KFBI-LD

KFBI-LD is a low-power television station serving Medford, Oregon, and the surrounding southern Oregon market. The station broadcasts on digital channel 48 and is associated with three distinct programming brands: Heroes & Icons, MyNetworkTV, and Telemundo. Its Telemundo service is carried on digital subchannel 48.2, while the station's principal programming has included MyNetworkTV and Heroes & Icons content. KFBI is also connected operationally and commercially with Fox affiliate KMVU-DT, channel 26, under common ownership by Marquee Broadcasting. The station began broadcasting on July 3, 2006, after being established by Sainte Partners II, L.P., the broadcasting company controlled by Chester Smith. Its creation was intended to add a Sainte-owned operation to the Medford market. KFBI entered service shortly before the formal launch of MyNetworkTV and initially used the network's branding and imaging during the transition period. This approach allowed the station to begin operations without developing a separate temporary identity. Its early technical and administrative operations were based largely out of Sainte's Chico, California, facilities, which also supported other stations and Spanish-language services. Local sales activity was conducted from Medford, and Peter Rogers, a former KMVU general manager, became KFBI's first full-time general manager. KFBI's ownership history reflects the consolidation and restructuring of the American local television industry. In 2007, KFBI and sister station KMCW-LP were put up for sale, although no transaction resulted at that time. In 2012, Sainte Television Group entered into a local marketing arrangement with Bonten Media Group, but KFBI and KMCW were not included in the related station package. The stations were subsequently sold to Northwest Broadcasting, the owner of KMVU-DT, in 2013. Following that transaction, KFBI added Telemundo programming to digital subchannel 48.2 while continuing to support Telemundo distribution associated with KMCW-LP. KMCW's license was later canceled in 2016. Northwest Broadcasting became part of a larger ownership transition in 2019. Apollo Global Management arranged to acquire the portfolio and initially planned to combine it with other broadcast assets. The resulting operating structure ultimately became Cox Media Group, and the transaction closed in December 2019. In 2022, Cox Media Group announced the sale of KFBI-LD, KMVU-DT, and other stations to Imagicomm Communications, an affiliate associated with the owner of the INSP cable network. That transaction was completed on August 1, 2022. Marquee Broadcasting announced its purchase of KFBI-LD and KMVU-DT from Imagicomm in January 2025, and the sale closed on May 1, 2025. KFBI's service footprint has also been extended through distribution arrangements. The station became available on Charter Communications cable systems in Medford and Klamath Falls in September 2006 and was later carried on Dish Network. Its transmitter is located near Phoenix, Oregon, atop Mount Baldy, and the station has operated a translator serving Klamath Falls. As a local broadcast outlet, KFBI's value is primarily tied to its over-the-air signal, network affiliations, local carriage, and relationship with KMVU-DT rather than to a separately marketed national consumer-product business.

KFBI-LD was established in 2006 by Sainte Partners II, L.P., the broadcasting company associated with Chester Smith. The station was created to bring a Sainte-owned outlet into the Medford, Oregon, television market. It began broadcasting on July 3, 2006, approximately one month before MyNetworkTV's official debut. KFBI used MyNetworkTV's launch-era visual identity from the beginning, avoiding the expense of creating a short-lived interim brand. Its initial operations were supported from Sainte's facilities in Chico, California, while local sales offices operated in Medford. Peter Rogers, previously associated with KMVU, became its first full-time general manager. KFBI and sister station KMCW-LP were offered for sale in 2007, but the proposed sale did not produce a buyer. In 2012, Sainte Television Group entered into a local marketing agreement with Bonten Media Group. KFBI and KMCW were not part of the station package involved in that arrangement, and the two stations remained under Sainte control until their later sale. In July 2013, Northwest Broadcasting acquired KFBI and KMCW from Sainte. Northwest already owned Medford Fox affiliate KMVU-DT, creating a closer operating relationship between the stations. After the acquisition, KFBI replaced This TV with Telemundo on digital subchannel 48.2. Telemundo was also associated with KMCW-LP, allowing the service to be distributed through both outlets for a period. KMCW's license was canceled on March 17, 2016. The next major change came through broadcast-industry consolidation. In 2019, Apollo Global Management pursued the acquisition of Brian Brady's television portfolio, including Northwest Broadcasting. Apollo initially proposed combining those assets with Cox Media Group and stations connected to the Nexstar-Tribune transaction. The resulting broadcast group adopted the Cox Media Group name after Apollo also acquired Cox's radio and advertising operations. The transaction closed on December 17, 2019, placing KFBI within the expanded Cox television portfolio. On March 29, 2022, Cox Media Group announced that it would sell KFBI-LD, KMVU-DT, and 16 other stations to Imagicomm Communications, an affiliate of the parent company of the INSP cable channel. The reported portfolio consideration was $488 million, and the acquisition was completed on August 1, 2022. Imagicomm later announced plans to sell a number of its stations, leading to a further ownership change. On January 16, 2025, Marquee Broadcasting announced that it would purchase KFBI-LD and KMVU-DT from Imagicomm Medford, LLC. The transaction closed on May 1, 2025, making Marquee the station's current owner. KFBI broadcasts from a transmitter located atop Mount Baldy near Phoenix, Oregon. Its service has included a translator serving Klamath Falls, and the station has obtained multichannel distribution through cable and satellite systems. Charter Communications added KFBI to local cable channel 3 in Medford and Klamath Falls in September 2006. Dish Network later carried the station on channels 48 and 7648. Today, KFBI functions as a local low-power television operation whose principal value comes from its network affiliations, subchannel programming, advertising reach, and coordination with KMVU-DT.

