KHME Television: A History of Broadcasting in the Black Hills
The landscape of television in the western United States has often been defined by the struggle for signal strength and network dominance. In South Dakota, few stations embody this evolution as clearly as KHME, originally known as KOTA-TV. From its inception as a pioneer in the region to its complex series of ownership changes and callsign shifts, the station has served as a primary source of news and entertainment for the Black Hills region for decades.
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The Early Years and the Duhamel Era
KOTA-TV began test operations on June 1, 1955, officially launching regular programming on July 1 of that year. It held the distinction of being the second television station in South Dakota and the first to serve the western part of the state. The station was founded by Helen Duhamel, a Rapid City businesswoman who had previously acquired full control of the CBS Radio affiliate KOTA (1380 AM) in 1954.
In its early days, Channel 3 operated as a primary CBS affiliate but carried programming from all three major networks to ensure comprehensive coverage for its viewers. In 1976, leadership transitioned when Helen's son, William (Bill) Duhamel, became the station's president and general manager.
Network Affiliation Shifts and Technical Struggles
The 1960s and 70s were marked by a volatile shuffle of network affiliations. When KRSD-TV (Channel 7) launched in 1958, it took the NBC affiliation, leaving KOTA-TV to share ABC. By 1965, KOTA-TV entered a "joint primary" affiliation with CBS and ABC, though it leaned toward CBS.
Technical failures at competing stations often dictated these shifts. KRSD-TV suffered from a weak signal that became unacceptable by 1966. Consequently, on September 13, 1970, KOTA-TV and KRSD-TV swapped affiliations, making KOTA-TV a joint-primary affiliate of ABC and NBC. The FCC eventually revoked KRSD-TV's license due to poor technical quality, and the station ceased operations on February 29, 1976.
Following the launch of KEVN-TV on July 11, 1976, KOTA-TV maintained its NBC primary affiliation and added a secondary CBS affiliation. However, the station lost CBS in 1981 after the FCC authorized a translator for KPLO-TV. In 1984, NBC parted ways with the station, leading ABC to move its programming to Channel 3. This transition made KOTA-TV one of the rare stations to have served as a primary affiliate for all three "Big Three" networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC).
Rebranding and Corporate Transitions
Throughout the 1980s, the station marketed itself as "The Great American West Television Network," before rebranding as "KOTA Territory" in 1990. After 58 years of family ownership, Bill Duhamel sold KOTA-TV and its satellites to Schurz Communications on April 28, 2014. This sale separated the television station from the Duhamel family's radio holdings.
The corporate landscape shifted again on September 14, 2015, when Schurz announced it was exiting the broadcasting business. Its stations, including KOTA-TV, were sold to Gray Television for $442.5 million. Gray, which already owned KEVN-TV, sought to consolidate operations in the Rapid City market.
The Transition to KHME
The consolidation led to a complex restructuring of licenses and callsigns. On October 1, Gray announced that the KOTA-TV license would be acquired by Legacy Broadcasting for $1. While Gray retained the ABC affiliation (transferring it to KEVN-TV), Legacy acquired the license and subchannel affiliations for MeTV and This TV.
On February 1, 2016, the station officially changed its call letters to KHME. Simultaneously, the KOTA-TV callsign moved to KEVN. KHME continued to operate with MeTV and later added Heroes and Icons on its DT2 subchannel in September 2016. The cycle of ownership came full circle on November 30, 2021, when KHME and KQME were sold back to Gray Television for $500,000, making KHME a sister station to KOTA-TV and KEVN-LD.
Key Facts
- Launch Date: Regular programming began July 1, 1955.
- Pioneer Status: First television station in western South Dakota.
- Network History: Primary affiliate for ABC, CBS, and NBC at different times.
- Ownership: Owned by the Duhamel family for 58 years before selling to Schurz Communications in 2014.
- Callsign Change: Transitioned from KOTA-TV to KHME on February 1, 2016.
- Current Status: Owned by Gray Television as of November 2021.
| Period/Date | Callsign | Primary Affiliation(s) | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955–1970 | KOTA-TV | CBS (Primary), ABC, NBC | Helen Duhamel |
| 1970–1984 | KOTA-TV | NBC / ABC | Duhamel Family |
| 1984–2014 | KOTA-TV | ABC | Duhamel Family |
| 2014–2016 | KOTA-TV | ABC | Schurz Communications |
| 2016–2021 | KHME | MeTV / This TV / H&I | Legacy Broadcasting |
| 2021–Present | KHME | MeTV / H&I | Gray Television |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did KOTA-TV change its call letters to KHME?
The change occurred on February 1, 2016, as part of a restructuring deal between Gray Television and Legacy Broadcasting. The KOTA-TV callsign was moved to KEVN to maintain the brand identity associated with the ABC affiliation.
Which major networks has the station been affiliated with?
The station is notable for having been a primary affiliate for all three of the "Big Three" networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC, as well as having a secondary affiliation with Fox in the mid-1990s.
Who were the original owners of the station?
The station was founded and owned by Rapid City businesswoman Helen Duhamel and subsequently managed by her son, William (Bill) Duhamel, for several decades.
What happened to the KOTA-TV license in 2016?
Gray Television transferred the KOTA-TV license to Legacy Broadcasting for $1, while Gray retained the ABC affiliation and moved it to KEVN-TV.
What subchannels does KHME currently carry?
KHME has carried MeTV and This TV, with This TV being replaced by Heroes and Icons (H&I) on the DT2 subchannel in September 2016.