KBOI signed on November 26, 1953, as the Treasure Valley's second television station, after NBC affiliate KIDO-TV, channel 7 (now KTVB).

The following year, after KBOI radio (now on 670 AM) and KBOI-FM (97.9, now KQFC) were sold off to a separate entity, the television station was renamed KBCI-TV on February 1, 1975, standing for "Boise City, Idaho".

[6][7] At that time, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations required separately-owned TV and radio stations in the same market to have distinct base call signs, hence the change.

[11] In July 2007, KBCI debuted state-of-the-art Ignite newscast automation, effectively reducing the number of studio crew members from 9 down to 3.

[citation needed] KBOI operates a news department with a focus on high impact community advocacy journalism.

In 2004, the station (then KBCI-TV) received the prestigious DuPont and Edward R. Murrow awards for the 2002–2003 investigation into former Boise mayor Brent Coles.

The investigation into Cole's mismanagement of public funds led to his resignation and subsequent prosecution by the Idaho Attorney General's Office.

That same year, Marquee Broadcasting acquired KNIN-TV and contracted KBOI-TV to produce its 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. local newscasts which had been provided by KIVI-TV.