KNDU (channel 25) in Richland operates as a semi-satellite of KNDO, serving the Tri-Cities area; this station maintains its own studios on West Kennewick Avenue in Kennewick, with transmitter on Jump Off Joe Butte. As a KNDO semi-satellite, it simulcasts all network and syndicated programming as provided through its parent, and the two stations share a website. However, KNDU airs separate commercial inserts and legal identifications. Local newscasts, produced by KNDU, are simulcast on both stations. KNDO serves the western half of the Yakima–Tri-Cities market while KNDU serves the eastern portion. The two stations are counted as a single unit for ratings purposes. Master control and some internal operations are based at the studios of sister station, fellow NBC affiliate and company flagshipKHQ-TV on West Sprague Avenue in downtown Spokane.[3][4]
KNDO debuted on the air on October 15, 1959. It was owned by Hugh Davis and his Columbia Empire Broadcasting Corporation. Previously, all three networks had been shoehorned on primary CBS affiliate KIMA-TV (channel 29). Although conventional wisdom suggested that KNDO should have signed on as an NBC affiliate, it instead took on the ABC affiliation. This was very unusual for a two-station market, especially one as small as Yakima. During this time, it carried a secondary affiliation with NBC, and also aired a few CBS programs turned down by KIMA-TV, including The Andy Griffith Show.
On August 16, 1960, CEBC filed to build a new TV station on channel 25 in Richland.[5] The company was composed of employees of KNDO and KTNT-TVinTacoma and had also filed to buy KNDO.[6] The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted the permit on May 24, 1961,[5] and the station was announced to be a satellite of KNDO.[7] Programming began August 10, 1961.[5] A major increase in power was made in 1966.[5]
In 1965, KNDO and KNDU became primary NBC affiliates, but shared ABC with KIMA-TV until KAPP (channel 35) and KVEW (channel 42) debuted in 1970 to take the ABC affiliation; since then, KNDO and KNDU have been exclusive NBC affiliates.
Davis sold the two stations to Farragut Communications in 1988. Federal Enterprises acquired KNDO and KNDU in 1995. Federal was bought out by Raycom Media in 1997. Current owner Cowles Company purchased the two stations from Raycom in July 1999.
On October 15, 2009, KNDO celebrated 50 years of broadcasting to the Yakima Valley. Leading up to that date, KNDO aired stories of local businesses and organizations that have also been around for 50 years or longer.
In the past, KNDO and KNDU preempted much of the NBC lineup post-Late Night, including Later and Friday Night Videos/Friday Night, along with the network's Nightside rolling news block, as the stations carried syndicated programming, then continued to sign off the air nightly. It began to air all three programs in 1996, shortly after Federal took control of the stations.
KNDO and KNDU have been digital-only since February 17, 2009.[10][11]NBC Weather Plus had been carried on digital subchannel 23.3 and 25.3; the originating national network ceased operation on December 1, 2008.
On September 1, 2010, KNDO and KNDU discontinued broadcasting Universal Sports on digital subchannels 23.2 and 25.2. Its bandwidth was reallocated to SWX Right Now (23.3/25.3) to improve the picture quality of SWX programming.
