KYUU-LD

KYUU-LD is a low-power broadcast television station serving Boise, Idaho, and surrounding communities. The station operates as a CW Plus affiliate and is associated with KBOI-TV, Boise’s CBS affiliate. Both stations are owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and share studio facilities on North 16th Street in downtown Boise. KYUU-LD’s transmitter is located at the summit of the Bogus Basin ski area in unincorporated Boise County, giving the station a broadcast footprint across the Boise market. The station began broadcasting on November 10, 1993, under the call sign K66EV. It initially transmitted an analog signal on UHF channel 66. Over the following years, the station changed call signs, channel assignments, and network affiliations as its ownership and programming arrangements evolved. By the mid-2000s it was operating as K35GE and later KUNB-LP on channel 35, carrying programming associated with Telefutura, the Spanish-language network now known as UniMás. Although the station was at one point listed as a Univision affiliate, available station history indicates that it never actually carried Univision programming as an affiliate. In December 2008, the station stopped carrying its previous Spanish-language network programming and began simulcasting sister station KBCI-TV, which later returned to the KBOI-TV name. That arrangement continued until July 2009, when the station joined the Retro Television Network. The KYUU-LP call letters were assigned in June 2009. In September 2011, KYUU-LP became Boise’s CW affiliate, while its former Retro TV programming moved to a digital subchannel of ABC affiliate KIVI-TV. This change established the station’s principal role in the market as a provider of CW network programming and related syndicated content. Around 2012, KYUU-LP ended its analog transmission and began digital broadcasting on physical channel 28 while retaining virtual channel 35. The station’s programming was subsequently distributed both through its own digital signal and, in high definition, through a simulcast on KBOI-TV’s second digital subchannel. This arrangement enables the CW service to reach viewers through both a low-power over-the-air signal and a digital subchannel of a full-power sister station. Fisher Communications announced in April 2013 that it would sell its broadcast properties, including KYUU-LD, to Sinclair Broadcast Group. The transaction closed on August 8, 2013. Under Sinclair ownership, KYUU-LD continued its relationship with KBOI-TV and The CW Plus. The station is best understood as a local television outlet and distribution platform rather than a standalone consumer brand: its public identity is tied to its call sign, CW affiliation, Boise coverage, over-the-air channel presence, and association with the Sinclair-owned KBOI operation.

KYUU-LD began broadcasting in Boise on November 10, 1993, as K66EV. The station used an analog UHF channel 66 signal and initially operated as a low-power outlet. Its identity changed several times as it moved through different call signs, channels, and programming affiliations. During the 2000s it operated as K35GE and subsequently KUNB-LP on channel 35. Its programming history included a Spanish-language affiliation with Telefutura, although historical listings that identified the station as a Univision affiliate appear to have been inaccurate because the station did not actually affiliate with Univision. In mid-December 2008, the station ended its prior Spanish-language network arrangement and began simulcasting KBCI-TV, the Boise CBS affiliate that later resumed the KBOI-TV name. The simulcast lasted until July 1, 2009, when the station joined the Retro Television Network. The KYUU-LP call sign was assigned on June 10, 2009, aligning the station’s call identity with its later role in Boise television. A major programming transition occurred on September 12, 2011, when KYUU-LP became Boise’s CW affiliate. Retro Television Network content was shifted to a digital subchannel operated by KIVI-TV. The change made KYUU-LP the market’s principal outlet for CW programming. Around 2012, the station shut down its analog service and began digital transmission on physical channel 28 while retaining virtual channel 35. The conversion reflected the broader transition of U.S. television broadcasting from analog to digital transmission. The station’s ownership changed soon afterward. Fisher Communications announced on April 11, 2013, that it would sell its television properties, including KYUU-LD, to Sinclair Broadcast Group. The acquisition closed on August 8, 2013. Sinclair subsequently operated KYUU-LD alongside KBOI-TV, with the two stations sharing downtown Boise studios. KYUU-LD’s transmitter is located at the Bogus Basin ski area summit in Boise County. In its current operating configuration, KYUU-LD carries The CW Plus and also has its programming simulcast in 720p high definition on KBOI-TV’s second digital subchannel. Its own digital signal and the KBOI-TV simulcast provide complementary distribution methods for viewers in the Boise area. The station’s role is therefore defined by local broadcast coverage, network affiliation, digital multicast distribution, and its operational relationship with the Sinclair-owned KBOI television group.

