KATN Picks Up Fox Affiliation In Fairbanks

Fox will soon have a new home in Fairbanks, Alaska. The network’s programming will begin airing on a subchannel of ABC affiliate KATN on Nov. 4, after the current affiliate, Gray Television’s KFXF-LP, decided to switch to MyNetworkTV.

KATN is owned by Vision Alaska II and is managed under a time brokerage agreement by Coastal Television Broadcasting Co., the owner of Fox affiliate KTBY Anchorage, Alaska.

Coastal Television also operates Vision Alaska II’s Fox affiliate KJUD  Juneau, Alaska.

The Fairbanks station, to be known as KATN-TV D2, will operate out of KATN’s Second Avenue offices in Fairbanks. The agreement does not affect Vision Alaska II’s or KATN’s other digital channel programming. 

“We are delighted to add KATN to the family of Fox affiliates,” said Fox Networks Group President of Distribution Mike Biard. “KTBY has a been a terrific partner for Fox since the network launched 31years ago, and they well understand the tremendous value that Fox adds to their own special blend of local programming and community service in the region. We look forward to working with Coastal Television to build on that foundation in the coming days.”

“The addition of the Fox station in Fairbanks is exciting to us,” said Scott Centers, general manager and chief operating officer of Coastal Television. “Fox’s strong lineup, which includes the strongest-ever fall season, coupled with its sports programming, is now managed by Coastal Television for all of Alaska.” 

Coastal Television is engaged in the operation and acquisition of television broadcasting stations located in mid-to-small size markets. Coastal owns and operates KTBY, the Fox affiliate in Anchorage, Alaska.

Coastal provides advertising sales and other services under arrangements with KYUR (the ABC affiliate) and KWBX (the CW Plus affiliate) in Anchorage.

Coastal Television also manages the Vision Alaska II affiliates KATN in Fairbanks, and KJUD in Juneau, and provides certain of the stations’ non-network programming.