KECY-TV
KECY-TV is a commercial television station licensed to El Centro, California, serving the Yuma–El Centro market through Fox, MyNetworkTV, ABC and The CW Plus programming.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KECY-TV is a commercial television station licensed to El Centro, California, and serving the combined Yuma, Arizona–El Centro, California market. The station broadcasts on digital channel 9 and is owned by the privately held News-Press & Gazette Company (NPG). Its principal studios are in downtown Yuma, while it maintains an advertising sales office in El Centro and transmits from the Chocolate Mountains. KECY operates as part of a cluster of stations serving the region, alongside low-power Telemundo affiliate KESE-LD. Through a separate shared-services arrangement, NPG also provides operational services to KYMA-DT, the market's dual CBS/NBC affiliate. The station originated in a long-running construction-permit process. The Federal Communications Commission and Mexico agreed in 1962 to add VHF channels 7 and 9 to the El Centro allocation, creating the possibility of the Imperial Valley's first local VHF television service. Tele-Broadcasters of California initially sought channel 7 but amended its application to channel 9 to avoid a conflict with a competing application. The permit faced opposition from Yuma station KIVA, which argued that the market could not support another television outlet. After the challenge was rejected and upheld on appeal, the station eventually received authorization to begin programming and signed on December 11, 1968, as KECC-TV, an ABC affiliate. Ownership and affiliations changed repeatedly during the station's first decades. United Broadcasting acquired the permit before launch and later became involved in an FCC licensing controversy concerning alleged improper dealings related to network affiliation. Although owner Richard Eaton was cleared of bribery charges, an administrative law judge found that his conduct had fallen below expected licensee standards and recommended that the station be sold. The ownership dispute delayed several proposed transactions. In 1981, Esquire acquired the station through Pacific Media Corporation, increased its transmission power, and changed the call sign to KECY-TV. The station returned to ABC in 1982, then switched to CBS in 1985. It moved to Fox in 1994 after disagreements between its owner and CBS, and added UPN as a secondary service in 1995. NPG became involved through a local marketing and time-brokerage arrangement in 1997, reuniting KECY with Palm Springs station KESQ-TV under common operational control. NPG ultimately purchased KECY and KDFX-CA in 2008. During this period KECY expanded its digital portfolio: ABC returned to the market as a full-time digital subchannel in 2007, MyNetworkTV was added as a secondary service in 2006, and The CW moved to a KECY subchannel in 2010. The station began high-definition broadcasting in 2009 and later upgraded its digital subchannels as transmission capacity and equipment improved. KECY also rebuilt a local news operation after the earlier CBS-era newsroom had closed. In 2012 it launched high-definition local newscasts for the Fox service, the ABC digital subchannel and sister Telemundo outlet KESE. The Fox service carries a weeknight 9 p.m. newscast, while the ABC service has evening broadcasts. The operation uses shared resources with other NPG stations and incorporates weather material from a sister station in El Paso. In 2014, an agreement between NPG and Blackhawk Broadcasting brought the region's major network affiliates into a resource-sharing structure, with KSWT and KYMA relocating to KECY's Yuma facility. KECY therefore functions both as a local television brand and as a central technical and production hub within the market.
History
The FCC's 1962 agreement with Mexico added channels 7 and 9 to El Centro's allocation. Tele-Broadcasters of California amended its proposed channel 7 application to channel 9, and the FCC approved the competing applications in 1963. Construction was delayed by a challenge from Yuma station KIVA, which argued that the market could not support another local station. The challenge ultimately failed, but repeated permit extensions postponed the launch. United Broadcasting acquired the project in 1966. In 1968, the FCC authorized a transmitter move to Black Mountain and a power increase intended to cover both Imperial Valley and Yuma viewers. KECC-TV received program-operation authority in December and began broadcasting on December 11, 1968, as an ABC affiliate. The station became involved in a broader FCC inquiry into alleged improper network-affiliation practices associated with United Broadcasting owner Richard Eaton. Eaton was cleared of bribery allegations in 1974, but an administrative law judge criticized his conduct and recommended a sale. Several proposed transfers were delayed or dismissed while the licensing matter remained unresolved. Esquire acquired the station in 1981 through Pacific Media Corporation. The new ownership increased power, changed the call sign to KECY-TV, and returned the station to ABC in 1982. KECY switched to CBS in 1985 and was sold to Katherine and Robinson Everett in 1989. In 1994, KECY moved from CBS to Fox. It later added UPN, then MyNetworkTV, as secondary programming services. A local marketing agreement in 1997 placed operational control with Growth Cities Broadcasting, which transferred the arrangement to NPG. NPG purchased KECY and KDFX-CA in 2008, formalizing its role in the market. Digital expansion followed. ABC returned through KECY-DT2 in 2007, high-definition transmission began in 2009, and The CW moved onto a KECY digital subchannel in 2010. In 2012, NPG relaunched local news for KECY and KESE, including a Fox 9 p.m. broadcast and ABC evening newscasts. A 2014 resource-sharing agreement with Blackhawk Broadcasting brought KSWT and KYMA operations into the KECY facility. Subsequent technical upgrades improved the picture quality of the ABC, CW and Telemundo services, with the CW feed eventually reaching 720p high definition.
