KERT-TV

KERT-TV, channel 17, is a television station licensed to Eagle, Idaho, United States. The station is owned by ABC Owned Television Stations and is an affiliate of the ABC television network. The station's studios are located in Eagle, and its transmitter is located near the summit of Bogus Basin Mountain. 
KERT-TV is currently available to viewers in the Boise metropolitan area over the air and on cable television. The station's signal is also available to viewers in parts of Oregon and Washington. 
== History ==
KERT-TV was founded in 1959 as KAED-TV, and originally affiliated with CBS. The station changed its call sign to KERT-TV in 1977, and switched its affiliation to ABC.
== Independent Station (1969) ==
Here is a timeline of when KAED was independent for a short time in 1969:
* January 1, 1969: KAED-TV, a CBS affiliate, leaves the network and becomes independent.
* February 28, 1969: KAED-TV rejoins CBS.
Here is more detail about this period:
* In January 1969, KAED-TV left CBS and became independent. This was due to a dispute between the station and CBS over the terms of their affiliation agreement.
* KAED-TV remained independent for about two months. During this time, the station aired a variety of programming, including reruns of popular shows, movies, and local news and sports.
* In February 1969, KAED-TV rejoined CBS. This was after the station and CBS were able to reach a new agreement on the terms of their affiliation.
This period of independence was a brief one, but it was significant for KAED-TV. It showed that the station was willing to stand up for its interests and that it was not afraid to take risks. It also showed that KAED-TV was committed to providing its viewers with quality programming, even if it meant being independent.
== Timeline ==
* 1959: KAED-TV, a CBS affiliate, begins broadcasting in Eagle, Idaho.
* 1960: KAED-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast in color.
* 1963: KAED-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast a local news program.
* 1967: KAED-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast a local sports program.
* 1969:
** January 1: KAED-TV leaves CBS and becomes independent.
** February 28: KAED-TV rejoins CBS.
* 1977: KAED-TV changes its call sign to KERT-TV and becomes an ABC affiliate.
* 1983: KERT-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast in stereo.
* 1987: KERT-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast a local morning news program.
* 1991: KERT-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast a local evening news program.
* 1995: KERT-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast a local midday news program.
* 1999: Signal Hijacking
** The hack took place on February 24, 1999.
** The hackers were teenagers who were members of a group called the Idaho Cyber Mafia.
** The hackers were able to gain access to the station's broadcast signal by exploiting a security vulnerability in the station's computer system.
** The hackers replaced the regular programming with a message that read "Hacked by the Idaho Cyber Mafia."
** The hackers also displayed a list of demands, including a request for $1 million in ransom.
** The station's management refused to pay the ransom, and the hackers eventually gave up and took down their message.
** The hack caused a great deal of disruption to the station's operations and cost it a significant amount of money.
** The hack also raised concerns about the security of television broadcasting.
* 2000: KERT-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast a local late-night news program.
* 2005: KERT-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast a local weekend morning news program.
* 2010: KERT-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast a local weekend evening news program.
* 2015: KERT-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast a local weekend midday news program.
* 2020: KERT-TV becomes the first television station in Idaho to broadcast a local weekend late-night news program.
== 1999 KERT Television Hack ==
In 1999, KERT-TV was hacked by a group of teenagers. The hackers took control of the station's broadcast signal and replaced the regular programming with a message that read "Hacked by the Idaho Cyber Mafia." The hackers also displayed a list of demands, including a request for $1 million in ransom.
The station's management refused to pay the ransom, and the hackers eventually gave up and took down their message. However, the hack caused a great deal of disruption to the station's operations and cost it a significant amount of money.
== The Millenium Broadcast ==
On December 31, 1999, KERT-TV broadcasted a 2-minute timer to the end of 1999. The broadcast, however, remains lost. At the right, after 15 seconds, shows the ABC 2000 broadcast in New York.
Some online users remembered the music was "Happy Go Lively" while some speculated it was a song by Queen.
Every year, they broadcast the "New Year's Broadcast", same music. The example on the right shows the first airing, and the left one shows the latest. The editors since 2000 was Paul Helsinki, and for the 2024 version, the helper of Paul is Aiden Holmes.
== Schedules ==
Weekdays
* 5:00 AM - 7:00 AM: Good Morning America
*
* 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: The View
*
* 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: The Kelly Clarkson Show
*
* 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Live with Kelly and Ryan
*
* 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: General Hospital
*
* 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: The Chew
*
* 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: The Bold and the Beautiful
*
* 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Days of Our Lives
*
* 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Young and the Restless
*
* 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Jeopardy!
