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{{short description|ShopLC affiliate in San Francisco}} |
{{short description|ShopLC affiliate in San Francisco}} |
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{{Use American English|date=January 2023}} |
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date= |
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} |
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{{Infobox television station |
{{Infobox television station |
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| callsign = KCNS |
| callsign = KCNS |
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| city = San Francisco, California |
| city = San Francisco, California |
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| logo = KCNS logo.png |
| logo = KCNS logo.png |
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| branding = |
| branding = |
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| digital = 32 ([[ |
| digital = 32 ([[UHF]]), shared with [[KMTP-TV]], [[KTNC-TV]] and [[KEMO-TV]] |
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| virtual = 38 |
| virtual = 38 |
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| subchannels = |
| subchannels = |
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| translators = |
| translators = |
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| affiliations = {{ubl|'''38.1:''' [[Shop LC]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}} |
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''38.1:''' [[Shop LC]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}} |
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| owner = [[ |
| owner = [[WRNN-TV Associates]]{{r|nrjtvsale}} |
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| licensee = RNN National, [[ |
| licensee = RNN National, [[LLC]] |
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| location = {{nowrap|[[San Francisco]]–[[ |
| location = {{nowrap|[[San Francisco]]–[[Oakland]]–[[San Jose, California]]}} |
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| country = United States |
| country = United States |
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| airdate = {{start date and age| |
| airdate = {{start date and age|1986|1|6|p=y}} |
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| callsign_meaning = "Chinese Television" (for station's Asian language format at the time of call sign change) |
| callsign_meaning = "Chinese Television" (for station's Asian language format at the time of call sign change) |
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| sister_stations = |
| sister_stations = |
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| former_callsigns |
| former_callsigns = KWBB (1986–1991) |
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| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 38 (UHF, |
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 38 (UHF, 1986–2009)|'''Digital:''' 39 (UHF, until 2020)}} |
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| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] ( |
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1986–1998, 2020–2021)|[[Shop at Home]]/[[Jewelry Television]] (1998–2007)|[[Infomercial]]s (January–April 2007)|[[Retro TV|RTV]] (2007–2012)|[[MundoFox]]/[[MundoMax]] (2012–2016)|Sonlife (2016–2020)}} |
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| erp = 1,000 [[ |
| erp = 1,000 [[kW]] |
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| haat = {{convert|511.7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |
| haat = {{convert|511.7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |
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| facility_id = 71586 |
| facility_id = 71586 |
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| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|37|45|19|N|122|27|10|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}}} |
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|37|45|19|N|122|27|10|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}}} |
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| licensing_authority = [[ |
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]] |
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| website = |
| website = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''KCNS''' (channel 38) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[ |
'''KCNS''' (channel 38) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[San Francisco, California]], United States, serving the [[San Francisco Bay Area]]. Owned by [[WRNN-TV Associates]], the station airs programming from [[Shop LC]]. KCNS shares its digital channel with [[KMTP-TV]] (channel 32), [[KTNC-TV]] (channel 42), and [[KEMO-TV]] (channel 50). Their transmitter is located atop [[Sutro Tower]] in San Francisco. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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=== |
===KUDO and KVOF-TV=== |
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{{main|KVOF-TV}} |
{{main|KVOF-TV}} |
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The first channel 38 signed on the air on |
The first channel 38 signed on the air on December 28, 1968, as KUDO. With a lineup heavy on live and local shows, including financial programming during the morning and early afternoon hours and even an interview show hosted by [[Willie Mays]], KUDO failed financially; it went bankrupt and fell [[Dark (broadcasting)|dark]] on April 15, 1971. |
