KXVU-LD

KXVU-LD is a low-power television station serving Chico, Redding, and surrounding communities in Northern California. The station broadcasts on channel 17 and is affiliated with Antenna TV, a digital multicast network specializing in classic television programming. Unlike a full-power local network affiliate, KXVU-LD operates as a low-power facility and is part of a broader cluster of stations serving the North Valley and the Chico–Redding designated market area. The station began broadcasting on March 31, 2006. It was established by Chester Smith through Sainte Partners II, L.P., a broadcasting company that operated several television properties in California. At launch, KXVU-LD was associated with the Spanish-language television operations of the Sainte group and operated alongside KUCO-LD. The two stations were described as the only Spanish-language television outlets in the North Valley at that stage. Sainte later expanded its Spanish-language portfolio with the creation of KKTF-LD, a UniMás affiliate. KXVU-LD's ownership history changed in the mid-2010s. In 2014, the broadcasting assets of Sainte were sold to Bonten Media Group, whose portfolio included KRCR-TV in Redding and KAEF-TV in Eureka. During the transition, Bonten transferred the Telemundo affiliation rights to K4 Media Holdings and moved the programming to a digital subchannel of KNVN. KXVU-LD subsequently became associated with Antenna TV, giving the station a classic-television programming profile rather than a Spanish-language network identity. Sinclair Broadcast Group announced an agreement to acquire Bonten Media Group's stations on April 21, 2017, for $240 million. The transaction closed on September 1, 2017. KXVU-LD thereby became part of Sinclair's Northern California station group, which also includes KRCR-TV, KCVU, KRVU-LD, KZVU-LD, KUCO-LD, and KKTF-LD. The stations share main studios on Auditorium Drive east of downtown Redding. The group also maintains a news bureau and sales office on Main Street in downtown Chico, reflecting the importance of Chico as a separate population center within the service area. KXVU-LD's transmitter is located along Cohasset Road northeast of Chico. Its role is primarily that of a multicast and specialty-programming outlet within the wider Sinclair station cluster. The station benefits from shared infrastructure, sales operations, and facilities while carrying Antenna TV programming for viewers in the Chico–Redding market.

KXVU-LD began broadcasting on March 31, 2006, in Chico, California. The station was founded by Chester Smith through Sainte Partners II, L.P., a broadcasting company active in California television. At the time of its launch, KXVU-LD formed part of Sainte's North Valley Spanish-language strategy and operated alongside KUCO-LD. The pair were identified as the only Spanish-language stations serving the North Valley until Sainte later established KKTF-LD as a UniMás affiliate. Sainte Partners II's ownership of the station ended in 2014, when its broadcasting assets were sold to Bonten Media Group. Bonten already owned major Northern California television properties, including KRCR-TV in Redding and KAEF-TV in Eureka. The transaction altered the local station structure and the use of KXVU-LD's programming relationships. Bonten transferred Telemundo rights to K4 Media Holdings, with the network programming moved from the station to a digital subchannel of KNVN, now operated by Allen Media Broadcasting. KXVU-LD subsequently operated as an Antenna TV affiliate, shifting its principal identity toward syndicated classic television programming. On April 21, 2017, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that it would acquire Bonten Media Group's stations for $240 million. The deal closed on September 1, 2017. KXVU-LD consequently became part of Sinclair's Northern California portfolio, alongside KRCR-TV, KCVU, KRVU-LD, KZVU-LD, KUCO-LD, and KKTF-LD. The stations are operated from shared facilities on Auditorium Drive east of downtown Redding. A bureau and sales office on Main Street in downtown Chico provide a local presence in the community from which KXVU-LD primarily serves viewers. The station transmits on channel 17 from a site along Cohasset Road northeast of Chico. As a low-power facility, KXVU-LD complements rather than replaces the group's full-power stations. Its current role is to deliver Antenna TV's classic programming through the local digital broadcast infrastructure and to provide an outlet for local advertising in the Chico–Redding market. Publicly available reference material does not identify a separate current general manager or other station-specific executive leadership.

• 2017

  Sinclair announces Bonten acquisition

  [1]KXVU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  Sinclair announced its planned purchase of Bonten Media Group's stations for $240 million on April 21.

• 2017

  Station joins Sinclair portfolio

  [1]KXVU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  The Bonten transaction closed on September 1, placing KXVU-LD under Sinclair Broadcast Group ownership.

• 2014

  Sainte broadcasting assets are sold to Bonten

  [1]KXVU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  Bonten Media Group acquired Sainte's broadcasting assets, changing the ownership context of KXVU-LD and its related North Valley stations.

• 2014

  Telemundo programming moves to KNVN digital subchannel

  [1]KXVU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  Telemundo rights were transferred to K4 Media Holdings and the programming was moved to a KNVN digital subchannel.

• 2006

  KXVU-LD begins broadcasting

  [1]KXVU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  The station commenced operations on March 31 under Sainte Partners II, L.P., founded by Chester Smith.

A low-power local broadcast outlet positioned as the Chico-area Antenna TV affiliate within Sinclair Broadcast Group's Northern California television cluster.

• Television network affiliation

  Antenna TV

  KXVU-LD's principal programming service is Antenna TV, a digital multicast network built around classic television series and related archival entertainment content. The affiliation gives the low-power station a defined national programming schedule while allowing it to serve the Chico–Redding market through free over-the-air broadcasting.

• Television advertising

  Local broadcast advertising

  As part of Sinclair's Northern California station cluster, KXVU-LD provides local and regional advertising inventory associated with its over-the-air signal. Sales operations are supported by the group's Chico and Redding facilities rather than by a separately documented standalone corporate office.

• 2017

  Acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast GroupM&A

  Background

  Sinclair sought to acquire Bonten Media Group's television stations, including the Northern California properties associated with KXVU-LD.

  Action taken

  Sinclair announced the transaction on April 21 and completed it on September 1 for $240 million.

  Aftermath

  KXVU-LD became part of Sinclair's Northern California station group, sharing infrastructure and operational relationships with several other local stations.

  Acquisition price. $240 million (Announced April 21, 2017; completed September 1, 2017)

  Source

• 2014

  Shift from Spanish-language affiliation to Antenna TV serviceStrategy

  Background

  Following Bonten Media Group's acquisition of Sainte's broadcasting assets, Telemundo programming rights were transferred to K4 Media Holdings and moved to a KNVN digital subchannel.

  Action taken

  KXVU-LD's role changed from its earlier Spanish-language station context to an Antenna TV affiliation.

  Aftermath

  The station became a classic-television outlet within the Chico–Redding market and remained part of a larger group of related local stations.

  Source

1. 1KXVU-LDen.wikipedia.org
2. 2KRCR-TV station informationkrcrtv.com