KFSN-TV is the ABC owned and operated television station in Fresno, California. The station transmits its digital signal on UHF channel 30. The station's transmitter is located in Meadow Lakes, California.
| |
| Fresno, California | |
|---|---|
| Branding | ABC 30(general)ABC 30 Action News HD(newscasts) |
| Slogan | Live, Local, Latebreaking |
| Channels | Digital: 30 (UHF) |
| Subchannels | (see article) |
| Affiliations | ABC |
| Owner | Disney/ABC(KFSN Television, LLC) |
| First air date | May 10, 1956 |
| Call letters' meaning | FreSNo |
| Former callsigns | KFRE-TV (1956-1971) |
| Former channel number(s) | Analog:12 (VHF, 1956-1961)
30 (UHF, 1961-2009) Digital: 9 (VHF) |
| Former affiliations | CBS (1956-1985) |
| Transmitter power | 260 kW |
| Height | 625 m |
| Facility ID | 8620 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 37°4′37.4″N119°26′4.6″W |
| Website | www.abc30.com |
Its signal covers the Central San Joaquin Valley and the mountain ranges flanking either side, including the Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite National Park. The station serves Fresno,Madera, Merced, Mariposa, Tulare, and Kings counties.
History[]
In the 1950s, KARM-AM and KFRE-AM competed for the channel 12 license, the sole VHF TV allocation in Fresno. KFRE won the license, and the station known today as KFSN-TV signed on the air for the first time on May 10, 1956 on channel 12 as KFRE-TV, taking the CBSaffiliation from KJEO-TV (channel 47, now KGPE).
The KFRE stations were acquired by Triangle Publications in 1959, and on February 17, 1961, KFRE-TV reluctantly moved to UHF channel 30 to make Fresno an all-UHF market under orders from the Federal Communications Commission. The move came after Central Coast-area politicians pressured the FCC to move KFRE-TV in order to level the playing field. This move opened up channel 12 for an allocation in use by KCOY-TV in Santa Maria (Fresno is still a predominantly-UHF market to this day with all 12 full power analog signals operating on UHF channels; the exceptions are a few low-power and digital outlets).
Capital Cities Communications acquired the KFRE stations from Triangle in 1971; the company sold off the AM and FM radio stations and kept the TV station, changing its calls from KFRE-TV to KFSN-TV (The KFRE-TV calls are now used on Fresno's CW affiliate on channel 59; that station is unrelated to the current KFSN-TV). The station became an ABC owned-and-operated station in September 9, 1985 following ABC's merger with CapCities, and ABC's first UHF O&O; CBS returned to KJEO. The merged company had not originally intended to keep KFSN, but only did so because it was not allowed to keep WTNH (channel 8) in New Haven, Connecticut.
The station is one of three network owned television stations in the Fresno television market; the other two are Univision's KFTV (channel 21) and Telemundo's KNSO (channel 51). However, the latter station is managed by a third party via a time brokerage agreement.
With the sale of WTVG & WJRT-TV to SJL Broadcasting, KFSN is now the smallest station in the country that is an O&O of any major network, not counting semi-satellites (this includes WOGX in Ocala/Gainesville, Florida; which is a semi-satellite of WOFL in Orlando).
Digital programming[]
The station's digital signal is UHF 30, multiplexed:
| Channel | Programming |
|---|---|
| 30.1 | main KFSN-TV/ABC programming |
| 30.2 | Live Well Network HD |
| 30.3 | Live Well Network SD |
On April 27, 2009 the station added the Live Well Network to its digital subchannel, Channel 30.2.
