KMTM-TV

KMTM-TV, channel 3, is an independent television station licensed to Bellingham, Washington, and serving the Seattle/Tacoma market. It is the flagship property of MTM Television Stations, and is also the flagship of the regional Network NorthWest stations, covering much of the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The channel 3 signal is distributed on cable and satellite systems across the US and Canada as MTM SuperStation, one of the first, and few remaining, cable superstations.

KMTM was one of the first television stations in the Pacific Northwest, launching as an experimental station in 1930 operated by KBY radio, K7XBY. In 1970, the station was taken over by Mary Tyler Moore and Grant Tinker with their purchase of Massamir Enterprises.

KMTM’s programming is relayed on CJBA-DT channel 31 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, owned by the Jim Pattison Group and operated by KMTM under an LMA; due to consisting of both US and Canadian stations, KMTM has to follow both FCC (E/I, EAS) and CRTC (CanCon, AlertReady) regulations. KMTM also has two low-power translators: KMTM-CD channel 2 in Seattle proper and KHTC-LP channel 12 in Kent.

KMTM shares studios with sister stations KITN-TV channel 62 (part of MTM’s CityVision syndication service) and KNWN-TV channel 97, as well as KMTM and KNWN radio, at Home Plate Center in the SoDo neighbourhood of Seattle.

1950s and 1960s; the KDO Network
The “KDO Network” was an organization of independent VHF stations across the Pacific Northwest, all owned by the same corporate parents as KDO radio. Members included KDO-TV channel 3 in Seattle, KSUE-TV channel 12 in Spokane, KTIP-TV channel 4 in Kennewick/Richland/Pasco, KWEO-TV channel 2 in Eugene, KEND-TV channel 10 in Bend, KYLA-TV channel 13 in Idaho Falls/Pocatello, and KFLS-TV channel 9 in Twin Falls.

Moore arrives; the SuperStation and Network NorthWest
(TBA)

The former KDO Network was expanded into Network NorthWest with the acquisition of UHF stations, including KBTL-TV channel 57 in Yakima and KEZX-TV channel 14 in Medford. In two markets; Portland and Boise; Super-UHF stations (on channel allocations 70-99), a novelty at the time, were constructed; K88UY channel 88 (now KMUY) in Portland and K76HR channel 76 (now KMHR) in Boise.

Info
Branding:
 * MTM 3 (general)
 * Channel 3 News (news)
 * MTM SuperStation
 * Network NorthWest

Callsign history:
 * KX03BY (1930-1945, experimental)
 * KBY-TV (1945-1949)
 * KKBY (1949-1953)
 * KDO-TV (1953-1961)
 * KQRC (1961-1970)
 * KMTM (1970-present)

Callsign meaning: Mary Tyler Moore

Subchannels:
 * 3.1: KMTM (Independent)
 * 3.2: MTMTWO (Independent/children’s programming)
 * 3.3: Prevue ATSC channel guide
 * 3.4: WeatherScan Northwest
 * 3.5: Argosy Kids
 * 3.6: Argosy Teenz

Seattle/Bellingham/Vancouver area

 * KMTM-TV channel 3.1 Bellingham, WA
 * CJBA-DT channel 31.1 Abbotsford, BC
 * KMTM-CD channel 2.1 Seattle, WA
 * KHTC-LP channel 12.1 Kent, WA

Network NorthWest

 * KSUE-TV channel 12.1 Spokane, WA
 * KBTL-TV channel 57.1 Yakima, WA
 * KTIP-TV channel 4.1 Kennewick/Richland/Pasco, WA
 * KMUY-TV channel 88.1 Portland, OR
 * KEZX-TV channel 14.1 Medford, OR
 * KWEO-TV channel 2.1 Eugene, OR
 * KEND-TV channel 10.1 Bend, OR
 * KMHR-TV channel 76.1 Boise, ID
 * KYLA-TV channel 13.1 Idaho Falls/Pocatello, ID
 * KFLS-TV channel 9.1 Twin Falls, ID