KSTC-TV
KSTC channel 45 (44 digital) is a UHF television station serving the Twin Cities region Minnesota and western Wisconsin. It is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting Corporation, who originated in the Saint Paul station KSTP. Channel 45 is the only station in the Twin Cities with its own mascot, the 45 Guy, who is often seen at community events around the region. The station's transmitter is located at the Telefarm installation in Shoreview, Minnesota.
History
KSTC began operations using the call letters KVBM. Although FCC records indicate that a license for KVBM was granted in 1987, no station took to the airwaves using these letters until 1994. The station rebroadcast both Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic information as well as the Home Shopping Network until it was purchased by Hubbard Broadcasting and overhauled into KSTC on September 11, 2000. In order to get people ready for the switch from KVBM to KSTC, the station ran an advertising campaign that confused many people in the area. Posters and broadcast ads featuring people of all ages used the phrase "I'm 45," but initially made no mention of the newly-created station.
Programming
Not affiliated with any broadcast network (an "independent"), the station runs a variety of syndicated programming mostly consisting of TV shows no longer being produced. One- and two-star movies are aired frequently. Some locally-produced material is aired each week as well. Today, this mostly comes from programs originally made for KSTP, such as Sports Wrap with Joe Schmidt and On the Road with Jason Davis.
However, in the few years it has been operating under the KSTC call letters, several other low-budget programs made specifically for KSTC have come and gone. These included a weekly horror movie broadcast under the name Horror Incorporated, hosted by Count Dracula (played by Jake Esau, the actual owner of the countdracula.com domain name). As of 2004, at least one KSTC-specific program was still airing. Nate on Drums, a comedy and variety show hosted by Nate Perbix, is reportedly broadcast to a network of stations across Minnesota.
Other material adding to the local flair over the years has included a number of different sporting events. In 2004, KSTC announced a six-year over-the-air partnership with the Minnesota Timberwolves, allowing the station to broadcast the team’s regular-season and postseason basketball games [1]. Also in 2004, KSTC entered into an eleven year partnership with the Minnesota State High School League to broadcast state athletic tournaments as well as educational and student programs. KSTC will pay the League $9.7 million in rights fees, plus provide an additional $10.6 million worth of promotion for those tournaments and other League programs [2]. Additionally, in December 2004, KSTC established a multi-year partnership to air Minnesota Wild hockey games.
Other sports have also aired on KSTC in the past, including Minnesota Twins and Saint Paul Saints baseball, boxing, and even Robot Wars-style combat between mechanical competitors.