Analog-to-digital conversion[]
KFSN-TV shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 30, on June 12, 2009 at noon, as part of the DTV transition in the United States. [1]The station had been broadcasting its pre-transition digital signal over VHF channel 9, but returned to channel 30 for its post-transition operations.[2]
News operation[]
The station's newscasts are not branded Eyewitness News, nor does it use the Eyewitness News music package, like several other ABC-owned stations. Instead, KFSN retains the Action News branding (ABC30 Action News,) along with sister stations WPVI (channel 6) in Philadelphia and WTVG (channel 13) in Toledo, Ohio. In 2003, the station began pooling resources with sister stations KABC-TV (channel 7) in Los Angeles and KGO-TV (channel 7) in San Francisco to hire a full time reporter and photographer to staff a Sacramento bureau followingArnold Schwarzenegger's election as Governor during the 2003 California recall election.
KFSN's newscasts have used the Action News name and format made famous at sister station WPVI since the 1970s. The station has led the news ratings in the San Joaquin Valley for more than 30 years. Its 5 PM newscast, "Live at Five," frequently attracts more viewers than all other local stations combined.
On April 23, 2007 starting with the 5 p.m. newscast, KFSN-TV became the sixth ABC owned-and-operated station to produce and broadcast their newscasts in High Definition following their sister stations KABC-TV, WPVI-TV, WABC-TV, WLS-TV and KGO-TV and update its branding to ABC 30 Action News HD.
Since 1994, KFSN has used the original version of 615 Music's "News One" music package, also used at the time by sister-station, KGO-TV.
KFSN has dominated the local news viewership ratings in the San Joaquin Valley for decades, dating back to its pre-ABC-merger years as a CBS affiliate.
News/station presentation[]
Newscast titles[]
- Newswire
- Channel 30 Action News (1970–1996)
- ABC-30 Action News (1996–present)
Station slogans[]
- The Best is Right Here on TV-30/Channel 30 is Easy on the Eyes (1973–1974; customized version of the CBS campaign)
- See the Best... Channel 30 (1974–1975; customized version of the CBS campaign)
- Catch the Brightest Stars on Channel 30 (1975–1976; customized version of the CBS campaign)
- Channel 30, We're the Hot Ones (1976-1977; customized version of the CBS campaign)
- There's Something's In The Air on Channel 30 (1977-1978; customized version of CBS campaign)
- TV-30 is Yours/Your Channel 30 (1977–1978)
- TV-30, Turn Us On, We'll Turn You On (1978-1979; customized version of the CBS campaign)
- We're Coming On 30 (1979; customized version of the CBS campaign)
- We're Looking Good, on TV-30 (1979-1980; customized version of the CBS campaign)
- Looking Good Together on Channel 30 (1980-1981; customized version of the CBS campaign)
- Reach for the Stars on Channel 30 (1981–1982; localized version of the CBS promotional slogan)
- Great Moments on TV-30 (1982–1983; customized version of the CBS campaign)
- We've Got the Touch, You and Channel 30 (1983–1984; customized version of the CBS campaign)
- 'You and Channel 30, We've Got the Touch (1984–1985; last localized version of CBS ad campaign before switching to ABC)
- The Valley's #1 Newscast (1986–1994)
- Stand Up and Tell'em Fresno's Great! (1985–1994; used during period station used Frank Gari's "Turn To News")
- You`ll Love It on Channel 30 (1985-1986; first localized version of ABC ad campaign)
- Together on Channel 30 (1986-1987; localized version of ABC ad campaign)
- Something`s Happening on Channel 30 (1987-1990; localized version of ABC ad campaign)
- Fresno's Watching Channel 30 (1990-1992; localized version of ABC ad campaign)
- If It`s Fresno, It Must Be Channel 30 (1992-1993; localized version of ABC ad campaign)
- Number One in Central California (1994–present)
- TV is Good, on ABC-30 (1997-1998; localized version of ABC ad campaign)
- We Love TV, on ABC-30 (1998-1999; localized version of ABC ad campaign)
- Live. Local. Latebreaking. (2000–present)
On-air staff[]
On-air staff[]
Current on-air staff []
Anchors
- Warren Armstrong - weeknights at 5:00, 6:00 and 11:00 p.m.
- Margot Kim - weeknights at 6:00, 6:30 and 11:00 p.m.
- Graciela Moreno - weekdays at 4:00 and 5:00p.m.
