KBFX-CD
A low-power Class A Fox-affiliated television station serving Bakersfield, California.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KBFX-CD is a low-power, Class A television station serving Bakersfield, California, and the surrounding market. The station carries programming from the Fox network and is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which also owns CBS affiliate KBAK-TV. KBFX and KBAK operate as sister stations and share studios on Westwind Drive west of downtown Bakersfield. KBFX's transmitter is located on Breckenridge Mountain, and its programming is also distributed in high definition through KBAK's second digital subchannel. The station began broadcasting on November 1, 1990, under the call sign K58DJ. At that stage it functioned as a low-power relay translator for KMPH, the Fox affiliate based in Fresno. The station adopted the call sign KMPH-LP in 1995. During the late 1990s, Fox sought a distinct affiliate serving the Bakersfield market rather than relying solely on the Fresno station's relay arrangement. In response, channel 58 was relaunched in 1998 as KBFX-LP, creating a dedicated Fox-branded outlet for local viewers. One of the station's early distinguishing features was a 10 p.m. local newscast produced by KBAK. Branded Fox 58 News @ 10, the program became sufficiently successful that KBAK's then-owner, Westwind Communications, acquired the station from KMPH's owner, Pappas Telecasting, in 2005. The transaction strengthened the operational relationship between the two Bakersfield stations and established the ownership structure that later continued under other corporate owners. Westwind announced the sale of KBAK and KBFX-CA to Fisher Communications in August 2007, with the transaction closing on January 1, 2008. During the Fisher period, KBFX expanded its local distribution and technical capabilities. Bright House Networks announced in February 2010 that it would carry KBFX in Tehachapi on cable channel 6. The station's analog service ended in August 2010 as part of the transition to digital broadcasting. KBFX began airing its local news in high definition in January 2011. Sinclair Broadcast Group announced its planned acquisition of Fisher Communications in April 2013, and the transaction was completed on August 8, 2013. Later that year, Sinclair completed the sale of several Titan TV Broadcast Group stations, including KMPH. This reunited KBFX with the Fresno Fox station with which it had historically been associated. KBFX has remained a Fox affiliate throughout its history, making it the only Bakersfield television station identified in the reference material as having never changed network affiliation. KBFX's role is primarily that of a local broadcast outlet: it distributes Fox network programming, carries locally produced news, and provides a Bakersfield-focused over-the-air and multichannel service. Its digital distribution has included a direct signal and carriage through KBAK's digital infrastructure. The station has also carried programming on digital subchannels, including an American Sports Network affiliation on KBAK's 29.2 subchannel beginning in 2014. Its public-facing online presence is associated with BakersfieldNow.com.
History
KBFX-CD began service on November 1, 1990, as K58DJ, a low-power translator relaying programming from KMPH in Fresno. Because Bakersfield did not initially have a fully separate Fox outlet under the channel's later identity, the station's first role was to extend KMPH's service into the Bakersfield area. In 1995, the station changed its call sign to KMPH-LP. Fox later sought a distinct affiliate for the Bakersfield market. Channel 58 was therefore relaunched in 1998 as KBFX-LP. The new operation combined Fox network programming with a local news presence, including a 10 p.m. newscast produced by KBAK-TV. The program, Fox 58 News @ 10, became an important part of the station's identity and helped establish a durable operating relationship with KBAK. In 2005, Westwind Communications, then the owner of KBAK, acquired KBFX from Pappas Telecasting, the owner associated with KMPH. The acquisition placed the two Bakersfield stations under common ownership. Westwind subsequently announced the sale of both KBAK and KBFX-CA to Fisher Communications on August 6, 2007. The transaction closed on January 1, 2008, making Fisher the station's owner. The station's distribution expanded during the following period. In February 2010, Bright House Networks announced that KBFX would be carried in Tehachapi on cable channel 6. KBFX's analog signal was shut down in August 2010 as part of the transition to digital television. In January 2011, its local news broadcasts began airing in high definition, marking a significant technical upgrade for its local service. Fisher Communications announced on April 11, 2013, that it would be acquired by Sinclair Broadcast Group. The acquisition received the necessary regulatory approval and closed on August 8, 2013. In October of the same year, Sinclair announced the completion of a transaction involving four stations owned by Titan TV Broadcast Group, including KMPH. This restored a corporate relationship between KBFX and the Fresno Fox station with which it had been linked during its early translator years. KBFX now operates as a Sinclair-owned Fox affiliate in the Bakersfield market. It shares studio facilities on Westwind Drive west of downtown Bakersfield with KBAK, while its transmitter is located atop Breckenridge Mountain. In addition to its own digital signal, KBFX has been carried in high definition on KBAK's second digital subchannel. The station has also used digital subchannel capacity for additional programming; the reference material identifies its 29.2 subchannel as an initial American Sports Network affiliate, with the first broadcast on August 30, 2014. Throughout the history described in the reference material, KBFX has retained its Fox affiliation.
