View source for KIXE-TV

{{short description|PBS member station in Redding, California}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign               = KIXE-TV
| city                   = Redding, California
| logo                   = KIXE-TV PBS logo.png
| branding               = KIXE PBS
| analog                 =
| digital                = 9 ([[VHF]])
| virtual                = 9
| translators            = ''see {{section link||Translators}}''
| subchannels            =
| affiliations           = {{ubl|'''9.1:''' [[PBS]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| network                =
| country                = United States
| founded                =
| airdate                = {{start date and age|1964|10|5|p=y}}
| last_airdate           =
| location               = [[Redding, California|Redding]]–[[Chico, California]]
| callsign_meaning       = IX (Roman numeral 9) and Education{{r|Duns640312}}
| former_callsigns       =
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 9 (VHF, 1964–2008)|'''Digital:''' 18 ([[UHF]], 2004–2008)}}
| owner                  = Northern California Educational Television Association, Inc.
| licensee               =
| sister_stations        =
| former_affiliations    = [[National Educational Television|NET]] (1964–1970)
| erp                    = 15 [[kW]]
| haat                   = {{convert|1091|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| class                  =
| facility_id            = 47285
| coordinates            = {{coord|40|36|8.5|N|122|39|5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority    = [[FCC]]
| website                = {{URL|https://www.kixe.org/}}
}}
'''KIXE-TV''' (channel 9) is a [[PBS]] member [[television station]] in [[Redding, California]], United States, serving the northern [[Sacramento Valley]]. The station is owned by the Northern California Educational Television Association. KIXE's studios are located along North Market Street on the north side of Redding, and its transmitter is located atop Shasta Bally.
Educational broadcasting came to the Redding and [[Chico, California|Chico]] area in 1964 with the launch of KIXE-TV, which culminated an 11-year effort by local educators. The station was built in spite of competition for channel 9 from a proposed third commercial station for the region. Originally housed on the campus of Chico State College (now [[Chico State University]]), KIXE initially had no local programming capability and served to rebroadcast programs from [[KVIE]] in [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]]. It moved its studios to Redding in 1967. In the 1970s, the station explored and initially approved a return to Chico, which led to infighting among the board of directors and was eventually reversed by members who favored keeping the station in Redding. The present studios on Market Street were completed in 1986, during a boom period in support that ended with declining revenues in the early 1990s.
The station's finances steadied in the 1990s, though drops in federal support still required cutbacks in broadcasting. KIXE transitioned to exclusively digital broadcasting in 2008 and, in response to interference concerns, installed a new translator to serve Chico in 2009; its payroll declined by half as a result of the [[Great Recession]], and in 2013 it struggled to raise necessary funds from its small service area.
==History==
===Foundation and early years===
The Northern California Educational Television Association was formed in March 1953 to prepare an application for educational television in the far north of the state, including [[Butte County, California|Butte]], [[Plumas County, California|Plumas]], [[Shasta County, California|Shasta]], [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou]], [[Tehama County, California|Tehama]], and [[Trinity County, California|Trinity]] counties.<ref name="Reco530306">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-group-seeks-education/154553927/|date=March 6, 1953|page=2|title=Group Seeks Educational TV for Area|newspaper=Record-Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The association was largely inactive until 1961, after the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) moved to assign channel 9 to [[Redding, California|Redding]] for commercial use. With the backing of the commercial stations in Redding and [[Chico, California|Chico]] ([[KRCR-TV|KVIP-TV]] and [[KHSL-TV]]), it began the process of compiling an application to use it as an educational station.<ref name="Reco610120">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-educational-tv-statio/154554027/|date=January 20, 1961|page=1|title=Educational TV station in works|newspaper=Record-Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
