KFXB

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KFXB
Dubuque, Iowa
Channels Analog: 40 (UHF)

Digital: 43 (UHF)

Affiliations CTN
Owner Christian Television Network, Inc.
(Christian Television Network of Iowa, Inc.)
First air date September 12, 1976
Call letters’ meaning K FoX B
(referring to former simulcast with KFXA
Former callsigns KDUB-TV (1976-1995)
Former affiliations ABC (1976-1995)
Fox (1995-2004)
Transmitter Power 646 kW (analog)
800 kW (digital)
Height 256 m (analog)
262 m (digital)
Facility ID 17625
Transmitter Coordinates 42°31′8.4″N, 90°37′9.9″W
Website www.kfxb.net

KFXB is a television station based out of Dubuque, Iowa. The channel transmits on UHF channel 40. Currently the channel is an owned and operated affiliate of the Christian Television Network.

[edit] History

KFXB has a long history in the Dubuque, Iowa area. Originally, the station was known as KDUB, and was an ABC affiliate, and it was based out of Dubuque, Iowa. It was the only television station to be based out of Dubuque. It also was the only television station to have its news operation based out of Dubuque.

The station was based in an office building just south of Dubuque, near Key West, Iowa. The station evenutally moved into offices on the ninth floor of the former Roshek's Department Store building in downtown Dubuque. The station later moved to its current location on Main Street.

The station was never as popular or successful as other affiliates in the area. This was because the station was seen as a lower quality station - especially as it was a UHF channel. Also KCRG channel 9 - which was seen as being of higher quality overall - was available to the residents of Dubuque. In those areas that could receive good over the air signals, KCRG's signal quality was still quite good, and the Dubuque cable system also offered KCRG to its subscribers.

For a number of years, KDUB and KCRG were in conflict with each other. KDUB eventually won a decision in which the Dubuque cable company was required to black out KCRG when the same shows were shown at the same time on both stations. At one point KDUB sued KCRG, claiming that KCRG's interference caused a proposed deal to sell the station to fall through.

Eventually, the station entered into a management agreement with Second Generation of Iowa. At that time it was decided to change the station's affiliation from ABC to Fox. It also decided to rename the station to KFXB, and to have it retransmit the programming shown on Second Generation's KFXA channel 28. The only exception was that KFXB would however have its own unique newscast. But after a few years, it was decided to close down the Dubuque news operation. As a result KFXB had no unique programming of its own. During this time the station identified itself as "KFXA-KFXB Fox 28/40." KFXB became the Fox affiliate for Dubuque. Prior to this the Fox network feed was retransmitted on the Dubuque cable system as channel 13. This was discontinued after KFXB was established.

In 2004, KFXB's owners, Dubuque TV Limited Partnership sold the station. Fox programming would continue to be transmitted on KFXA - which would operate as the primary Fox affiliate for northeast Iowa. KFXB would become an affiliate of the Christian Television Network - which would broadcast mainly religious programming. At this time KFXB lost its longstanding assignment on the Dubuque cable system - where it was shown on channel 4 for many years. KFXA was assigned channel 4 on the Dubuque cable system, KFXB was moved to channel 14.

KFXB added cable coverage of the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas on Mediacom cable in 2005.

[edit] External links