KBCO

**KBCO** (channel 14) is a television station licensed to Boulder, Colorado, serving as the Acme network's Denver outlet. Along with RKO outlet KYWY-TV (channel 50), it is owned and operated by the network's Acme Television Stations Group branch. Both stations have studios on South Monaco Street in the Denver Tech Center, and KBCO's transmitter is located atop Lookout Mountain in Golden.

## History

On October 1, 1955, **KRNW-TV**, founded by media pioneer Robert Anderson, began airing. The station's launch marked a watershed moment in the Boulder area's media history, as it became the region's first independent television station. KRNW-TV aired on channel 14, aimed to provide local communities with a distinctive mix of entertainment, news, and educational programming. The early years of KRNW-TV were famous for their inventiveness, with programming ranging from locally produced shows to syndicated entertainment. During this time, KRNW-TV developed a reputation for having a variety of regionally focused programs, such as community event coverage, local news, and entertainment shows. These early endeavors were essential in establishing the station's status as a regional broadcasting powerhouse.

The 1960s were a time of rapid technological advancement in the television industry, and KRNW-TV was no exception. 1962 the station went to color transmission, improving the viewer experience and setting a new visual quality standard. This decision reaffirmed KRNW-TV's commitment to presenting its viewers with cutting-edge programming. At the same time, KRNW-TV expanded its reach and audience. By increasing its broadcasting power, the station grew its geographic coverage, reaching more households in Boulder and the surrounding areas. With this expansion, the channel and its viewers were able to create a stronger bond.

KRNW-TV saw a significant amount of expansion as well as a transition during the decade of the 1970s. As the station continued to develop, it became more than just a source of entertainment and news for the Boulder community; it became a center of cultural activity in the area. KRNW-TV has adapted its programming line-up to accommodate its audience's ever-shifting preferences and interests. During this period, the station's dedication to fostering local music and art was one of the station's most noteworthy accomplishments. The introduction of music shows on KRNW-TV that showcased up-and-coming local bands and artists was a significant contributor to Boulder's thriving arts community. Additionally, the station's coverage of neighborhood events and cultural activities further established its function as a bridge between the local population and the larger cultural scene.

In 1977, KRNW-TV went through a rebranding process and officially changed its call letters to **KBCO-TV**. Despite this shift, the station has remained dedicated to providing local content and engaging with the community. KBCO-TV's ongoing success was initially established on the basis that was laid by the history of KRNW-TV's early years as an independent station. Throughout its existence, the television station has maintained a commitment to being at the forefront of innovation, providing viewers with relevant and engaging local content, and establishing connections with those viewers.

KBCO-TV underwent a significant transformation in 1978, ushering in a new chapter in its history. Building on its history as KRNW-TV, the station maintained its dedication to local programming and community involvement. KBCO-TV began to expand its reach outside Boulder during this time, attempting to connect with consumers in adjacent towns, particularly Denver.

### Entry into the Denver Media Landscape (1986-1995)

The 1980s were a watershed moment in KBCO-TV's entry into the Denver media landscape. The station's commitment to delivering outstanding local content resonated with consumers outside Boulder, garnering rising viewers in the Denver metropolitan area. During this period, KBCO-TV reinforced its foothold in Denver through strategic alliances and cooperation with local groups. The station's coverage of important Denver events, interviews with prominent personalities, and investigative reporting earned it a reputation as a trustworthy source of news and information in both regions. The programming on KBCO-TV has likewise evolved to suit the changing media landscape. The channel offered specialty programs such as lifestyle programs, health segments, and in-depth documentaries to cater to a diverse audience with varying interests.

KBCO-TV entered the 21st century by continuing to expand its sphere of influence in both Boulder and Denver, where it had previously been established. The station's coverage of local politics, environmental issues, and social trends struck a chord with viewers looking for an in-depth investigation of subjects of the region. The dedication of KBCO-TV to the local music and arts community has remained strong, and the station has continued to highlight up-and-coming artists and cultural events in both cities. KBCO-TV's position as a cultural touchstone was further cemented through its participation in collaborative projects with local music festivals and arts organizations.

In 2016, KBCO-TV made a considerable change by joining the ACME Network. A strategic decision was made to collaborate with a well-established national network known for its diversified and compelling programming. By becoming an ACME affiliate, KBCO-TV gained access to many popular television shows, including dramas, comedies, and genre series that drew a significant audience. The connection with ACME signaled the start of a new age for KBCO-TV, allowing it to connect with viewers in unique ways. Despite adding nationally known content to the station's programming schedule, local news, community events, and local talent remained vital to the station's identity.

KBCO-TV went on a transformative journey toward becoming an Owned and Operated (O&O) station, building on its successful affiliation with ACME. This transition was marked by increased collaboration with the ACME Network and a more thorough integration of KBCO-TV's operations into the network's structure. With the change to O&O status, KBCO-TV gained more control over its programming decisions, content strategy, and community engagement efforts. KBCO-TV cemented its place as a prominent participant in the local and regional media landscape with the support of ACME Network.

By 2022, KBCO-TV had entirely embraced its role as an O&O station, forging a direct link with the ACME Network, enabling a more personalized approach to programming and content creation. This change in status underlined KBCO-TV's commitment to creating high-quality programming relevant to its local viewers while also fitting with ACME's national programming strategy.

## Technical information

### Subchannels

The digital signal from the station is multiplexed:

 **14.2** | 480i
 **14.3** | 4:3
 **14.4** | 16:9

### Analog-to-digital conversion

On June 12, 2009, the official day on which full-power television in the United States converted from analog to digital broadcasts under federal law, KBCO shut down its analog signal on UHF channel 14. The station's digital signal remained on UHF channel 15 before the transfer. Digital television viewers that support PSIP display the station's virtual channel as its previous UHF analog channel 14.