Commercial interests also sought the new channel 9. The Redding-Chico Television Company was formed in April 1961 to apply for the new station,<ref name="Reco610429">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-newly-formed-tv-net-s/154554085/|date=April 29, 1961|page=9|agency=Associated Press|title=Newly formed TV net seeks Redding outlet|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> It contended that a previous attempt by KVIP-TV and KHSL-TV's owners to move channel 9 to [[Susanville, California|Susanville]] amounted to a bid to block further competition and claimed a fourth [[VHF]] channel could also be assigned,<ref name="Reco610606">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-room-for-all-4th-tv/154554112/|date=June 6, 1961|page=1|title=Room for all: 4th TV channel may be available|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> though the educators believed that channel 11 could only cover Redding.<ref name="Ente610609">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/enterprise-record-educational-tv-group-w/154554185/|date=June 9, 1961|page=1|title=Educational TV Group Wary of Channel 11 Story|newspaper=Enterprise-Record|location=Chico, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> In the meantime, the Northern California Educational Television Association formally applied for channel 9 on June 21, 1961.<ref name="Reco610622">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-education-tv-group-se/154554148/|date=June 22, 1961|page=7|title=Education TV group seeks channel 9|newspaper=Record-Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
The FCC rejected the channel 11 proposal in November 1961,<ref name="Reco611116">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-fcc-postpones-decisio/154554206/|date=November 16, 1961|page=1|title=FCC postpones decision on education TV channel|newspaper=Record-Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> but channel 9 remained unadjudicated. When the association threatened to drop the case because it lacked money to pay lawyers in Washington, KVIP and KHSL contributed the funds, a move met with disdain by the Redding-Chico Television group.<ref name="Reco621003">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kvip-khsl-save-educa/154554239/|date=October 3, 1962|page=1|title=KVIP, KHSL save educational TV by giving $8,250 to pay lawyers|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The case reached [[comparative hearing]] at the FCC in January 1963,<ref name="Reco630109">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-hearing-begins-on-red/154554277/|date=January 9, 1963|page=1|agency=Associated Press|title=Hearing begins on Redding TV|newspaper=Record-Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> but shortly after, stockholders in Redding-Chico formed Sacramento Valley Television and moved to buy KVIP-TV, dropping their channel 9 application in the process.<ref name="RedB630321">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/red-bluff-tehama-county-daily-news-heari/154554369/|date=March 21, 1963|page=10|title=Hearing on Channel 9 Is Held in Washington|newspaper=Red Bluff Tehama County Daily News|location=Red Bluff, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
On October 10, 1963, an FCC hearing examiner granted the [[construction permit]], finding that the association had made an adequate showing of their financial resources.<ref name="Reco631031">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-state-may-not-grant-f/154554397/|date=October 31, 1963|page=9|title=State may not grant funds for educational TV station|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The group struggled with fundraising issues and deadlines that were tighter owing to the commercial classification of the channel.<ref name="Reco640129">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-educational-tv-statio/154554421/|date=January 29, 1964|page=3|title=Educational TV station misses building deadline|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193229/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-educational-tv-statio/154554421/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The station was assigned the [[call sign]] KIXE-TV, consisting of the Roman numeral IX (nine) and an E for education.<ref name="Duns640312">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-dunsmuir-news-educational-tv-program/154554453/|date=March 12, 1964|page=13|title=Educational TV Programs From Chico State|newspaper=The Dunsmuir News|location=Dunsmuir, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193124/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dunsmuir-news-educational-tv-program/154554453/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> To get the station on the air, the association opted to cut back most of its plans for the first year and operate the new station as a [[satellite station]] of [[KVIE]], the public television station in [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]], with no local programming.<ref name="Reco640625">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-educational-tv-may-go/154554520/|date=June 25, 1964|page=1|title=Educational TV may go on air in August|newspaper=Record-Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193153/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-educational-tv-may-go/154554520/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Later, a deal was reached with [[Chico State University|Chico State College]] to house a temporary studio and limited local programming facilities.<ref name="Ente640722">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/enterprise-record-starmer-named-to-head/154554574/|date=July 22, 1964|page=3A|title=Starmer Named to Head Educational TV Channel|newspaper=Enterprise-Record|location=Chico, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193121/https://www.newspapers.com/article/enterprise-record-starmer-named-to-head/154554574/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
