KVIE
The PBS network logo next to the blue letters PBS and, in thinner text, the letters K V I E
CitySacramento, California
Channels
BrandingPBS KVIE
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
OwnerKVIE, Inc.
History
First air date
February 23, 1959
Former channel number(s)
Analog: 6 (VHF, 1959–2009)
NET (1959–1970)
Call sign meaning
"Valley Information and Education"; contains VI, the Roman numeral for 6[1]
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID35855
ERP33 kW
HAAT596.8 m (1,958 ft)
Transmitter coordinates38°16′18″N 121°30′18″W / 38.27167°N 121.50500°W / 38.27167; -121.50500
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.kvie.org

KVIE (channel 6) is a PBS member television station in Sacramento, California, United States. The station is owned by KVIE, Inc., a community-based non-profit organization. KVIE's studios are located on West El Camino Avenue in the Natomas district of Sacramento, and its transmitter is located in Walnut Grove, California.

After years of interest in educational television in the Sacramento area, KVIE began broadcasting in February 1959, airing evening educational programs from PBS predecessor National Educational Television and daytime instructional output for schools. Originally located in studios in Sacramento used by a previous UHF station that had become outdated and run down by the 1980s, KVIE relocated to its present studios in 1990. KVIE's local programming has focused on topics including agriculture and activity at the California state capitol.

History

Construction

Channel 6 was allocated for educational use in Sacramento in 1952 after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lifted its four-year freeze on new TV station applications in 1952.[3] The next year, the first interest was expressed in the educational channel by a consortium of school officials in 15 Superior California counties.[4][5] In 1955, it joined forces with a similar group in the Stockton area, the Delta-Sierra Educational Television Corporation, after previously forming a joint study committee with the Stockton group.[6][7] The combined group, Central California Educational Television (CCET), had board members from Ceres in the south to Chico in the north and represented a total of 20 counties.[8][9] Both groups continued to also exist separately.[10]

In October 1957, CCET approved a fundraising project to raise necessary money for staffing.[11] The fund drive needed to raise money from the community to support matching funds from the Fund for Adult Education;[12] John C. Crabbe, one of KVIE's founders, traveled the region and gave 92 speeches in 90 days.[13] This drive raised $205,000, enough to qualify for the matching funds.[14] In April, KOVR extended an offer to the station, which was accepted, to use facilities it had acquired when it purchased the assets of UHF station KCCC-TV the year prior on Garden Highway; KOVR would also carry demonstration programs to present educational television to the area until the station launched.[15]

The FCC granted CCET a construction permit on July 30, 1958.[16] The consortium invited proposals for call signs,[17] selecting KVIE (for "Valley Information and Education" as well as containing VI, the Roman numeral for 6).[1] The pilot programs on KOVR ended in December 1958 in preparation for the launch of channel 6.[18]

Early years

KVIE began broadcasting on February 23, 1959, with evening educational programming.[19] The first educational programs for schools were broadcast at the end of March.[20] In 1964, KIXE-TV began broadcasting to the Northstate; KVIE programs were received by microwave at Chico State College, local programs and identifications were added, and the result was transmitted to the region.[21][22] Founding manager and director John C. Crabbe resigned in 1968 at the request of the board of directors over budgetary issues;[23] this was later rescinded, and he resigned the next year instead. While bickering with the consortium of schools using its instructional programming and financial issues confronted KVIE at this time, 1970 also saw the station move its transmitter to Walnut Grove, giving its broadcasts parity with the market's three VHF commercial stations.[24] Previously, limited power and the orientation of many Sacramento-area TV antennas away from KVIE's transmitter near Placerville and toward Walnut Grove hindered reception.[25]

KVIE steadily increased its local programming. Most of its early efforts centered around activities at the state capitol. The station televised the full 14-hour death penalty hearing for Caryl Chessman, a man who was convicted for a series of crimes in the late 1940s, and also aired governors' press conferences and legislative hearings at a time when longform coverage of such events was rare on television.[13]

The 1970s were turbulent times for station leadership. Art Paul succeeded Crabbe in 1970, and while he was successful at managing KVIE's finances—an issue in Crabbe's last years—station board members desired to increase local programming, and there were objections to several decisions and use of station funds.[26]: 12:04 [27] The board of directors recommended not rehiring Paul when his contract expired.[28] Instructional programs also went by the wayside in 1978 as a result of Proposition 13, which capped and reduced property taxes and severely restricted new tax increases; schools could no longer afford the programs as a result of declining tax receipts.[29]

