KBNZ-LD

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KBNZ Local 6 originated in the mid-1980s as a low-power translator of KOIN Local 6 in Portland. In October 2008, KOIN owner New Vision Television announced plans to convert KBNZ Local 6 into a locally-focused CBS affiliate. The station was upgraded to a low-power license under new calls, KBNZ, on June 13, 2008. On October 26, 2008, it relaunched as Central Oregon's first locally-based CBS affiliate. Four of KOIN's translators in Central Oregon were switched from airing KOIN's signal to that of KBNZ. It also received its own section on KOIN's website. Master control and some internal operations remained based at KOIN's studios at the KOIN Center in Downtown Portland.

Although identifying as a separate station in its own right, KBNZ Local 6 was considered a semi-satellite of KOIN Local 6. It cleared all network programming as provided through its parent and simulcast most of KOIN's newscasts, but aired a separate offering of syndicated programming as well as separate commercials.

One reason that the station split from KOIN Local 6 is a result of the Bend market growing in population. The change left MyNetworkTV affiliate KUBN-LD as the only area station serving as a full-time satellite of a Portland station. News personnel based at KBNZ Local 6 began to contribute two to four local stories each day to air on KOIN Local 6 broadcasts. It had been planned that as KBNZ Local 6 grew, a fully produced local newscast originating from Central Oregon would be introduced.{{cite web |url=http://www.adfedco.org/HotNews/PressReleases/300690.aspx |title=Bend, Oregon's New CBS Affiliate is on the Air |access-date=July 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210162001/http://www.adfedco.org/HotNews/PressReleases/300690.aspx |archive-date=February 10, 2010 }}

KBNZ's signal does not reach far outside Bend. The only other area it reaches is Deschutes River Woods which is south of Bend and can only be obtained in the northern tip of the area. KBNZ's signal can also be seen in the western portion of Crook County. K31CR-D transmits a digital rebroadcast of KOIN programming and is not available east of Prineville but services an area larger than KBNZ. K31CR's signal reaches Crook, Jefferson, Deschutes, and Wasco counties. In contrast, KBNZ's signal does not exit Deschutes County.

On March 31, 2010, BendBroadband bought KBNZ Local 6 from New Vision Television through a subsidiary, Zolo Media. The new owner initially didn't plan any immediate or major changes.{{Cite web|url=http://oregonmediacentral.com/2010/03/bend-cable-purchases-kbnz|title=Oregonmediacentral - Business}} With the ownership change, contact information for this station as well as listings for reporter Brittney Hopper and photographer Brandon Anderchuk were removed from the KBNZ Local 6/section of KOIN's website. The weather information for the Bend area on the KBNZ Local 6 section went without updates for a time before being removed as well.

In the summer of 2011, KBNZ launched a new website. Zolo Media also announced that it would take over master control operations from KOIN, starting on September 1. With the severing of the electronic umbilical cord with KOIN, KBNZ also dropped KOIN's 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts and rolled out a new logo.[http://kbnzcbs.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/kbnz-upgrades-to-better-serve-central-oregon-viewers/ KBNZ Upgrades to Better Serve Central Oregon Viewers!] KBNZ, August 31, 2011.

BendBroadband announced on May 1, 2014, that it would merge with Telephone and Data Systems, a Chicago-based cable firm, in a $261 million deal.{{cite news|last=Spencer|first=Malia|title=BendBroadband sells to Chicago cable firm for $261M|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2014/05/bendbroadband-sells-to-chicago-cable-firm-for-261.html|access-date=May 19, 2014|newspaper=Portland Business Journal|date=May 2, 2014}}

In April 2016, Zolo Media announced the debut of a local news program to air on both KBNZ and KOHD starting on May 2, 2016, called Central Oregon Daily.{{Cite web|url=http://cascadebusnews.com/zolo-media-announces-debut-news-program-central-oregon/|title=Zolo Media Announces Debut of News Program for Central Oregon|date=April 28, 2016}} KBNZ currently airs newscasts weekdays at noon, 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., Saturdays at 6 p.m., and Sundays at 6 and 11 p.m.{{Cite web|url=https://centraloregondaily.com/kbnz-cbs/|title = KBNZ- CBS| date=May 22, 2024 }}

Since KBNZ Local 6 is a low-power station, it relies on translators to expand its reach.

• {{FCC-LMS-Facility|36175|3=K34AI-D}} La Pine
• K47LM-D Prineville

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• {{Official website|https://www.centraloregondaily.com/kbnz-cbs/}}

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{{CBS Oregon}}

Category:2008 establishments in Oregon

Category:CBS affiliates

BNZ

Category:Television channels and stations established in 2008

BNZ-LD