Nexstar Broadcasting’s KSFX-TV station is losing its Fox Broadcasting Co. affiliation. Starting Sept. 1, Koplar Communications’ KRBK-TV/Channel 49 will become the Fox affiliate in the Springfield area, according to a joint news release from Fox and Koplar Communications.
KRBK is currently an affiliate of MyNetworkTV, a secondary network for Fox. According to its Web site,
www.krbkhd.com, the station broadcasts programs such as “The Wendy Williams Show” and “The Daily Buzz.”
“We are pleased to have Koplar Communications’ KRBK-TV join the Fox family. It’s a great opportunity to bring a fresh voice to the Springfield market,” said Jon Hookstratten, Fox executive vice president of network distribution, in the release.
According to
www.tvnewscheck.com, KSFX is the third station to lose its Fox affiliation in the last six weeks – the other two were in Evansville, Ind. and Fort Wayne, Ind. The changes stem from programming fees Fox has been charging networks based on the number of cable and satellite subscribers they serve. Nexstar is one of two networks that did not re-sign with Fox as a result of the fees, according to Tvnewscheck.com’s June 21 Web article.
According to the Koplar/Fox news release, Nexstar’s KSFX affiliation agreement with Fox expired in June 2010.
A call to KSFX for comment was not returned by deadline. A recorded message indicated that beginning Sept. 1, the station would lose its Fox programming from 7-9 p.m. Monday – Saturday, 6-9 p.m. on Sunday, and it would no longer show Fox sports programming. KSFX’s 9 p.m. news, morning news, as well as its comedies aired outside of the listed hours would not be affected with the loss of its affiliation.
“As the newest TV station in the market, we are honored to be a part of the Springfield community, and look forward to continued growth as a Fox affiliate,” said Ted Koplar, president and CEO of Koplar Communications, in its news release.
Koplar did not return a call for comment by deadline.
The TVnewscheck.com article said Koplar plans to air both MyNetwork and Fox programming during primetime – Fox from 7-9 p.m. and MyNetwork from 9-11 p.m.
Koplar Communications serves the Springfield and Lake of the Ozark regions, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]
