View source for KMTR

{{Short description|Television station in Eugene, Oregon}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{for|the radio station formerly known as KMTR|KLAC}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign               = KMTR
| city                   =
| logo                   = KMTR (2016).svg
| logo_size              = 200px
| image                  = KMTR-DT2 2024.svg
| image_size             = 180px
| branding               = {{ubl|NBC 16|Western Oregon CW 11 (16.2)}}
| analog                 = 
| digital                = 17 ([[UHF]])
| virtual                = 16 
| subchannels            = 
| translators            = ''see {{Section link||Rebroadcasters}}''
| affiliations           = {{ubl|'''16.1:''' [[NBC]]|'''16.2:''' [[CW+]]|'''16.3:''' [[Comet (TV network)|Comet]]}}
| network                = 
| country                = United States
| founded                = 
| airdate                = {{start date and age|1982|10|4|p=y}}
| last_airdate           = 
| location               = [[Eugene, Oregon]]
| callsign_meaning       = 
| former_callsigns       = KMTR-TV (1982–1990)
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 16 (UHF, 1982–2009)
| owner                  = Roberts Media, [[LLC]]
| licensee               = KMTR Television, LLC
| operator               = [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] via [[shared services|SSA]] ''(outright sale pending{{r|kmtr2025}})''
| sister_stations        = [[KVAL-TV]]
| former_affiliations    = 
| erp                    = 300 kW
| haat                   = {{convert|398|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| class                  = 
| facility_id            = 35189
| coordinates            = {{coord|44|0|6|N|123|6|57|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority    = [[FCC]]
| website                = {{URL|nbc16.com}} 
}}

'''KMTR''' (channel 16) is a [[television station]] in [[Eugene, Oregon]], United States, affiliated with [[NBC]] and [[The CW Plus]]. It is owned by Roberts Media, [[LLC]], which maintains a [[shared services]] agreement (SSA) with [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], owner of [[CBS]] affiliate [[KVAL-TV]] (channel 13), for the provision of certain services. The two stations share studios on Blanton Road in Eugene, where KMTR's transmitter is also located. KMTR maintained separate facilities on International Court in [[Springfield, Oregon]], until 2020 when the station relocated to KVAL's building; [[master control]] and some internal operations for KMTR were based at the KVAL studios.

KMTR reaches additional viewers in west-central Oregon via co-owned full-power [[broadcast relay station#Satellite stations|satellite stations]] '''KMCB''' (channel 23) in [[Coos Bay, Oregon|Coos Bay]] and '''KTCW''' (channel 46) in [[Roseburg, Oregon|Roseburg]].

==History==
The station began broadcasting on October 4, 1982. Before then, Eugene had been one of the last markets in the country without full network service. [[KVAL-TV]] (channel 13) had been a dual affiliate of NBC and [[CBS]], while [[KEZI]] (channel 9) had been a primary [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate with a secondary CBS affiliation. With KMTR entering the market, KVAL chose CBS, which at the time was performing better in the ratings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BfNVAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA13&dq=KVAL+CBS+affiliate&article_id=6679,1693561&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjt7peImaOPAxXmK0QIHRhpGLsQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=KVAL%20CBS%20affiliate&f=false|work=The Register-Guard|first=George|last=Barker|title=KVAL cuts ties with NBC as KMTR takes it over|page=7C|date=July 8, 1982}}</ref> The Columbia Empire Broadcasting Corporation of [[Yakima, Washington]], acquired the station in 1984.

In late 1995, the station was bought by the Wicks Broadcast Group of [[New York City]]. In March 1996, Wicks Broadcast Group named Brian Benschoter the station's new GM; he started shaking things up immediately for the third-place Eugene-based station. On May 21, 1996, he abruptly fired longtime sports anchors Brian Lamb and Steve Freedman without warning. Lamb, an {{frac|11|1|2}}-year veteran of the station, and Freedman, an {{frac|8|1|2}}-year employee, introduced the "Prep Athlete of the Week" segment that became an immensely popular weekly honor. The award is still considered by locals as the top media honor one can receive for high school sports in the Eugene/Springfield area.{{citation needed|reason="Top" could be seen as mere hyperbole, without a reference to back it up|date=October 2015}} Lamb and Freedman were replaced by Joe Giansante, a sports talk radio host on [[KUGN]] (590 AM).