• 2025

  Marquee Broadcasting becomes owner

  [1]KFBI-LDen.wikipedia.org

  Marquee Broadcasting completed its acquisition of KFBI-LD and KMVU-DT on May 1, 2025.

• 2022

  Imagicomm acquisition completed

  [1]KFBI-LDen.wikipedia.org

  Imagicomm Communications completed its purchase of KFBI-LD and KMVU-DT on August 1, 2022.

• 2019

  Northwest Broadcasting joins expanded Cox Media Group

  [1]KFBI-LDen.wikipedia.org

  Apollo's acquisition of Northwest Broadcasting closed on December 17, 2019, placing KFBI within Cox Media Group's expanded television portfolio.

• 2016

  KMCW-LP license canceled

  [1]KFBI-LDen.wikipedia.org

  The license of sister station KMCW-LP was canceled on March 17, 2016.

• 2013

  Northwest Broadcasting acquisition

  [1]KFBI-LDen.wikipedia.org

  Northwest Broadcasting acquired KFBI and KMCW-LP from Sainte, linking KFBI more closely with KMVU-DT.

• 2013

  Telemundo added to digital subchannel 48.2

  [1]KFBI-LDen.wikipedia.org

  KFBI replaced This TV with Telemundo on its second digital channel.

• 2007

  Stations offered for sale

  [1]KFBI-LDen.wikipedia.org

  KFBI and sister station KMCW-LP were placed on the market, but the stations were not sold at that time.

• 2006

  KFBI-LD begins broadcasting

  [1]KFBI-LDen.wikipedia.org

  The station began transmitting on July 3, 2006, ahead of the formal launch of MyNetworkTV, and initially used the network's branding.

• 2006

  Initial cable distribution

  [1]KFBI-LDen.wikipedia.org

  Charter Communications added KFBI to channel 3 in Medford and Klamath Falls on September 5, 2006.

A locally distributed, low-power television station combining general-entertainment, classic-television, and Spanish-language network programming for the Medford-Klamath Falls market.

• Broadcast television station · 2006

  KFBI-LD channel 48

  KFBI-LD's primary over-the-air service is a low-power digital television signal serving Medford and nearby communities in southern Oregon. The station has carried MyNetworkTV and Heroes & Icons programming and operates alongside Fox affiliate KMVU-DT under common ownership. Its transmitter is located on Mount Baldy near Phoenix, Oregon.

• Spanish-language digital subchannel · 2013

  Telemundo 48.2

  Telemundo is carried by KFBI-LD on digital subchannel 48.2. The service expanded KFBI's programming mix beyond English-language general entertainment and provided Spanish-language network content to the Medford-area market. It replaced This TV on the subchannel after Northwest Broadcasting acquired the station.

• Television translator

  K26NB-D translator service

  K26NB-D is listed as a translator associated with KFBI's service, extending the station's reach toward Klamath Falls and surrounding communities. Translator operations complement cable, satellite, and direct over-the-air distribution in the wider market.

• 2025

  Sale from Imagicomm to Marquee BroadcastingM&A

  Background

  Imagicomm announced plans to sell a group of stations, including its Medford properties.

  Action taken

  Marquee Broadcasting agreed to purchase KFBI-LD and KMVU-DT from Imagicomm Medford, LLC.

  Aftermath

  The sale closed on May 1, 2025, making Marquee Broadcasting the current owner of KFBI-LD.

  Source

• 2022

  Sale from Cox Media Group to Imagicomm CommunicationsM&A

  Background

  Cox Media Group pursued a broader station divestiture that included KFBI-LD and KMVU-DT.

  Action taken

  Cox agreed to sell the two Medford stations and 16 other stations to Imagicomm Communications.

  Aftermath

  The transaction closed on August 1, 2022, transferring KFBI to Imagicomm.

  Reported portfolio purchase price. $488 million (Announced March 29, 2022; completed August 1, 2022)

  Source

• 2013

  Addition of Telemundo on digital subchannel 48.2Product launch

  Background

  Following Northwest Broadcasting's acquisition of KFBI and KMCW-LP, the owner reorganized the stations' programming distribution.

  Action taken

  KFBI replaced This TV with Telemundo on digital subchannel 48.2 while Telemundo also continued to be associated with KMCW-LP.

  Aftermath

  KFBI gained a Spanish-language network service in addition to its English-language network programming.

  Source

• 2006

  Launch with MyNetworkTV brandingProduct launch

  Background

  KFBI began broadcasting shortly before MyNetworkTV's official launch and needed an operating identity for the interim period.

  Action taken

  The station adopted MyNetworkTV's imaging and branding from its first broadcasts rather than developing a temporary standalone presentation.

  Aftermath

  KFBI entered the Medford market as a MyNetworkTV-affiliated low-power station and later broadened its programming mix.

  Source

1. 1KFBI-LDen.wikipedia.org