014.
KBGS TV Channel 16 Billings transmitter - 2014.
KBGS TV Channel 16 Billings transmitter - 2014.
KBGS TV Channel 16 Billings transmitter - 2009.
KBGS 16.1 Billings
KBLG: John in Arizona has a large amount of photos for KBLG Radio 910 Billings. There is a special web page just for KBLG. Click on photo.
KBLL TV: Channel 12 Helena came on the air in 1958 as KXLJ-TV and retained those call letters until the change to KBLL-TV around the time these on air ID photos were taken in 1971. In 1973 they changed to KTCM-TV and then in 1980 they became KTVG. In 1985 they changed to KTVH.
KBLL TV Channel 12 Helena on air ID - 1971.
KBLL TV Channel 12 Helena on air ID - 1971.
KBMN: This 1978 KBMN Radio 1230 station photo is from when they were located on West Kagy Boulevard by their tower. KBMN came on the air in 1946. The call letters were changed to KZLO and later to KOBB.
KBMN Radio 1230 Bozeman West Kagy Boulevard location - 1978.
KBMY: KBMY Radio 1240 Billings came on the air September 8, 1946. Don Foote started KBMY as Billings' 2nd radio station. Some of you remember Wonderland Park which was also owned by Foote. That was located next to KBMY on Laurel Road. The KBMY Radio 1240 5080 Laurel Road station and tower photo is from 1972. KBMY left the air on September 30, 1983 due to financial difficulties. For a number of years this facility was silent. It returned to the air February 26, 1989 as KZBO, then on February 26, 1990 it became KUUS with the slogan "KWS" See below for a photo of the KUUS studios. On April 1, 1993 the facility became part of the now defunct May School of Broadcasting and was changed to KMAY. On October 24, 1997 it became KMZK. In March of 2011, 1240 became KJCR. See KJCR below. Sadly, this tower was removed September 29, 1998 for a pre-fab house business. KJCR's antenna is shared with KURL. See below for information on KURL. The KBMY billboard is from 1978. The photo of the KBMY clock was found on the internet.
KBMY Radio 1240 Billings 5080 Laurel Road studios and tower - 1972.
KBMY Radio 1240 billboard - 1978.
KBMY Radio 1240 early advertising clock.
KBOW: The KBOW Radio 550 and KOPR FM 94.1 station photos of their 660 Dewey Boulevard studios in Butte are from 2006.
KBOW Radio 550 Butte 660 Dewey Boulevard studios - 2006.
KBOW Radio 550 Butte 660 Dewey Boulevard studios - 2006.
KBUL: 970 Billings started on March 20, 1951 as KOOK (see KOOK below). In 1985 the calls were changed to KBIT, then in 1988 to KCTR. In 1994 the calls changed to KDWG. In 1998 the calls were changed to KBUL. Originally "The Bull" with country music, but in 2001 on September 10th (one day before 9/11) they changed the format to all news as "The Bulletin." The photo from 2008 shows their four tower array south of Billings near South Billings Boulevard.
KBUL Radio 970 Billings towers - 2008.
KBXI: 92.5 is licensed to Park City but covers the Billings market. In 1982 they were KPCQ FM and then in 1984 they became KLZY. They changed to KWMY in 2006 and then to KBXI in 2009. Their slogan is "MoJo 92.5" and their sister station is Twang 107.5. Studios are located in a City Brew Coffee store at 2405 King Avenue West in Billings.
KBXI FM 92.5 Park City studios in a Billings City Brew store - 2013.
KBXI FM 92.5 Park City studios in a Billings City Brew store - 2013.
KBXI FM 92.5 "MoJo" van - 2014.
KBZK TV: KBZK-TV Channel 7 Bozeman is known as Z7 with studios at 90 Television Way as seen in the photos from 2008. This station had been a translator for KTVQ Billings for a number of years. When the station was converted to a full time station as KCTZ they were a satellite station for KOUS-TV Hardin-Billings until they became full time as a Fox affiliate. The call letters were changed to KBZK when they were purchased by Cordillera Communications. The station was then a satellite for KXLF-TV Butte. The KBZK billboard photo featurs anchor Donna Kelley and weatherman Mike Heard. CNN viewers will remember Donna Kelley who was an award winning lead anchor and reporter at CNN from 1985 through 2001. She has won many broadcasting awards including two Cable Ace's and an Emmy. Donna had previously worked at channel 12 in Helena and in Spokane before heading to Atlanta. She is from Bozeman and a graduate of Bozeman High School. John is shown with Donna on the news set.