- 2014
American Sports Network subchannel launch
[1]The station's 29.2 digital subchannel begins carrying American Sports Network programming.
- 2013
Sinclair acquisition
[1]Sinclair Broadcast Group completes its purchase of Fisher Communications and takes ownership of KBFX.
- 2011
Local news converted to high definition
[1]The station begins broadcasting its local news in high definition.
- 2010
Analog transmission ends
[1]KBFX ends its analog signal as its service transitions to digital broadcasting.
- 2008
Fisher ownership begins
[1]Fisher Communications completes its acquisition of KBAK and KBFX.
- 2005
Acquisition by Westwind Communications
[1]Westwind Communications, owner of KBAK, acquires KBFX from Pappas Telecasting.
- 1998
Relaunch as KBFX-LP
[1]Channel 58 becomes a separate Fox affiliate serving Bakersfield.
- 1995
Call sign changes to KMPH-LP
[1]The station adopts the KMPH-LP designation while continuing its low-power service.
- 1990
Initial sign-on as K58DJ
[1]The station begins broadcasting as a low-power translator relaying KMPH programming into the Bakersfield area.
Products and positioning
Local television broadcasting
Broadcast television · 1998
Fox network programming
KBFX distributes Fox network programming to viewers in the Bakersfield television market. The station has retained its Fox affiliation since its 1998 relaunch as a separate Bakersfield outlet, making network programming the central component of its broadcast identity.
Local news
Fox 58 News @ 10
Fox 58 News @ 10 was a locally oriented late-evening newscast produced by KBAK. It became one of the early distinguishing features of KBFX and contributed to the decision by KBAK's owner to acquire the station in 2005.
Digital broadcasting · 2010
KBFX digital television service
KBFX's digital service includes its own digital signal and high-definition simulcast distribution through KBAK's second digital subchannel. The station's digital infrastructure replaced its former analog transmission and has also supported additional programming services.
Brand decisions
2011
Upgrade local news to high definitionGeneration changeBackground
Local television production was moving toward high-definition presentation.
Action taken
KBFX began airing its local news in high definition.
Aftermath
The change improved the technical presentation of the station's local programming.
2010
Transition from analog to digital transmissionGeneration changeBackground
The station's analog service was discontinued during the United States digital television transition.
Action taken
KBFX ended its analog signal and continued its service through digital transmission.
Aftermath
The station developed a digital distribution model that included its own signal and high-definition carriage through KBAK's second digital subchannel.
1998
Create a dedicated Bakersfield Fox affiliateStrategyBackground
Fox sought a separate affiliate for the Bakersfield market rather than relying on the earlier translator arrangement associated with KMPH in Fresno.
Action taken
Channel 58 was relaunched as KBFX-LP with Fox programming and a locally oriented news offering.
Aftermath
The relaunch established KBFX as a distinct Bakersfield station and began its continuous Fox affiliation.
Recent events
- 2013
Sinclair completes Fisher Communications acquisition[1]
M&A
Sinclair Broadcast Group completes its acquisition of Fisher Communications, bringing KBFX under Sinclair ownership.
- 2013
KMPH returns to the same corporate station group[1]
M&A
Sinclair's completion of its Titan TV station transaction reunites KBFX with KMPH, its former Fresno-associated station and a fellow Fox affiliate.
- 2011
KBFX local news moves to high definition[1]
Product generation
The station begins presenting its local news programming in high definition.
- 2010
KBFX expands cable carriage to Tehachapi[1]
Other
Bright House Networks announces carriage of KBFX in Tehachapi on cable channel 6.
- 2008
Fisher Communications completes KBAK and KBFX acquisition[1]
M&A
Fisher Communications completes its purchase of KBAK and KBFX from Westwind Communications.
- 2005
Westwind Communications acquires KBFX[1]
M&A
KBAK owner Westwind Communications purchases the station from Pappas Telecasting, following the success of the KBAK-produced 10 p.m. newscast.
- 1998
KBFX launches as a separate Bakersfield Fox affiliate[1]
Product launch
Channel 58 is relaunched as KBFX-LP to provide a distinct Fox affiliate for the Bakersfield market.
- 1995
Channel 58 adopts KMPH-LP call sign[1]
Other
The low-power station changes its call letters from K58DJ to KMPH-LP.
- 1990
KBFX begins as K58DJ relay translator[1]
Other
The station signs on as K58DJ, a low-power relay translator for Fresno Fox affiliate KMPH.
Sources2 sources
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