- 2014
Resource-sharing agreement expands operations
[1]NPG and Blackhawk Broadcasting established an arrangement that moved KSWT and KYMA operations into KECY's Yuma facility.
- 2012
Local news operation relaunched
[1]NPG introduced high-definition local news broadcasts for KECY's Fox and ABC services and for KESE.
- 2009
High-definition broadcasting begins
[1]KECY became the first station in the market to begin broadcasting in high definition.
- 2008
NPG purchase completed
[1]News-Press & Gazette completed its acquisition of KECY and KDFX-CA after regulatory approval.
- 2007
ABC digital service launched
[1]ABC returned to the market through a full-time KECY digital subchannel.
- 1994
Fox affiliation begins
[1]KECY switched from CBS to Fox in September.
- 1981
KECY-TV call sign adopted
[1]Pacific Media Corporation changed the call sign from KECC-TV to KECY-TV and increased transmission power.
- 1968
Station begins broadcasting
[1]KECC-TV signed on as an ABC affiliate on December 11.
- 1963
Construction permit approved
[1]The FCC approved the channel 9 application that became the KECY predecessor station.
- 1962
VHF channels allocated to El Centro
[1]An FCC agreement with Mexico added channels 7 and 9 to the El Centro allocation, enabling a local VHF television service.
Products and positioning
A regional broadcast outlet combining a Fox primary affiliation with ABC, The CW Plus and MyNetworkTV digital or secondary services, supported by locally produced news and shared operations within the Yuma–El Centro television market.
Broadcast television · 1968
KECY-TV Fox service
The station's primary service carries Fox network programming, including prime-time entertainment and sports, together with a weeknight local 9 p.m. newscast. It also has carried MyNetworkTV programming in designated late-evening periods.
Digital multicast television · 2007
KECY-DT2 ABC service
The second digital service restored a full-time ABC affiliation to the Yuma–El Centro market in 2007. It carries ABC network programming and its own branded evening local news broadcasts.
Digital multicast television · 2010
KECY-DT3 The CW Plus service
The CW service moved to KECY in 2010 and is distributed as a digital multicast offering for the regional market. Its over-the-air picture was later upgraded to 720p high definition.
News broadcasting · 2012
Local news operation
KECY's rebuilt newsroom produces local broadcasts for the Fox and ABC services and supports regional coverage alongside sister stations. The operation was launched in high definition and shares selected resources, including weather material, with other NPG outlets.
Controversies
1971
FCC inquiry into alleged affiliation-related improper conduct
KECC-TV was among United Broadcasting stations named in an FCC hearing order after allegations that owner Richard Eaton had used a consultancy arrangement involving an ABC employee in connection with network-affiliation efforts. Eaton was cleared of bribery charges in 1974, although an administrative law judge criticized his conduct and recommended that the station be sold.
Brand decisions
2014
Market-wide resource sharingStrategyBackground
NPG and Blackhawk Broadcasting operated stations serving the same regional television market.
Action taken
The companies established a resource-sharing arrangement, with NPG handling substantial operational functions and relocating KSWT and KYMA to KECY's facility.
Aftermath
KECY became a central operating location for several major-network affiliates in the Yuma–El Centro market.
2012
Re-establishment of local newsStrategyBackground
KECY's earlier news department had ended during its CBS era.
Action taken
NPG created a new high-definition news operation serving KECY and sister station KESE.
Aftermath
The Fox service gained a local 9 p.m. newscast and the ABC service gained separate evening broadcasts.
2007
Launch of full-time ABC digital subchannelProduct launchBackground
The market had relied partly on out-of-market ABC signals carried by cable providers.
Action taken
KECY launched ABC programming on a new digital subchannel and associated cable distribution.
Aftermath
ABC regained a dedicated local-market service through the KECY platform.
1994
Switch from CBS to FoxStrategyBackground
Station owner Robinson Everett had disagreements with CBS, including over plans involving a full-power station in the Coachella Valley.
Action taken
KECY announced and implemented a move to Fox, while the CBS affiliation moved to KSWT.
Aftermath
KECY became the market's Fox affiliate and retained that primary network role.
Sources2 sources
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