KBZK TV Channel 7 Bozeman banner - 2007.
KBZK TV Channel 7 Bozeman billboard - 2008.
KBZK TV Channel 7 Bozeman 90 Television Way studios - 2008.
KBZK TV Channel 7 Bozeman 90 Television Way studios - 2008.
KBZK TV Channel 7 Bozeman 90 Television Way studios - 2008.
KBZK TV Channel 7 Bozeman 90 Television Way studios - 2008.
KBZK TV Channel 7 Bozeman 90 Television Way studios - 2008.
John on the set with KBZK anchor Donna Kelley - 2008.
KCAP: This station photo of KCAP Radio 1340 Helena is from 1978. KCAP Radio came on the air in 1949. The station had been located at 9 North Last Chance Gulch, but moved around the corner to 110 East Broadway Street. In 2014 the station signed off the air.
KCAP Radio 1340 Helena 9 North Last Chance Gulch studios - 1978.
KCFW TV: KCFW-TV Channel 9 Kalispell came on the air in 1968. The photo is of how their 401 1st Avenue East studios looked in 1975. That sure looks like an old car dealer showroom. The KCFW-TV on air ID is from 1975.
KCFW TV Channel 9 Kalispell 401 1st Avenue East studios - 1975.
KCFW TV Channel 9 Kalispell on air ID - 1975.
KCFW TV Channel 9 Kalispell print ad - 1969.
KCTR: 102.9 FM Billings came on the air August 14, 1979 as KOOK-FM. The call letters were changed to KBIT on January 16, 1984 and then on March 1, 1988 the change was made to KCTR-FM. The KCTR-FM studios are on the 23rd floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 27 North 27th in downtown Billings along with other TownSquare Media stations. The control room photo is from 2006. That's Montana's best country DJ Jeff Womack at the controls.
KCTR FM 102.9 "Cat Country" Billings DJ Jeff Womack - 2006.
KDBM: Radio 1490 Dillon started out as KDBI, then became KDLN, and in 1988 they changed to KDBM. The photos from 2007 show the location of their studios at 610 North Montana Street in the Evergreen Center. The KDBM tower photo is from 2007. Their Lovers Leap Road tower can be seen from I-15.
KDBM Radio 1490 Dillon 610 North Montana Street studios - 2007.
KDBM Radio 1490 Dillon 610 North Montana Street studios - 2007.
KDBM Radio 1490 Dillon Lovers Leap Road tower - 2007.
KDRG: KDRG Radio 1400 Deer Lodge changed to KBCK in 2002 (See KBCK above). This 1975 photo is of their studios and tower located about I-90 and Sam Beck Road.
KDRG Radio 1400 Deer Lodge studios, transmitter and tower - 1975.
KECI TV: Channel 13 Missoula came on the air in 1954 as KGVO-TV. See KGVO TV below. They changed to KECI-TV. The on air screen grabs are from 2009.
KECI TV Channel 13 Missoula news open - 2009.
KECI TV Channel 13's Chelsea Rabideau screen shot - 2009.
KECI TV Channel 13's Ashley Korslien screen shot - 2009.
KECI TV Channel 13's Jackie Bartz screen shot - 2009.
KECI TV Channel 13's Adam Painter screen shot - 2009.
KECI TV Channel 13's Jake Zivin screen shot - 2009.
KECI TV Channel 13 screen shot - 2009.
KECI TV Channel 13 screen shot - 2009.
KEMC: KEMC FM 91.7 Billings is part of the University of Montana-Billings. The call letters stand for the name of the college when the station started, Eastern Montana College. Yellowstone Public Radio operates many translators in Montana and Wyoming. The photos are from 1980 when studios were on the 6th floor of the Liberal Arts building and the transmitter and tower were on Coburn Road.
