K70CD
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Headquarters | Spokane, Washington , United States |
Area served | Spokane metropolitan area; parts of Alberta and British Columbia, Canada |
| Products | Television broadcasting (NBC affiliate), digital subchannel SWX Right Now |
| Parent | Cowles Company |
| Website | www |
KHQ-TV (channel 6) is a television station located in Spokane, Washington and serves as an affiliate of NBC. It functions as the flagship and eponymous station of the KHQ Television Group, which is a division of the locally headquartered Cowles Company, also the proprietor of the The Spokesman-Review newspaper. The station’s production facilities are situated on West Sprague Avenue in Spokane’s downtown area, while its transmitter is positioned on Krell Hill, southeast of the city. KHQ-TV also operates a dedicated 24-hour sports and weather digital subchannel, SWX Right Now, broadcast on channel 6.2.
KHQ-TV is distributed via cable networks in Alberta, including cities such as Calgary and Edmonton, and is among five Spokane-based stations accessible in Canada through Shaw Direct. Additionally, it is offered on cable services throughout eastern British Columbia.
The station oversees master control and certain operational functions for its sister NBC affiliates, KNDO and KNDU, which serve the Yakima–Tri-Cities television market.
History
Both KHQ and KXLY received authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish television stations on July 12, 1952. KHQ was the first to begin broadcasting, launching at 6 p.m. on December 20, 1952, with the feature film Texas Trouble Shooters followed by its inaugural NBC program, Your Hit Parade, that same evening. It holds the distinction of being the oldest television station east of the Cascade Mountains and ranks as the second-oldest in the state of Washington. Initially paired with KHQ radio stations (AM 590, now known as KQNT, and FM 98.1, currently KISC), these radio outlets were divested in 1985.
At its inception, KHQ operated as a dual affiliate for NBC and the ABC. However, after KREM-TV assumed ABC affiliation in 1954, KHQ retained its exclusive partnership with NBC. It remains one of the few major Spokane broadcasters to have consistently maintained its original primary network affiliation, ownership structure, and call sign throughout its existence.
After more than four decades at its original location, KHQ transitioned to a fully digital studio facility at 1201 W. Sprague Avenue in Downtown Spokane in 2001.
Commonly known by the nickname "Q6" since the 1960s, KHQ adopted call letter branding from 2005 until 2018 but continued to incorporate "Q6" within its logo design. On September 24, 2018, the station reinstated "Q6" as its primary brand identity accompanied by updated graphics under the banner "Q6 Local News – Right Now." In October 2022, its news programming underwent rebranding to NonStop Local, aligning with a broader corporate branding initiative.
Sports programming
Since 2001, KHQ-TV has served as the local broadcaster for Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball, simulcasting games alongside Root Sports Northwest when contests are not covered by either the West Coast Conference's ESPN contract or those of opposing teams.
News operation
In 2006, KXLY became Spokane’s pioneer station to deliver local newscasts in high definition (HD), maintaining that exclusive status until 2008.
On May 16, 2008, KHQ announced intentions to air full HD newscasts starting August 8 to coincide with NBC's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics. However, KXLY debuted HD newscasts earlier on August 3, preceding KHQ by five days. Initially, despite HD promotion, KHQ’s broadcasts aired in standard definition widescreen format. Complete HD newscasts were launched in late 2012 following the implementation of a new master control center supporting KHQ and sister stations KNDU and KNDO, utilizing fiberoptic connections alongside upgraded studio technology.
In collaboration with Northern Quest Resort & Casino, KHQ launched a 24-hour sports and weather channel named SWX. This service had a soft launch in January 2009 before officially commencing operations on August 30 of that year.
Unlike many NBC affiliates, KHQ does not broadcast a midday newscast at noon.
Distinguished Former On-Air Personnel
- Peter Alexander (1997–2000; currently serves as the NBC News White House Correspondent)
- Ana Cabrera (2005–2009; presently a weekday anchor at CNN)
- Christine Clayburg (1998–2000; now executive producer at Clayburg Creative Group, professional actor affiliated with Screen Actors Guild, and loadmaster for the Air National Guard)
- Penny Daniels (1998–2000; currently a strategic communications consultant at 3D Communications, a firm she co-established)
- Ira Joe Fisher (1970–1980; subsequently worked as substitute meteorologist and announcer for The Early Show on CBS)
- Phil Keating (1991–1993; currently employed by Fox News Channel)
- Alex Rozier (2011–2014; formerly reporter at KING-TV in Seattle and WFAA in Dallas, now reporting for KNBC in Los Angeles)
Digital Subchannels
KHQ-TV broadcasts multiple digital subchannels as follows:
| Channel | Resolution | Aspect Ratio | Identifier | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | KHQ-HD | NBC |
| 6.2 | 480i | KHQSWX | SWX Right Now | |
| 6.3 | KHQNEWS | NonStop Local News |
Transition from Analog to Digital
On February 17, 2009, KHQ-TV discontinued analog transmissions on VHF channel 6, adhering to the initial federal deadline for full-power U.S. stations to switch to digital broadcasting (the deadline was later extended to June 12, 2009). The station's digital broadcast remained on UHF channel 15 to avoid interference with nearby channel 8 (KSPS-TV). Digital tuners identify KHQ-TV as virtual channel 6, consistent with its former analog designation.
Translator Stations
- K03IN-D – located in Leavenworth, Washington
- K08AY-D – serving the Winthrop and Twisp areas
- K09BI-D – covering Methow, Washington
- K10AP-D – serving both Brewster and Pateros
- K11DL-D – located in Juliaetta, ID
- K12LF-D – serving Coolin, ID
- K12LV-D – covering Dryden, Washington
- K13KV-D – located in Troy, MT
- K16NR-D – serving the area of Coeur d'Alene, ID
- K21LD-D – located in Mazama, Washington
- K21NG-D – serving the region of Sandpoint, ID
- K22JF-D – located in Wenatchee
- K35BW-D – serving the area of Lewiston, ID