KBVU (TV)
KBVU, virtual and UHF digital channel 28, is a Fox-affiliated television station licensed to Eureka, California, United States. Owned by Cunningham Broadcasting, it is operated under a local marketing agreement (LMA) by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, making it a sister station to Arcata-licensed ABC affiliate KAEF-TV (channel 23). However, Sinclair effectively owns KBVU as the majority of Cunningham's stock is owned by the family of deceased group founder Julian Smith. It is also sister to two low-power stations: dual CW/MyNetworkTV affiliate KECA-LD (channel 29), and Univision affiliate KEUV-LP (channel 35). The four stations share studios on Sixth Street in downtown Eureka; KBVU's transmitter is located along Barry Road southeast of Eureka.
| Semi-satellite of KCVU, Paradise/Chico/Redding, California | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Eureka, California United States | |
| Channels | Digital: 28 (UHF) Virtual: 28 (PSIP) |
| Branding | Fox 28 (general) North Coast News (newscasts) |
| Programming | |
| Affiliations | 28.1: Fox 28.2: Comet 28.3: Charge! 28.6: Stadium |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Cunningham Broadcasting (Eureka (KBVU-TV) Licensee, Inc.) |
| Operator | Sinclair Broadcast Group |
| KAEF-TV | |
| History | |
| Founded | July 10, 1991 |
First air date | July 20, 1994 |
Former call signs | KZJA (CP) |
Former channel number(s) | Analog: 29 (UHF, 1994–2009) |
| Both secondary: UPN (1995–1997) The WB (1995–1998) | |
Call sign meaning | Best VU (as in "view") or possible rhyming variations of San Francisco Fox affiliate KTVU) |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 58618 |
| ERP | 50 kW |
| HAAT | 513 m (1,683 ft) |
| Transmitter coordinates | 40°43′41.9″N 123°58′21.4″W |
| Links | |
Public license information | Profile LMS |
Although it identifies as a station in its own right, KBVU is considered a semi-satellite of KCVU (channel 20) in Paradise/Chico/Redding. As such, it clears all network programming as provided through its parent station but airs a separate offering of syndicated programming; there are also separate local newscasts, commercial inserts and legal station identifications. Master control and some internal operations are based at the shared studios of KCVU and LMA partner KRCR-TV on Auditorium Drive in Redding.
History
The station signed on the air as a Fox affiliate on July 20, 1994, replacing two satellite stations of KRCR-TV which broadcast both ABC and Fox programming. Prior to the launch of the station, the network's programming was only available via KAEF or KFWU (which both carried the network as a secondary affiliation), while out-of-market affiliates KTVU and KTXL-TV were imported by some cable providers.
On April 21, 2017, Sinclair Broadcast Group purchased KBVU as part of a four-station deal.[1] The sale was completed on September 1.[2]
Digital television
Newscasts
KBVU currently airs 2½ hours of newscasts each week, all on weeknights at 10 p.m., as North Coast News on KBVU Fox 28 at 10. The newscasts are produced by sister station KAEF.
References
- Houston, Will (April 4, 2017). "Media giant Sinclair Broadcast Group to buy four Eureka stations". Retrieved July 10, 2017.
- "Consummation Notice". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- RabbitEars TV Query for KBVU
- "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2012.