KQFX-LD


KQFX-LD, virtual and UHF digital channel 22, branded on-air as Fox 22, is a low-powered Fox-affiliated television station licensed to Columbia, Missouri, United States and serving the Columbia–Jefferson City television market. Owned by the St. Joseph-based News-Press & Gazette Company, it is a sister station to ABC affiliate KMIZ. The two stations share studios on the East Business Loop 70 in Columbia and transmitter facilities west of Jamestown near the Moniteau–Cooper county line. There is no separate website for KQFX-LD; instead, it is integrated with that of sister station KMIZ.
In addition to its own digital signal, KQFX-LD is simulcast in high definition on KMIZ's fourth digital subchannel from the same transmitter site.

History

The low-power station went on the air in 1990 as K11TB. It became a Fox affiliate in 1997. In October 2003, the station moved to channel 38 and increased its power to cover both Columbia and Jefferson City from its tower site near Ashland. During its Fox era, it used "KQFX" as part of its brand identity. K38II remained on the air until June 12, 2009, when the license for sister station KZOU-LP became KQFX-LD digital channel 22 and took the Fox programs. This was the only new television broadcast in Mid-Missouri when the "digital transition" occurred. Fox 22 now reaches the vast majority of Mid-Missouri homes with a digital antenna and is available on all cable and satellite systems in Mid-Missouri.
Before June 14, 2009, this license was called KZOU-LP and carried UPN programs. K38II picked up the call letters shortly after KZOU came KQFX-LD. K38II became KZOU-LP on June 22, 2009, to keep the call letters. On September 3, 2010, the FCC canceled KZOU-LP's license.
On July 26, 2012, JW announced that KQFX and its sister stations were sold to News-Press & Gazette Company for $16 Million. The sale was consummated on November 1.

Digital channels

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:
ChannelVideoAspectPSIP Short NameProgramming
22.1720pFOX 22Main KQFX-LD programming / Fox
22.2480iLaffLaff
22.3480iGritGrit
22.4480iEscapeCourt TV Mystery
22.5480iDablDABL

Programming

programming on KQFX includes Family Feud, The People's Court, Modern Family, and The Big Bang Theory.

News operation

With the debut of its high definition newscasts and the market's only 6:30 p.m. newscast, KMIZ began offering four hours of local news every weekday. It broadcasts an hour-long newscast on KQFX on weekdays and Sundays and a 30-minute newscast on Saturdays. On September 2, 2013, KMIZ added weekday newscasts.