As NBC became the number 1 rated network in the mid-1980s, both KVIQ and KIEM increased the amount of programming aired from the work. At the same time, there were proposals for KREQ-TV (now KAEF-TV) to launch as a new station in the Eureka market. In 1985, KIEM signed an exclusive affiliation contract with NBC, and KVIQ affiliated with CBS, while both carried ABC programming on a secondary basis until KREQ signed on. KIEM's NBC affiliation commenced on December 30, 1985. Another commercial station, KREQ-TV (later KAEF-TV, channel 23) signed on the air in 1987 offering ABC to the North Coast. When the new station signed on, both KVIQ and KIEM ceased offering ABC programs on a part-time basis.