Originally signed on the air on December 1, 1952, as KGMB-TV a primary CBS affiliate on VHF channel 9. KGMB-TV was originally owned by J. Howard Worrall along with KGMB radio (AM 590, now KSSK) and operated from studios on Kapiolani Boulevard in Honolulu.
195?–196?[]
UNKNOWN YEAR
196?–196?[]
UNKNOWN YEAR
196?–197?[]
UNKNOWN YEAR
197?–1976[]
UNKNOWN YEAR
In 1973, a partnership led by future Hawaii congressman Cecil Heftel bought KGMB-AM-TV, then turned around and sold the KGMB stations to Lee Enterprises in 1977.
1976–1987[]
Logo on a box with callsign
Logo with the eyemark
Logo with its satellite stations #1
Logo with its satellite stations #2
"We've Got the Touch" (1984–1985)
"Share the Spirit of Channel 9" (1986–1987)
1987–2004[]
1987–1994[]
"CBSpirit" (1987–1988)
"Get Ready for Channel 9" (1989-1990)
"The Look of Hawaii is Channel 9" (1991–1992)
1994–1998[]
1998–2004[]
KGMB 9 News open from 1998
In 2000, Lee exited from television broadcasting and sold most of its television holdings (including KGMB) to Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications. Emmis already owned KHON-TV, so it had to obtain a cross-ownership waiver for the purchase of KGMB from the Federal Communications Commission, to bypass the recently passed duopoly rules that forbid common ownership of two of the four highest-rated stations in a single market. This waiver was renewed several times while Emmis owned both stations.
2004–2009[]
Emmis itself prepared to exit the television industry and sold KHON to the Montecito Broadcast Group in 2006. Emmis then announced on February 20, 2007, that KGMB and its satellites had been sold to MCG Capital Corporation for $40 million, resulting in one of the rare instances involving a complete separation of a television station duopoly. The FCC approved the sale in late May and was completed on June 4, 2007. MCG then reintroduced the 1976 "9" logo.
2009–present[]
On August 18, 2009, MCG Capital and Raycom Media (owner of KHNL and, at the time, KFVE) announced a shared services agreement with Raycom as senior partner. As part of the deal, KGMB vacated its longtime studios on Kapiolani Boulevard; the combined operation would be based at KHNL/KFVE's studios on Waiakamilo Road. Though non-news programming would remain in place, news operations of the three stations would be combined into a single entity. The arrangement would also see a channel swap, with KGMB moving from PSIP channel 9 (UHF digital channel 23) to channel 5 (UHF digital channel 22) and KFVE move from 5 to 9.
1Owned by Branson Visitors TV, Gray holds a 50.1% interest in the company. 2Owned by Schurz Communications, Gray operated KGHZ through an SSA. 3Gray operates this station owned by American Spirit Media. 4Gray operates this station owned by Tegna through an SSA. 5Gray operates this station owned by The E. W. Scripps Company through an SSA. 6Gray operates this station owned by Tougaloo College. 7Joint venture with Ryman Hospitality Properties. 8Gray operates this station owned by SagamoreHill Broadcasting through an SSA. 9Joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate. 10Swap of these stations to Marquee Broadcasting in exchange for Marquee's construction permit of KCBU in Salt Lake City pending FCC approval.