History of FOX 13 Seattle, KCPQ-TV and KZJO-TV

FOX 13 (KCPQ) is a FOX network-affiliated TV station owned by FOX Television Stations serving the Seattle-Tacoma-Everett market in Washington state.

FOX 13 is a sister-station to MyNetworkTV affiliate FOX 13+ (KZJO), and the two stations share studios on the west shore of Lake Union in Seattle’s Westlake neighborhood.

FOX 13 & FOX 13+ are home to FOX 13 News. FOX 13 produces more than 60 hours per week of original programming, including Good Day Seattle, serving viewers through local storytelling, delivered by authentic local people, with a priority on communicating and making a local impact.

FOX 13 & FOX 13+ are also the preeminent home for local sports in Western Washington, with extensive coverage of the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and Seattle Mariners (MLB). FOX 13 also has partnerships with the Seattle Kraken (NHL), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Seattle Storm (WNBA), OL Reign (NWSL), Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) and Seattle Seawolves (MLR).

Through its FOX affiliation, FOX 13 airs many regular season Seahawks games and provides pre- and post-game coverage of most games on Gameday Live.

The stations produce and air Talkin’ Huskies, featuring weekly highlights and analysis of the University of Washington football team.

FOX 13+ (cable 10/ch. 22 over-the-air) is the official local broadcast home for Seattle Storm games and a select package of Seattle Thunderbirds games, OL Reign matches, and Seattle Seawolves games.

FOX 13 also produces a weekly sports show called Seattle Sports Live which airs Sundays at 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.

In 2023, FOX 13 debuted a new show called Studio 13 Live. Pop culture, celebrity news, lifestyle, DIY tips and tricks, the latest trends and information, to brighten, uplift and empower; plus delicious meals with world class chefs in 40 minutes or less; hosted by Mireya Garcia and Carly Henderson.

Also in 2023, FOX 13 partnered with Converge Media to air Back2Besa. The show highlights the latest trends, and features inspiring stories and interviews with notable people; hosted by Besa Gordon.

History of KCPQ-TV

KCPQ adopted its Q13 branding in 1980. In 1986, KCPQ became one of the first affiliates of the FOX Broadcasting Company. As the Fox network’s viewership and ratings grew in the 1990s, KCPQ gained prominence as a major broadcaster in the local Seattle market.

The current news operation began on January 19, 1998, when it launched a new 35-minute 10 p.m. program, which initially ran on Sunday-Thursday.

The Tribune Company acquired KCPQ in August 1998. Following the purchase of channel 13, Tribune merged KCPQ’s operations with those of KTWB-TV (channel 22, now KZJO). The two stations became co-owned in 1999, after the FCC approved same-market duopolies.

KCPQ later launched a morning newscast on January 17, 2000, which eventually expanded to its current 5-1/2 hour telecast.

On March 31, 2008, the station launched a 9 p.m. newscast on KZJO (formerly KMYQ).

In 2009, Washington’s Most Wanted debuted. Produced and hosted by FOX 13 News anchor David Rose, the show has helped capture over 1,000 local fugitives.

On March 29, 2012, FOX 13 & FOX 13+ became the official local broadcast partner of the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks went on to win Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014, and was broadcast locally on FOX 13.

On December 10, 2013, FOX 13 & FOX 13+ expanded their local sports lineup by becoming the official local broadcast partner of Seattle Sounders FC.

On August 17, 2014, KCPQ launched an 11 p.m. newscast which airs Sundays through Thursdays at 11 p.m.

In September of 2016, Q13 News expanded again with the launch of Q13 News This Morning on Saturdays and Sundays on KZJO. The newscast now airs every weekend from 8 to 11 a.m. on FOX 13+ (cable 10/ch. 22 over-the-air).

In June of 2019, Q13 News added an additional hour of coverage to its late news lineup, expanding to 8 p.m. on KZJO.

In September of 2019, KCPQ and KZJO were acquired by Nexstar Media Group. Less than two months later, Nexstar announced the two Seattle stations and WITI, the FOX affiliate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, would be sold to FOX Television Stations.

In March of 2020, KCPQ and KZJO officially joined FOX Television Stations, a subsidiary of FOX Corporation.

In September of 2021, KCPQ rebranded as FOX 13 Seattle and FOX 13 News. KZJO became FOX 13+.

FOX 13 launched an hour-long 6 p.m. newscast in January of 2022. The 6 p.m. news airs seven days a week on FOX 13.

Also in January, FOX 13 launched a new show called The Spotlight hosted by David Rose. The program looks at crime and public safety issues - airing Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. and Sundays at 11:30 p.m. on FOX 13.