KMVU-DT
  | |
| Medford/Klamath Falls, Oregon United States | |
|---|---|
| Branding | Fox 26 |
| Channels |
Digital: 26 (UHF) Virtual: 26 (PSIP) |
| Subchannels |
26.1 Fox 26.2 MeTV 26.3 Ion Television |
| Translators | (See article) |
| Affiliations | Fox |
| Owner |
Northwest Broadcasting (Broadcasting Licenses, L.P.) |
| First air date | August 8, 1994 |
| Call letters' meaning |
Medford VU (View) -or- Medford Rogue Valley UHF |
| Sister station(s) |
KFBI-LD KMCW-LP |
| Former channel number(s) |
Analog: 26 (UHF, 1994–2009) Digital: 27 (UHF, until 2009) |
| Transmitter power | 16.2 kW |
| Height | 441 m (1,447 ft) |
| Facility ID | 32958 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 42°17′53.4″N 122°44′57.1″W / 42.298167°N 122.749194°W |
| Licensing authority | FCC |
| Public license information: |
Profile CDBS |
| Website | www.fox26medford.com |
KMVU-DT, virtual and UHF digital channel 26, is a Fox-affiliated television station licensed to Medford, Oregon, United States. The station is owned by Northwest Broadcasting and is a sister station to low-powered MyNetworkTV affiliate KFBI-LD (channel 48) and low-powered Sonlife Broadcasting Network affiliate KMCW-LD (channel 14). The three stations share studios on Crater Lake Avenue in Medford; KMVU's transmitter is located atop Mount Baldy, near Phoenix.
History
The station was founded in 1994 by Bob and June Sheehan. The station's start-up was founded by Salmon River Communications under a leased management agreement between the Sheehans and Salmon River's CEO, Robert J. Hamaker. KMVU signed-on August 8, 1994. Prior to the station's sign on, Medford residents could only receive Fox programming via the national Foxnet service. Hamaker appointed Peter Rogers as the station's original General Manager in July 1994 after the transfer of control of the station from the Sheehans to Salmon River was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Rogers came from KRON-TV, San Francisco's then-NBC affiliate, where he had established his credentials in television station programming, operations, production, and administration. Rogers managed KMVU from 1994 to 2004. Salmon River sold the station to Northwest Broadcasting in 1998.
Digital television
Digital channels
The station's digital signal is multiplexed:
| Channel | Video | Aspect | PSIP Short Name | Programming[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26.1 | 720p | 16:9 | KMVU-HD | Main KMVU programming / Fox |
| 26.2 | 480i | 4:3 | KMVU-SD | MeTV[2] |
| 26.3 | ION | Ion Television | ||
Analog-to-digital conversion
KMVU shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 26, on February 17, 2009, the original target date in which full-power television stations in the United States were to transition from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate (which was later pushed back to June 12, 2009). The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 27 to channel 26.[3][4][5]
News operation
In 2006, the station began broadcasting Fox 26 First at Ten, a 10 o'clock local news program produced by KMVU competitor KOBI-TV. The newscast is currently anchored by Jennifer Elliott, with meteorologist Adam Colpack handling weather.
On January 10, 2011, KMVU launched a new morning news program called Fox 26 Morning News Live at Seven. The newscast is currently anchored by Bianca Peters, Taelor Rian, and meteorologist Jeff Heaton.
Only a 10 p.m. newscast is produced and aired on the weekends. It is anchored by Kyle Aevermann and weather forecaster Matt Jordan.
Translators
KMVU-DT is rebroadcast on the following translator stations:
- K31GP-D Channel 31 Brookings
- K32LQ-D Channel 32 Yreka, California
- K44DZ Channel 44 Klamath Falls
- K44JB-D Channel 44 Grants Pass (Digital)
Cable and satellite carriage disputes
Northland Cable TV (2007–2008)
On May 6, 2007, KMVU was replaced by Chico, California Fox affiliate KCVU-TV on Northland Cable Television channel 13 in both Mt. Shasta and Yreka, California. This was after KMVU and Northland could not agree to remain on the cable system. Northland also carries KCVU's sister station KRVU-LD My 21 on cable channel 2. Northland was blocked from airing Fox Network programming as a result.
On May 14, 2008, the FCC issued two Notices of Apparent Liability and Forfeitures to Northland. These were a result of failing to provide thirty days notice to KMVU and cable customers that KMVU would be moved to a different channel and dropped eventually. The two NALs totaled $40,000. According to standard procedure, Northland had thirty days to either pay the fine or ask for a reduction or cancellation.[6]
In November 2008, KMVU won the contract dispute with Northland Cable. KMVU returned to its previous channel on both Mt. Shasta and Yreka, forcing KCVU to be removed.
DirecTV (2010–2012)
KMVU underwent a carriage dispute with DirecTV, similar to a dispute between Dish Network and KDRV.[7] This dispute threatened to blackout the 2010–2011 NFC Championship Game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears on January 23, 2011. The 2011 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLV were also at risk for blackouts. The dispute was temporarily resolved.[8][9]
However, on August 13, 2012, DirecTV dropped KMVU from its service and line-up. This prompted station owner Northwest Broadcasting to issue a statement regarding the issue.[10] As a result, KMVU has started airing promos asking viewers to find other alternatives to watch their station to make their feelings known about the controversy.
On October 25, 2012, KMVU returned to DirecTV.
Spectrum (2018–ongoing)
On February 9, 2018, KMVU owners Northwest Broadcasting and Spectrum cable failed to reach an agreement resolution in a contract renewal dispute thus forcing the station, its sister stations KFBI and KMCW, and its subchannels to be pulled off the air. Both sides are blaming the other for the dispute with no resolution happening as of July 2018.[11] [12]
References
- ↑ RabbitEars TV Query for KMVU
- ↑ Where to Watch Me-TV: KMVU
- ↑ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
- ↑ CDBS Print
- ↑ Digital delay bill awaits Obama's signature; But most local network affiliates planned to make the switch on the initial Feb. 17 date if possible, Greg Stiles, Mail Tribune, February 5, 2009.
- ↑ "NAL" (PDF). FCC. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
- ↑ "DIRECTV Press Release". Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ↑ Stiles, Greg (20 January 2011). "DirecTV rejects Northwest Broadcasting's offer". Mail Tribune.
- ↑ "DISH Network, KDRV-12 settle dispute". Mail Tribune. 1 January 2011.
- ↑ "DirecTV Dropping FOX 26". Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ↑ "A Message from Brian Brady, President and CEO Northwest Broadcasting". Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- ↑ "Let Northwest Broadcasting Know You Want Them to Return Your Programming". Retrieved June 28, 2018.