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Faith Center, managed by pastor Ray Schoch (1917–1977), acquired the station at a low price and returned it to the air in 1974 as KVOF-TV, carrying Christian programming for about 12 hours a day. Some shows were produced by Faith Center while others came from outside Christian groups. In 1975, the station expanded its programming to nearly 24 hours a day, when [[ |
Faith Center, managed by pastor Ray Schoch (1917–1977), acquired the station at a low price and returned it to the air in 1974 as KVOF-TV, carrying Christian programming for about 12 hours a day. Some shows were produced by Faith Center while others came from outside Christian groups. In 1975, the station expanded its programming to nearly 24 hours a day, when [[Dr. Gene Scott]] became pastor of Faith Center and assumed control of its television stations. By 1978, the station was only running programming from Scott's "University Network" 24 hours a day. However, the station lost its license, along with those of sister stations [[KKLA-FM|KHOF (99.5 FM)]] in [[Los Angeles]] and [[KHOF-TV]] in [[San Bernardino]], after Faith Center refused to disclose its private donor records to the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) in a case over alleged misuse of funds for uses other than originally stated purposes. |
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===West Coast United=== |
===West Coast United=== |
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In 1996, Ramcast Corporation bought KCNS from West Coast United for $30 million. Ramcast, a subsidiary of Global Broadcasting Systems, cut the station's Asian programming from 24 hours a day to three to add more home shopping.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 28, 1997|title=WNDS Sale Remains on Hold; Proposed Purchaser Big in Home Shopping Programs|work=New Hampshire Union-Leader|first=Tom|last=Fahey}}</ref> Global then went bankrupt in 1997; its assets were acquired by the [[Shop at Home Network]] for $77 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paxson to enter Knox TV market|work=Knoxville News-Sentinel|date=November 22, 1997|page=C8|first=Amy|last=Geisel}}</ref> This lasted until June 21, 2006, when the Shop at Home's parent, the [[E. W. Scripps Company]], suspended the network's operations. KCNS switched to [[Jewelry Television]], and two days later, it started broadcasting a mixture of programming from both networks, after Jewelry Television bought Shop at Home and resumed that network's operations. |
In 1996, Ramcast Corporation bought KCNS from West Coast United for $30 million. Ramcast, a subsidiary of Global Broadcasting Systems, cut the station's Asian programming from 24 hours a day to three to add more home shopping.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 28, 1997|title=WNDS Sale Remains on Hold; Proposed Purchaser Big in Home Shopping Programs|work=New Hampshire Union-Leader|first=Tom|last=Fahey}}</ref> Global then went bankrupt in 1997; its assets were acquired by the [[Shop at Home Network]] for $77 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paxson to enter Knox TV market|work=Knoxville News-Sentinel|date=November 22, 1997|page=C8|first=Amy|last=Geisel}}</ref> This lasted until June 21, 2006, when the Shop at Home's parent, the [[E. W. Scripps Company]], suspended the network's operations. KCNS switched to [[Jewelry Television]], and two days later, it started broadcasting a mixture of programming from both networks, after Jewelry Television bought Shop at Home and resumed that network's operations. |
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On September 26, 2006, [[Multicultural Television]] announced it would purchase KCNS from Scripps as part of a deal to buy all of Scripps' Shop at Home stations for $170 million.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Scripps sells Shop At Home TV stations |url=http://pressreleases.scripps.com/release/877 |date=September 26, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927035508/http://pressreleases.scripps.com/release/877 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]] |access-date=May 30, 2021}}</ref> Multicultural closed on KCNS and its sister stations in [[Cleveland]] and [[ |
On September 26, 2006, [[Multicultural Television]] announced it would purchase KCNS from Scripps as part of a deal to buy all of Scripps' Shop at Home stations for $170 million.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Scripps sells Shop At Home TV stations |url=http://pressreleases.scripps.com/release/877 |date=September 26, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927035508/http://pressreleases.scripps.com/release/877 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]] |access-date=May 30, 2021}}</ref> Multicultural closed on KCNS and its sister stations in [[Cleveland]] and [[Raleigh]] on December 20, 2006. On January 14, 2007, KCNS ended its simulcast of Shop at Home and began carrying [[educational and informational]] programming on early weekday mornings and infomercials for the rest of the day. On April 8, 2007, KCNS began broadcasting Chinese language programming in [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] and [[Cantonese]], under the "Sino TV" ({{lang|zh|華語電視}} ''Huáyǔ Diànshì'') banner nightly from 6 p.m. to midnight, including news programs in both Mandarin and Cantonese. The following day on April 9, 2007, KCNS began carrying programming from the [[Retro Television Network]] during the daytime hours. |
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===Financial difficulties and sale to NRJ TV=== |
===Financial difficulties and sale to NRJ TV=== |