With the broadcast of the in-school children's program ''Let's Figure'', KIXE-TV began on October 5, 1964.<ref name="Reco641003">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-channel-9-to-begin-tv/154554621/|date=October 3, 1964|page=13|title=Channel 9 to begin TV broadcasts on Monday|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193122/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-channel-9-to-begin-tv/154554621/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Using a transmitter borrowed from channel 7 (now KRCR-TV),<ref name="Reco650607">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-educational-tv-fund-d/154554771/|date=June 7, 1965|page=1|title=Educational TV fund drive lags|first=William|last=Asbury|newspaper=Record-Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193132/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-educational-tv-fund-d/154554771/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> it provided educational television to nearly 20,000 students in 22 districts in four counties.<ref name="Ente641017">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/enterprise-record-for-etv-channel-dish/115561145/|date=October 17, 1964|page=10B|title=For ETV Channel: 'Dish' Atop CSC Building Cause of Many Comments|newspaper=Enterprise-Record|location=Chico, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193123/https://www.newspapers.com/article/enterprise-record-for-etv-channel-dish/115561145/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
In its first year, KIXE-TV only operated during the day, and it went off the air entirely when school let out for the summer.{{r|Reco650607}} In March 1965, it made a special evening telecast of a state senatorial debate,<ref name="Ente650311">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/enterprise-record-candidates-will-be-on/154554729/|date=March 11, 1965|page=3A|title=Candidates Will Be on Channel 9 Sunday Evening|newspaper=Enterprise-Record|location=Chico, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193122/https://www.newspapers.com/article/enterprise-record-candidates-will-be-on/154554729/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Its next evening broadcast was a televised auction, partially simulcast by KRCR-TV and KHSL-TV and produced by the latter station, to raise funds.<ref name="Reco650828">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-auctioneers-rais/154554842/|date=August 28, 1965|page=1|title=KIXE auctioneers raise $5,000, Larner says|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> After the auction, the station began airing regular evening programming.<ref name="Ente650823">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/enterprise-record-pacific-teletronics-wi/154554825/|date=August 23, 1965|page=5A|title=Pacific Teletronics Will Move Channel 9's Signal|newspaper=Enterprise-Record|location=Chico, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193640/https://www.newspapers.com/article/enterprise-record-pacific-teletronics-wi/154554825/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> With no video tape facilities of its own, all programming had to be produced live until the station was able to purchase units being discarded by [[KCET]] in Los Angeles. Bill Reed, the station's first general manager, hosted an interview program that he later canceled on account of its poor quality.<ref name="Reco141003">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-north-states-channel/154711556/|date=October 3, 2014|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe/154711603/ 2A]|first=David|last=Benda|title=North State's channel: Redding's KIXE to mark 50 years on air|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193640/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-north-states-channel/154711556/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
The station moved from Chico State to facilities in Redding in 1967, first at 1304 East Street<ref name="Reco670826">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-new-kixe-studio/154554996/|date=August 26, 1967|page=Magazine 13|title=New KIXE Studio|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193749/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-new-kixe-studio/154554996/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> and then to a converted meat locker<ref name="Reco770921">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-began-broadcasti/154474076/|date=September 21, 1977|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-chico-offers-induceme/154474113/ 2]|first=John|last=Lawson|title=KIXE began broadcasting first in Chico|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193642/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-began-broadcasti/154474076/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> at 825 Industrial Street after a second move in 1972. This gave the station its own studio for the first time.<ref name="Reco720828">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-moving-day-at-kixe/154554980/|date=August 28, 1972|page=13|title=Moving day at KIXE|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193643/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-moving-day-at-kixe/154554980/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> In 1971, the station obtained a new transmitter, enabling it to broadcast in color.<ref name="Reco741005">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-channel-9-celebrates/154473813/|date=October 5, 1974|pages=Magazine 12, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-in-october/154473799/ 13]|first=Clyde|last=Bentley|title=Channel 9 celebrates 10th birthday in October|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193643/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-channel-9-celebrates/154473813/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
