KCYU-LD


KCYU-LD, virtual channel 41, is a low-powered dual Fox/Telemundo-affiliated television station licensed to Yakima, Washington, United States. The station is owned by Atlanta-based Cox Media Group. KCYU-LD's studios are located on West Lincoln Avenue in Yakima, and its transmitter is located on Ahtanum Ridge.
Although considered a separate station in its own right, KCYU-LD is a semi-satellite of Pendleton, Oregon-licensed KFFX-TV, which serves the Tri-Cities area. KCYU-LD simulcasts all Fox network and syndicated programming as provided through its parent, and the two stations share a website. However, KCYU-LD airs separate legal identifications and commercial inserts. KFFX-TV serves the eastern half of the Tri-Cities/Yakima market while KCYU-LD serves the western portion. Master control and some internal operations of KCYU-LD are based at KFFX-TV's studios on Clearwater Avenue in Kennewick. On satellite, KCYU-LD is only available on Dish Network, while DirecTV carries KFFX-TV instead.

History

Fox programming first came to Yakima on October 1, 1989, when K53CY channel 53 signed on as a semi-satellite of Spokane's KAYU-TV; it aired most of KAYU's programming, with inserts for local commercials. Subsequently, a construction permit for a new low-power station on channel 68 in Yakima was issued on April 1, 1993 and given the call sign K68EB; this facility signed on a month later. Despite the different call sign, K68EB was still called "KCY" outside of Federal Communications Commission-required station identifications.
Original owner Salmon River Communications sold K68EB, along with KAYU-TV, KBWU-LP in the Tri-Cities, and KMVU in Medford, Oregon, to Northwest Broadcasting in 1995. The call letters were changed to KCYU-LP on November 20, 1995. KCYU-LP remained a semi-satellite of KAYU until January 1999, when it became a semi-satellite of the new KFFX-TV. The station remained on channel 68 until 2003, when KCYU-LP moved to channel 41. On December 15, 2008, KCYU-LP ended analog broadcasting and converted to a high definition digital signal; in reflection of this conversion, the call letters were modified to the current KCYU-LD on July 8, 2009.
In February 2019, Reuters reported that Apollo Global Management had agreed to acquire the entirety of Brian Brady's television portfolio, which it intends to merge with Cox Media Group and stations spun off from Nexstar Media Group's purchase of Tribune Broadcasting, once the purchases are approved by the FCC. In March 2019 filings with the FCC, Apollo confirmed that its newly-formed broadcasting group, Terrier Media, would acquire Northwest Broadcasting, with Brian Brady holding an unspecified minority interest in Terrier. In June 2019, it was announced that Terrier Media would instead operate as Cox Media Group, as Apollo had reached a deal to also acquire Cox's radio and advertising businesses. The transaction was completed on December 17.

Digital channels

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:
ChannelVideoAspectPSIP short nameProgramming
41.1720pKFFX-HDMain KCYU-LD programming / Fox
41.2720pTelmundTelemundo
41.3480iIONIon Television

On April 21, 2009, KCYU-LD began airing This TV on its digital subcarrier. This TV is also carried on Charter Cable channel 292.

Translators

KCYU-LD is rebroadcast on a translator.
Outside of the Fox network schedule, syndicated programming on KCYU-LD includes 2 Broke Girls, Two and a Half Men, Judge Mathis and Modern Family, among others. KCYU also airs a nightly newscast, Fox First at Ten. The newscast is produced weeknights by KNDU; on weekends, the station carries the 10 p.m. newscast from Spokane sister station KAYU-TV. The station also carries KAYU's KHQ-produced Good Day on weekday mornings.