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After Multicultural ran into financial problems and defaulted on its loans, KCNS was placed into a trust;<ref name="tvnc-kcnsforsale">{{cite news|last=Jessell|first=Harry A.|title=Multicultural Handing Over WSAH To Trustee|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2010/12/28/48013/multicultural-handing-over-wsah-to-trustee|access-date=December 28, 2010|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=December 28, 2010|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928075905/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/multicultural-handing-over-wsah-to-trustee/|url-status=live}}</ref> in 2011, the station, along with [[WMFP]] in [[Boston]], was sold to NRJ TV (a company unrelated to [[Europe]]an broadcaster [[NRJ Radio]]).<ref name=tvbr-saletonrjtv>{{cite news|title=Multicultural clears out a TV on each coast|url=http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/multicultural-clears-out-a-tv-on-each-coast.html|access-date=February 1, 2011|newspaper=Television Business Report|date=January 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203080137/http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/multicultural-clears-out-a-tv-on-each-coast.html|archive-date=February 3, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The sale was consummated on May 13, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101427575&formid=905&fac_num=71586 |title=CDBS Print |access-date=May 19, 2011 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026061724/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101427575&formid=905&fac_num=71586 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2021|reason=source gives close to no information}} A one-third equity stake in NRJ TV is held by Titan Broadcast Management, which also operates [[KTNC-TV]] (channel 42); Titan had already managed KCNS for some time prior to the sale.<ref name=tvnc-kcnstitan>{{cite news|title=Titan, Patrick Have Stakes In KCNS, WMFP|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2011/02/02/48843/titan-patrick-have-stakes-in-kcns-wmfp|access-date=May 19, 2011|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=February 2, 2011|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928075915/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/titan-patrick-have-stakes-in-kcns-wmfp/|url-status=live}}</ref> Titan exited its equity stake in NRJ TV in December 2017. |
After Multicultural ran into financial problems and defaulted on its loans, KCNS was placed into a trust;<ref name="tvnc-kcnsforsale">{{cite news|last=Jessell|first=Harry A.|title=Multicultural Handing Over WSAH To Trustee|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2010/12/28/48013/multicultural-handing-over-wsah-to-trustee|access-date=December 28, 2010|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=December 28, 2010|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928075905/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/multicultural-handing-over-wsah-to-trustee/|url-status=live}}</ref> in 2011, the station, along with [[WMFP]] in [[Boston]], was sold to NRJ TV (a company unrelated to [[Europe]]an broadcaster [[NRJ Radio]]).<ref name=tvbr-saletonrjtv>{{cite news|title=Multicultural clears out a TV on each coast|url=http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/multicultural-clears-out-a-tv-on-each-coast.html|access-date=February 1, 2011|newspaper=Television Business Report|date=January 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203080137/http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/multicultural-clears-out-a-tv-on-each-coast.html|archive-date=February 3, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The sale was consummated on May 13, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101427575&formid=905&fac_num=71586 |title=CDBS Print |access-date=May 19, 2011 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026061724/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101427575&formid=905&fac_num=71586 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2021|reason=source gives close to no information}} A one-third equity stake in NRJ TV is held by Titan Broadcast Management, which also operates [[KTNC-TV]] (channel 42); Titan had already managed KCNS for some time prior to the sale.<ref name=tvnc-kcnstitan>{{cite news|title=Titan, Patrick Have Stakes In KCNS, WMFP|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2011/02/02/48843/titan-patrick-have-stakes-in-kcns-wmfp|access-date=May 19, 2011|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=February 2, 2011|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928075915/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/titan-patrick-have-stakes-in-kcns-wmfp/|url-status=live}}</ref> Titan exited its equity stake in NRJ TV in December 2017. |
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On August 13, 2012, KCNS became a charter affiliate of the Spanish language network [[MundoMax|MundoFox/MundoMax]]. On September 1, 2016, KCNS became an affiliate of the [[ |
On August 13, 2012, KCNS became a charter affiliate of the Spanish language network [[MundoMax|MundoFox/MundoMax]]. On September 1, 2016, KCNS became an affiliate of the [[SonLife Broadcasting Network]], exiting MundoMax as it became clear it would no longer be a going concern within the next few months. |
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===Sale to RNN=== |
===Sale to RNN=== |
