Bill and Marietta Ekberg

Bill and Marietta Ekberg were instrumental in the creation, nurturing and development of the powerhouse of western North Dakota television: KFYR and it’s satellite stations KMOT, KUMV and KQCD. KFYR was one of three television stations to go on the air in 1953, and the first station to broadcast in Bismarck. The station group, Meyer Broadcasting, was founded by Marietta’s parents, P.J. and Etta Hoskins Meyer. After the untimely death of P.J. in 1953, Bill joined the company, and Marietta, in growing the stations to be number one in western North Dakota – a rank they’ve held since the beginning of local ratings.

Bill and Marietta almost single-handedly built the western North Dakota microwave system to link the satellites and bring live network television to the rural reaches of North Dakota. They were a team: Bill was the technical, the hands-on broadcasting genius who made local television happen. Marietta was the people person who carried the family legacy of the importance of local television news weather and sports to western North Dakota. Together they have created a legacy centered on commitment to the community.