Maine Radio and Television merged with Gannett in 1998. However, KMEG was not included in the deal; it was acquired by Waitt Broadcasting later in 1998. The new owners significantly upgraded KMEG's facilities, including an increase of its broadcast tower height to and effective radiated power to five million watts. This gave its analog signal on UHF channel 14 a signal comparable to those of KCAU and KTIV (channel 4), spanning 23 counties in northwestern Iowa, northeastern Nebraska, and southeastern South Dakota. Previously, its over-the-air signal was effectively limited to Sioux City itself and the immediate metro area; most of the market had needed cable to get an acceptable signal.