KEMC FM 91.7 Billings 6th floor of the Liberal Arts building studios - 1980.
KEMC FM 91.7 Billings 6th floor of the Liberal Arts building control room - 1980.
KEMC FM 91.7 Billings transmitter site on Coburn road - 1980.
KEMC FM 91.7 Billings tower and antenna on Coburn road - 1980.
KEWF: 98.5 FM Billings had been KGHL-FM before KGHL 790 was sold. They are now KEWF and use the slogan "The Wolf" as noted on their vehicle in these photos from 2014.
KEWF FM Radio 98.5 "The Wolf" Billings vehicle - 2014.
KEWF FM Radio 98.5 "The Wolf" Billings vehicle - 2014.
KEWF FM Radio 98.5 "The Wolf" Billings vehicle - 2014.
KFBB TV: KFBB-TV Channel 5 Great Falls came on the air March 21, 1954 as Great Falls' first TV station. The call letters refer to the original owners, F. A. Buttrey Broadcasting. Historians may remember the station was located on the Vaughn Frontage Road. The 1964 flood just about wiped them out, later a massive fire destroyed the building. They then built the station over looking Great Falls at 3200 Old Havre Highway near Black Eagle as seen in this photo from 1974. Note, the left tower is KFBB TV and the right tower is KRTV Channel 3, see KRTV below. The on air ID is from 1978. The print ads are from 1978 featuring Dean Phillips, 1979, and 1987 featuring Jackie Parks.
KFBB TV Channel 5 Great Falls 3200 Old Havre Highway studeios and tower - 1974.
KFBB TV Channel 5 Great Falls on air ID - 1978.
KFBB TV Channel 5 Great Falls print ad - 1978.
KFBB TV Channel 5 Great Falls print ad - 1979.
KFBB TV Channel 5 Great Falls print ad - 1987.
KGEZ: This KGEZ Radio 600 Kalispell 2995 Highway 93 South studio location photo is from 1975. Kalispell's Radio 600 came on the air in 1927 with the FCC assigned call letters KGEZ which they still use today.
KGEZ Radio 600 Kalispell 2995 Highway 93 South location - 1975.
KGHL: John in Arizona has a large amount of photos for KGHL Radio 790 Billings. There is a special web page just for KGHL. Click on photo.
KGHL TV: John in Arizona has a large amount of photos for KGHL TV Channel 8 Billings. There is a special web page just for KGHL TV. Click on photo.
KGLM: KGLM Radio FM 97.7 as well as KANA 580 are located at 105 Main Street in Anaconda. This station photo is from 2007. KGLM FM came on the air in 1974. See KANA above.
KGLM FM 97.7 Anaconda 105 Main Street studios - 2007.
KGRZ: The KGRZ Radio 1450 station photo is of their 1600 North Avenue location in Missoula. This building is also the home of the KYLT Radio 1340, KBQQ FM 106.7 "Q106.7," KGGL FM 93.3 "Eagle 93," KXDR 98.7 "Star 98.7," and KZOQ FM 100.1 "Z100" studios. The van displays all of the logos of the Cherry Creek Radio Missoula stations.
KGRZ Radio 1450 Missoula 1600 North Avenue studios - 2007.
KGRZ Radio 1450 Missoula 1600 North Avenue studios - 2007.
KGVO: The first KGVO Radio 1290 photo is of their downtown studios in 1975 above the Top Hat Lounge on West Front Street. KGVO Radio came on the air in 1931 as Missoula's first radio station. Starting out on 1420, then to 1260, and then in 1941 to 1290. The next photo is of their 3250 South Reserve location as seen in 2006. This building is also the location for KLCY Radio 920, KLYQ Radio 1240, KBAZ FM 96.3 "The Blaze," and KENR FM 107.5 "Energy 107.5." Station logos are displayed on the station's entrance. The van shown had an interesting license plate, "CLR CHNL" which is the reference to the then ownership by Clear Channel. The stations are now part of GAPWEST Broadcasting.
KGVO Radio 1290 Missoula West Front Street studios - 1975.