Under John Hershberger, general manager from 1979 to 1994, KVIE renewed its emphasis on local program production, which had been a sore point under Paul.[30] KVIE supporter organization Friends of Six, in a unique attempt to help raise funds for the station, opened At Six, a restaurant in the Sierra 2 performing arts center.[31] The cafe lasted a year, beset by management turnover and poor advertising, and its closure left the station out $35,000 in money it gave for setup costs.[32]

A new building and digitalization

The Garden Highway building, which had been constructed by KCCC-TV in stages in the early 1950s, was no longer adequate for KVIE after several decades of use and decay. In 1984, the station conducted studies to identify a site for a new station facility.[13] KVIE had to lease other office space, and during the winter, portable toilets were necessary because the plumbing did not always work.[33] Fundraising efforts began in 1985; at the same time, it was announced that KVIE would move to a new tower being erected by KTXL (channel 40) in Walnut Grove.[33] Ground was broken on the present Natomas studios in 1988,[34] and the station moved in in January 1990.[35] In Hershberger's final years, the station made three controversial rounds of layoffs, totaling 31 positions, in response to a soft economy, but KVIE's finances improved despite the recession.[36]

After three years during which KVIE was led by former CBS News executive Van Gordon Sauter, who launched several new TV programs including California Heartland and Central Valley Chronicles,[37][38] David Hosley's nine-year tenure as general manager was dominated by the construction of digital transmission facilities and the upgrading of the physical plant.[39] Early in his tenure, in July 1999, KVIE managed the highest prime time rating of any public television station in the United States, surpassing KQED in San Francisco, which had attracted the most viewers for seven consecutive years.[40]

David Lowe became KVIE's general manager in 2008; at the nadir of the Great Recession, membership fell to 40,000 but had increased to 50,000 by 2018. That year, the station and Lowe received a "Pillar of Public Service" award from America's Public Television Stations for testing datacasting of earthquake early warning alerts to businesses and public agencies.[41]

Local programming

Two men stand at lecterns on a set with KVIE logos in front of a camera
Taping of a pledge drive insert at the KVIE studios in 2009

In addition to PBS programming, KVIE produces in-house programs for distribution locally, regionally and nationwide. Having the widest distribution is America's Heartland, a program covering agriculture issues nationally that debuted in 2005; this replaced the similarly themed California Heartland, which aired for nine seasons.[42]

As the public television station in the state capital, KVIE has also historically produced public affairs programs of statewide interest. Until its cancellation in the early 1980s, the statewide political roundtable California Week in Review originated at the station.[43] From 2002 to 2007, it was one of four co-producers of the statewide newsmagazine California Connected.[44] More recently, Inside California Education, aired statewide, profiles issues facing the state's education system.[45]

KVIE's local programs include Viewfinder, a documentary series; KVIE Arts Showcase, an arts magazine; Rob on the Road, a series of regional travel profiles; and Studio Sacramento, covering public affairs issues in the region.[45]

Funding

In fiscal year 2021, KVIE raised $16.75 million in revenue, nearly half of the total coming from membership contributions. Funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting account for 11 percent of revenue.[45]

Technical information

Subchannels

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of KVIE[46]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
6.1 1080i16:9KVIE-HDMain KVIE programming / PBS
6.2 480iKVIE2KVIE 2 / PBS
6.3 KVIEWLDWorld
6.4 KVIEKIDPBS Kids

Analog-to-digital conversion

KVIE shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 6, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 53, which was among the high band UHF channels (52-69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition, to VHF channel 9, using virtual channel 6.[47]

