This is a great video. I watched KXLI all the time. Does anyone remember the show Fishmasters? My friends and I watched that all the time. Around the same time there was a music video program, but I can't remember the name of it.
It is a great station i am in becker and i remember going to big lake one time and drove up to the station and they guy let me in and show me around the little studio it was cool. and it was a nice little tv station. it still is on today but seems like it was best when it use to be the old KXLI tv.
What a flashback. I worked there from 1985 to 1990. We were K41 and the transmitter was in such poor shape that we broadcast a ghost. It was definitely built on a shoe string budget. Master control was 4 3/4 tape machines and a film chain. The news studio had florecent lights with a parachute hanging below them to diffuse the light. Then we went though the buyout and then it became TV Heaven. We even won the contract to broadcast the North Stars. Boy did this bring back memories.
I started in Oct. 1985 and they had the newscast then. I think It ran into 1987 up until we were bought out and won the North Stars contract. Then we became 41/47 for a while before TV Heaven 41.
WOW!!!! I used to watch all of that on channel 41! Haven't seen that video since it aired 23 years ago! (and I'm only 28). Sometimes I'd have to hold the antenna so I could see the picture!
Ahh tv heavon,as they used to call themselves! This station went off the air for over a year,in the late 80s,early 90s,then wasnt the same when it came back. I VERY seldom now watch it. It was the tv land here of the mid 80s.
I've read somewhere an interesting story about this station. The original owner wanted to launch it in Minneapolis, but was put off by the high syndication rates. So he came up with the bright idea of licensing it to St. Cloud, and putting the transmitter halfway between St. Cloud and the Twin Cities, serving both areas and paying outstate syndication rates. When competitors called shenanigans, the rates were raised, leading to their downfall to infomercials 24/7. The little guy always loses.
That's true. The transmitter is still in Big Lake, so it can serve both the St. Cloud area along with the north part of Minneapolis and its northern suburbs (though the entire metro area can get it via cable).
I also heard the station owner would show "Rocky and His Friends" at 11:30pm on weeknights (just before sign-off) because he wanted to watch Rocky and Bullwinkle before going to bed. For more details, check my comments on "KXLI 'TV Heaven 41'" (video "f-X4h317Cyc").
If what I've heard is true, that will change. I hear they plan on moving their DTV transmitter to the Shoreview antenna farm after the analog cut-off. Then the station's founder's original vision will be a reality, which is making it a true metro signal.
I used to work there over 10 years ago when they came back as Home Shopping and then went back to the TV Heaven format, but not the same as it was in the 80's.
Wow! Thanks for posting this. KXLI 41 was my favotite station for cartoons when I was a kid. I remember their other station ad's that featured that guy with the dark glasses. Someone told me his nickname was "Bat" because he had such poor eyesight.
The scariest part is I was able to sing along word for word. Thanks for posting this. I was a cartoon carnival freak. Before K41 went on the air, Cartoon Carnival was on Saturday mornings on WTCN Metromedia 11 in Minneapolis.
WOW, the memories! Top Cat, Thundercats and Voltron were my favs on this channel.
bschmitt78 2 years ago
This is a great video. I watched KXLI all the time. Does anyone remember the show Fishmasters? My friends and I watched that all the time. Around the same time there was a music video program, but I can't remember the name of it.
Leatherface1976 2 years ago
It is a great station i am in becker and i remember going to big lake one time and drove up to the station and they guy let me in and show me around the little studio it was cool. and it was a nice little tv station. it still is on today but seems like it was best when it use to be the old KXLI tv.
jminnesota 2 years ago
What a flashback. I worked there from 1985 to 1990. We were K41 and the transmitter was in such poor shape that we broadcast a ghost. It was definitely built on a shoe string budget. Master control was 4 3/4 tape machines and a film chain. The news studio had florecent lights with a parachute hanging below them to diffuse the light. Then we went though the buyout and then it became TV Heaven. We even won the contract to broadcast the North Stars. Boy did this bring back memories.
jake60mn 2 years ago 2
I didn't know KXLI had a newscast. It must have been short lived.
chabba77 2 years ago
I started in Oct. 1985 and they had the newscast then. I think It ran into 1987 up until we were bought out and won the North Stars contract. Then we became 41/47 for a while before TV Heaven 41.
jake60mn 2 years ago
Even though KPXM (former KXLI) is now mostly informercials, they do air cartoons once again somewhat on their "qubo" digital subchannel.
EncoreEnterprisesLLC 2 years ago
WOW!!!! I used to watch all of that on channel 41! Haven't seen that video since it aired 23 years ago! (and I'm only 28). Sometimes I'd have to hold the antenna so I could see the picture!
cach9801 2 years ago
Ahh tv heavon,as they used to call themselves! This station went off the air for over a year,in the late 80s,early 90s,then wasnt the same when it came back. I VERY seldom now watch it. It was the tv land here of the mid 80s.
jmen4ever 3 years ago
I've read somewhere an interesting story about this station. The original owner wanted to launch it in Minneapolis, but was put off by the high syndication rates. So he came up with the bright idea of licensing it to St. Cloud, and putting the transmitter halfway between St. Cloud and the Twin Cities, serving both areas and paying outstate syndication rates. When competitors called shenanigans, the rates were raised, leading to their downfall to infomercials 24/7. The little guy always loses.
chabba77 4 years ago
That's true. The transmitter is still in Big Lake, so it can serve both the St. Cloud area along with the north part of Minneapolis and its northern suburbs (though the entire metro area can get it via cable).
I also heard the station owner would show "Rocky and His Friends" at 11:30pm on weeknights (just before sign-off) because he wanted to watch Rocky and Bullwinkle before going to bed. For more details, check my comments on "KXLI 'TV Heaven 41'" (video "f-X4h317Cyc").
TimKangaroo 2 years ago
If what I've heard is true, that will change. I hear they plan on moving their DTV transmitter to the Shoreview antenna farm after the analog cut-off. Then the station's founder's original vision will be a reality, which is making it a true metro signal.
chabba77 2 years ago
I used to work there over 10 years ago when they came back as Home Shopping and then went back to the TV Heaven format, but not the same as it was in the 80's.
ironmeden 2 years ago
Thank you very much for posting this!
Wow, I had forgotten about K41...
kaboompoop 4 years ago
Wow! Thanks for posting this. KXLI 41 was my favotite station for cartoons when I was a kid. I remember their other station ad's that featured that guy with the dark glasses. Someone told me his nickname was "Bat" because he had such poor eyesight.
sonijam 4 years ago
The scariest part is I was able to sing along word for word. Thanks for posting this. I was a cartoon carnival freak. Before K41 went on the air, Cartoon Carnival was on Saturday mornings on WTCN Metromedia 11 in Minneapolis.
knbuck 4 years ago
This is the station ID I remember the most. Didnt there use to be an animated airplane also?
Namzso1 4 years ago
KXLI 41 St. Cloud, MN. became in 1998 PAX and later became i and then ION.
heine71 4 years ago
I was in St. Cloud once and saw this ad and taped part of it--never thought I'd see it again! Thanks loads for posting it!!!
retrotvluver 4 years ago
You're welcome! I just wish I had a better copy.
TimKangaroo 4 years ago