KGVO Radio 1290 Missoula 3250 South Reserve studios - 2007.
KGVO Radio 1290 Missoula 3250 South Reserve studios - 2007.
KGVO Radio 1290 Missoula vehicle - 2007.
KGVO TV: Channel 13 in Missoula started on July 1, 1954 as KGVO-TV. The station photo is of how their 340 West Main studios looked in 1975. They changed call letters to KMSO-TV and finally KECI-TV (See KECI above). The print ad is from 1969. The two on air IDs for KGVO-TV Channel 13 Missoula and satellite station KTVM Channel 6 Butte are from 1975. Note the "Western Television Network" logo.
KGVO TV Channel 13 Missoula 340 West Main studios - 1975.
KGVO TV Channel 13 Missoula print ad - 1969.
KGVO TV Channel 13 Missoula / KTVM Channel 6 Butte on air ID - 1975.
KGVO TV Channel 13 Missoula / KTVM Channel 6 Butte on air ID - 1975.
KGVW: KGVW Radio 640 Belgrade has studios, transmitter, and four tower array at 2050 Amsterdam Road as seen in these photos from 2007.
KGVW Radio 640 Belgrade 2050 Amsterdam Road studios - 2007.
KGVW Radio 640 Belgrade 2050 Amsterdam Road four towers - 2007.
KIDX: One of the call letters used by 98.5 FM Billings was KIDX FM.
KIDX FM 98.5 Billings print ad - 1979.
KIKC: The KIKC Radio 1250 Forsyth studios and tower were located at 210 Front Street in 1979.
KIKC Radio 1250 Forsyth 210 Front Street location - 1978.
KJCR: KJCR 1240 came on the air in March of 2011. Operated by Agnus Dei Communications, the station broadcasts EWTN programming. This frequency has seen numerous call letter changes starting out as KBMY (see above). Studios are located at 26 Wyoming Avenue adjacent to Billings Central Catholic High School as seen in this photo from 2011. A 2011 KJCR billboard mentions 1240 as well as their FM translator 97.5.
KJCR Radio 1240 Billings 26 Wyoming Avenue studios - 2011.
KJCR Radio 1240 Billings billboard - 2011.
KKBR: The two photos for KKBR Radio FM 97.1 "K-Bear" Billings are from 2000. The on air DJ has quite a view being 23 stories above Billings in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. 97.1 FM came on the air December 17, 1963 as Billings' first FM using the call letters KURL-FM. The station was sold and on August 27, 1979 they became KKOZ "Cozy" which was changed to KZLS on October 14, 1981. The KKBR call letters were assigned April 19, 1993. In 2013 KKBR changed formats from oldies to Pop Crush. Read more about KURL and KZLS below.
KKBR FM 97.1 Billings control room - 2000.
KKBR FM 97.1 Billings control room - 2000.
KMMS: The KMMS Radio 1450 Bozeman studios are located at 124 West Mendenhall, Suite 1. The small suite is also the location for four FM stations. KISN-FM "KISS FM" 96.7; KMMS-FM "The Moose" 95.1; KXLB-FM "XL Country" 100.7; and KZMY FM "My 103.5" all operated by GAPWEST Broadcasting. Three of the station's vans are shown in the photo.
KMMS Radio 1450 Bozeman 124 West Mendenhall studios - 2009.
KMMS Radio 1450 Bozeman 124 West Mendenhall studios - 2009.
KMSO: KMSO Radio FM 102.5 Missoula is known as "Mountain FM 102.5." The station and sign photos of their 725 Strand Avenue location are from 2006. This station came on the air in 1984. They use the "Today's Hits, Yesterday's Favorites" slogan. The general manager, Sheila Callahan is also the owner.
KMSO FM Radio 102.5 Missoula 725 Strand Avenue studios - 2007.
KMSO FM Radio 102.5 Missoula 725 Strand Avenue studios - 2007.
KMSO FM Radio 102.5 Missoula 725 Strand Avenue studios - 2007.
KOFI: The KOFI Radio 1180 Kalispell photo is from 1975. At that time they were located above Thomas Printing at 317 First Avenue East.
