KBNZ-LD

KBNZ-LD
Bend, Oregon
United States
Branding KBNZ (general)
KOIN 6 News (newscasts)
Slogan CBS for Central Oregon
Channels Digital: 7 (VHF)
Virtual: 7 (PSIP)
Affiliations CBS
Owner Zolo Media
(Telephone and Data Systems)
(TDS Broadcasting LLC)
First air date October 25, 2008 (2008-10-25)
Call letters' meaning K BeNd Z
Sister station(s) KOHD
Former callsigns K11SE (1985–2006)
K07YM (2006–2008)
Transmitter power 3 kW
Height 211 m (692 ft)
Class LD
Facility ID 35834
Transmitter coordinates 44°4′38.2″N 121°20′0.7″W / 44.077278°N 121.333528°W / 44.077278; -121.333528
Licensing authority FCC
Public license information: Profile
CDBS
Website kbnztv.com

KBNZ-LD is a low-powered CBS-affiliated television station licensed to Bend, Oregon, United States and serving Central Oregon. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on virtual and VHF channel 7 from a transmitter in the city on Awbrey Butte west of U.S. 97. The station can also be seen on BendBroadband channel 6 and in high definition on digital channel 606. Owned by the Zolo Media subsidiary of BendBroadband (itself a subsidiary of TDS), it is a sister station to ABC affiliate KOHD (channel 51) and the two stations share studios on Lower Meadow Drive in Bend.

History

KBNZ's logo as a semi-satellite of KOIN, from 2008 to 2011

KBNZ originated in the mid-1980s as a low-powered translator of KOIN in Portland. In October 2008, KOIN owner New Vision Television announced plans to convert KBNZ into a local CBS affiliate with a separate feed. Four of KOIN's translators in Central Oregon were switched from airing KOIN's signal to that of KBNZ. It also received its own section on KOIN's website. Master control and some internal operations remained based at KOIN's studios at the KOIN Center in Downtown Portland. Although identifying as a separate station in its own right, KBNZ was considered a KOIN semi-satellite. It simulcast most of KOIN's newscasts and cleared most of its syndicated programming (though in some cases at different times). There were also some programs that only aired on KBNZ while some were only seen on KOIN. KBNZ also aired separate station identifications and commercials.

One reason that the station split from KOIN is a result of the Bend market growing in population. With the change, this leaves Meredith Corporation-owned MyNetworkTV affiliate KUBN-LP as the only area station serving as a full-time satellite of a Portland station. News personnel based at KBNZ began to contribute 2-4 local stories each day to air on KOIN broadcasts. It had been planned that as this station grew, a fully produced local newscast originating from Central Oregon would be introduced.[1]

KBNZ's signal does not reach far outside Bend. The only other area it reaches is Deschutes River Woods which is south of Bend and can only be obtained in the northern tip of the area. KBNZ's signal can also be seen in the western portion of Crook County. K31CR-D transmits a digital rebroadcast of KOIN programming and is not available east of Prineville but services an area larger than KBNZ. K31CR's signal reaches Crook, Jefferson, Deschutes, and Wasco counties. In contrast, KBNZ's signal does not exit Deschutes County.

On March 31, 2010, BendBroadband bought KBNZ from New Vision Television through a subsidiary, Zolo Media. The new owner initially didn't plan any immediate or major changes.[2] Since the ownership change, contact information for this station as well as listings for reporter Brittney Hopper and photographer Brandon Anderchuk have been removed, and the weather information for the Bend area on the KBNZ section has not been updated.

In the summer of 2011, KBNZ launched a new website. Zolo Media also announced that it would take over master control operations from KOIN, starting on September 1. With the severing of the electronic umbilical cord with KOIN, KBNZ also dropped KOIN's 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts and rolled out a new logo.[3] Currently, KBNZ continues to simulcast KOIN's weeknight 5 p.m. and nightly 11 p.m. newscasts although KOIN was sold to LIN TV Corporation in October 2012.

BendBroadband announced on May 1, 2014 that it will merge with Telephone and Data Systems, a Chicago cable firm, in a $261 million deal.[4]

Digital television

Digital channel

Channel Video Aspect PSIP Short Name Programming[5]
7.11080i16:9KBNZ-DTMain KBNZ-LD programming / CBS

Translators

Since KBNZ is a low-powered station, it relies on translators to expand its reach.

Call sign Channel City of license Transmitter location
K31CR-D31PrinevillePowell Buttes
K34AI-D34La Pinewest of Sunriver
K47LM-D47PrinevilleGrizzly Mountain

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
  2. ↑ http://oregonmediacentral.com/2010/03/bend-cable-purchases-kbnz
  3. ↑ KBNZ Upgrades to Better Serve Central Oregon Viewers! KBNZ, 2011-08-31.
  4. ↑ Spencer, Malia (May 2, 2014). "BendBroadband sells to Chicago cable firm for $261M". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  5. ↑ RabbitEars TV Query for KBNZ
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