KDRC-LD
A low-power religious television station serving Redding, California, on channel 26.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KDRC-LD is a low-power television station serving Redding, California, and the surrounding North State market. The station broadcasts on digital channel 26 and is owned by theDove Media, Inc., a Medford, Oregon-based Christian media organization. Its current identity is centered on theDove TV's religious and family-oriented programming, although the station has operated under several different network affiliations and ownership arrangements since its launch. The station originated as KGEC-LP in the late 1990s under Cooper Communications, LLC. Fresno businessman George E. Cooper and his wife, Millie Cooper, established the company in 1993 after relocating to the Redding area. KGEC signed on in late October 1997 and joined the America One network in January 1998. The affiliation continued until 2000, when America One programming moved to another low-power station in the market. During this early period, the station also experimented with local sports coverage, including a one-season presentation of Golden State Warriors basketball in 1999. On July 1, 2000, KGEC-LP affiliated with FamilyNet, a faith-based and family-oriented network. The station promoted itself as FamilyTV 26, emphasizing programming intended to provide a family-friendly alternative to larger commercial broadcasters. Local programming was also attempted. Northstate Sports Replay, produced by Action Video Entertainment of Mount Shasta and hosted by Mike Summers and colleagues, covered local sporting events in 2002. Another local religious program, Pray Northstate, was initially carried by the station before later moving to KCVU Fox 20 in Chico. The station's founding chief executive, George Cooper, died in February 2005 after a prolonged illness. His widow, Millie Cooper, subsequently became the principal owner and chief executive. In March 2011, the station received a digital license for channel 26 and began operating multiple virtual channels. Its lineup included Retro TV, Tuff TV, The Family Channel, and NASA Television, with Jewelry Television also carried during overnight periods on some subchannels. FamilyNet programming ended in January 2010, after which the station became a full-time Retro TV affiliate. One of the digital subchannels later shifted from Tuff TV to The Action Channel, while another eventually went dark. A 2011 sale placed the station under a different ownership group, but the operation reportedly functioned largely as a Retro TV repeater and lost money. Millie Cooper-Brogan bought the station back in 2014, returning it to the Cooper Communications banner while seeking a longer-term ownership solution. She resumed the roles of owner, president, and general manager. Chief engineer Jim McKeown served the station until his death in January 2021. The station entered its current phase in 2021. On May 21, 2021, it became an affiliate of theDove TV, a Christian network based in Medford, Oregon. The affiliation expanded theDove's presence in the Redding area alongside other repeater facilities. TheDove Media completed its purchase of the station in February 2022, subject to the applicable regulatory process. The call sign changed from KGEC-LD to KDRC-LD on June 11, 2022. As of January 2024, the station's second subchannel carried Newsmax2, while the primary service continued to be associated with theDove's religious television operation.
History
KDRC-LD traces its origins to Cooper Communications, LLC, a company established in 1993 by George E. Cooper and his wife, Millie Cooper, after their move to the Redding area. The station first operated as KGEC-LP, taking its call letters from George Cooper's initials. It began broadcasting in late October 1997 as a low-power station serving Redding and nearby communities. Its first network affiliation was with America One, which began on January 14, 1998. That relationship ended in 2000 when the network's programming moved to KMCA-LP. The station also briefly broadened its local sports profile by carrying Golden State Warriors NBA basketball during the 1999 season, although that effort lasted only one season. On July 1, 2000, KGEC-LP joined FamilyNet, a faith-based network emphasizing family-oriented programming. The station used the promotional identity FamilyTV 26 during this period. The affiliation reflected the station's continuing focus on religious and family-friendly content, while also giving it a more consistent network schedule. The station tried additional locally oriented programming in the early 2000s. Northstate Sports Replay presented local sporting events produced by Action Video Entertainment of Mount Shasta, later associated with Siskiyou Broadcast Group, and was hosted by Mike Summers and staff. The weekly program ran for one season. KGEC also carried Pray Northstate, hosted by Jim Wilson, before that program moved to KCVU Fox 20 in Chico. George Cooper died on February 17, 2005, following a long battle with cancer. Millie Cooper, who had been the station's president and was his widow, assumed the primary ownership and chief executive responsibilities. The station remained a locally connected independent operation for much of this period, despite its reliance on outside network programming. FamilyNet programming ended on January 4, 2010. KGEC-LP then became a full-time affiliate of Retro TV, a service built around classic television series. In March 2011, the station received a digital license for channel 26 and began using four virtual channels. The documented initial digital lineup included Retro TV on 26.1, Tuff TV on 26.2, The Family Channel on 26.3, and NASA Television on 26.4. Jewelry Television was also carried during overnight hours on several of the services until 2020. The second subchannel later changed from Tuff TV to The Action Channel, and the fourth channel eventually ceased broadcasting. The station was sold to another group in 2011. According to the station's historical account, the new operator largely used it as a Retro TV repeater, an arrangement that caused the station to lose money. Millie Cooper-Brogan reacquired the facility in 2014, restoring it to the Cooper Communications banner while looking for a future owner. She again served as owner, president, and general manager. Jim McKeown was the station's chief engineer until his death in January 2021. A major strategic change came in 2021. On May 21, KGEC-LD formally became an affiliate of theDove TV, a religious network based in Medford, Oregon, and owned by theDove Media, LLC. The station joined other Redding-area facilities used to distribute theDove's programming. TheDove provided its full schedule to the station, while a possible ownership transfer proceeded through the relevant regulatory process. TheDove Media completed its acquisition of the station in February 2022. On June 11 of the same year, the call sign changed from KGEC-LD to KDRC-LD. The new call sign marked the station's transition from the Cooper-era KGEC identity to its present place within theDove Media operation. By January 2024, digital subchannel 26.2 was carrying Newsmax2. KDRC-LD remains an active low-power television service focused on religious, family-oriented, and syndicated digital programming for the Redding market.
