KZKC-LD
KZKC-LD is a low-power television station serving Bakersfield, California, primarily as a digital translator of ABC affiliate KERO-TV.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
KZKC-LD is a low-power television station licensed to serve Bakersfield, California, in the United States. The station operates on channel 28 and functions as a translator of KERO-TV, the Bakersfield ABC affiliate owned by the E. W. Scripps Company. Its transmission facilities are located on Breckenridge Mountain, while KERO-TV maintains its principal studios on 21st Street in downtown Bakersfield. The station's history reflects several changes in ownership and programming role. It was originally associated with Cocola Broadcasting and operated as a repeater for KMSG-LP, a Fresno-area station carrying Azteca América programming. In 2006, McGraw-Hill acquired the station and converted it into a stand-alone outlet rather than continuing its previous repeater arrangement. McGraw-Hill later announced a broad exit from the television business, including the proposed sale of KZKC-LP and its other television stations to the E. W. Scripps Company. That transaction closed on December 30, 2011, bringing the station into the Scripps broadcast group and aligning it with KERO-TV in the Bakersfield market. KZKC-LP subsequently carried programming associated with Court TV after the network's 2019 relaunch, becoming an owned-and-operated station of that service during that period. Azteca América programming that had been associated with the station was later moved to KBBV-CD on channel 19, while viewers could also access the national Azteca América feed through satellite and IPTV distributors. In 2020, the station was converted from analog low-power operation to digital operation and reassigned a role as a translator of KERO-TV. This configuration expanded practical reception of KERO-TV for households that experienced difficulty receiving the station's VHF signal or relied on UHF-only antennas. KZKC-LD therefore serves primarily as a coverage and reception extension for the local ABC service rather than as an independently branded general-interest network outlet. Its present identity is closely tied to KERO-TV and the Scripps television operation in Bakersfield.
History
KZKC-LD is a low-power television station serving Bakersfield, California, on channel 28. Its facilities are located on Breckenridge Mountain, and its current operating role is that of a digital translator for KERO-TV, the local ABC affiliate owned by the E. W. Scripps Company. The station began under Cocola Broadcasting and originally served as a repeater for Fresno's KMSG-LP, which carried Azteca América programming. In 2006, McGraw-Hill acquired the station and changed its role, making it a stand-alone television outlet. McGraw-Hill subsequently decided to leave the broadcasting business. On October 3, 2011, it announced the planned sale of KZKC-LP and its other television properties to the E. W. Scripps Company. The transaction closed on December 30, 2011, placing KZKC within the Scripps portfolio and associating it with Scripps's Bakersfield station, KERO-TV. The station's programming identity changed again during the 2019 relaunch of Court TV, when KZKC-LP became an owned-and-operated outlet of that service. Azteca América programming connected with the station was moved to KBBV-CD, channel 19, and remained available through the network's national feed on satellite and IPTV platforms. In 2020, KZKC-LP was converted to digital operation and adopted its present translator-oriented function for KERO-TV. The digital signal provides an alternative way to receive KERO-TV programming, particularly for viewers whose homes have difficulty receiving KERO-TV's VHF transmission or whose antenna systems are designed primarily for UHF channels. This transition made KZKC-LD less an independent programming outlet and more a technical extension of the main local ABC station. Its current significance lies in improving local television coverage and reception within the Bakersfield market.
- 2020
Digital conversion and KERO-TV translator role
[1]The station converted to digital operation and began retransmitting KERO-TV to improve reception options in the Bakersfield area.
- 2019
Court TV affiliation period
[1]KZKC-LP became an owned-and-operated station of the relaunched Court TV.
- 2011
Sale to E. W. Scripps announced and completed
[1]McGraw-Hill announced the sale of KZKC-LP to E. W. Scripps on October 3, 2011; the transaction closed on December 30, 2011.
- 2006
McGraw-Hill acquires and makes the station stand-alone
[1]McGraw-Hill acquired the station and changed it from its previous repeater arrangement into a stand-alone station.
Established as a Cocola Broadcasting repeater
[1]The station began as a Cocola Broadcasting property and operated as a repeater for Fresno's KMSG-LP, an Azteca América affiliate.
Products and positioning
A low-power digital translator that extends the reach and reception of Scripps-owned ABC affiliate KERO-TV in the Bakersfield television market.
Broadcast station · 2020
KZKC-LD digital television service
KZKC-LD is a low-power digital television service on channel 28 in Bakersfield. Its principal present function is to retransmit KERO-TV programming, giving local viewers another path to the ABC affiliate's network and local broadcasts. The service is particularly useful in locations where KERO-TV's VHF signal is difficult to receive or where households use UHF-focused antenna equipment.
Television network affiliation
Azteca América programming service
Earlier in the station's history, KZKC was connected with Azteca América programming through its role as a repeater for Fresno's KMSG-LP. That programming was later moved to KBBV-CD, while the national Azteca América feed remained available through satellite and IPTV distribution.
Television network affiliation · 2019
Court TV programming service
During the 2019 relaunch of Court TV, KZKC-LP served as an owned-and-operated outlet for the network. This represented a later programming phase before the station's digital conversion and translator role for KERO-TV.
Brand decisions
2020
Digital conversion and translator repositioningGeneration changeBackground
The station was converted from low-power analog operation to digital operation.
Action taken
KZKC-LD was configured as a translator of KERO-TV, providing a UHF-channel reception alternative for local households.
Aftermath
The station became primarily a technical extension of KERO-TV, helping viewers who had difficulty receiving the main station's VHF signal.
2011
Sale from McGraw-Hill to E. W. ScrippsM&ABackground
McGraw-Hill announced the sale of its television stations as part of its exit from broadcasting.
Action taken
E. W. Scripps acquired KZKC-LP, with the transaction closing on December 30, 2011.
Aftermath
KZKC became part of the Scripps television group and was aligned with KERO-TV in Bakersfield.
2006
Conversion from repeater to stand-alone stationStrategyBackground
After acquiring the station, McGraw-Hill changed its operating role from a repeater for KMSG-LP to a stand-alone television outlet.
Action taken
McGraw-Hill operated KZKC as an independent stand-alone station rather than continuing its previous repeater configuration.
Aftermath
The change gave the station a distinct local operating role before later ownership and programming changes.
Recent events
- 2020
KZKC-LP converts to digital operation as a KERO-TV translator[1]
Product generation
The station converted to digital operation and began serving as a translator of KERO-TV, improving reception options for households unable to receive KERO-TV's VHF signal reliably or using only UHF antennas.
- 2019
KZKC-LP carries relaunched Court TV programming[1]
Product launch · Product generation
KZKC-LP became an owned-and-operated station of the relaunched Court TV during 2019.
- 2011
McGraw-Hill announces sale of KZKC-LP to E. W. Scripps Company[1]
M&A
McGraw-Hill announced that it would sell KZKC-LP, together with its other television stations, to the E. W. Scripps Company as part of McGraw-Hill's withdrawal from the broadcasting business.
- 2011
E. W. Scripps completes acquisition of KZKC-LP[1]
M&A
The sale of KZKC-LP to E. W. Scripps was completed on December 30, 2011, placing the station within the Scripps television group and its Bakersfield operation.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/kzkc-ld · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled