For over 50 years, KOLN/KGIN has held a major role in the broadcasting industry of Nebraska and Northern Kansas. Multiple generations of viewers have turned to channels 10/11 for their News, Weather, Sports, Entertainment and Community projects.

At 4:45pm, Wednesday, February 18, 1953, a black and white test pattern appeared on Lincoln’s television screens…the city’s first television station was on the air.

KOLN/KGIN actually started as a radio station. In 1950, the owners of KOLN Radio applied for a television channel to serve the Lincoln area. In 1953, KOLN-TV began broadcasting on channel 12. In February of 1954, owner John Fetzer purchased channel 10, KFOR TV, and moved KOLN to that channel. Mr. Fetzer then donated channel 12 to the University of Nebraska for the establishment of educational television, today’s NET.

Originally an affiliate of the Dumont Television Network, KOLN-TV later became an affiliate of the ABC Television Network. In June, 1954, the station became a member of the CBS Television Network. KOLN/KGIN has been and continues to be one of the highest rated CBS affiliates in the country. KOLN/KGIN is proud of its long history with CBS, from Gunsmoke to Mary Tyler Moore, M*A*S*H, 60 Minutes and today with highly rated programming such as CSI, Survivor and NFL Football.

What started as a local station mushroomed into a regional powerhouse with the addition of KGIN TV in Grand Island on October 1, 1961. The network of transmitters and translators in Nebraska give the KOLN/KGIN broadcast signal a reach covering two-thirds of the state, approaching the size of the New England states, with 275,000 television homes. With offices at the Yancey in downtown Grand Island, KGIN has its own news bureau and staff. The Central Nebraska page has news stories and community projects for KGIN’s viewers.

Over the years, KOLN/KGIN has held a strong commitment to Community Service. Each year KOLN/KGIN broadcasts all 12 Girls and Boys State High School Basketball Championship games. Community events like the Star City Holiday Parade, Cornhusker State Games and the Our Town projects highlight the great community spirit and people of our state. The annual CanCareAVan project helps to collect food and stock pantry shelves across Nebraska. Our 10/11 Against the Violence campaign helps to raise awareness and funding for domestic abuse shelters including the Friendship Home and the Child Advocacy Center. Our partnerships with the Heartland United Way, YWCA, Special Olympics and many others are featured on our Community Service page.

KOLN/KGIN has also been a leader for our viewing audience as technology has advanced, from the launch of full color television to the digital age. KOLNKGIN.com was one of the first local news internet sites in our coverage area to provide video streaming and continues to develop the web channel to the needs of our viewers. KOLN/KGIN was the first in our viewing area to transmit in full power High Definition, with digital-quality audio and 16x9 digital video. Check out our High Definition page for more details. In September of 2005, KOLN/KGIN-DT launched its second station, originally affiliated with the UPN network, now with MyNetwork TV, a part of the Fox family of Networks. Our MyTV page has more info on programming and where to find MyTV in your area.

For over 50 years, viewers have depended on KOLN/KGIN for award-winning news coverage, the best in local sports coverage including high school athletics and Husker sports, and the most experienced weather forecasters and severe weather coverage. As KOLN/KGIN continues to evolve, we look forward to developing innovative ideas and projects to fulfill the needs and expectations of our viewers in a changing world, while always remembering our history.