KSTC-TV

KSTC-TV is an independent television station for the Twin Cities that is licensed to Minneapolis. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 45 (virtual channel 5.2) from a transmitter at the Telefarm installation in Shoreview. Owned by Hubbard Broadcasting, the station is sister to ABC affiliate KSTP-TV and several radio stations. All share studios on University Avenue on the Minneapolis and St. Paul city line. Syndicated programming on KSTC includes The Middle, Seinfeld, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and The King of Queens. It is the only television station in the area with its own mascot, the "45 Guy", who is often seen at community events.

History

The station began operations under the KVBM call letters. Although FCC records indicate that a license for this station was granted in 1987, it did not take to the airwaves until June 1994. The station aired Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic information as well as the Home Shopping Network until it was purchased by Hubbard Broadcasting on April 24, 2000. Hubbard relaunched the station as KSTC on September 11. In order to get attention 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.