• 2013

  Sinclair acquisition closes

  [1]KYUU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  Sinclair Broadcast Group completed its acquisition of Fisher Communications properties, including KYUU-LD, on August 8, 2013.

• 2012

  Station transitions from analog to digital broadcasting

  [1]KYUU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  The station ended its analog operation and began digital broadcasting on physical channel 28 while continuing to use virtual channel 35.

• 2011

  KYUU-LP becomes Boise's CW affiliate

  [1]KYUU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  On September 12, 2011, KYUU-LP became the Boise market's CW affiliate, while Retro TV programming moved to a subchannel of KIVI-TV.

• 2009

  Station joins Retro Television Network

  [1]KYUU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  On July 1, 2009, the station ended its KBCI-TV simulcast and joined the Retro Television Network. The KYUU-LP call letters had been assigned on June 10.

• 2008

  Spanish-language affiliation ends and KBCI-TV simulcast begins

  [1]KYUU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  In mid-December 2008, the station ended its previous Telefutura-related programming arrangement and began simulcasting sister station KBCI-TV, later known as KBOI-TV.

• 1993

  Station signs on as K66EV

  [1]KYUU-LDen.wikipedia.org

  The low-power station began broadcasting on November 10, 1993, using the K66EV call sign and an analog UHF channel 66 signal.

A Boise-area low-power television station positioned as the local CW Plus outlet, with additional reach through a high-definition simulcast on sister station KBOI-TV.

• Broadcast television · 1993

  KYUU-LD over-the-air service

  KYUU-LD is the station's low-power digital terrestrial television service for Boise and surrounding areas. The station broadcasts using physical channel 28 and virtual channel 35. Its transmitter is located near the summit of Bogus Basin, supporting coverage across the Boise television market.

• Network-affiliated programming · 2011

  The CW Plus Boise service

  The station's principal programming service is The CW Plus, a package combining CW network programming with additional syndicated content for smaller and mid-sized television markets. KYUU-LD became Boise's CW outlet in 2011 and remains identified with that affiliation.

• Digital multicast television

  KBOI-TV digital subchannel simulcast

  KYUU-LD's programming is also distributed in 720p high definition on the second digital subchannel of sister station KBOI-TV. The simulcast supplements the station's own low-power signal and uses the shared Boise-area transmission infrastructure.

• 2013

  Acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast GroupM&A

  Background

  Fisher Communications announced a sale of its broadcast portfolio, including KYUU-LD, to Sinclair Broadcast Group.

  Action taken

  The transaction was completed on August 8, 2013, transferring ownership of KYUU-LD to Sinclair.

  Aftermath

  KYUU-LD continued operating alongside KBOI-TV under common ownership, with shared studios and coordinated digital distribution.

  Source

• 2012

  Conversion from analog to digital transmissionGeneration change

  Background

  The station's technical operation evolved during the transition away from analog television broadcasting.

  Action taken

  KYUU-LP ended its analog signal and began digital broadcasting on physical channel 28 while retaining virtual channel 35.

  Aftermath

  The station continued as a digital low-power broadcaster and gained an additional high-definition distribution path through KBOI-TV's second digital subchannel.

  Source

• 2011

  Switch to The CW affiliationStrategy

  Background

  The Boise station needed a new programming role after its period with Retro Television Network. The CW affiliation offered a contemporary network schedule and a clearer market position.

  Action taken

  KYUU-LP became Boise's CW affiliate on September 12, 2011, while Retro TV programming moved to a KIVI-TV digital subchannel.

  Aftermath

  The station established its enduring identity as a CW outlet and later operated under the KYUU-LD designation in the digital broadcasting environment.

  Source

1. 1KYUU-LDen.wikipedia.org
2. 2CW Plus Boise partner pageyourcwtv.com