KBMY-TV is the local ABC affiliate station. It is owned by Fargo’s Forum Communications, who also owns The Fargo Forum and WDAY-TV. From 1985-1989, KBMY produced a local newscast in competition with KXMB-TV and KFYR-TV.
The FCC granted KBMY-TV a broadcast license in 1985. The B and M of the call letters represent Bismarck while the Y was requested by Forum Communications to match its other stations (including WDAY and KSFY).
In accordance with the licensing agreement, KBMY launched a local news operation, airing a 10:00 p.m. newscast. The KBMY news bureau ceased four years later, in 1989. 12 employees, more than half of its Bismarck staff, was laid off and its broadcast license was jeopardized as a result, due to a stipulation that it produce “a substantial amount of local programming.” Despite this, KBMY-TV continues local broadcasts to this day.
Dewey Heggen, KFYR-TV’s former news director, was station manager for KBMY, Becky Jones was news director, and Chuck Peterson was in charge of advertising. Its on-air talent also included Mike Kramer, Jon Hegre, and Ray Fanning.
Despite its FCC challenge, KBMY-TV continues local broadcasts to this day, albeit without a local newscast. It later held joint sales agreements, first with KNDX, then with KXMB, to sell local advertising until Nexstar’s acquisition of Reiten Television in 2016.
KBMY parent Forum Communications took over the local CBS affiliation from KXMB in 2026.