KOFI Radio 1180 Kalispell 317 First Avenue East studios - 1975.
KOOK: John in Arizona has a large amount of photos for KOOK Radio 970 Billings. There is a special web page just for KOOK. Click on photo.
KOOK TV: John in Arizona has a large amount of photos for KOOK TV Channel 2 Billings. There is a special web page just for KOOK-TV. Click on photo.
KOUS TV: The KOUS-TV on air ID is from 1982. Channel 4 Hardin came on the air November 26, 1980 as KOUS-TV and an NBC affiliate for the Billings market. Studios were located in Hardin. Their tower is 18 miles from Billings which created poor reception in Billings, their target city. KOUS-TV started a newscast in 1982. They stopped doing a newscast a few months later. That facility was replaced by KSVI Channel 6 in Billings on January 8, 1993. Channel 4 returned to the air August 16, 1995 as KHMT "Fox4" becoming Billings' 4th TV station. KOUS-TV news anchor Ed Connors is pictured in this on air shot from 1982. The print ad is from February of 1983.
KOUS TV Channel 4 Hardin on air screen grab - 1982.
KOUS TV Channel 4 Hardin on air screen grab - 1982.
KOUS TV Channel 4 Hardin anchor Ed Connors - 1982.
KOUS TV Channel 4 Hardin print ad - 1983.
KOYN: KOYN Radio 910 Billings came on the air September 25, 1955. The call letters were pronounced "coin." On July 10, 1986 the call letters were changed to KBLG. The 4140 King Avenue East station and tower photo is from 1972. This area is now filled with houses around the station and tower and a Sam's Club and Cabela's just down the street. See KBLG above for more information on 910.
KOYN Radio 910 Billings 4140 King Avenue East studios, transmitter, and tower - 1972.
KPAX TV: The station photo for KPAX-TV Channel 8 Missoula is of their converted furniture store 2204 Regent Street studios as seen in 2006. Channel 8 Missoula had been a minor translator station for KXLF-TV Butte until the early 1970's when it was quickly converted into a full time station. The KPAX call letters were selected by then owner Joe Sample for his favorite football team, the Green Bay Packers. Don't confuse this station with the 2001 science fiction movie 'K-PAX'.
KPAX TV Channel 8 Missoula offices - 2007.
KPAX TV Channel 8 Missoula studios - 2007.
KPAX TV Channel 8 Missoula on air screen grab - 2011.
KPAX TV Channel 8 Missoula on air screen grab - 2011.
KPLN: KPLN FM 106.7 Billings uses the slogan "Planet 106.7" as noted in the photo of a vehicle from 2014.
KPLN FM 106.7 Lockwood vehicle - 2014.
KPRK: KPRK Radio 1340 Livingston came on the air in 1956. The call letters refer to the county, PaRK. KPRK studios and tower are located on Highway 10 East as seen in the photos from 1978 and 2005.
KPRK Radio 1340 Livingston Highway 10 East studios - 1978.
KPRK Radio 1340 Livingston Highway 10 East studios - 2005.
KQDI: KQDI Radio 1450 Great Falls started out as KBGF, changed to KUDI, then to KQDI. The facility was silent for a few years, then in 1992 back on as KMSL. In 1997 the calls were changed back to KQDI. The two photos are from 1978.
KQDI Radio 1450 Great Falls studios - 1978.
KQDI Radio 1450 Great Falls vehicle - 1978.
KRBN: The station photo for KRBN Radio 1450 Red Lodge is from 1973. KRBN is no longer on the air. The station was located on South Broadway Avenue in downtown Red Lodge in an old bank building.
KRBN Radio 1450 Red Lodge print ad.
KRBN Radio 1450 Red Lodge South Broadway Avenue studios - 1973.
KRKX: John in Arizona has a large amount of photos for KRKX FM 94.1 Billings. There is a special web page just for KRKX. Click on photo.
KRSQ: KRSQ FM 101.9 licensed to Laurel serves the Billings market with CHR music. Known as "Hot 101.9" as seen noted on the van photo from 2007.
