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 by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, making it a sister station to Arcata-licensed ABC affiliate KAEF-TV. 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, and Univision affiliate KEUV-LP. The four stations share studios on Sixth Street in downtown Eureka; KBVU's transmitter is located along Barry Road southeast of Eureka.
Although it identifies as a station in its own right, KBVU is considered a semi-satellite of KCVU 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, 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. The sale was completed on September 1.

Digital television

Digital channels

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:
ChannelVideoAspectPSIP Short NameProgramming
28.1720pKBVU-DTMain KBVU programming / Fox
28.2480iCozi TVCozi TV

Analog-to-digital conversion

KBVU shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 29, on December 22, 2008, along with KCVU, due to lack of funding. The station's digital signal broadcasts on its pre-transition UHF channel 28.

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.