KRCR-TV NewsChannel 7 (formerly known as "Channel 7R") is an ABC affiliated television station in California, USA, that serves the northern Sacramento Valley, including the towns ofRedding and Chico. Its studios are located in Redding, where the station is licensed. Its transmitter is located atop Shasta Bally. The station broadcasts all of the well-known news and entertainment programs offered by ABC, but also has several of its own programs, including local news programs at 5:00, 5:30, 6:30 and 11:00 on weekdays and 6:00 and 11:00 on weekends.
| |
| KRCR: Redding/Chico, California
KAEF: Arcata/Eureka, California | |
|---|---|
| Branding | KRCR Channel 7
KAEF Channel 23(general) KRCR NewsChannel 7(newscasts) |
| Slogan | Accurate, Reliable
Severe Weather First Start Here |
| Channels | Digital: |
| Subchannels | 7.1 ABC
7.2 MeTV |
| Translators | (see article) |
| Affiliations | ABC |
| Owner | Bonten Media Group, LLC
(BlueStone License Holdings, Inc.) |
| First air date | KRCR-TV: August 1, 1956
KAEF-TV: August 1, 1987 |
| Call letters' meaning | 'KRCR-TV:'ReddingChico Red Bluff
'KAEF-TV:'ArcataEureka Fortuna |
| Former callsigns | KRCR-TV: KVIP-TV (1956-1963)
KAEF-TV: KREQ (1987-1989) |
| Former channel number(s) | Analog:
KRCR-TV: 7 (VHF, 1956-2009) KAEF-TV: 23 (UHF, 1987-2009) Digital KRCR-TV: 34 (UHF, 2003-2009) |
| Former affiliations | Primary: |
| Transmitter power | KRCR-TV: 25 kW
KAEF-TV: 45 kW |
| Height | KRCR-TV: 1103 m
KAEF-TV: 549.9 m |
| Facility ID | KRCR-TV: 8291
KAEF-TV: 8263 |
| Transmitter coordinates | KRCR-TV: |
| Website | www.krcrtv.com(KRCR-TV)
www.kaeftv.com(KAEF-TV) |
History[]
The station was founded in 1956 as KVIP-TV by William B. Smullin of California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc. (COBI), owners of KOBI in Medford, Oregon and KOTI Klamath Falls, Oregonas a primary NBC affiliate with a secondary ABC affiliation. The full ABC schedule was available by way of translators of Stockton's KOVR in Chico and Redding. Channel 7 became KRCR in 1963.
It suddenly flipped from a primary NBC affiliation to a full-time ABC affiliation in 1978, which in turn started the seven year process for building KCPM (now KNVN) shortly after. This was an unusual arrangement for a two-station market (especially one of Chico/Redding's size). A local ABC affiliate finally came to Northern California after 15 years of several unsuccessful attempts at ABC affiliates.
KRCR, KAEF, and KFWU (now KUNO) aired Fox full-time on off-network hours until 1994 whenKCVU switched to Fox and KBVU signed on.
It was purchased by Lamco Communications of Texas in 1995, KRCR was operated by California Broadcasting, Inc., run by general manager Bob Wise, until 2004, when the station was sold to current owners Bluestone Television. Then in December 2006, the station was sold (along with 12 other Bluestone stations) to Diamond Castle Holdings, a New York-based private equity firm.
The station also operates a semi-satellite in Eureka, KAEF-TV (channel 23). It operated a local cable-only WB affiliate KIWB, but that station was sold to rival Catamount Broadcastingfollowing the merger between the WB and UPN to form the new CW Network. KRVU was previously a UPN affiliate, but now is a My Network TV affiliate.
KRCR was one of very few ABC affiliates that broadcast on channel 7, but didn't use any kind ofCircle 7 logo. However, that changed when it debuted its new set and its new logo on April 11, 2006.
Under COBI ownership, KRCR's logo was an interstate highway sign, with the name "7R", matching its sister stations. The "7R" was adopted due to TV Guide's reference to KRCR in text (non-bulleted) listings to differentiate it from KGO-TV San Francisco (both stations were listed in the Central California edition).
KRCR is now the dominant station in Northern California, being by far the most watched and most profitable station in Northern California.
KAEF-TV[]
KAEF is a satellite station of KRCR, broadcasting primarily in Humboldt County, California. KAEF channel 23 broadcasts ABC programming and top syndicated programming. The local KAEF facility is located at 540 E St. in Eureka.
KAEF began broadcasting in 1987 under the call sign KREQ. Prior to 1987, ABC programming was available off-hours under secondary affiliation with KIEM and KVIQ. Later, KRCR was broadcast over the local cable provider. However, those residing in the coastal areas were unable to receive KRCR’s analog signal, thus necessitating the satellite station. In 1989, Channel 23 adopted the call letters K-A-E-F, (for Arcata, Eureka, Fortuna) and coastal residents of Humboldt County were able to receive off-air ABC programming.
