KRCR-TV
A Redding, California television station serving the Chico–Redding market as an ABC affiliate and, since 2025, a Fox affiliate through its second digital subchannel.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KRCR-TV is a full-power television station licensed to Redding, California, and serving the Chico–Redding designated market area. The station broadcasts on VHF channel 7 and operates under the News Channel 7 brand for its local news programming. Its principal network affiliation is ABC, while its second digital subchannel began carrying Fox programming in December 2025. KRCR is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and shares facilities and operational relationships with several other stations in Northern California. The station traces its origins to 1956, when William B. Smullin's California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc. established it as KVIP. At launch, the station was primarily affiliated with NBC and carried ABC programming secondarily. Its callsign became KVIP-TV in 1957 and changed to KRCR in 1963. During the 1960s, the station increasingly emphasized ABC programming, and in 1978 it became a full-time ABC affiliate. This change helped establish a local ABC presence in the Chico–Redding area after years in which viewers relied partly on distant stations and translators. KRCR has historically served a geographically broad and mountainous region. Its primary studios are on Auditorium Drive east of downtown Redding, and its transmitter is located on Shasta Bally west of the city. The station also operates KAEF-TV in Arcata as a semi-satellite serving the Eureka market. KAEF carries KRCR-supplied network programming while maintaining some separate syndicated programming, local newscasts, commercial inventory, and legal identifications. KRCR's facilities also support master-control and other internal functions for parts of the broader station group. The station's business includes local television news, weather, sports coverage, syndicated programming, network programming, advertising sales, digital video, and community-oriented reporting. Its news identity was refreshed as News Channel 7 after Lamco Communications acquired the station in 1995, and that branding remained associated with its newscasts. KRCR has also been connected operationally or commercially with KCVU, KXVU-LD, KRVU-LD, KZVU-LD, KUCO-LD, KKTF-LD, KAEF-TV, and other Northern California outlets. Ownership changed several times after the original California Oregon Broadcasting period. Lamco Communications purchased KRCR in 1995. The station was later sold to Bluestone Television and, in 2006, became part of a group acquired by Diamond Castle Holdings that subsequently operated as Bonten Media Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group announced an agreement to purchase the Bonten stations in 2017, and the transaction closed on September 1 of that year. Sinclair's related station holdings in the region include outlets associated with the Fox network and other multicast services. KRCR has experienced the technical and distribution changes that affected American local television. It ended analog broadcasting on VHF channel 7 on June 12, 2009, and continued digitally on VHF channel 7 after moving from its pre-transition UHF assignment. The station has carried several multicast networks, including Live Well Network, Movies!, and Comet. It has also faced retransmission-consent disputes with cable and satellite distributors, including Northland Communications and Dish Network. These disputes temporarily removed KRCR from some lineups but did not end the station's local broadcast operation. KRCR's current positioning is that of a regional local-news broadcaster: an ABC network outlet with a strong emphasis on news, weather, emergency information, community coverage, and service to dispersed Northern California communities. Its audience footprint extends beyond Redding itself through translators, cable carriage, digital distribution, and the related KAEF semi-satellite operation.
History
KRCR-TV began broadcasting in 1956 as KVIP, established by William B. Smullin's California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc., the company behind KOBI in Medford, Oregon, and KOTI in Klamath Falls. The station added the -TV suffix to its callsign in August 1957. It initially operated as a primary NBC affiliate with a secondary ABC relationship, reflecting the limited network options available in the developing Chico–Redding region. During the 1960s, the station shifted progressively toward ABC programming. By 1963, its schedule carried only selected NBC programs while much of the ABC schedule was emphasized. The station adopted the KRCR callsign in 1963. For a period, viewers could also receive ABC programming through translators relaying KOVR from Stockton. KRCR became a full-time ABC affiliate in 1978, a change that contributed to the eventual development of a stronger local network-station structure in the market. Under California Oregon Broadcasting, the station used branding derived from its channel number and the company's Interstate-shield visual identity. The 7R designation was associated with KRCR and helped distinguish it from San Francisco ABC station KGO-TV, whose Circle 7 branding could otherwise create confusion for viewers in areas where both signals were receivable. KRCR did not license ABC's Circle 7 logo for many years, but introduced a new set and related branding in April 2006, when