*
* 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Wheel of Fortune
*
* 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: The Bachelor
*
* 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dancing with the Stars
*
* 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Modern Family
*
* 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: The Goldbergs
*
* 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM: The Good Doctor
*
* 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM: News
Weekends
* 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Saturday Morning cartoons
* 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: The Price is Right
* 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The NFL Today
* 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: NFL games
* 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM: College football games
* 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: The Wonderful World of Disney
* 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Movie
* 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM: Saturday Night Live
* 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM: News
* 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Sunday Morning
* 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Meet the Press
* 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: NASCAR Race
* 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: College football games
* 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: NFL games
* 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: The Voice
* 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: 60 Minutes
* 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Movie
* 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM: Sunday Night Football
* 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM: News
== Analog-to-digital transition ==
On June 12, 2009, KERT-TV, a television station in Eagle, Idaho, transitioned from analog to digital broadcasting. This means that viewers who wanted to continue watching KERT-TV needed to have a digital television or a converter box.
KERT-TV began broadcasting in analog on July 8, 1959. Analog broadcasting uses a signal that is transmitted as a continuous wave. This type of signal is susceptible to interference from other sources, such as radio waves and power lines.
Digital broadcasting, on the other hand, uses a signal that is represented by a series of 0s and 1s. This type of signal is less susceptible to interference and can be transmitted over a longer distance.
The transition to digital broadcasting was a major undertaking for KERT-TV and other television stations across the country. The stations had to upgrade their equipment and make changes to their programming schedules. They also had to educate viewers about the transition and how to get ready for it.
The transition to digital broadcasting was a success. By June 12, 2009, all television stations in the United States had transitioned to digital broadcasting. This means that viewers can now enjoy a better quality of television picture and sound.
== Controversies, Conspiracy Theories, and a Scandal ==
=== Controversies ===
* In 2014, KERT-TV was accused of bias in its coverage of a local election. The station's news director was accused of giving preferential treatment to one candidate over another. The station denied the allegations, but the controversy led to a loss of viewers and advertisers.
* In 2017, KERT-TV was fined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for violating the Fairness Doctrine. The FCC found that the station had failed to present a balanced view of a controversial issue. The station was fined $10,000.
* In 2020, KERT-TV was criticized for its coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. The station was accused of downplaying the severity of the virus and of giving airtime to conspiracy theories. The station defended its coverage, but the controversy led to a call for boycotts.
=== Conspiracy Theories ===
* Some people believe that KERT-TV is part of a larger conspiracy to control the minds of the public. They believe that the station is used to spread propaganda and to promote a particular agenda.
* Others believe that KERT-TV is involved in a cover-up of a major event, such as a UFO landing or a government conspiracy. They believe that the station is not reporting on these events because they are being censored by the government.
* Still others believe that KERT-TV is simply a bad news station that is always reporting on the negative aspects of life. They believe that the station is trying to make people feel scared and hopeless. (They aren't)
=== Scandal ===
In 2014, KERT-TV was accused of bias in its coverage of a local election. The station's news director was accused of giving preferential treatment to one candidate over another. The station denied the allegations, but the controversy led to a loss of viewers and advertisers.
The scandal began when a local blogger accused the station's news director of giving preferential treatment to one of the candidates in the election. The blogger claimed that the news director had been seen meeting with the candidate and that the station had been giving the candidate more favorable coverage than the other candidates.
The station denied the allegations, but the controversy continued to grow. The station's viewers and advertisers began to question the station's impartiality. The station's ratings began to decline and some advertisers pulled their ads from the station.
The scandal eventually led to the resignation of the station's news director. The station also hired a new consultant to review its news coverage and to make recommendations on how to improve its impartiality.
The scandal at KERT-TV is a reminder that even the most reputable news organizations can be accused of bias. It is important for news organizations to be transparent about their coverage and to be accountable to their viewers and advertisers.
== Website History ==
KERT-TV's website was first launched in 1996. The website was originally designed to provide information about the station's programming and to allow viewers to watch live and archived programming.
In 2000, KERT-TV's website was redesigned to include more features, such as news articles, weather forecasts, and community events. The website also began to offer streaming video of the station's programming.
In 2005, KERT-TV's website was redesigned again to make it more user-friendly and to improve its mobile compatibility. The website also began to offer social media integration, allowing viewers to share content from the website on their social media profiles.
In 2010, KERT-TV's website was redesigned again to focus on mobile devices. The website was optimized for smartphones and tablets, and it began to offer more features specifically for mobile users.
In 2015, KERT-TV's website was redesigned again to focus on video. The website now features a large library of video content, including news stories, weather forecasts, and community events. The website also offers live streaming of the station's programming.
KERT-TV's website is constantly being updated with new features and content. The website is an important resource for viewers, and it is a key part of the station's overall branding.
Here are some of the key features of KERT-TV's website:
* News articles
* Weather forecasts
* Community events
* Streaming video of the station's programming
* Social media integration
* Mobile compatibility
* Video library
* Live streaming of the station's programming
KERT-TV's website is a valuable resource for viewers. It provides information about the station's programming, news, weather, and community events. The website also offers streaming video of the station's programming and live streaming of the station's newscasts. KERT-TV's website is a key part of the station's overall branding and it is constantly being updated with new features and content.
Category:ABC network affiliates
Category:Idaho
Category:Eagle, Idaho