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On May 20, 2021, RNN and iMedia Brands announced an agreement to affiliate most of RNN's television stations (including KCNS) with [[home shopping]] network [[ShopHQ]]. KCNS returned to home shopping programming, this time carrying ShopHQ programming, on June 28, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=iMedia's ShopHQ Set to Launch in 20+ Million High-Definition Homes in Top U.S. Markets |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/05/20/2233133/0/en/iMedia-s-ShopHQ-Set-to-Launch-in-20-Million-High-Definition-Homes-in-Top-U-S-Markets.html |access-date=June 28, 2021 |work=GlobeNewswire News Room |date=May 20, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628203937/https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/05/20/2233133/0/en/iMedia-s-ShopHQ-Set-to-Launch-in-20-Million-High-Definition-Homes-in-Top-U-S-Markets.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Richard French Live'' continues to air, but in the mornings and retooled from its previous investigative news format. |
On May 20, 2021, RNN and iMedia Brands announced an agreement to affiliate most of RNN's television stations (including KCNS) with [[home shopping]] network [[ShopHQ]]. KCNS returned to home shopping programming, this time carrying ShopHQ programming, on June 28, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=iMedia's ShopHQ Set to Launch in 20+ Million High-Definition Homes in Top U.S. Markets |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/05/20/2233133/0/en/iMedia-s-ShopHQ-Set-to-Launch-in-20-Million-High-Definition-Homes-in-Top-U-S-Markets.html |access-date=June 28, 2021 |work=GlobeNewswire News Room |date=May 20, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628203937/https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/05/20/2233133/0/en/iMedia-s-ShopHQ-Set-to-Launch-in-20-Million-High-Definition-Homes-in-Top-U-S-Markets.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Richard French Live'' continues to air, but in the mornings and retooled from its previous investigative news format. |
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iMedia Brands filed for [[ |
iMedia Brands filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] on June 28, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/imedia-brands-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-in-delaware?context=search&index=0|title=iMedia Brands Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in Delaware|date=June 28, 2023|access-date=June 28, 2023|website=Bloomberg Law|language=en}}</ref> On July 10, 2023, iMedia announced that it would sell its assets, including ShopHQ, to RNN Media Group for $50 million;.<ref name="st-saletornn">{{cite news |last1=Gilyard |first1=Burl |last2=Kennedy |first2=Patrick |title=iMedia Brands to be sold for $50 million out of bankruptcy |url=https://www.startribune.com/eden-prairie-imedia-brands-to-be-sold-for-50-million-out-of-bankruptcy-rnn-shophq-christopher-banks/600288585/ |access-date=July 12, 2023 |newspaper=[[Star Tribune]]}}</ref> the deal was terminated in August in favor of a $55 million bid for ShopHQ by IV Brands, owned by [[Manoj Bhargava]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.startribune.com/imedia-50-million-sale-rnn-canceled-but-5-hour-energy-founder-emerges-as-new-buyer-bankruptcy-shophq/600297120/|title=iMedia's $50M sale is canceled; founder of 5-Hour Energy emerges as new buyer|first1=Patrick|last1=Kennedy|first2=Burl|last2=Gilyard|newspaper=[[Star Tribune]]|date=August 14, 2023|accessdate=September 25, 2023}}</ref> In October 2023, KCNS switched to [[Shop LC]]. |
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==Technical information== |
==Technical information== |
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===Subchannels=== |
===Subchannels=== |
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<section begin=subs /> |
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{{see also|KEMO-TV#Subchannels|KMTP-TV#Subchannel|KTNC-TV#Subchannels}} |
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The station's channel is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]: |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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|+Subchannels of KCNS<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCNS#station |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KCNS |access-date=October 27, 2013 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029183832/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCNS#station |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|+Subchannels of KCNS, KMTP-TV, KTNC-TV, and KEMO-TV<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCNS#station |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KCNS |access-date=October 27, 2013 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029183832/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCNS#station |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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! scope = "col" | License |
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! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]] |
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]] |
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! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]] |
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]] |
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! scope = "col" | Programming |
! scope = "col" | Programming |
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|- |
|- |
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! rowspan = "5" scope = "row" style="border-right: 4px solid #8B0000;" | KCNS |
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! scope = "row" | 38.1 |
! scope = "row" | 38.1 |
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| [[720p]] || rowspan="5"|[[16:9]] || KCNS || [[Shop LC]] |
| [[720p]] || rowspan="5"|[[16:9]] || KCNS || [[Shop LC]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope = "row" | 38.2 |
