History

A history of innovation.

Our company’s roots run deep, starting in the Midwest almost a century ago. From our days operating movie theaters (yes, you read that right) to our launch of the first TV station in South Dakota, we’ve always focused on the future and how we could improve the lives of our customers with the best product possible.

Take a look back at our history, how it shaped us and where we’re going next.

Fiber Forward

Internet

2021: Fiber Forward

In July of 2021, we announced Fiber Forward, our $500 million investment to expand our fiber network to 22,000 miles. Fiber Forward is all about bringing fiber-to-the-premises and improving upload speeds to more communities over the next decade.

Fiber Forward announcement in SD.

Fiber Forward announcement in ND.

Fiber construction in Jamestown, ND.

Fiber construction in Detroit Lakes, MN.

2010: Cheering for Your Teams

We came on the air as Midco Sports Network, a channel dedicated to highlighting and celebrating local and regional sports teams. Now as Midco Sports, we produce award-winning stories and cover the biggest matchups in the Midwest.

Midco Sports Network at the 2019 SD Showdown Series.

Midco Sports covers local and regional sports action.

Midco Sports at the NSIC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The Midco Sports crew direct a game from our state-of-the-art broadcast truck.

Midco Sports gets ready to cover the Summit League Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament.

2001: Midco offers high-speed internet services for businesses.

1998: Midco offers high-speed home internet through cable lines.

1991: Our Internet Era

We started following a new path, moving away from TV antennas toward the wave of the future – internet services. We invested in our high-capacity network that became the backbone of our company.

Midco team members log on to computers.

A Midco team member checks a connection.

Midco team members in Sioux Falls, SD.

1982: Midco is the first company in South Dakota to offer quality, low-cost long-distance telephone service.

1969: Pierre, SD, becomes one of the first state capitals in the nation to have cable TV thanks to Midco

Construction begins on cable TV services in Pierre, SD.

Plans for cable TV services in Pierre, SD.

Construction workers install cable services in Pierre, SD.

Midco brings cable TV to Pierre, SD.

Workers climb polls in the Pierre, SD, area.

1953: Turning on TV

The switch is flipped on the first TV station to go live in South Dakota. KELO broadcasted the local news before TVs were widespread in the state. To this day, KELO remains the leading station in the local market and one of the most watched CBS affiliates in the nation.

Inspecting the camera at WMIN.

Covering an announcement at the Wisconsin capitol building.

Inside the studio at WAOW.

Midco team members in front of the Sioux Falls Cable Television building.

The KELO headquarters in Sioux Falls, SD.

1952: When Radio Ruled

A big turning point for the company came with a purchase – and a name change. We became Midcontinent Media when we acquired a local radio station in Sioux Falls, SD.

The KELO news car in Sioux Falls, SD.

Midco members outside the WKOW station.

Founder Larry Bentson at Midco-owned radio station.

An interview at the KRRO radio station in Sioux Falls, SD.

1948: Midco pioneers drive-in movie theaters in the upper Midwest.

1931: The Start of Something Good

Our founders had an idea to do things differently from the beginning. They started the Welworth Theater Company in 1931, determined to provide customers with an experience that was “well worth” the price.

The Midco Founders: Joe H. Floyd, Eddie Ruben, Larry Bentson, Joe L. Floyd

The Princess Theater in St. Paul, MN

The Hollywood Theater in Montevideo, MN

The Midco founders look over plans.

Making our way to the future.

Now that you’ve seen our history, check out the future of Midco. We’re pushing ourselves for our customers and our communities. Our Fiber Forward investment is bringing better connections to people across our footprint.

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