digital television made virtual-channel distinctions more practical. From Fox's launch in 1986 until 1994, KRCR and related stations carried Fox programming during periods when it did not conflict with their primary network schedules. That arrangement ended after KCVU became the full-time Fox outlet and KBVU began serving Eureka. KRCR therefore remained principally identified with ABC while its sister-station relationships expanded across Northern California. Lamco Communications acquired KRCR in 1995 and introduced the News Channel 7 brand for the station's newscasts. The station was operated by California Broadcasting, Inc., with Bob Wise serving as general manager until 2004. KRCR was then sold to Bluestone Television. In December 2006, KRCR and twelve other Bluestone stations were sold to Diamond Castle Holdings, a New York private-equity firm. The station subsequently operated within Bonten Media Group. The station's regional structure included KAEF-TV in Arcata, which operates as a semi-satellite of KRCR for the Eureka market. KAEF clears KRCR-provided network programming but has separate elements including some syndicated programs, local news, commercial inserts, and station identifications. KRCR has also been associated with low-power and translator stations that extend service into communities across Northern California. A former Fort Bragg satellite, KFWU, was later sold and ultimately became KQSL. In December 2012, KRCR and KAEF assumed sales responsibilities for KCVU in Chico and KVIQ and KBVU in Eureka while maintaining separate station operations. Bonten announced in 2012 that KCVU and KBVU would be sold to Esteem Broadcasting, a transaction that aligned the region's ABC and Fox operations under related commercial structures. Sinclair Broadcast Group announced its purchase of the Bonten stations in April 2017. Sinclair's related Cunningham Broadcasting sidecar acquired the Esteem stations, and the transactions closed on September 1, 2017. KRCR expanded its digital multicast offerings over time. Live Well Network was added to a third digital subchannel in 2011, was replaced by Movies! in 2013, and was later replaced by Comet in 2022. The station completed the United States' mandatory analog shutdown on June 12, 2009, ending regular analog transmission on VHF channel 7. Its digital signal ultimately operated on VHF channel 7 after the transition. Distribution has periodically been affected by retransmission-consent disputes. Northland Communications, later associated with Vyve Broadband, removed KRCR from its Mount Shasta cable system in January 2012 after negotiations failed, replacing it with Medford ABC affiliate KDRV. The dispute was complicated by the Federal Communications Commission's market boundaries, which place Siskiyou County in the Medford market even though it is in California. KRCR returned to the Vyve lineup in 2021. Dish Network also temporarily dropped KRCR during disputes in December 2013 and January–February 2017. The station has documented former on-air staff including sports journalist Rich Eisen, meteorologist Mark Eubank, news anchor Sandra Maas, and journalist Kristen Welker. A 1995 documentary, What Makes News Channel 7?, examined KRCR's newsroom and production process and later received renewed online and cable exposure. As of the latest supplied reference material, KRCR remains an active Sinclair-owned ABC station with regional news operations and a Fox service on its second digital subchannel.
- 2025
Fox moves to KRCR's second subchannel
[1]The supplied reference reports that Fox programming moved from KCVU's main channel to KRCR-TV's second digital subchannel.
- 2022
Comet replaces Movies! on a multicast service
[1]The station's third digital subchannel changed from Movies! to Comet.
- 2017
Sinclair acquisition closes
[1]Sinclair completed its purchase of the Bonten stations, including KRCR, on September 1.
- 2011
Live Well Network added to a digital subchannel
[1]The station launched a third digital subchannel carrying Live Well Network programming.
- 2009
Analog broadcasting ends
[1]KRCR ended regular analog broadcasts on June 12 and continued digital service on VHF channel 7.
- 2006
Station group acquired by Diamond Castle Holdings
[1]KRCR was included in the sale of Bluestone stations to Diamond Castle Holdings and later operated under Bonten Media Group.
- 2004
Sale to Bluestone Television
[1]KRCR changed ownership from the Lamco-era operating structure to Bluestone Television.
- 1995
Lamco acquisition and News Channel 7 branding
[1]Lamco Communications acquired KRCR and introduced the News Channel 7 identity for its newscasts.
- 1986
Fox programming begins in off-network periods
[1]KRCR and related stations carried Fox programming outside their primary network schedule until the regional Fox affiliation was consolidated elsewhere.
- 1978
Full-time ABC affiliation
[1]KRCR dropped NBC and became a full-time ABC affiliate.
Products and positioning
Regional local television broadcaster and news brand serving Northern California
Local news service · 1995
News Channel 7
KRCR's principal local-news identity, introduced in 1995 after the Lamco acquisition. The service covers breaking news, regional politics, public safety, weather, sports, business, and community issues across the Redding and Chico area. Its reporting footprint is supported by the station's main Redding newsroom, regional facilities, digital publishing, translators, and its relationship with KAEF-TV in the Eureka market.