! scope = "row" | 38.2 |
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| rowspan=" |
| rowspan="5"|[[480i]] || style="background-color: #f2d1de;"|SkyLink || style="background-color: #f2d1de;"|[[Sky Link TV]] [[File:4 rounded rect pink.svg|14px|alt=MPEG-4 video|link=MPEG-4 Part 2]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope = "row" | 38.3 |
! scope = "row" | 38.3 |
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| SBN || [[ |
| SBN || [[Sonlife]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope = "row" | 38.5 |
! scope = "row" | 38.5 |
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| NTD || [[ |
| NTD || [[New Tang Dynasty]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope = "row" | 38.6 |
! scope = "row" | 38.6 |
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| NTD Eng || [[New Tang Dynasty Television|NTD English]] |
| NTD Eng || [[New Tang Dynasty Television|NTD English]] |
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|- |
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! scope = "row" style="border-right: 4px solid #FFD700;" | KMTP-TV |
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! scope = "row" | 32.1 |
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| [[4:3]] || KMTP || Ethnic |
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|- |
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! rowspan = "2" scope = "row" style="border-right: 4px solid #228B22;" | KTNC-TV |
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! scope = "row" | 42.1 |
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| 720p || rowspan=6|16:9 || TCT || [[Tri-State Christian Television|TCT]] |
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|- |
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! scope = "row" | 42.2 |
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| 480i || ESNE || ESNE TV (Spanish) |
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|- |
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! rowspan = "5" scope = "row" style="border-right: 4px solid #00008B;" | KEMO-TV |
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! scope = "row" | 50.1 |
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| 720p || ShopHQ || [[ShopHQ]] |
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|- |
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! scope = "row" | 50.2 |
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| rowspan=4|480i || VisionL || Visión Latina |
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|- |
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! scope = "row" | 50.3 |
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| GoldenT || Golden TV (Asian Multilingual) |
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|- |
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! scope = "row" | 50.4 |
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| Outlaw || [[Free TV Networks|Outlaw]] |
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|- |
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! scope = "row" | 50.5 |
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| 4:3 || Timeles || [[Cannella Media|Timeless TV]] |
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|} |
|} |
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{{legend|# |
{{legend|#f2d1de|Subchannel broadcast with [[MPEG-4 Part 2|MPEG-4 video]]}} |
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<section end=subs /> |
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===Analog-to-digital conversion=== |
===Analog-to-digital conversion=== |
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KCNS shut down its analog signal, over [[ |
KCNS shut down its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 38, on February 17, 2009, as part of the [[Digital television transition in the United States|federally mandated transition from analog to digital television]] (the deadline was later moved to June 12).<ref name="Analog to Digital">[http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf List of Digital Full-Power Stations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |date=August 29, 2013 }}</ref> The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 39, using [[virtual channel]] 38. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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City | San Francisco, California |
Channels |
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Programming | |
Affiliations |
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Ownership | |
Owner |
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History | |
First air date | January 6, 1986 (38 years ago) (1986-01-06) |
Former call signs | KWBB (1986–1991) |
Former channel number(s) |
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| |
Call sign meaning | "Chinese Television" (for station's Asian language format at the time of call sign change) |
Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
Facility ID | 71586 |
ERP | 1,000 kW |
HAAT | 511.7 m (1,679 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 37°45′19″N 122°27′10″W / 37.75528°N 122.45278°W / 37.75528; -122.45278 |
Links | |
Public license information |
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KCNS (channel 38) is a television station licensed to San Francisco, California, United States, serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Owned by WRNN-TV Associates, the station airs programming from Shop LC. KCNS shares its digital channel with KMTP-TV (channel 32), KTNC-TV (channel 42), and KEMO-TV (channel 50). Their transmitter is located atop Sutro Tower in San Francisco.
