About KDLT
On June 12, 1960, KDLT began broadcasting from Mitchell, South Dakota as KORN-TV on channel 5. It was an NBC affiliate with a secondary affiliation with ABC, and was owned by Mitchell Broadcasting Associates. The station's original call letters, KORN, were intended to honor the famous Mitchell Corn Palace.Only a month later, KSOO-TV (now KSFY-TV) signed on. From then until 1969, KSOO-TV and KORN-TV operated as a regional network, although they were separately owned. KSOO-TV served the eastern portion of the market, while KORN-TV served the western portion. However, in April 1969, the Federal Communications Commission ruled against this arrangement and suggested that they operate as competitors in the Sioux Falls–Mitchell market. As a result, on May 12 of that year, Channel 5 affiliated with ABC and moved its tower closer to Sioux Falls. At the time, KCAU-TV in Sioux City was also well received in Sioux Falls and identified as "Siouxland ABC."