KXLI-TV Cartoon Carnival (1985)

A station ad for KXLI-TV, Channel 41, St. Cloud, Minnesota. In its early days this station offered a variety of classic TV cartoons on weekday afternoons. This ad includes clips from "The King and Odie", "Hoppity Hooper", "Rocky and Bullwinkle", "Sherman and Peabody", "Tennesse Tuxedo", "Voltron", "The Hunter", "Dudley Do-Right" and "Top Cat".

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• KXLI
• TV
• Channel
• 41
• Saint
• Cloud
• Minnesota
• Cartoon
• Carnival
• station
• identification
• ad
• callsign

[chabba77]

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.

[TimKangaroo]

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").

[retrotvluver]

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!!!

[TimKangaroo]

You're welcome! I just wish I had a better copy.

[bschmitt78]

WOW, the memories! Top Cat, Thundercats and Voltron were my favs on this channel.

[Leatherface1976]

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.

[jake60mn]

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.

[chabba77]

I didn't know KXLI had a newscast. It must have been short lived.

[jminnesota]

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.

[jake60mn]

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.

[EncoreEnterprisesLLC]

Even though KPXM (former KXLI) is now mostly informercials, they do air cartoons once again somewhat on their "qubo" digital subchannel.

[ironmeden]

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.

[chabba77]

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.