Forum Communications Company

Forum Communications Company

Company type	Private
Industry	Television, Advertising, Broadcasting, Newspaper, Internet services
Founded	1878
Headquarters	101 5th Street North, Fargo, North Dakota 58102 , United States
Key people	Bill Marcil, Sr., Chairman Bill Marcil, Jr., President, CEO and Publisher
Number of employees	800+
Website	www.forumcomm.com

Forum Communications Company is an American multimedia and technology company headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota. With multiple online and print news brands throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, Forum Communications offers local news in a variety of digital and broadcast mediums in addition to various niche media brands covering specialty interests.

The company also owns four television stations in North Dakota, all affiliated with ABC, and an independent television station and NBC affiliate in South Dakota. Additional offerings are commercial printing services and business services.

Leadership

William "Bill" Marcil, Sr. is the current chairman of the board for Forum Communications Company, who is married to the great-granddaughter of the founder, Norman B. Black. ^{[1] [2]}

Daily operations are overseen by William "Bill" Marcil, Jr. as the president and chief executive officer of Forum Communications Company as well as the publisher of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead . ^[2]

History

Forum Communications Company began publishing its flagship newspaper The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead in 1878 and is currently owned and operated by the Marcil-Black family. ^{[1] [2]}

Today, Forum offers multiple newspaper and multimedia journalism brands across four states in the upper Midwest along with several commercial printing facilities, TV broadcasting and business services. ^[2]

On January 3, 2021, Forum announced it had sold RiverTown Multimedia to O’Rourke Media Group. The sale included the Red Wing Republican Eagle and (Hudson) Star-Observer. RiverTown previously published six other papers, but closed or merged them. ^[3]

On November 23, 2022, it was reported that Forum would purchase Sioux Falls, South Dakota YTA TV affiliate KWSD and sister station KCWS-LD from Jim Simpson, for $1.4 million; ^[4] the sale was completed on February 21, 2023. ^[5] Forum intends to create a third television news operation in the Sioux Falls market. ^[6] On February 24, 2023, KWSD changed its call sign to KSFL-TV; several weeks later, it switched its affiliation to Ion Television and upgraded to high-definition operations for the first time since its 2012 departure from The CW. On January 1, 2024, KSFL-TV dropped Ion and became an independent station.

On August 14, 2024, it was announced that NBC/MyNetworkTV affiliates KNBN and KWBH-LD, both of Rapid City, South Dakota, would be sold by Jim Simpson (Rapid Broadcasting Company) to Forum, bringing those stations and KSFL-TV back under common ownership. ^[7]

Commercial

• Click Content Studios offers marketing services through branded content for traditional and new media platforms.
• Forum Communications operates four printing plants in three states: Brainerd and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and a commercial plant at 4601 16th Ave. N. in Fargo, North Dakota. Commercial printing capabilities include: printing, mailing, fulfillment and various marketing services.
• JobsHQ is an online recruitment and digital advertising company focusing on employers and recruitment in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Print and digital news

The following print and digital newspapers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and North Dakota are part of the Forum Communications news network:

• Alexandria Echo Press based in Alexandria, Minnesota, serves Douglas County, Minnesota, Todd County, Minnesota, central Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Echo Press was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 1990. ^{[2] [8] [9] [10]}
• The Bemidji Pioneer based in Bemidji, Minnesota, serves Beltrami County, Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Bemidji Pioneer was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 1997. ^{[2] [8] [9] [11]}
• Brainerd Dispatch based in Brainerd, Minnesota, serves Crow Wing County, Minnesota, central Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Brainerd Dispatch was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 2010. ^{[2] [8] [9] [12]}
• Detroit Lakes Tribune (known as DL-Online for online news) based in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, serves Becker County, Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Detroit Lakes Tribune was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 1985. ^{[2] [8] [9] [13]}
• The Dickinson Press based in Dickinson, North Dakota, serves Stark County, North Dakota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Dickinson Press was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 1995. ^{[2] [8] [14]}
• Duluth News Tribune based in Duluth, Minnesota, serves St. Louis County, Minnesota, greater northeast Minnesota, Lake County, Minnesota, The Boundary Waters and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Duluth News Tribune was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 2006. ^{[2] [8] [9] [15]}
• The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead (known as InForum.com for online news) based in Fargo, North Dakota, serves Fargo, North Dakota, Moorhead, Minnesota and West Fargo, North Dakota including Cass County, North Dakota, Clay County, Minnesota, greater eastern North Dakota and Western Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. It is the original flagship news brand of the Forum Communications Company. ^{[1] [2] [8] [16]}
• The Globe based in Worthington, Minnesota, serves Nobles County, Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Globe was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 1995. ^{[2] [8] [9] [17]}
• Grand Forks Herald based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, serves Grand Forks County, North Dakota, Polk County, Minnesota, greater eastern North Dakota and Western Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Grand Forks Herald was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 2006. ^{[2] [8] [18]}
• The Jamestown Sun based in Jamestown, North Dakota, serves Stutsman County, North Dakota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Jamestown Sun was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 2000. ^{[2] [8] [19]}
• The Mitchell Republic based in Mitchell, South Dakota, serves Davison County, South Dakota, Hanson County South Dakota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Mitchell Republic was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 1995. ^{[2] [8] [20]}
• Park Rapids Enterprise based in Park Rapids, Minnesota, serves Hubbard County, Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Park Rapids Enterprise was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 1985. ^{[2] [8] [9] [21]}
• Perham Focus based in Perham, Minnesota, serves Otter Tail County, Minnesota, central Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Perham Focus was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 2000. ^{[2] [8] [9] [22]}
• Pine Journal based in Duluth, Minnesota, serves Cloquet, Minnesota, Carlton County, Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Pine Journal was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 2006. ^{[2] [8] [9] [23]}
• Pine and Lakes Echo Journal based in Brainerd, Minnesota, serves Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, Crow Wing County, Minnesota, central Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Pine and Lakes Echo Journal was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 2014. ^{[2] [8] [9] [24]}
• Post-Bulletin based in Rochester, Minnesota, serves Olmsted County, Minnesota, greater southeast Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Post Bulletin was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 2019. ^{[2] [8] [9] [25]}
• St. Cloud Live based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, serves Stearns County, Minnesota, Benton County, Minnesota, and Sherburne County, Minnesota with online news. It was launched by the Forum Communications Company in 2022, with former reporters from the St. Cloud Times being hired as a part of the website launch. ^[26]
• Sioux Falls Live based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, serves Minnehaha County, South Dakota with online news and television broadcasting. It was launched by the Forum Communications Company in 2022, along with the acquisition of KWSD and KCWS-LD from JF Broadcasting LLC. ^{[26] [27]}
• Superior Telegram based in Superior, Wisconsin, serves Douglas County, Wisconsin and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Superior Telegram was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 2006. ^{[2] [8] [28]}
• Wadena Pioneer Journal based in Wadena, Minnesota, serves Otter Tail County, Minnesota, Wadena County, Minnesota, central Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The Wadena Pioneer Journal was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 1990. ^{[2] [8] [9] [29]}
• West Central Tribune based in Willmar, Minnesota, serves Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, central Minnesota and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news. The West Central Tribune was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 1980. ^{[2] [8] [9] [30]}