The first channel 38 signed on the air on December 28, 1968, as KUDO. With a lineup heavy on live and local shows, including financial programming during the morning and early afternoon hours and even an interview show hosted by Willie Mays, KUDO failed financially; it went bankrupt and fell dark on April 15, 1971.
Faith Center, managed by pastor Ray Schoch (1917–1977), acquired the station at a low price and returned it to the air in 1974 as KVOF-TV, carrying Christian programming for about 12 hours a day. Some shows were produced by Faith Center while others came from outside Christian groups. In 1975, the station expanded its programming to nearly 24 hours a day, when Dr. Gene Scott became pastor of Faith Center and assumed control of its television stations. By 1978, the station was only running programming from Scott's "University Network" 24 hours a day. However, the station lost its license, along with those of sister stations KHOF (99.5 FM)inLos Angeles and KHOF-TVinSan Bernardino, after Faith Center refused to disclose its private donor records to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in a case over alleged misuse of funds for uses other than originally stated purposes.
The FCC's 1980 decision to deny a distress sale of KVOF-TV spurred three applications for new stations on channel 38, from West Coast United Broadcasting Company, Together Media Ministries (owned by the First Assembly of God of Fremont[3]), and Carmel-based LDA Communications; this proceeding in turn depended on the renewal for the radio station.[4] Administrative law judge Edward Kuhlmann dismissed KVOF-TV's renewal application in 1983 for failure to answer questions and produce documents that were necessary for the hearing.[5] The initial decision that December gave the nod to West Coast United Broadcasting Company, whose Tacoma, Washington–based staff presented a superior proposal on integration of staff and management.[6] Faith Center appealed the dismissal of its license application, but the FCC denied this in 1984 and gave the church 90 days to continue running KVOF-TV in order to wind up its affairs.[7] Faith Center then attempted to have the Supreme Court of the United States hear a challenge to its losses; it refused.[8]
KVOF-TV was given until January 2, 1986, to close. Scott warned viewers of his San Francisco successor, "Here comes the Tower of Babel religious brigade ... the voices like Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggart and Jerry Falwell preaching homosexuals into hell and beating the drum with the same claptrap you hear Sunday on every religious station in the country".[9] KWBB began operation in January 1986, featuring secular and religious programs—including Scott, who purchased four hours every night.[10] The deal with Scott also granted use of the San Bruno Mountain studio and transmitter facilities associated with the former KVOF-TV.[11] In 1989, channel 38 moved to Sutro Tower, becoming the last new analog station to use the site.
In May 1991, former KRON-TV anchor Jim Paymar became KWBB's general manager. The station changed its call sign to KCNS on June 24, 1991.[12] It aired imported and locally produced shows in several Asian languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese and Korean. Based at studios in the former Hamm's Brewery, most of the local programs were produced by third parties.[13] There was also home shopping programming during the day.[13] While the station struggled to gain cable carriage at a time when there was no must-carry rule for local TV stations,[14] it was able to reach agreements to produce a Cantonese-language simulcast of KRON's 6 p.m. newscast in 1992 and even several Oakland Athletics baseball games in 1993.[15][16]
In 1996, Ramcast Corporation bought KCNS from West Coast United for $30 million. Ramcast, a subsidiary of Global Broadcasting Systems, cut the station's Asian programming from 24 hours a day to three to add more home shopping.[17] Global then went bankrupt in 1997; its assets were acquired by the Shop at Home Network for $77 million.[18] This lasted until June 21, 2006, when the Shop at Home's parent, the E. W. Scripps Company, suspended the network's operations. KCNS switched to Jewelry Television, and two days later, it started broadcasting a mixture of programming from both networks, after Jewelry Television bought Shop at Home and resumed that network's operations.