In September 1998, an agreement between KMTR, [[The WB 100+ Station Group]] and the area's cable provider allowed the station to launch cable-only [[The WB|WB]] affiliate "KZWB". Since it was a cable-exclusive outlet, the call sign was not officially recognized by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC). KMTR provided sales and promotional opportunities to the cable channel.<ref name=tvwk>{{cite journal|last1=O'Steen|first1=Kathleen|title=The WB's Radical Genesis|journal=Television Week|date=September 22, 2003|page=14|url=https://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2003/09/the-wbs-radical-genesis/|access-date=July 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=WB 100+ Affiliates|journal=Television Week |date=September 22, 2003 |page=18 |url= https://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2003/09/wb-100-affiliates/ |access-date= July 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=O'Steen|first1=Kathleen|title=Forging an Identity|journal=Television Week|date=September 22, 2003|page=20|url=https://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2003/09/forging-an-identity/|access-date=July 12, 2017}}</ref>

In March 1999, Wicks sold KMTR to the [[Ackerley Group]], who merged with Clear Channel Communications (now [[iHeartMedia]]) in 2001. KMTR was named "Station of the Year" for 2005 by the Oregon Association of Broadcasters (OAB).

In February 2006, the two satellite stations, KMTZ and KMTX, changed their call letters to KUCW and KTCW, respectively. In May 2006, KMTR signed a long term affiliation agreement with [[The CW]], a replacement network for the WB.<ref>{{cite press release  |date=May 18, 2006 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2006/05/18/the-cw-announces-11-new-long-term-affiliation-agreements-21377/20060518cw01/ |title=The CW Announces 11 New Long-Term Affiliation Agreements |publisher=The CW Network |via=Futon Critic |access-date=July 12, 2017}}</ref> In September 2006, KMTR added The CW on a digital subchannel, replacing the cable-only KZWB.

On April 20, 2007, Clear Channel announced it would exit television and sell its entire television division to [[Newport Television]], a unit of [[Providence Equity Partners]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1943|title = Clear Channel Agrees to Sell Television Station Group to Providence Equity Partners (press release)|date = April 20, 2007|access-date = October 9, 2015|publisher = Clear Channel Communications|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070425161056/http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1943|archive-date = April 25, 2007}}</ref> The deal closed on March 14, 2008.

KMTR shut down its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 16, on February 17, 2009, the original target date on which full-power television stations in the United States were to [[Digital television transition in the United States|transition from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate (which was later pushed back to June 12, 2009).<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/KMTR-TV-plans-digital-transition-on-February-17th/yZbGJWTNp06iRmrMX8jvRg.cspx|title = KMTR-TV plans digital transition on February 17th|date = February 6, 2009|access-date = October 9, 2015|website = KMTR|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210135949/http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/KMTR-TV-plans-digital-transition-on-February-17th/yZbGJWTNp06iRmrMX8jvRg.cspx|archive-date = February 10, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/updates/7587376-55/story.csp |title=Two local television stations delay switch to all-digital broadcasting |access-date=December 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908004753/http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/updates/7587376-55/story.csp |archive-date=September 8, 2012 }}</ref> The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 17,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 }}</ref> using [[virtual channel]] 16.

In 2012, Newport Television entered into agreements to sell most of its stations to the [[Nexstar Broadcasting Group]], [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], [[Cox Media Group]] and Shield Media, LLC. It would not be until November 26, 2012, when Newport announced a sale to [[Fisher Communications]]. Because Fisher already owned KVAL-TV, Fisher assigned the rights to acquire the FCC license to KMTR Television, LLC, which is wholly owned by Roberts Media, LLC. Roberts Media is wholly owned by veteran broadcaster Larry Roberts. KMTR Television then entered into a [[shared services]] agreement (SSA) with Fisher. [[WHAM-TV]] in [[Rochester, New York]], was the last remaining station to be owned by Newport Television as of November 2012 that had not yet been sold, until December 3 when it was announced that Sinclair would acquire the non-license assets of WHAM.  While still awaiting FCC approval of the sale to KMTR Television, LLC, on April 11, 2013, Fisher announced that it would sell its properties, including KVAL and the planned SSA with KMTR, to Sinclair.<ref name=b&c-saletosinclair>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Sinclair to Acquire Fisher Stations for $373 Million|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/492841-Sinclair_to_Acquire_Fisher_Stations_for_373_Million.php|access-date=April 12, 2013|newspaper=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> 