Other media

• Agweek is based in Fargo, North Dakota and merged with Agri News based in Rochester, Minnesota, and provides a weekly print magazine, a weekly TV show, a weekly podcast and daily agricultural news online. ^[8]
• Bison Media Zone based in Fargo, North Dakota, covers North Dakota State University football team and other athletics with multiple livestream events, TV shows, podcasts and online news with hosts and sports journalists Dom Izzo, Jeff Kolpack and Eric Peterson. ^[8]
• Dakota Spotlight is based in Fargo, North Dakota as a true crime podcast working to uncover the truth about unsolved cases in the region. ^[8]
• NewsMD covers health news and insights from local individuals and independent health professionals as well as news from the Mayo Clinic, Sanford Health, Essentia Health and more. ^[8]
• Northland Outdoors covers outdoor sports stories and news focusing on the upper Midwest with Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin online news. ^[8]
• On The Minds Of Moms is based in Fargo, North Dakota and provides a bi-monthly print magazine and online news for today's modern family. ^[8]
• The Rink Live covers hockey news and information with a focus on collegiate hockey throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin with a podcast and online news. ^[8]

Television stations

State	City	Call sign	Channel		Network
			PSIP	RF	DT-1	DT-2	DT-3	DT-4	DT-5	DT-6
North Dakota	Fargo	WDAY-TV	6	21	ABC	True Crime Network	Independent	Ion Television	Ion Plus	Grit
	Grand Forks	WDAZ-TV	8	8	ABC	True Crime Network	Independent	Ion Television	Ion Plus	Grit
	Bismarck	KBMY	17	17	ABC	True Crime Network	MyNetworkTV	Ion Television	Ion Plus	Court TV
	Minot	KMCY	14	14	ABC	True Crime Network	MyNetworkTV	Ion Television	Ion Plus	Court TV
South Dakota	Sioux Falls	KSFL-TV	36	36	Independent	–	–	–	–	–
	Rapid City	KNBN	21	21	NBC	MyNetworkTV/ YTA TV	-	-	-	-

References

1. Moline, Melva (1978). The Forum: The First Hundred Years. Forum Publishing Company.
2. Zaleski, Jack (2018). Forum Communications Company: A Narrative History 1980 - 2018. Forum Publishing Company.
3. Hunter, Julia (January 3, 2021). "O'Rourke Media Group buys RiverTown newspapers". Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
4. "Assignments". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
5. "Notification of Consummation". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
6. Ellis, Jon (November 23, 2022). "Forum to Buy Independent TV Station in Sioux Falls, Launch News". Northpine.com. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
   • "Globe parent company Forum Communications expands in Sioux Falls". The Globe. Worthington, MN. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
7. "Assignments". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
8. "Forum Communications Company". ForumComm.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
9. "2022 Minnesota Newspaper Association Directory" (PDF). Minnesota Newspaper Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 18, 2022.
10. "Alexandria Echo Press". EchoPress.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
11. "The Bemidji Pioneer". BemidjiPioneer.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
12. "Brainerd Dispatch". BrainerdDispatch.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
13. "Detroit Lakes Tribune". DLOnline.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
14. "The Dickinson Press". DickinsonPress.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
15. "Duluth News Tribune". DuluthNewsTribune.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
16. "InForum". InForum.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
17. "The Globe". DGlobe.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
18. "Grand Forks Herald". GrandForksHerald.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
19. "The Jamestown Sun". JamestownSun.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
20. "The Mitchell Republic". MitchellRepublic.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
21. "Park Rapids Enterprise". ParkRapidsEnterprise.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
22. "Perham Focus". PerhamFocus.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
23. "Pine Journal". PineJournal.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
24. "Pine and Lakes Echo Journal". PineAndLakes.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
25. "Post Bulletin". PostBulletin.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
26. "Forum Communications launching new St. Cloud news operation". Sioux Falls Live. January 24, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
27. "Forum Communications expanding to Sioux Falls with TV station acquisition". Sioux Falls Live. November 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
28. "Superior Telegram". SuperiorTelegram.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
29. "Wadena Pioneer Journal". WadenaPJ.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
30. "West Central Tribune". WCTrib.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.