KRSQ FM 101.9 Laurel van - 2007.
KRTV: KRTV Channel 3 Great Falls came on the air October 5, 1958. KRTV moved into new studios at 3300 Old Havre Highway next door to KFBB-TV. See KFBB above to see the KRTV broadcast tower which is next to the KFBB tower. The station photo is from 1974. Arkansas broadcast historians know the KRTV call letters were on channel 17 in Little Rock in 1953. The print ad from 1964 promotes 'Today in Montana' featuring then owner Dan Snyder and Norma Beatty before her marriage and name change to Ashby.
KRTV Channel 3 Great Falls 3300 Old Havre Highway studios - 1974.
KRTV Channel 3 Great Falls print ad - 1964.
KRZN: KRZN FM 96.3 Billings started in 1998. "The Zone" broadcasts from studios at 2075 Central Avenue as seen in the photos from 2014. KRZN has had different owners over the years from Fisher Radio to Cherry Creek Radio and currently Connoisseur Media.
KRZN FM 96.3 "The Zone" Billings 2075 Central Avenue studios - 2007.
KRZN FM 96.3 "The Zone" Billings control room - 2014.
KRZN FM 96.3 "The Zone" Billings control room - 2014.
KRZN FM 96.3 "The Zone" Billings control room - 2014.
KRZN FM 96.3 "The Zone" Billings control room - 2014.
KRZN FM 96.3 "The Zone" Billings control room - 2014.
KRZN FM 96.3 "The Zone" Billings control room - 2014.
KRZN FM 96.3 "The Zone" Billings vehicle - 2014.
KSVI TV: The KSVI TV Channel 6 and KHMT Channel 4 "Fox4" studios are shared at 445 South 24th Street West in Billings. KSVI came on the air January 8, 1993. KHMT TV Channel 4 Hardin was KOUS TV, see above. The stations used to have newscasts, but as you can see from the photo of their live truck those days are over.
KSVI TV Channel 6 Billings 445 South 24th Street West studios - 2014.
KSVI TV Channel 6 Billings 445 South 24th Street West studios - 2014.
KSVI TV Channel 6 / KHMT TV Channel 4 Billings old live truck with flat tire - 2014.
KTCM TV: Channel 12 Helena came on the air January 1, 1958 as KXLJ-TV and retained those call letters until the change to KBLL TV around 1968. See KBLL above. In 1973 they changed to KTCM TV and then in 1979 they became KTVG. In 1985 they changed to KTVH. The KTCM TV station photos are from 1978. The on air ID is from 1973. The ad featuring Jay Kohn is from 1978 and the ad featuring Rich Caughron Donna Kelley is from 1980.
KTCM TV Channel 12 Helena sign - 1978.
KTCM TV Channel 12 Helena studios - 1978.
KTCM TV Channel 12 Helena on air ID - 1973.
KTCM TV Channel 12 Helena ad featuring Jay Kohn - 1978.
KTCM TV Channel 12 Helena ad featuring Rich Caughron and Donna Kelley - 1980.
KTMF TV: The three photos for KTMF-TV Channel 23 are from 2006. The first is of the sign above the door of thier 2200 Stephens Avenue station in Missoula. The second photo shows the very impressive building. The third KTMF-TV photo shows their satellite dish array behind the station. KTMF-TV started operations in 1991.
KTMF TV Channel 23 Missoula 2200 Stephens Avenue studios - 2007.
KTMF TV Channel 23 Missoula 2200 Stephens Avenue studios - 2007.
KTMF TV Channel 23 Missoula 2200 Stephens Avenue studios - 2007.
KTVM TV: This KTVM Channel 6 sign is at 750 Dewey Boulevard. KTVM shares the building with KXTL Radio. See KXTL below for a station photo. Their transmitter and tower are located on what is known as XL Heights along with KXLF TV Channel 4 (see KXLF below). KTVM is a satellite station of KECI-TV Channel 13 in Missoula. At the same time KTVM has a LP in Bozeman on channel 42. Included in this setup is KCFW-TV Channel 9 Kalispell. Known as "Montana's News Channel" this can be confused with the "Montana's News Station" slogan used by competition.