References

  1. 1 2 "Educational TV Station Will Be Named KVIE". The Sacramento Bee. August 21, 1958. p. C-14. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KVIE". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ↑ "FCC Allots Capital Five TV outlets". The Sacramento Bee. April 14, 1952. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Educators File For TV Channel In North State". The Sacramento Bee. May 27, 1953. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Education TV Governors Pick Hammaker". The Sacramento Bee. February 17, 1954. p. 3. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Education TV Group Sets Study On Station". The Sacramento Bee. November 11, 1954. p. 37. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Groups Approve Of Unit To Hold TV Band For Education". The Sacramento Bee. January 14, 1955. p. 23. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Educational TV Companies Unite At Lodi Parley". The Sacramento Bee. January 27, 1955. p. 12. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Future Of Educational TV In Capital Looks Brighter". The Sacramento Bee. March 16, 1955. p. K-8. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Educational TV Drive Is Authorized". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. November 21, 1956. p. B-1. Retrieved November 7, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Educational TV Group Approves $10,000 Campaign". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. October 31, 1957. p. 50. Retrieved November 7, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Educational TV Outlet Depends On Fund Drive". The Sacramento Bee. February 1, 1958. p. D-6. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 3 Huber, Dean (February 22, 1984). "KVIE At 25: The Past, Present And Future Of Public Television". The Sacramento Bee. p. F1. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Goal Is Met In Educational TV Campaign". The Sacramento Bee. April 1, 1958. p. E-1. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Education TV Trials Are Scheduled". The Sacramento Bee. May 22, 1958. p. C-1. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Education TV Channel 6 Will Start In Fall". The Sacramento Bee. July 31, 1958. p. C-1. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Channel 6 Still Is Accepting Call Letter Proposals". The Sacramento Bee. August 15, 1958. p. B4. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "KVIE-TV Will Present College Singing Group". The Sacramento Bee. December 13, 1958. p. L-14. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Educational TV Station Will Go On Air Tonight". The Sacramento Bee. February 23, 1959. p. A1, A4. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "TV Goes To School: Children Grasp Spanish From Classroom Screen". The Sacramento Bee. April 1, 1959. p. 21. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Educational TV Station Sets Opening". The Chico Enterprise-Record. July 18, 1964. p. 1B. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "For ETV Channel: 'Dish' Atop CSC Building Cause of Many Comments". The Chico Enterprise-Record. October 17, 1964. p. 10B. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ "Channel 6 Manager Is Asked To Quit By Station's Board Of Directors". The Sacramento Bee. August 3, 1968. p. A3. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ Keppel, Bruce (March 29, 1970). "Will Troubles Of Past Plague Forward Steps For KVIE?". The Sacramento Bee. p. A6. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "Clear, Sharp Picture: Channel 6 Returns To Air With Widely Increased Range". The Sacramento Bee. September 21, 1970. p. A4. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ ViewFinder: KVIE at Fifty (Video). KVIE. February 11, 2009. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  27. ↑ Dempster, Doug (September 18, 1978). "Station Chief Key Issue: KVIE Holding Crucial Vote". The Sacramento Bee. p. B3. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ↑ Slater, Pam (July 27, 1978). "KVIE Directors Recommend Station Chief Not Be Rehired". The Sacramento Bee. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ "KVIE's VITA Could Be Tuned Out By Prop. 13". The Sacramento Bee. June 16, 1978. p. B2. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ Masullo, Robert A. (August 10, 1980). "PBS In Sacramento". The Sacramento Bee. p. Scene 3. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ Bello, Michael (June 19, 1983). "At Six!: Volunteers Are The Power Behind The Scones". The Sacramento Bee. p. D7. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ Abramson, Hilary (July 21, 1984). "Fund-raising restaurant's costly closure". The Sacramento Bee. p. B1, B2. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. 1 2 Huber, Dean (May 29, 1985). "Channel 6 launches $6 million fund drive for new TV station". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. p. AA8. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ "KVIE breaks ground for studio in Natomas". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. November 5, 1988. p. F1. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ Biondi, Tom (October 25, 1990). "KVIE: New digs loosen up space at public television's HQ". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. p. Neighbors 3A, 7A. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ↑ Vierria, Dan (August 6, 1994). "KVIE chief leaving public TV channel". The Sacramento Bee. p. B4. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ Kushman, Rick (March 23, 1995). "Ex-network titan to run Channel 6: Sauter vows fresh look at PBS". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. p. A1, A20. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ↑ Vierria, Dan (January 8, 1998). "Van Gordon Sauter is leaving KVIE". The Sacramento Bee. p. F1, F5. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ Vierria, Dan (February 19, 1998). "Hosley tapped to lead Channel 6 into the digital age". The Sacramento Bee. p. C1, C5. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ "KVIE pushes KQED out as nation's top PBS affiliate". Sacramento Business Journal. September 12, 1999. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  41. ↑ Goldman, Ed (May 9, 2018). "David Lowe, KVIE win major public TV award". Sacramento Business Journal. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  42. ↑ Wasserman, Jim (June 13, 2005). "Farm show goes national: 'California Heartland' outgrows its Golden State roots". The Sacramento Bee. p. D1, D5. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ McDougal, Dennis (March 31, 1984). "On the Radio: Task Force Divided on Funds Issue". The Los Angeles Times. p. V:1, 11. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ↑ Abdur-Rahman, Sufiya (April 24, 2002). "Public Stations Get 'Connected'". The Los Angeles Times. p. F6. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. 1 2 3 "Fiscal Year 2021 Local Content and Service Report" (PDF). KVIE. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  46. ↑ "RabbitEars TV Query for KVIE". RabbitEars. Archived from the original on 2023-01-01. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  47. ↑ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. May 23, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
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