KBFD-DT
KBFD-DT, virtual channel 32 (UHF digital channel 33), is a Korean-language independent television station licensed to Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. The station is owned by Allen Broadcasting. KBFD's studios are located on Bishop Street in downtown Honolulu, and its transmitter is located near Hawaii Pacific University.
| Honolulu, Hawaii United States | |
|---|---|
| Slogan | Pioneer in Asian Programming Hawaii's Home for K-Drama |
| Channels | Digital: 33 (UHF) Virtual: 32 (PSIP) |
| Affiliations | 32.1: Independent 32.2: KBS World 32.3: Arirang |
| Owner | The Allen Broadcasting Corp. |
| Founded | 1984 |
| First air date | March 24, 1986 |
| Former call signs | KBFD (1984–2009) |
| Former channel number(s) | Analog: 32 (UHF, 1986–2009) |
| Transmitter power | 49.6 kW |
| Height | −36 m (−118 ft) |
| Facility ID | 65395 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 21°18′38″N 157°51′33″W |
| Licensing authority | FCC |
| Public license information | Profile CDBS |
| Website | www |
Unlike major network affiliates in the Hawaii market, KBFD does not operate any satellite stations or translators, nor is it available on DirecTV or Dish Network. It can only be received via cable outside the Honolulu-area reach of its main signal. KBFD is carried on Oceanic Spectrum basic channel 2 on Oahu, on digital channel 1004 statewide, and on Hawaiian Telcom channel 6 and digital channel 1006.
Overview
The station first signed on the air on March 24, 1986. KBFD-DT is one of two television stations in Hawaii that specializes in Asian programming full-time (alongside KIKU, channel 20). Although the station airs a variety programs from many Asian countries, most of the programs seen on KBFD are geared to a Korean audience as most of its lineup features programs acquired from the Korean Broadcasting System, the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, and SBS. Most of the programs on KBFD are also subtitled in English, due to a growing audience of non-Asian viewers interested in its music shows and drama series.
KBFD handles exclusive home video distribution of Korean shows and specials under the KBFDVD brand banner, which the station advertises on air and on their website. KBFD also carries programming from KBS World, the international program service from KBS (broadcasting as KBFD2) on digital subchannel 32.2, Arirang programming on digital subchannel 32.3, and operates the cable channel KLife, a Korean lifestyle programming service.
KBFD airs infomercials during the morning hours (from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. local time). KBFD is one of few television stations in the Honolulu market (and the United States as a whole) that continues to sign-off each night from 12:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. local time. Its sign-on and sign-off features the national anthems of both the United States and South Korea.
Digital television
Digital channels
The station's digital signal is multiplexed:
| Channel | Video | Aspect | PSIP Short Name | Programming[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32.1 | 480i | 4:3 | KBFD-D1 | Main KBFD-TV programming |
| 32.2 | KBFD-D2 | KBS World | ||
| 32.3 | KBFD-D3 | Arirang |
Analog-to-digital conversion
KBFD-TV discontinued regular programming on its analog signal over UHF channel 32 on January 15, 2009, the date in which full-power television stations in Hawaii transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 33,[2] using PSIP to display the station's virtual channel as its former UHF analog channel 32.
References
- RabbitEars TV Query for KBFD
- "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2012.