KCIX-TV
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Defunct | 1960 |
| Fate | Ceased operations; license dismissed by FCC in 1964 |
| Headquarters | Nampa , United States |
| Products | Television broadcasting |
| Owner | Hagadone Broadcasting Company (Radio Boise, Inc. initially) |
KCIX-TV (channel 6) was a television broadcaster located in Nampa, Idaho, United States, operating from November 9, 1958, until January 4, 1960. This station represented the second effort to utilize this channel allocation following KFXD-TV, which had a brief two-month run in 1953.
History
The construction permit was granted by the Federal Communications Commission on March 27, 1958, to Radio Boise, Inc., which shortly thereafter became Hagadone Broadcasting Company. Prior to this, Hagadone had sold the KYME radio station in Boise and owned a broadcasting outlet in Soda Springs. KCIX-TV commenced operations on November 9, 1958, transmitting from leased facilities within the Nampa transmitter building of KFXD (580 AM) and utilized its antenna system. The company intended to establish its own studio space in Nampa. Although there were assurances of syndicated content from ABC and ongoing talks about securing a live network affiliation, these did not come to fruition. At that period, ABC programming was only accessible during off-peak hours on the main NBC affiliate KIDO-TV (channel 7).
Due to failure in obtaining a network partnership, Hagadone pursued additional funding and in August 1959 formed a partnership with Pocatello radio station KBLI, which held the construction permit for KTLE, another channel 6 station serving eastern Idaho; the two stations planned to share programming resources. Hagadone held a 20 percent stake in "KTLI, Inc.," with Howard Johnson—owner of Salt Lake City’s KNAK—maintaining majority ownership. The strategy included relocating KCIX's transmitter to Deer Point within the Boise National Forest to enhance broadcast reach. While awaiting FCC consent for this move, KCIX operated on a limited basis. On January 4, 1960, Hagadone declared that KCIX would suspend transmissions pending regulatory approval.
By mid-1960, the arrangement fell through and Publix Broadcasting Co., established by Samuel Nissley (who owned KLOR-TV in Provo, Utah) and Vern Kloepfer, announced intentions to acquire KCIX-TV. Publix committed to introducing new call letters, constructing a studio near Boise, installing a transmitter at Deer Point, and pursuing an affiliation agreement with ABC. In December of that year, Hagadone initiated legal action against KBLI for $9,500 as a deposit after retracting from the sale agreement. Concurrently, Boise stations KBOI-TV and KIDO-TV filed objections to Publix’s simultaneous attempt to purchase KYME radio, citing concerns over unregistered securities transactions. Shortly thereafter, KTLE—the Pocatello station associated with KCIX—ceased operations following NBC’s shift of its affiliation to KIFI-TV in Idaho Falls.
The KCIX license remained valid until the FCC formally dismissed its renewal request on June 18, 1964.