Station History of Channel 8 KLKN-TV Lincoln’s Own ABC

It was unheard of, maybe even a bit unbelievable that a city the size of Lincoln, Nebraska before March 1996 had only one local commercial television station.

This was the case until Channel 8 KLKN-TV flipped the switch in the spring of 1996, providing Lincoln with its own ABC affiliate and something more in a television station for the Lincoln and surrounding community. That something more includes quality programming, a commitment to the community and a strong resolution to provide Lincoln with the best, most comprehensive news coverage in the area.

From the start, KLKN has devoted time, energy, and resources into developing newscasts, which provide quality local news, weather and sports. In 1996, Channel 8 KLKN-TV signed on the air with local newscasts, Monday through Sunday at 6 PM and 10 PM. Since then a midday, an early morning and a 5pm news have been added to the schedule of regular newscasts. In September of 1998, News 8 at 5 became the first locally produced 5pm television newscast in Lincoln.  In total, Channel 8 Eyewitness News produces 24.5 hours of local news each week.

Channel 8 KLKN-TV is proud of our commitment to the community. We prove that commitment by sponsoring numerous local special events. Some of our community events and sponsorships include, Back-To-School Supplies Drive with LPS, Bike Drive for the Bike Kitchen, Coat Drive for the People’s City Missio Alzheimer’s Association, and the Capitol Humane Society.

Along with ABC Television Network, Channel 8 KLKN-TV broadcasts a variety of news, information, sports and entertainment programming. From Monday Night Football to World News Tonight, to Abbot Elementary, there’s something for anyone.

On June 17, 2009, Channel 8 KLKN-TV followed the rest of the country and changed to broadcasting in digital.  Currently, Channel 8 KLKN-TV broadcast almost all programming in HD.  On October 26, 2010, Channel 8 Eyewitness News began high definition broadcasts of local news, weather and sports.  In addition, Channel 8 KLKN-TV broadcasts Grit TV programming on digital channel 8.2, Ion Mystery programming on 8.3, LAFF TV programming on 8.4 and Bounce programming on 8.6.

We continue to work hard to be your one source for news, and quality entertainment programming.  Keep watching!

On May 16, 2019, Channel 8 KLKN-TV and sister station WLNE-TV in Providence, RI were purchased by Standard Media Group from Citadel Communication L.L.C.  “We are excited to work with the talented teams in Providence and Lincoln to grow the business with a strong focus on high quality local news,” said  Deb McDermott,CEO of Standard Media, upon acquiring the two stations.

Since then, the Channel 8 News has added a 4:30PM, Monday through Friday newscast and developed an interactive app called Nebraska NOW, where users can get up to the minute updates on local news, weather and sports and upload videos, which may be used during newscasts.  If the video is used there is remuneration.