Network television broadcasting · 1978
KRCR-TV ABC service
KRCR's core broadcast service carries ABC network programming for the Chico–Redding market alongside locally produced news and advertising. The station became a full-time ABC affiliate in 1978 after operating for many years with both NBC and ABC commitments. Its terrestrial signal, translators, cable carriage, and digital distribution extend ABC service throughout a large and geographically challenging Northern California region.
Digital multicast television · 2025
KRCR-TV Fox service
According to the supplied reference material, KRCR's second digital subchannel began carrying Fox programming in December 2025 after the affiliation moved from KCVU's main channel. The service complements KRCR's ABC primary channel and places two major commercial networks within the same station's digital broadcast operation.
Semi-satellite television service
KAEF-TV
KAEF-TV is KRCR's semi-satellite in Arcata, serving the Eureka market. It clears network programming supplied through KRCR but maintains some separate syndicated programming, local newscasts, commercial inserts, and legal station identifications. KAEF has its own Eureka-area facilities, while master control and selected internal functions are based at KRCR's Redding operation.
Multicast network programming · 2022
Comet digital subchannel
Comet replaced Movies! on KRCR's third digital subchannel in September 2022. The multicast service expands the station's programming portfolio beyond its ABC network schedule and local productions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2006Digital-era station rebrand and studio refresh
Chico–Redding market
KRCR introduced a new set and related station branding while adopting the ABC Circle 7 logo after years of using its own 7R identity.
Outcome. The change reflected the ability of digital television virtual-channel information to distinguish KRCR from KGO-TV for viewers receiving both signals.
- 1995News Channel 7 rebrand
Redding · Chico–Redding market
Lamco Communications repositioned the station's local-news output under the News Channel 7 name after acquiring KRCR.
Outcome. The News Channel 7 identity remained associated with KRCR's newscasts.
- 1995What Makes News Channel 7?
Northern California · Mount Shasta cable area
A documentary produced for the In Focus: Siskiyou Magazine series examined KRCR's newsroom, newscast production, and on-air personalities.
Outcome. The program aired on local cable in 1995–1996 and was later rebroadcast and distributed online.
Brand decisions
2025
Transfer of Fox affiliation to KRCR subchannelStrategyBackground
The regional Fox affiliation had been associated with KCVU's main channel.
Action taken
The supplied reference states that Fox moved to KRCR's second digital subchannel, while KCVU's main channel switched to Roar.
Aftermath
KRCR's digital operation became a dual-network service carrying ABC on its primary channel and Fox on its second subchannel.
2017
Sinclair acquires Bonten stationsM&ABackground
Bonten Media Group placed KRCR and its other stations in a transaction with Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Action taken
Sinclair announced the acquisition in April and completed it on September 1. The supplied reference reports a transaction value of $240 million.
Aftermath
KRCR became part of Sinclair's Northern California station portfolio, alongside related outlets and operations.
Reported transaction value. $240 million transaction value (Announced April 21, 2017; completed September 1, 2017)
2011
Launch of a Live Well Network subchannelProduct launchBackground
Bonten Media Group pursued additional digital multicast affiliations for its stations.
Action taken
KRCR added Live Well Network to a newly created third digital subchannel.
Aftermath
The subchannel later changed to Movies! and then Comet.
2009
Digital television transitionGeneration changeBackground
United States full-power television stations were required to end regular analog broadcasting under the national digital-transition timetable.
Action taken
KRCR ended analog transmission on VHF channel 7 and continued with a digital signal that relocated to VHF channel 7.
Aftermath
The station continued terrestrial service in digital form and expanded its use of digital multicast channels.
1995
Lamco acquires KRCRM&ABackground
The station changed ownership after its period under California Oregon Broadcasting.
Action taken
Lamco Communications purchased KRCR and operated it through California Broadcasting, Inc.
Aftermath
The station adopted News Channel 7 branding and continued as an ABC affiliate.
1978
Move to full-time ABC programmingStrategyBackground
KRCR had operated with NBC as its primary affiliation and ABC as a secondary affiliation, while the region lacked a fully established local ABC outlet.
Action taken
The station dropped NBC and adopted a full-time ABC affiliation.
Aftermath
KRCR became the market's principal local ABC station and continued in that role for decades.
Sources2 sources
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