KCPO-LP

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = KCPO-LP
KCPL-LP
station_
station_slogan =
station_branding = KCPO 26
analog = KCPO 26 (UHF)
KCPL 52 (UHF)
digital =
affiliations = Independent
founded = KCPO: 1999
KCPL: 2004
location = KCPO: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
KCPL: Rapid City, South Dakota
callsign_meaning = K Central Plains Media O
K Central PLains Media
owner = Central Plains Media
"(G.I.G, Inc.)"
former_affiliations = KCPO: UPN (1999-2004), Bloomberg (1999-2002)
KCPL: UPN (2004-2006)
homepage = [http://www.kcpo.tv www.kcpo.tv]

KCPO-LP, Channel 26 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and KCPL-LP, Channel 52 in Rapid City, South Dakota are a pair of simulcasting independent television stations that are operated by Central Plains Media that were formerly UPN affiliates. KCPO is available on cable channel 21 or 3 in the eastern half of South Dakota and many cable systems reaching viewers in Southwestern Minnesota, while KCPL is seen on cable channel 13 or 12 in the western half of the state.

A third station, MyNetworkTV affiliate KCPM channel 27 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, simulcasts KCPO, though KCPM airs different programming at times and local commercial inserts.

History

KCPO-TV signed on the air for the first time in 1999 as a UPN and Bloomberg affiliate for Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 2004, KCPO launched a semi-satellite with the call letters KCPL-LP in Rapid City. Both were affiliated with the UPN Network until the network stopped operations in 2006.

Currently, both KCPO and KCPL operate as independent stations.

A third sister station, KCPM, located in Grand Forks, ND, is affiliated with MyNetwork TV network. It carries much of the same programming as KCPO and KCPL when not airing network material.

KCPO airs syndicated television programs, movies and locally-produced programming, including a country music video program called "That Country Video Show" and a car and motorcycle racing program called "Talk'n Dirt" featuring coverage of area race tracks and events. Both of these programs can be seen on all 3 stations: KCPO, KCPL and KCPM.

The uniqueness of this 3 station system is it is the only SD station group that broadcasts/cablecasts in SD, ND and MN. Agreements with other broadcast stations have provided sports programming allowing viewers to see coverage of such activities as the Minnesota High School State Championships in hockey, football and basketball. These tournaments have been regularly carried on the Central Plains Media stations for many years.

Central Plains Media stations are owned and operated by "G.I.G, Inc.", which stand for Guaranteed Impressions Group.

External links

* [http://www.kcpo.tv KCPO's website]
*TVQ|KCPO-LP
*TVQ|KCPL-LP