- Jason Oliveira - weekday mornings on Action News A.M. Live(4:30-7:00) and weekdays at 11:00 a.m.
- Vanessa Vasconcelos
- Dale Yurong - weeknights at 4 and 6:30 p.m.
ABC30 AccuWeather
- Kevin Musso (AMS and NWA Seals of Approval) Chief Meteorologist - weeknights at 5:00, 6:00 and 6:30 p.m.
- Nico Payne
- Christine Gregory - meteorologist; weekday mornings on Action News A.M. Live (4:30-7:00) and weekdays at 11:00 a.m.
Sports team
- Stephen Hicks - sports director; weeknights at 6:00 and 11:00 p.m.
- Alec Nolan - sports anchor; weekends at 6:00 and 11:00 p.m.; also sports reporter
Reporters
- Amanda Aguilar - reporter
- Gabe Ferris - City Hall and Courts reporter
- Nic Garcia - general assignment reporter
- Kassandra Gutierrez - South Valley reporter
- Jessica Harrington - reporter
- Elisa Navarro - reporter
- Kate Nemarich - reporter
- Tiffany Olin
- Ana Torrea - reporter
- Brianna Willis
- Vince Ybarra - general assignment reporter
Former on-air staff[]
- Chris Alvarez - sports anchor
- Andres Araiza - reporter
- Allison Ash - reporter (later at KGTV in San Diego)
- Mark Barash - sports anchor (now program director at WPXI in Pittsburgh)
- David Bataller - sports anchor
- Gerrick Brenner - reporter (later at WTVD in Raleigh, North Carolina)
- Tony Capozzi - legal and political consultant
- Victoria Campbell - reporter (later at KRNV in Reno, Nevada)
- Cindy Cesara - reporter
- Doug Collins - weather anchor
- Ruben Contreras - weather anchor
- Kevin Cox - morning anchor/reporter
- Laura Diaz - anchor (1981–1983; now at KTTV in Los Angeles)
- Joanne Feldman - weekend weather anchor/morning anchor/"HealthWatch" reporter (2000–2002; now at WAGA in Atlanta)
- Robin Fern - anchor
- Craig Fiegener - morning anchor/reporter (later at KNX in Los Angeles)
- Alyssa Flores - reporter
- Sid Garcia - morning anchor/reporter (now at KABC-TV in Los Angeles)
- Darla Givens - weekend weather anchor/reporter (1991–1996)
- Martha Guzman - reporter
- Craig Herrera - weather anchor (2002–2005; now at Fox Weather)
- Keith Garvin - reporter (now at KPRC in Houston)
- Dan Godwin - weekend anchor/reporter (1992–2000; now at KDFW in Dallas/Fort Worth)
- Lisa Gonzales - morning anchor/"HealthWatch" anchor (2002–2005; now at KCRA in Sacramento)
- Gene Haagenson - anchor/reporter
- Katie Hammer - North Valley bureau chief (2005–2007; later at KGO-TV in San Francisco)
- Liz Harrison - Anchor
- Corin Hoggard - court reporter
- Karen Humphrey – reporter (1970s; later Mayor of Fresno)
- Mariana Jacob - general assignment reporter
- Cory James - reporter
- Robb Johnson - traffic reporter (1997–2000)
- Matt Keller - anchor
- Susan Kennedy - reporter
- Anita Kissee - Saturday morning anchor/reporter (later at KATU in Portland, Oregon)
- John Thomas Kobos - reporter (now at KIII in Corpus Christi)
- Shelby Latino - weather anchor
- Karen Lee - reporter/substitute anchor (later with KARE in Minneapolis)
- Ellis Levinson - consumer affairs reporter
- Jason Martinez - morning and midday anchor/reporter (2003–2008; now at WTXF in Philadelphia)
- Deanna McQueen - South Valley bureau reporter, now works for Corpus Christi police department
- Brianna Melon - sports anchor
- Itica Milanes - Action News AM Live Weekend anchor/reporter (later at KGTV ABC in San Diego)