KTVM Channel 6 Butte sign - 2006.
KTVQ: John in Arizona has a large amount of photos for KTVQ Channel 2 Billings. There is a special web page just for KTVQ. Click on photo.
KULR TV: John in Arizona has a large amount of photos for KULR TV Channel 8 Billings. There is a special web page just for KULR TV. Click on photo.
KURL: KURL Radio 730 came on the air August 1, 1959 as a top 40 rock station. The station used the slogan "Push Button One On Your Radio Dial" and even published a weekly music survey. Note the ad from 1962 in the right column of this page. John collects surveys and if you have a KURL Top 40 Chart please contact John at the e-mail address in the footer of this page. The call letters are pronounced "curl." A few years later KURL became a religious station. The first photo is of the 636 Haugen Street studios and tower as they looked in 1972. The next photo is from 2008 showing the tower now shared with KJCR Radio 1240, see KJCR above. An interesting side note on KURL is that on December 17, 1963 KURL-FM came on the air at 97.1. That facility was sold and later became KKOZ, then KZLS, and ending up as KKBR. See info above and below on these stations. In April of 2008 KURL added FM buying K248BL 97.5 and simulcasting KURL 730. Then in an interesting swap KURL 730 traded with KYYA 93.3 FM becoming KURL 93.3 Perhaps the original KURL-FM 97.1 should have never been sold? 730 is now KYYA, see KYYA below.
KURL Raadio 730 Billings print ad - 1959.
KURL Raadio 730 Billings print ad - 1962.
KURL Radio 730 Billings 636 Haugen Street studios - 1972.
KURL Radio 730 Billings tower - 2008.
KURL FM 93.3 Billings banner on studios - 2013.
KUUS: For part of the time 1240 has been on the air, the station was KUUS starting February 26, 1990. On air known as "KWS" as noted in the sign, the "UU" part forming a "W" K-double U-S. The KUUS radio 1240 300 North 25th Street station photo is from 1987. On April 1, 1993 the calls were changed to KMAY. See KBMY above for more details.
KUUS Radio 1240 Billings 300 North 25th Street studios - 1987.
KWMY: Connoisseur Media originally operated three FM stations in Billings. KWMY FM 92.5 "My 92.5" "KPLN FM 106.7 "Planet 106.7" and KPBR FM 105.9 "The Bar" with studios in the Swanson Building at 101 Grand Avenue. All three came on the air in March of 2006. KWMY is licensed to Park City, KPLN is licensed to Lockwood, and KPBR is licensed to Joliet. Later on Cherry Creek Radio sold stations to Connoisseur Media and they moved operations to 2075 Central Avenue. Eventually KPBR 105.9 became KWMY and they changed the slogan for KWMY to "My 105.9."
KWMY FM 92.5 "My 92.5" 101 Grand Avenue studios - 2007.
KWMY FM 92.5 "My 92.5" 101 Grand Avenue studios - 2007.
KWMY FM 92.5 "My 92.5" vehicle - 2007.
KWMY FM 105.9 "My 105.9" vehicle - 2011.
KWMY FM 105.9 control room - 2014.
KWMY FM 105.9 control room - 2014.
KWYS: The station photo for KWYS Radio 920 West Yellowstone is from 2007. Their 303 North Canyon Street location is also the studios for KEZQ FM 92.9. That station had been KWWF. KWYS went silent before 2022 due to lack of funds to maintain operation. Their tower is located south of West Yellowsone and is still standing in 2022.
KWYS Radio 920 West Yellowstone 303 North Canyon Street studios - 2007.
KWYS Radio 920 West Yellowstone tower - 2022.
KXGN TV: KXGN-TV Channel 5 Glendive studios are at 210 South Douglas as seen in this photo from 1989. Channel 5 came on the air in 1957. KXGN-TV is in the smallest Nielsen designated markets in the United States, market 210. The studios for KXGN Radio 1400 and KDZN FM 96.5 "Z-96" are also located in this building.
KXGN TV Chanbnel 5 Glendive 210 South Douglas studios - 1989.