===Attempted relocation to Chico===
The 1972 studio on Industrial Street utilized black-and-white production equipment on permanent loan from [[Shasta College]] in Redding, which in turn received use of the studio for its academic courses. By 1974, the station was considering moving to the Shasta College campus, enabling it to utilize the resources of its telecommunications program while maintaining autonomy.{{r|Reco741005}} The college's board of trustees approved a deal in January 1975,<ref name="Sacr750128">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-kixe-moves-to-shasta/154555143/|date=January 28, 1975|page=B2|title=KIXE Moves To Shasta College Site|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193644/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-kixe-moves-to-shasta/154555143/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> but the move was called off after the California state government cut funding to community colleges.<ref name="Reco760330">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-considers-move-t/154555177/|date=March 30, 1976|page=1|first=Garth|last=Sanders|title=KIXE considers move to Chico|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905193644/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-considers-move-t/154555177/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
As a result, KIXE-TV began talking with Chico State University about relocation. Chico State had just opened a new, color-capable television studio in the new Learning Activities Resource Center, and the two institutions had an ongoing relationship dating back to channel 9's launch. While the facility would be available to KIXE rent-free and provide synergies with Chico State's academic programs and cost savings and improved access to [[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]] grants, the station would have to relocate most of its operation from Redding to Chico. Concerns were raised about the potential loss of autonomy of KIXE-TV vis-a-vis Chico State over time and the loss of a cultural resource in Redding.{{r|Reco760330}}<ref name="Reco760904">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-directors-explor/154473935/|date=September 4, 1976|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-chico-facility-would/154473954/ 4], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-move-would-cost/154685216/ 8]|first=Gail|last=Fineberg|title=KIXE directors explore move|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The latter was echoed by civic leaders in Redding, including the city council, and by volunteers who feared the loss of equity built up from years in Redding.<ref name="Reco760910">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-vows-full-airing/154473680/|date=September 10, 1976|page=15|first=Gail|last=Fineberg|title=KIXE vows full airing of Chico move|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
The nine-member board of directors of the Northern California Educational Television Association approved the move to Chico on November 16, 1976, on a 5–1 vote.<ref name="Reco770730">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-crux-local-prog/154474015/|date=July 30, 1977|page=15|first=John|last=Lawson|title=KIXE crux: Local programming|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat -->{{r|Reco770921}} When three vacancies came up on the board, opponents of the move were successful in electing their slate of candidates, and an additional vacancy was filled by the appointment of a Redding woman.<ref name="Reco770524">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-move-foes-elect-three/154474058/|date=May 24, 1977|page=9|first=John|last=Lawson|title=Move foes elect three directors to KIXE board|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905194215/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-move-foes-elect-three/154474058/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> As a result, move opponents held a 5–4 majority{{r|Reco770730}} and voted by that margin to reverse the move decision in September 1977. The three pro-Chico directors walked out after the vote<ref name="Reco770928">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-three-directors-resig/154474292/|date=September 28, 1977|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-appointee-tipped-kixe/154474311/ 3]|first=John|last=Lawson|title=Three directors resign: Redding keeps KIXE|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905194328/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-three-directors-resig/154474292/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> and generally refused to open the issue.<ref name="Reco770929">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-posey-chico-faction/154474228/|date=September 29, 1977|page=1|first=John|last=Lawson|title=Posey: Chico faction won't fight KIXE decision|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905194226/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-posey-chico-faction/154474228/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
===New studios in Redding and fundraising challenges===