The FCC granted its approval of KMTR to KMTR Television, LLC, on April 24 and the sale was consummated June 3, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/Auth_Files/1548631.pdf |title=FCC FORM 732: Consent to Assignment |access-date=April 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202145120/http://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/Auth_Files/1548631.pdf |archive-date=February 2, 2014 }}</ref> On February 19, KMTR was the sole Newport Television property, until June 1 when it was the last station to have its sale completed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101558108&formid=905&fac_num=35189|title=CDBS Print|website=licensing.fcc.gov}}</ref> After the completion of the sale, certain operations and personnel changes were made.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.registerguard.com/rg/business/29968938-63/kmtr-changes-fisher-raschio-kval.html.csp |title=Sale bringing changes to KMTR |access-date=June 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615221201/http://www.registerguard.com/rg/business/29968938-63/kmtr-changes-fisher-raschio-kval.html.csp |archive-date=June 15, 2013 }}</ref> The sale of the Fisher stations to Sinclair was completed on August 8, 2013.<ref name=aa-fishersinclaircomplete>{{cite news|title=Sinclair Broadcast Group Closes On Fisher Communications Acquisition|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/121117/sinclair-broadcast-group-closes-on-fisher-communic|access-date=August 8, 2013|newspaper=All Access|date=August 8, 2013}}</ref>

In 2016, KMTR remained the only "Big Four" network-affiliated station in Western Oregon to produce its local newscasts in pillarboxed 4:3 [[standard definition]] until finally switching to [[16:9]] on October 22.

Beginning in 2019, KMTR began moving out of its original building in Springfield. As of summer 2020, KMTR's studios and master control room are in the same facility as KVAL, and KMTR has upgraded its newscasts and syndicated programming to HD.

By the end of 2019, CW Eugene has been airing in 720p high definition over KMTR and KMCB (and all their associated repeater signals); however, KTCW (and its associated repeater signals) continued to air the subchannel in 4:3 standard definition, until it was upgraded by the end of March 2020.<ref name="kmtrrei">{{cite web|title=Digital TV Market Listing for KMTR|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=35189|website=RabbitEars.Info|access-date=December 9, 2019|language=en}}</ref><ref name="kmcbrei">{{cite web|title=Digital TV Market Listing for KMCB|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=35183|website=RabbitEars.Info|access-date=December 9, 2019|language=en}}</ref><ref name="ktcwrei">{{cite web|title=Digital TV Market Listing for KTCW|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=35187|website=RabbitEars.Info|access-date=December 9, 2019|language=en}}</ref>

On July 28, 2021, the FCC issued a Forfeiture Order stemming from a lawsuit against KMTR owner Roberts Media. The lawsuit, filed by [[AT&T]], alleged that Roberts failed to negotiate for retransmission consent in good faith for KMTR. Owners of other Sinclair-managed stations, such as [[Deerfield Media]], were also named in the lawsuit. Roberts was ordered to pay a fine of $512,228.<ref name="forfeiture">{{Cite news|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-21-89A1.pdf|title=Forfeiture Order|date=July 28, 2021|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref>

KMTR served as the host station for the [[2022 World Athletics Championships]] which were held at the [[University of Oregon]]'s [[Hayward Field]]. It was the only station on the West Coast where weekend prime time coverage of the meet was carried live; all other West Coast markets aired coverage on [[broadcast delay|tape delay]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2022/07/11/world-track-field-championships-oregon22-begin-this-week-across-networks-platforms-of-nbcuniversal/|title=World Track & Field Championships Oregon22 Begin This Week Across Networks & Platforms of NBCUniversal|work=NBC Sports Group Press Box|date=July 11, 2022|accessdate=July 14, 2022|quote=Primetime coverage on NBC will be shown in pattern, meaning live ET/CT and on delay PT/MT, with some exceptions. Check local listings.}}</ref> though the event was carried live across the country on [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]].