KAEF shares some much of the same programming as KRCR, although KAEF does not currently offer a local news program nor does it simulcast news from KRCR. Review KAEF programming at [Titan TV].[1] KAEF airs local commercials and, with access to KRCR’s advanced weather technology, provides local weather updates throughout the day, and a weather brief each night at 11pm. KAEF’s traffic and broadcast functions are provided by KRCR.
Past ownership[]
- California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc. (William B. Smullin, Founder) (1956–1995)
- Sacramento Valley Television, Inc. (operators) (?-1990)
- Lamco Communications (owners) & California Broadcasting, Inc. (operators) (1995–2005)
- Bluestone Television (2005–2006)
- Bonten Media Group, LLC (Bluestone License Holdings, Inc.)(current)
News/station presentation[]
Newscast titles[]
- Newsbeat Northstate/Newsfinal North Coast
- 7R News (1970s–?)
- Northstate News (?–1995)
- NewsChannel 7 (1995–2006)
- KRCR NewsChannel 7 (2006–present)
Station slogans[]
- Your Local News Leader (1995–2006)
- Your Local News Station (2006–2008)
- Accurate, Reliable (2008–2011; news slogan)
- First With Severe Weather (2008; weather slogan)
- Severe Weather First (2009–present; weather slogan)
- Getting the Facts Right (2011–present; news slogan)
On-air[]
Current[]
Anchors/Reporters
- Jennifer Scarborough - 5 and 5:30 p.m. weekdays (News Director, currently on maternity leave)
- Mike Mangas - 5, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. weekdays (Also a reporter)
- Tim Mapes - 6:30 and 11 p.m. weeknights
- Kelli Saam - 11 p.m. weeknights (Also a Chico reporter)
- Eric Naktin - Sports Director (Wed-Sun)
- Jacki Ochoa - Reporter
- Amaka Ubaka - Reporter
- Boris Sanchez - Reporter (takes turns with Tracey Leong on weekends)
- Tracey Leong - Reporter (takes turns with Boris Sanchez on weekends)
Weather
- Chief Meteorologist Mike Krueger - 5, 5:30, 6:30, and 11 p.m. weekdays and evenings (AMS/NWA)
- (AMS) Chita Johnson - Daybreak and Good Morning America cut-ins
- (AMS) Rob Elvington - 6 and 11 p.m. weekends
Notable former staff[]
- Cristina Mendonsa- General Assignment Reporter (Now at KXTV in Sacramento)
- Marcey Brightwell- Anchor/ Reporter (Now at KXTV in Sacramento as a Political Reporter)
- Cal Hunter - News Director/Anchor (now of KBLF Radio in Red Bluff)
- Mark Eubank - Meteorologist
- Kurtis Ming - Anchor/Reporter (Now Consumer/Investigative Reporter at KOVR in Sacramento)
- Jane Yamamoto- Anchor/ Reporter (Now at KTTV in Los Angeles)
- Rich Eisen (now of NFL Network, formerly of ESPN)
- Craig Padilla - Chief Creative Services Editor and Production Manager (Now full-time self-employed professional musician & video editor)
- Katy Brown - News Reporter/Weather Anchor (Now sports director at KATU in Portland, Oregon)
- Royal Courtain - Sports Anchor (formerly of KHSL-TV; Now with Charter Media in Chico)
- David Owens - Sports Reporter/Anchor (worked briefly with Action Video Entertainment of Mt. Shasta, recently at KTAL-TV in Shreveport, Louisiana)
Digital television[]
The station's digital channels are multiplexed:
KRCR:
Digital channels
| Channel | Programming |
|---|---|
| 7.1 | main KRCR-HD/ABC programming |
| 7.2 | MeTV |
KAEF:
Digital channels
| Channel | Programming |
|---|---|
| 23.1 | main KAEF-HD/ABC programming |
| 23.2 | MeTV |
Analog-to-digital conversion[]
After the analog television shutdown scheduled for June 12, 2009,[2] KRCR-TV moved back to channel 7.[3]
KAEF is currently broadcasting in HD and continues as a partial repeater of KRCR. It is now available on Suddenlink Cable in Eureka.
KRCR still does not broadcast local newscasts in HD but should be within the next year or two, making it the first station in the Chico/Redding market to do so.
