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Forum Communications Company is expanding once again in South Dakota.

The company, based in Fargo, N.D., announced today, Aug. 14, it has reached an agreement with Rapid City Broadcasting to acquire KNBN-TV, the NBC affiliate in Rapid City, S.D.

The acquisition will enhance Forum Communications鈥� ability to serve residents throughout South Dakota and to be a trusted news source for the state, said Josh Rohrer, vice president of broadcasting for Forum Communications.

鈥淐ombining the excellence of KNBN鈥檚 existing local news with the experience and reputation of Forum Communications will help to create a new home for the very best in local news, weather and sports in South Dakota,鈥� Rohrer said.

KNBN is the only independently-owned TV network affiliate in South Dakota. That will remain the case, Rohrer said, but this acquisition creates an opportunity for expanded reach and impact.

The acquisition includes certain satellite stations delivering KNBN鈥檚 signal to the entire Rapid City DMA, according to a Forum Communications press release.

Viewers can also expect collaboration with Sioux Falls Live/ KSFL-TV and the Mitchell Republic on stories of statewide importance, Rohrer said.

Forum Communications acquired Sioux Falls-based KSFL (then KWSD-TV and KCWS-LD) in November 2022, around the same time it launched Sioux Falls Live, a website covering local news, weather and sports.

鈥淲e have big plans in South Dakota,鈥� said Mary Jo Hotzler, chief content officer for Forum Communications. 鈥淢itchell has long been a news leader in the state and is unmatched when it comes to high school sports coverage. Sioux Falls has quickly become a go-to source for news and sports, especially the (SDSU) Jackrabbits, and we are excited about adding Rapid City. This is just the beginning for us in the state.鈥�

Family-owned Forum Communications Company owns and operates newspapers, news websites and television stations in 19 communities across Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin. Those include WDAY, an award-winning TV station based in Fargo. WDAY-TV broadcasts throughout North Dakota as well as in northwestern Minnesota, northern South Dakota, eastern Montana and parts of Canada.

The acquisition of KNBN is subject to receipt of regulatory and other approvals.