- Kate Mistol - weeknight anchor/reporter (1997–2001; later at KTBC in Austin)
- Richard Montaño - 6 and 11 PM weekend sportscaster (2000–2004)
- Rick Montanez - weeknight reporter; also fill-in anchor; now at KCBS/KCAL in Los Angeles
- Linda Mumma - general assignment reporter; also fill-in anchor
- Maureen Naylor - weekend evening anchor/reporter (2005–2008; later at KTVU in Oakland-San Francisco)
- Chris Nieto - weekend sports anchor (now at KJWL-FM)
- Kent Ninomiya - reporter (1990–1991)
- Lucy Noland - anchor/reporter (1993–1995; later at WTXF in Philadelphia)
- Ann Notarangelo - morning/weekend anchor/reporter (1996–2001; later at KPIX in San Francisco)
- Clint Olivier - reporter (2005–2007; later at KMPH)
- Nancy Osborne - anchor
- Christine Park - anchor
- Laurie Penco - reporter (2007–2008; has worked at all four Fresno TV stations: KSEE, KMPH, KFSN and KGPE)
- Jessica Peres - anchor/reporter
- Amanda Perez - anchor
- Don Postles - anchor (now at WIVB in Buffalo)
- Kevin Quinn - reporter (1997–2003; now at KTRK-TV in Houston)
- Lorena Rabago
- Al Radka - KFRE television personality (1956–1985)
- Eric Rasmussen - weekend morning anchor/reporter (2003–2006; was at WFTV in Orlando and at KTVU Fox in San Francisco-Oakland)
- Subha Ravindhran - reporter ..later at KABC in Los Angeles as reporter/anchor
- Gil Reyes - reporter (now at LA CityView 35 in Los Angeles)
- Kevin Riggs - anchor/reporter (1992–1994; later at KCRA/KQCA in Sacramento)
- Beth Rivera - reporter
- Tish Rivera - reporter
- Roger Rocka - anchor (currently owner of Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater in Fresno)
- Gaby Rodriguez - weekday morning traffic reporter
- Rich Rodriguez - weeknight anchor (1980–1985 and 1988–1999; later at KSEE in Fresno as weeknight anchor from 2001–2008, now atKMPH Fox, Fresno as weekend anchor and reporter.
- Sontaya Rose - investigative reporter
- Brianna Ruffalo - now at KABC in Los Angeles
- Nick Ryan - anchor
- Sara Sandrik - Anchor
- Carlos Saucedo - general assignment reporter (now at KTLA in Los Angeles)
- Angelo Stalis - weather anchor
- Debra Steele - midday anchor/educational reporter (2006–2007)
- Juanita Stevenson - morning and midday anchor/reporter (1984–2006; now at KJWL-FM in Fresno)
- Stephanie Stone - anchor/reporter
- Cindy Suryan - anchor/medical breakthroughs reporter (now at Community Hospitals of Central California and host of KSEE's "MedWatch")
- Ashlee Tate (DeMartino) - weather anchor/reporter (2005–2008; later at KTNV in Las Vegas)
- Dan Taylor - sports director (-2008; Dan Taylor left KFSN to pursue other interests; one of the longest running sportscasters in the Fresno airwaves)
- LeBaron Taylor - anchor
- Tommy Tran - sports anchor
- Rudy Treviño - midday and 5 PM anchor/reporter (1986–1999; now at KIII in Corpus Christi)
- Kate Valentine
- Amanda Venegas - weekday morning reporter; also fill-in anchor
- Alan Wang - reporter (later at KGO-TV in San Francisco)
- John Wallace - anchor/reporter (1975–1987; now Public Affairs Officer for the City of Fresno)
- Carl White - sportscaster
- Kim Yonenaka - reporter
Gallery[]
.jpg "KFSN (2021).jpg (89 KB)")
See also[]
- Circle 7 logo
References[]
- BroadcastPioneers.com: A History of the WFIL Stations - accessed on January 20, 2006