In the early 1980s, KIXE-TV management began to analyze the expansion or relocation of the station's studios in Redding.<ref name="Reco810203">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixes-manager-tunes/154685466/|date=February 3, 1981|page=39|first=John|last=Crowe|title=KIXE's manager tunes in to funding|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905194335/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixes-manager-tunes/154685466/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> This activity came to fruition after Victor Hogstrom left a cable-only public TV station in [[Rockford, Illinois]], to direct channel 9 in 1983.<ref name="Reco830920">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-manager-views-po/154685511/|date=September 20, 1983|page=D-1|first=Bill|last=Miller|title=KIXE manager views potential|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905194218/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-manager-views-po/154685511/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> KIXE acquired a building on North Market Street ([[State Route 273 (California)|State Route 273]]) in Redding in April 1985. That November, work began to convert the building into new studios for KIXE-TV, larger than the former meat locker on Industrial. The facility was completed in December 1986 thanks to a mix of viewer donations and federal equipment grants, with naming rights having been sold to rooms including the lunch room and broom closet.<ref name="Reco870305">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-fund-raiser-clicks-k/154473532/|date=March 5, 1987|page=B-9|first=Betty|last=Lease|title=Fund-raiser Clicks: KIXE-TV builds on community support|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905194220/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-fund-raiser-clicks-k/154473532/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
During the Hogstrom years, KIXE-TV emerged as one of the best-supported public TV stations in the nation by its small audience, with the highest per-capita viewership in California and seventh in the U.S. Membership more than doubled from 7,000 to 15,000 in 1991, when Hogstrom departed to run [[WTCI]] in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]].{{r|Reco910217}} It grew to 26 full-time staff and a local programming output of 25 hours a year, including specials such as the Red Bluff Roundup and Shasta Dixieland Jazz Festival.<ref name="Reco881119">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-hogstrom-gets-high-ra/154473670/|date=November 19, 1988|page=TC-1A|first=Betty|last=Lease|title=Hogstrom gets high ratings as KIXE general manager|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905194230/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-hogstrom-gets-high-ra/154473670/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> However, the final year of Hogstrom's management proved challenging. After his departure for Chattanooga, it was revealed that he had concealed information about KIXE-TV's finances from its board and had tussled with the board president. An independent audit completed in February 1991, a month after Hogstrom left, warned that the station's poor cash flow and high expenses threatened to send it into "liquidation status" within months. Station employees said they were afraid to tell Hogstrom about financial issues because they feared retribution, with one calling him an "intimidating man".<ref name="Reco910217">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-looks-inward-as/154685531/|date=February 17, 1991|pages=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe/154685550/ A-12]|title=KIXE looks inward as healing efforts begin|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905194346/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-looks-inward-as/154685531/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Under interim management, the station laid off 35 percent of its staff and scaled back its local programming in response to the loss it recorded in 1990.<ref name="Ente910309">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/enterprise-record-north-state-public-tv/154685663/|date=March 9, 1991|page=3A|first=Ed|last=Farrell|title=North state public TV station on the rebound|newspaper=Enterprise-Record|location=Chico, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
Under the next general manager, Lyle Mettler, KIXE-TV struggled to raise funds and ran deficits in the 1991–92, 1992–93, and 1993–94 fiscal years as income declined by 9 percent,<ref name="Reco941112">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-public-television-sta/154706900/|date=November 12, 1994|pages=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe/154706816/ A-8]|first=Damon|last=Arthur|title=Public television station has racked up three years of deficits|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> though the station raised funds to buy a new transmitter during the period.<ref name="Reco940108">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-general-manager/154707192/|date=January 8, 1994|pages=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe/154707206/ A-8]|title=KIXE general manager announces resignation|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The station also experimented with an [[early prime time]] schedule for its PBS programming at a time when commercial stations in Northern California were interested in the concept.<ref name="Reco920324">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-will-air-prime-t/130380138/|date=March 24, 1992|page=A-8|title=KIXE will air prime-time programs an hour earlier|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905195916/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-will-air-prime-t/130380138/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Mettler's tenure was additionally marred by sex discrimination charges; the station was sued after a woman was forced out following efforts to bring discrimination to the board's attention.<ref name="Reco941029">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-employee-sues-kixe-fo/154707131/|date=October 29, 1994|page=A-3|first=Damon|last=Arthur|title=Employee sues KIXE for sex bias|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905195917/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-employee-sues-kixe-fo/154707131/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
