CBS, Fox Now Over-The-Air in Most of SB, SLO Counties
A significant transmitter upgrade project for KCOY 12 and KKFX Fox 11 is complete, giving viewers in most parts of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties access to over-the-air HD signals for the stations.
The first part of the project completed in late 2014 brought over-the-air reception for the first time to viewers in southern Santa Barbara County. Most viewers in the greater Santa Barbara area now receive CBS and Fox programming over the air on digital channels 17.1 and 17.2.
Another part of the project upgraded the existing digital signal on channels 12.1 and 12.2 from Tepusquet Peak, located east of Santa Maria. The project upgraded Fox programming on 12.2 to an HD signal, along with the existing HD CBS programs on 12.1.
The final part of the project completed this week upgrades an analog transmitter atop Cuesta Peak, north of San Luis Obispo. Previously, the transmitter provided Fox 11 programming in an analog format. Installation of the new digital transmitter upgrades Fox programming to HD (on channel 24.1) and for the first time brings an over-the-air HD signal for KCOY-12 (on channel 24.2) to portions of northern San Luis Obispo County.
Completion of the project means more viewers now have access to free, over-the-air HD content with the transmitter upgrades and installations. Viewers who watch over-the-air television can re-scan their sets to check for availability of the new signals.
The changes ended analog broadcasts of KEYT-3 in southern Santa Barbara County and of KKFX Fox-11 in San Luis Obispo County. Viewers of those analog signals can attach a digital converter to their existing TV, or use a set with a built-in digital tuner.
