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Denver’s News Powerhouse with a Personality
9NEWS isn’t just another local station. It’s the one that’s been sitting in Denver’s living room for more than 70 years, bringing snowstorm warnings, Broncos updates, and the occasional eyebrow-raising investigation—basically, it’s the friend who knows everything happening in town.
How It All Started
Back in 1952, Denver’s TV world was barely a thing. That’s when KBTV—what we now call 9NEWS—flipped the switch and started broadcasting. Imagine the scene: black-and-white screens, rabbit-ear antennas, and a few hours of programming each day. It was the second station in Denver, and it slowly carved out an identity.
By 1984, KBTV decided it needed a grown-up name and became KUSA. Ten years later, it made another big move—switching to NBC in 1995. That shuffle turned out to be huge. NBC brought big shows, the Olympics, and national attention, but the heart of the station stayed local.
Why 9NEWS Still Dominates
Here’s the thing—9NEWS doesn’t just pump out a newscast and call it a day. They produce about 45 hours of local news every week. That’s a staggering number when you think about how much of it has to be fresh, live, and accurate.
It’s also not just TV anymore. They’ve built 9NEWS.com into a serious operation, with breaking headlines, live streams, and an interactive radar that’s basically a must when Colorado’s weather decides to throw a tantrum.
They even made a smart call back in 2009 to start streaming their noon newscast. At the time, that felt experimental. Now it’s just expected.
Local First, Always
9NEWS has this knack for making even the smallest neighborhood story matter. When a construction project clogs up morning commutes or a new coffee shop opens, they’re there. And then there are the serious moments—wildfires, blizzards, or the devastating floods Colorado’s seen over the years—when people rely on 9NEWS because they know they’ll get the facts fast.
They’ve also been clever about reaching more of Denver. Since 2011, they’ve had a partnership with Telemundo’s Denver affiliate, which means Spanish-language newscasts carry the same reporting muscle.
Anchors, Investigators, and a Little Nostalgia
Ask longtime Denver residents about 9NEWS and they’ll talk about names like Ed Sardella or Mike Landess. These weren’t just anchors; they were practically family. That old-school credibility is one reason 9NEWS earned trust and has kept it.
And it’s not just warm smiles behind a desk. The station is known for serious investigative work. Segments like Steve on Your Side dig into consumer scams and shady deals—exactly the kind of reporting people actually use in daily life.
The Sports Lifeline
Denver takes its sports seriously, and so does 9NEWS. For years, they’ve been the station you turn to for Broncos preseason games. More recently, they’ve started simulcasting Nuggets, Avalanche, and even Rockies games on free TV. That’s a big deal in a world where streaming services keep locking games behind subscriptions.
It’s the kind of move that makes viewers feel like the station is looking out for them—not just selling them another service.
9NEWS.com: More Than Just Headlines
A lot of local news websites feel like afterthoughts. 9NEWS.com doesn’t. It’s stacked with breaking news, features, sports, weather tools, and quirky local stories.
The interactive radar is a standout. When a storm rolls in, you can literally watch it crawl across the map in real time. And then there are the history pieces—like the series on “This Week in Colorado History.” Those stories remind people that Denver’s more than just new construction and traffic; it’s layered with moments that shaped it, like the founding of Denver City back in 1858 or the creation of the 16th Street Mall.
Keeping Up with a Changing World
Broadcast news isn’t exactly an easy game right now. Between streaming, cord-cutting, and endless competition for attention, stations are scrambling to stay relevant.
But 9NEWS has kept its footing. They were early with HD in 2004. They were streaming long before it became the norm. They’ve even leaned into Spanish-language news and online-first reporting in a way that doesn’t feel like an afterthought.
Sure, the ratings war with other Denver stations like KMGH and KCNC never really stops. But when people think “Denver news,” they still think 9NEWS.
What’s Next
The station isn’t coasting. It’s expanding how and where it delivers news—more digital coverage, more sports, more community reporting. They’re even bringing games like Rockies matchups back to free TV, which feels almost rebellious in today’s pay-to-watch world.
And that’s probably why 9NEWS has stayed relevant for over seven decades. It keeps adjusting without losing the thing that made it work in the first place: a clear focus on the community it serves.
Final Word
9NEWS is more than just a channel or a website. It’s the thread running through Denver’s daily life—from the breaking news alerts on your phone to the in-depth investigations that save you from a scam.
It’s rare for a local station to balance tradition with innovation this well. But 9NEWS manages it, and that’s why it still feels like Denver’s most familiar voice—even as it keeps finding new ways to speak.
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