===The Myron Tisdel years===
Myron Tisdel, previously KIXE-TV's program manager, was named acting general manager and later general manager following Mettler's departure.<ref name="Reco941202">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-tisdel-appointed-gene/154707103/|date=December 2, 1994|page=A-3|title=Tisdel appointed general manager of KIXE, Channel 9|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The transmitter and tower project was completed in late 1995, allowing the station to broadcast stereo sound.<ref name="Reco951021">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-transmitter-will-boos/154708442/|date=October 21, 1995|page=A-1|title=Transmitter will boost KIXE television signal|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> In spite of improvements, the station cut back its broadcasting hours slightly in 1997 to cope with a decline in federal grants and a 23-percent utility rate increase.<ref name="Reco971114">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-tv-will-cut-back/154713248/|date=November 14, 1997|page=B-1|first=Thom|last=Gabrukiewicz|title=KIXE-TV will cut back on hours|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
Another challenge the station faced under Tisdel was the national transition to digital television broadcasting. By 2004, KIXE had a low-power digital signal on the air, covering Redding; that year, it received a federal grant to build a high-power digital transmitter and convert translators in outlying areas.<ref name="Reco040515">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-tv-primed-for-ne/154709943/|date=May 15, 2004|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe/154710036/ B-3]|first=Janet|last=O'Neill|title=KIXE-TV primed for new gear: $1.5 million grant will help Redding station make switch to digital sig|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> On August 22, 2008,<ref>{{Cite news|title=National road tour promoting digital TV includes local stop|first=Ryan|last=Olson|work=Enterprise-Record|date=August 18, 2008}}</ref> KIXE made an early digital switchover and shut off its analog signal to avoid likely winter weather conditions on Shasta Bally in February 2009, when the shut-off was set to take place.<ref name="Reco080503">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixes-digital-switch/154709017/|date=May 3, 2008|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe/154708892/ B-5]|first=Janet|last=O'Neill|title=KIXE's digital switch early: Ouster of analog set for August to avoid winter weather|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> When KVIE switched to digital in June 2009, its post-transition digital signal was also on channel 9, generating [[co-channel interference]] in southern parts of the KIXE service area, including [[Marysville, California|Marysville]], [[Oroville, California|Oroville]], and [[Paradise, California|Paradise]]. To remedy the issue,<ref name="Reco090724">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-problems-persist-afte/154709537/|date=July 24, 2009|page=9|title=Problems persist after DTV switch last month|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> KIXE activated a translator on Cohasset Ridge later that year at a site used by KHSL-TV.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Channel 9 boosts signal in Butte County|work=Enterprise-Record|first=Larry|last=Mitchell|date=October 8, 2009}}</ref>
===KIXE in the 2010s and 2020s===
Tisdel retired in late 2009.<ref name="Reco091103">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-general-manager/154708700/|date=November 3, 2009|pages=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe/154708826/ A-3]|title=KIXE general manager retires from public TV: Station begins search for Myron Tisdel's replacement|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905201522/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-general-manager/154708700/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> KIXE went through several leaders. Philip Smith—whose tenure was most known for the controversial withdrawal of ''[[Democracy Now!]]'' from the station's schedule—resigned after a year,<ref name="Reco110812">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-head-leaves-stat/154711096/|date=August 12, 2011|pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-smith/154711149/ 2B]|first=David|last=Benda|title=KIXE head leaves station|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905201637/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-head-leaves-stat/154711096/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> being replaced by 33-year station employee Mike Lampella.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 16, 2013|first=Dru|last=Sefton|title=NPR decides on hosts, Shuster leaves the network, Rapley gets WGBH McGhee Fellowship, and more . . .|url=https://current.org/2013/01/npr-decides-on-hosts-shuster-leaves-the-network-rapley-gets-wgbh-mcghee-fellowship-and-more/|work=[[Current (newspaper)|Current]]}}</ref> During this time, the station had cut its payroll by half of what it had been in the early 2000s in the wake of the [[Great Recession]].<ref name="Reco130425">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-in-need-of-250/154473859/|date=April 25, 2013|pages=1A, [https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-money/154473886/ 2A]|first=David|last=Benda|title=KIXE in need of $250,000: Federal grant tied to reaching $800,000 goal|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905202036/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-in-need-of-250/154473859/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
