Forum Communications Company is expanding in South Dakota.
The Fargo, North Dakota-based company announced today, Aug. 14, that it has entered into an agreement with Rapid City Broadcasting to acquire KNBN-TV, NBC’s Rapid City, South Dakota subsidiary.
The acquisition will enhance Forum Communications’ ability to serve the citizens of South Dakota and become a trusted news source for the state, said Josh Rohrer, vice president of broadcasting for Forum Communications.
“Combining the excellence of KNBN’s existing local news with the delight and reputation of Forum Communications will create a new home for the most productive in local news, weather and sports in South Dakota,” said Array Rohrer.
KNBN is the only independent television network affiliate in South Dakota. That will continue to be the case, Rohrer said, but this acquisition creates an opportunity for expansion and impact.
The acquisition includes certain satellite stations that offer the KNBN signal to the entire Rapid City DMA, according to a Forum Communications press release.
Viewers can also look forward to collaboration with Sioux Falls Live/KSFL-TV and Mitchell Republic on stories of statewide significance, Rohrer said.
Forum Communications acquired Sioux Falls-based KSFL (later KWSD-TV and KCWS-LD) in November 2022, around the same time it introduced Sioux Falls Live, a service covering local news, weather and sports.
“We have big plans in South Dakota,” said Mary Jo Hotzler, chief content officer at Forum Communications. “Mitchell has long been a news leader in the state and is unrivaled in top-notch school sports coverage. Sioux Falls temporarily has a news and sports feed, especially Jackrabbits (SDSU), and we’re excited to go up to Rapid City. This is just the beginning for us in the state.
The family-owned Forum Communications Company owns and operates newspapers, news websites and television stations in 19 communities in Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin. These include WDAY, an award-winning television channel founded in Fargo. WDAY-TV broadcasts North Dakota, as well as northwestern Minnesota, northern South Dakota, eastern Montana, and parts of Canada.
The acquisition of KNBN is subject to receipt of regulatory approvals.