Cable systems[]
HD:
| Cable Provider | Area | 7.1 (ABC) | 7.2 (MeTV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comcast | Butte & Glenn Counties | 707 (HD) & 7 (SD) | TBA |
| Charter | Shasta & Tehama Counties | 787 (HD) & 7 (SD) | 287 |
| New Day Broadband | Eastern Shasta County/Trinity County/Quincy | 7 (SD) | |
| Windjammer (via Dish) | Eastern Shasta County | 7 (SD) | |
| Northland | Siskiyou County | 107 (HD) & 7 (HD) | TBA |
| CalNeva Broadband | Chester & Lake Almanor | 7 (SD) | |
| Suddenlink | Humboldt County (KAEF) | 107(HD) & 7 (SD) | TBA |
KRCR will soon carry its HD signal to every cable/satellite company in the Northstate and on the coast by year's end. KRCR and area cable companies Comcast and Charter have had numerous contract disputes and the rural cable companies have been incapable of carrying broadcast HD signals.
Dish Network began broadcasting Chico/Redding HD locals on May 6, 2009, meaning smaller cable systems in the area will pick up HD feeds. No date has been announced by DirecTv on when they will be launching Chico/Redding HD locals. Additionally, Comcast began broadcasting HD to Chico on May 13, 2009. Comcast is also interested in taking over the Redding cable system owned by Charter, who is also interested in selling the Alturas system to Windjammer. However, the Charter emerged from bankruptcy and the Comcast deal fell through so Charter still owns both systems.
New Day Broadband is currently in the process of upgrading to digital cable, so HD may be offered later on. On the other hand, CalNeva Broadband in Chester is currently digital, but no HD of any sort is currently available. The company also acquired the cable system in Quincy from Quincy Community TV Association (Wave Broadband), but it carries channels from Sacramento and Reno instead of Chico/Redding. As of 2011, no cable upgrades have been made.
Like many other HD channels on Charter Cable in Redding, KRCR-DT can be picked up on basic cable by connecting the cable directly into an HDTV with a built-in QAM tuner, channel 104.1. It can also be picked up the same way on Comcast Cable in Chico, corresponding directly to the over the air number.
On June 3, 2010, DISH Network began offering Eureka channels to residents in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.[4] DirecTV will bring HD locals to Chico, Redding, and Eureka by the end of 2011.
Translators[]
KRCR is rebroadcast on the following translator stations:
|
|
KAEF translators:
The Weaverville translators serve nearly all of Trinity County with the use of one translator per station.
The fate of the Mt. Shasta and Yreka translators are unknown, but if they go digital, they will each serve a major portion of Siskiyou County, and the others will shut down.
Burney's translators are going digital, and will serve a large portion of eastern Shasta County.
KRCR is operating a digital fill-in translator on their pre-transition channel 34 for residents in Redding and the surrounding areas that have difficulty receiving their VHF signal on channel 7.[5]
Possible merger[]
There is a chance all of KAEF's translators could switch to KRCR because it (KRCR) is in the process of increasing its power to 25 kW or more which could be just enough to power the translators on the North Coast with a fair to good signal. Along with that, KAEF is (and has been) slowly becoming a full-time repeater of KRCR, and the cost of just upgrading KAEF to high definition with its own programming and commercial inserts would be substantial, and sourcing everything from KRCR would significantly reduce costs.
What Makes News Channel 7?[]
In the fall of 1995, Continental Cablevision of Mt. Shasta (now part of Northland Cable Television) filmed, produced and broadcast a 30-minute documentary special called "What Makes News Channel 7?" as part of its news magazine series In Focus: Siskiyou Magazine. It took a look behind the scenes of what went on at the station and mainly focused on the news team, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at how a newscast is done as well as interviews with key personalities such as Mike Mangas, Rich Eisen, Sandra Geist, Warren Wright, Gary Gunter and Katy Brown. The program aired on Mt. Shasta cable channel 3 in the winter and spring of 1996 and starting showing on YouTube and MySpace in February 2010.[6][7][8] It will soon be rebroadcast to the Mt. Shasta cable airwaves again on MCTV 15 sometime in 2010.
References[]
- ^http://www.titantv.com/programming/channel.aspx/callsign/KAEFDT/channel/22/major/22/minor/1/sid/5549/pid/2095/cid/5549/network/ABC/pt/2/hd/1/lid/fdcbdcc2-ced9-46f0-a30a-804b8060caa8/date/20100225/
- ^ http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-138A2.pdf
- ^ CDBS Print
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=KRCR-TV#10002
- ^ In Focus: Siskiyou Magazine Show #4: "What Makes News Channel 7?" - Part 1
- ^ In Focus: Siskiyou Magazine Show #4: "What Makes News Channel 7?" - Part 2
- ^ In Focus: Siskiyou Magazine Show #4: "What Makes News Channel 7?" - Part 3