On August 12, 2025, Sinclair announced that it would acquire full ownership of KMTR and its satellites for an undisclosed price, creating a legal duopoly with KVAL. Sinclair plans to use a failing station waiver to facilitate the transaction.<ref name=kmtr2025>{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f9197cd2c4b019814eab8ce3796&id=25076f9197cd2c4b019814eab8ce3796&goBack=N|title=Assignments|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=August 12, 2025|accessdate=August 13, 2025}}</ref>

==Technical information and subchannels==
The stations' signals are [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of KMTR,{{r|kmtrrei}} KMCB,{{r|kmcbrei}} and KTCW{{r|ktcwrei}}
! scope = "col" colspan="3"|[[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|[[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|[[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" colspan="3"|Short name
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|Programming
|-
! scope = col | {{small|KMTR}}||{{small|KMCB}}||{{small|KTCW}}||{{small|KMTR}}||{{small|KMCB}}||{{small|KTCW}}
|-
! scope = "row" | 16.1 || 23.1 || 46.1 
| [[1080i]] || rowspan=3| [[16:9]] || NBC16 || KMCB || KTCW || [[NBC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 16.2 || 23.2 || 46.2 
| [[720p]] || CW Plus || KMCB-CW || KTCW-CW || [[The CW Plus]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 16.3 || 23.3 || 46.3 
| [[480i]] || comet || style="text-align: center;" colspan=2|CometTV || [[Comet TV]]
|}

===Rebroadcasters===
====Satellite stations====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Satellites of KMTR
! scope = "col" | Station
! scope = "col" | [[City of license]]{{efn|Aside from their transmitters, KMCB and KTCW do not maintain any physical presence in their respective cities of license.}}
! scope = "col" | [[channel (broadcasting)|Channels]]<br>''RF / [[virtual channel|VC]]''
! scope = "col" | First air date
! scope = "col" | [[call signs in North America|Former callsigns]]
! scope = "col" | [[effective radiated power|ERP]]
! scope = "col" | [[HAAT]]
! scope = "col" | [[Facility ID]]
! scope = "col" | Transmitter coordinates
! scope = "col" | Transmitter location
! scope = "col" | Public license information
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
! scope = "row" | KMCB
| [[Coos Bay, Oregon|Coos Bay]]
| 22 ([[UHF]])<br>23 
| {{start date and age|1991|7|8|p=y}}
| KVPP (1990–1991)<br>KMTZ (1991–2006)<br>KUCW (2006){{r|kmcbrei}}
| 10 [[kW]]
| {{convert|179|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 35183
| {{coord|43|23|38.4|N|124|8|0.3|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KMCB}}
| atop Noah Butte
| {{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KMCB|Public file}}<br>{{FCC-LMS-Facility|35183|3=LMS}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
! scope = "row" | KTCW
| [[Roseburg, Oregon|Roseburg]]
| 36 (UHF)<br>46
| {{start date and age|1992|4|p=y}}{{efn|The ''Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook'' says KTCW signed on April 8, while the ''Television and Cable Factbook'' says it signed on April 20.}}
| KMTX-TV (1992–2006){{r|ktcwrei}}
| 38.9&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|109|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 35187
| {{coord|43|12|21.5|N|123|21|53.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KTCW}}
| atop Mount Nebo
| {{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KTCW|Public file}}<br>{{FCC-LMS-Facility|35187|3=LMS}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
|}
{{notelist}}

====Translators====
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|35188|3=K15KF-D}}''' [[Coos Bay, Oregon|Coos Bay]] (translates KMCB)
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|61132|3=K36NL-D}}''' [[Cottage Grove, Oregon|Cottage Grove]] (translates KMTR)
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|71616|3=K26NE-D}}''' [[Florence, Oregon|Florence]] (translates KMTR)
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|61137|3=K35JH-D}}''' [[London Springs, Oregon|London Springs]] (translates KMTR)
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|53294|3=K28OD-D}}''' [[Powers, Oregon|Powers]] (translates KMCB)
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|35172|3=K31AE-D}}''' [[Sutherlin, Oregon|Sutherlin]] (translates KMTR)
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|35184|3=K22GX-D}}''' [[Tri City, Oregon|Tri City]] (translates KTCW)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://nbc16.com/}}
*[http://www.yourcwtv.com/partners/eugene/ CW Eugene]

{{Eugene TV}}
{{TV Stations Oregon}}
{{SBGI}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kmtr}}
[[Category:1982 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:The CW affiliates]]
[[Category:NBC affiliates]]
[[Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
[[Category:Springfield, Oregon]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1982]]
[[Category:Television stations in Eugene, Oregon|MTR]]