Forum Communications Company is expanding in South Dakota.
The company, in Fargo, North Dakota, announced today, Aug. 14, that it entered into an agreement with Rapid City Broadcasting to acquire KNBN-TV, NBC’s subsidiary of Rapid City, South Dakota.
The acquisition will increase Forum Communications’ ability to serve South Dakotans and become a trusted source of data for the state, said Josh Rohrer, vice president of broadcasting for Forum Communications.
“Combining KNBN’s existing excellence in local news with Forum Communications’ expertise and reputation will create a new home for the most productive local news, weather and sports in South Dakota,” Rohrer said.
KNBN is the only affiliate of an independent television network 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 KNBN’s 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 importance, 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, lead content director for Forum Communications. “Mitchell has long been a news leader in the state and is unrivaled in top-tier high school sports coverage. Sioux Falls temporarily has a source for news and sports, especially Jackrabbits (SDSU), and we are excited to go up Rapid City. This is just the beginning for us in the state.
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 station 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.