On September 26, 2006, Multicultural Television announced it would purchase KCNS from Scripps as part of a deal to buy all of Scripps' Shop at Home stations for $170 million.[19] Multicultural closed on KCNS and its sister stations in Cleveland and Raleigh on December 20, 2006. On January 14, 2007, KCNS ended its simulcast of Shop at Home and began carrying educational and informational programming on early weekday mornings and infomercials for the rest of the day. On April 8, 2007, KCNS began broadcasting Chinese language programming in Mandarin and Cantonese, under the "Sino TV" (華語電視 Huáyǔ Diànshì) banner nightly from 6 p.m. to midnight, including news programs in both Mandarin and Cantonese. The following day on April 9, 2007, KCNS began carrying programming from the Retro Television Network during the daytime hours.
After Multicultural ran into financial problems and defaulted on its loans, KCNS was placed into a trust;[20] in 2011, the station, along with WMFPinBoston, was sold to NRJ TV (a company unrelated to European broadcaster NRJ Radio).[21] The sale was consummated on May 13, 2011.[22][failed verification] A one-third equity stake in NRJ TV is held by Titan Broadcast Management, which also operates KTNC-TV (channel 42); Titan had already managed KCNS for some time prior to the sale.[23] Titan exited its equity stake in NRJ TV in December 2017.
On August 13, 2012, KCNS became a charter affiliate of the Spanish language network MundoFox/MundoMax. On September 1, 2016, KCNS became an affiliate of the SonLife Broadcasting Network, exiting MundoMax as it became clear it would no longer be a going concern within the next few months.
On December 9, 2019, it was announced that WRNN-TV Associates, owner of New York City–based WRNN-TV, secured a deal to purchase seven full-power TV stations (including KCNS) and one Class A station from NRJ.[1] The sale was approved by the FCC on January 23,[24] and was completed on February 4, 2020, breaking up NRJ's duopoly in the Bay Area, although KCNS and KTNC would continue channel sharing. Upon completion of the sale, the SonLife schedule shifted to another subchannel, and the station began to broadcast infomercials most of the day, along with a simulcast of WRNN's nightly talk show Richard French Live.
On May 20, 2021, RNN and iMedia Brands announced an agreement to affiliate most of RNN's television stations (including KCNS) with home shopping network ShopHQ. KCNS returned to home shopping programming, this time carrying ShopHQ programming, on June 28, 2021.[25] Richard French Live continues to air, but in the mornings and retooled from its previous investigative news format.
iMedia Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 28, 2023.[26] On July 10, 2023, iMedia announced that it would sell its assets, including ShopHQ, to RNN Media Group for $50 million;.[27] the deal was terminated in August in favor of a $55 million bid for ShopHQ by IV Brands, owned by Manoj Bhargava.[28] In October 2023, KCNS switched to Shop LC.
License | Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming |
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KCNS | 38.1 | 720p | 16:9 | KCNS | Shop LC |
38.2 | 480i | SkyLink | Sky Link TV ![]() | ||
38.3 | SBN | Sonlife | |||
38.5 | NTD | New Tang Dynasty | |||
38.6 | NTD Eng | NTD English | |||
KMTP-TV | 32.1 | 4:3 | KMTP | Ethnic | |
KTNC-TV | 42.1 | 720p | 16:9 | TCT | TCT |
42.2 | 480i | ESNE | ESNE TV (Spanish) | ||
KEMO-TV | 50.1 | 720p | ShopHQ | ShopHQ | |
50.2 | 480i | VisionL | Visión Latina | ||
50.3 | GoldenT | Golden TV (Asian Multilingual) | |||
50.4 | Outlaw | Outlaw | |||
50.5 | 4:3 | Timeles | Timeless TV |
KCNS shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 38, on February 17, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television (the deadline was later moved to June 12).[30] The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 39, using virtual channel 38.
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