- 2024
Newsmax2 appears on subchannel 26.2
[1]The station's second digital subchannel was reported as carrying Newsmax2 as of January.
- 2022
Acquisition by theDove Media and call-sign change
[1]theDove Media acquired the station in February, and the call sign changed to KDRC-LD on June 11.
- 2021
theDove TV affiliation begins
[1]KGEC-LD became an affiliate of theDove TV on May 21.
- 2014
Station reacquired by Millie Cooper-Brogan
[1]Millie Cooper-Brogan bought the station back after a prior ownership arrangement reportedly resulted in losses.
- 2011
Digital license and multiplex launch
[1]The station received its digital license on channel 26 and introduced multiple virtual subchannels.
- 2010
Retro TV affiliation begins
[1]The station ended its FamilyNet relationship and became a full-time Retro TV affiliate.
- 2005
George Cooper dies
[1]Following George Cooper's death, Millie Cooper assumed primary ownership and chief executive responsibilities.
- 2000
FamilyNet affiliation begins
[1]The station joined FamilyNet and promoted itself as FamilyTV 26.
- 1999
Golden State Warriors broadcasts introduced
[1]The station began local coverage of Golden State Warriors basketball for one season.
- 1998
America One affiliation begins
[1]KGEC-LP became an America One affiliate.
Products and positioning
A local low-power religious and family-oriented television station serving the Redding and North State California market.
Low-power television broadcasting · 1997
KDRC-LD channel 26
The station's primary broadcast service for Redding, California, and surrounding parts of the North State. Its programming has historically combined religious, family-oriented, classic syndicated, and digital-network content. The current station identity is associated with theDove TV.
Religious television network · 2021
theDove TV affiliation
TheDove TV supplies the station's principal religious and family-oriented network programming. The affiliation began in 2021 and continued after theDove Media acquisition.
Digital television subchannel · 2024
Newsmax2 on 26.2
A digital subchannel carried by KDRC-LD's multiplex. It was reported as airing Newsmax2 as of January 2024.
Brand decisions
2022
Sale to theDove MediaM&ABackground
The station's network affiliation created a path toward a change in ownership.
Action taken
theDove Media completed the acquisition in February 2022.
Aftermath
The station became part of theDove Media group and changed its call sign to KDRC-LD in June.
2021
Join theDove TV networkStrategyBackground
The station pursued a new religious-network relationship with theDove TV, based in Medford, Oregon.
Action taken
KGEC-LD became an official theDove TV affiliate on May 21.
Aftermath
The affiliation preceded theDove Media's acquisition of the station and aligned its programming more closely with the network.
2014
Reacquisition by Millie Cooper-BroganM&ABackground
After a 2011 sale, the station reportedly operated mainly as a Retro TV repeater and lost money.
Action taken
Millie Cooper-Brogan bought the station back and returned it to the Cooper Communications banner.
Aftermath
Cooper-Brogan resumed leadership while seeking a future ownership solution.
2011
Launch digital multiplexProduct launchBackground
The station received a digital license for channel 26 and expanded beyond a single analog-style service.
Action taken
It introduced four virtual channels carrying Retro TV, Tuff TV, The Family Channel, and NASA Television.
Aftermath
The lineup later changed, including the replacement of Tuff TV by The Action Channel and the eventual closure of channel 26.4.
2010
Move from FamilyNet to Retro TVStrategyBackground
Changes in FamilyNet's ownership, management, and programming led the station to end its relationship with the network.
Action taken
The station became a full-time Retro TV affiliate.
Aftermath
The station emphasized classic television programming while continuing its family-friendly positioning.
2000
Adopt FamilyNet and FamilyTV 26 identityStrategyBackground
The station sought a consistent faith-based and family-oriented programming identity after its America One affiliation ended.
Action taken
KGEC-LP affiliated with FamilyNet and promoted itself as FamilyTV 26.
Aftermath
The affiliation continued until January 2010, when the station moved to Retro TV.
Sources2 sources
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