KXGN TV Chanbnel 5 Glendive print ad featuring news director Terry Kegley - 1987.
KXLF TV: KXLF TV Channel 4 Butte came on the air August 14, 1953 to become Montana's first television station. The KXLF studios at 1003 South Montana Street had been used as a train station as seen in the photo from 2006. Their transmitter and tower are located on what is called XL Heights along with KTVM Channel 6 as seen in the photo provided by Weldon Paulsen. The print ad for KXLF news is from 1988.
KXLF TV Channel 4 Butte November 1988 print ad featuring Viola Vigil, Lisa Pierce, Pat Kearney, and Nick Bauer.
KXLF TV Channel 4 Butte 1003 South Montana Street studios - 2006.
KXLF TV Channel 4 and KTVM TV Channel 6 Butte transmitter site known as XL Heights.
KXLJ TV: Channel 12 Helena started out as KXLJ-TV in 1958 and changed to KBLL TV in 1972. Here is an early KXLJ ID. Note, the KXLJ call letters are now on channel 24 in Juneau, Alaska.
KXLJ TV Channel 12 Helena early ID.
KXLO: KXLO Radio 1230 Lewistown started in 1947. The photo of the studio and tower is 1974. The tower photo is from 2014 and was taken by Nigel Pimblett and presented here with his permission.
KXLO Radio 1230 Lewistown studios - 1974.
KXLO Radio 1230 Lewistown tower - 2014.
KXTL: KXTL Radio 1370 as well as KAAR FM 92.5, KMBR FM 95.5, and KTVM Channel 6 are located at 750 Dewey Boulevard in Butte. The station photo and the sign photo are from 2006. 1370 had been KXLF, then KCEZ, and now KXTL. The KXTL tower photo is from 2006. This tower is located along Nissier Road and can be seen from I-90 a couple of miles west of Butte.
KXTL Radio 1370 Butte 750 Dewey Boulevard studios - 2006.
KXTL Radio 1370 Butte 750 Dewey Boulevard studios - 2006.
KXTL Radio 1370 Butte Nissier Road tower from I-90 - 2007.
KXXL: The KXXL Radio 1450 Bozeman station and tower photo is from 1978 when they were located on North Rouse Avenue. The transmitter and tower still remain at that location. Radio 1450 came on the air in 1939 as KRBM. They changed to KXLQ and later to KXXL. They changed to KUUB briefly in the late 1980's, and then to KMMS in 1991. See KMMS above.
KXXL Radio 1450 Bozeman North Rouse Avenue studios and tower - 1978.
KYJK: The Simmons Media Group stations are located at 2425 West Central Avenue in Missoula. The photos of the office building that the stations share with other businesses is from 2006. KYJK Radio FM 105.9 "Jack FM" shares studios with KDTR FM 103.3 "Trail 103.3" and KKVU Radio FM 104.5 "Fresh 104.5." as noted on the sign.
KYJK FM 105.9 Missoula 2425 West Central Avenue studios - 2007.
KYJK FM 105.9 Missoula 2425 West Central Avenue studios - 2007.
KYLT: The KYLT 1340 Missoula tower photo is from 2009. The tower can be seen from I-90 just north of Missoula. This tower is also used by a local college FM station, KBGA 89.9 which is a student ran operation. Studios are located along with KGRZ, see KGRZ above.
KYLT Radio 1340 Missoula tower as seen from I-90 - 2009.
KYYA: John in Arizona has a large amount of photos for KYYA FM 93.3 and KYYA 730 Billings. There is a special web page just for KYYA. Click on photo.
KZLS: The KZLS Radio FM 97.1 300 North 25th Street studio location photo is from 1987. 97.1 came on the air December 17, 1963 as KULR-FM to become Billings first FM station. When ownership changed later, on August 27, 1979 they became KKOZ "Cozy" which was changed to KZLS. KZLS FM came on the air at 6 AM November 2, 1981. The KKBR call letters were assigned April 19, 1993. For more, read the KURL information above.
KZLS FM Radio 97.1 Billings print ad - November 1, 1981.
KZLS FM Radio 97.1 Billings 300 North 25th Street studios - 1987.
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