In 2013, the station explored collaborations with [[KEET]] in [[Eureka, California|Eureka]]. Both stations at the time had failed to raise the minimum nonfederal financial support necessary for [[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]] grants, with KIXE-TV experiencing its first shortfall since signing on in 1964 but KEET routinely receiving waivers.<ref>{{Cite news|title=KEET, KIXE in California trying collaboration; each has trouble with NFFS minimums|first=Dru|last=Sefton|date=June 21, 2013|work=[[Current (newspaper)|Current]]}}</ref> KIXE barely raised the necessary $800,000, largely ascribed to in-kind donations.<ref name="Reco130702">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-official-confide/154711795/|date=July 2, 2013|page=1A|first=David|last=Benda|title=KIXE official confident of federal grant|newspaper=Record Searchlight|location=Redding, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905202038/https://www.newspapers.com/article/record-searchlight-kixe-official-confide/154711795/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
Dave Cox, a former board member, was named general manager in 2019 (though he had been serving as a fill-in since 2017<ref>{{cite news|work=Enterprise-Record|first=Grant|last=Schmieding|title=Local PBS station takes an interest in Chico|date=September 12, 2019}}</ref>) and served until 2024, when he was replaced by Robert Keenan, who had been at KIXE since 1990.<ref>{{cite news|title=Robert Keenan named GM of KIXE|first=Julian|last=Wyllie|work=Current|url=https://current.org/2024/01/robert-keenan-named-gm-of-kixe/|date=January 23, 2024|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=January 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123192307/https://current.org/2024/01/robert-keenan-named-gm-of-kixe/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Funding==
In the year ended June 30, 2023, the Northern California Educational Television Association had more than $1.98 million in revenue. Community Service Grants from the [[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]] constituted $833,000, or 40 percent, of the total.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dc79r36mj3c9w.cloudfront.net/prod/filer_public/kixe-bento-live-pbs/Legal%20Docs/d44ec700a3_22_23AuditorReport.pdf|title=Northern California Educational Television Association, Inc., Financial Statements with Independent Auditor's Report, Years Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022|author=Gilbert CPAs|date=November 2, 2023|website=KIXE|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=June 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616173422/https://dc79r36mj3c9w.cloudfront.net/prod/filer_public/kixe-bento-live-pbs/Legal%20Docs/d44ec700a3_22_23AuditorReport.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
The station's signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of KIXE-TV<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KIXE#station|website=[[RabbitEars]]|title=TV Query for KIXE|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905202047/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KIXE#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! Short name
! Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 9.1
| [[720p]] || rowspan=3|[[16:9]] || KIXE-DT || [[PBS]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 9.2
| rowspan=2|[[480i]] || CREATE || [[Create (TV network)|Create]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 9.3
| WORLD || {{ubl|[[World Channel|World]] (7 p.m.–9 a.m.)|[[First Nations Experience]] (9 a.m.–7 p.m.)}}
|}
==Translators==
KIXE-TV's signal is additionally rebroadcast over the following translators:<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2021|title=List of TV Translator Input Channels|url=https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195336/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|archive-date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>
* [[Alturas]], [[Likely, California|Likely]]: K20DE-D
* [[Chico, California|Chico]] and [[Paradise, California|Paradise]]: K18ND-D
* [[Etna, California|Etna]]: K03HX-D
* [[Fall River Mills]]: K28DB-D
* [[Hayfork, California|Hayfork]]: K05CR-D
* [[Lakehead, California|Lakehead]]: K14HX-D
* [[Lewiston, California|Lewiston]]: K28CY-D
* [[Newell, California|Newell]]: K08OB-D
* [[Weaverville, California|Weaverville]]: K02EE-D
* [[Yreka]]: K19GL-D
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.kixe.org/}}
{{Chico-Redding TV}}
{{PBS California}}
[[Category:1964 establishments in California]]
[[Category:First Nations Experience affiliates]]
[[Category:PBS member stations]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1964]]
[[Category:Television stations in the Chico–Redding market|IXE-TV]]