View source for KVIE

{{Short description|Television station in Sacramento, California}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign               = KVIE
| city                   = Sacramento, California
| logo                   = PBS KVIE logo 2019.png
| logo_alt               = The PBS network logo next to the blue letters PBS and, in thinner text, the letters K V I E
| branding               = PBS KVIE
| digital                = 9 ([[VHF]])
| virtual                = 6 
| affiliations           = {{ubl|'''6.1:''' [[PBS]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| translators            =
| owner                  = KVIE, Inc.
| location               = [[Sacramento]]–[[Stockton, California|Stockton]]–[[Modesto, California]]
| country                = United States
| airdate                = February 23, 1959
| last_airdate           = 
| callsign_meaning       = "Valley Information and Education"; contains VI, the Roman numeral for 6{{r|Sacr580821}}
| sister_stations        = 
| former_callsigns       = 
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 6 (VHF, 1959–2009)
| former_affiliations    = [[National Educational Television|NET]] (1959–1970)
| erp                    = 33 [[kW]]
| haat                   = {{convert|596.8|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id            = 35855
| coordinates            = {{coord|38|16|18|N|121|30|18|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority    = [[FCC]]
| website                = {{URL|https://www.kvie.org/}} 
}}

'''KVIE''' (channel 6) is a [[PBS]] member [[television station]] in [[Sacramento, California]], United States. The station is owned by KVIE, Inc., a community-based [[non-profit organization]]. KVIE's studios are located on West El Camino Avenue in the [[Natomas]] district of Sacramento, and its transmitter  is located in [[Walnut Grove, California]].

After years of interest in educational television in the Sacramento area, KVIE began broadcasting in February 1959, airing evening educational programs from PBS predecessor [[National Educational Television]] and daytime instructional output for schools. Originally located in studios in Sacramento used by a previous UHF station that had become outdated and run down by the 1980s, KVIE relocated to its present studios in 1990. KVIE's local programming has focused on topics including agriculture and activity at the California state capitol.

==History==
===Construction===
Channel 6 was allocated for educational use in Sacramento in 1952 after the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) lifted its four-year freeze on new TV station applications in 1952.<ref name="Sacr520414">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560310/fcc-allots-capital-five-tv-outlets/|date=April 14, 1952|page=1|title=FCC Allots Capital Five TV outlets|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075117/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560310/fcc-allots-capital-five-tv-outlets/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The next year, the first interest was expressed in the educational channel by a consortium of school officials in 15 Superior California counties.<ref name="Sacr530527">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560342/educators-file-for-tv-channel-in-north-s/|date=May 27, 1953|page=1|title=Educators File For TV Channel In North State|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115062646/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560342/educators-file-for-tv-channel-in-north/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Sacr540217">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560385/education-tv-governors-pick-hammaker/|date=February 17, 1954|page=3|title=Education TV Governors Pick Hammaker|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075119/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560385/education-tv-governors-pick-hammaker/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> In 1955, it joined forces with a similar group in the Stockton area, the Delta-Sierra Educational Television Corporation, after previously forming a joint study committee with the Stockton group.<ref name="Sacr541111">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560427/education-tv-group-sets-study-on-station/|date=November 11, 1954|page=37|title=Education TV Group Sets Study On Station|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075130/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560427/education-tv-group-sets-study-on-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Sacr550114">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560435/groups-approve-of-unit-to-hold-tv-band-f/|date=January 14, 1955|page=23|title=Groups Approve Of Unit To Hold TV Band For Education|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115062646/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560435/groups-approve-of-unit-to-hold-tv-band/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The combined group, Central California Educational Television (CCET), had board members from [[Ceres, California|Ceres]] in the south to [[Chico, California|Chico]] in the north and represented a total of 20 counties.<ref name="Sacr550127">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560452/educational-tv-companies-unite-at-lodi-p/|date=January 27, 1955|page=12|title=Educational TV Companies Unite At Lodi Parley|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115062648/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560452/educational-tv-companies-unite-at-lodi/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Sacr550316">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560492/future-of-educational-tv-in-capital-look/|date=March 16, 1955|page=K-8|title=Future Of Educational TV In Capital Looks Brighter|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115062647/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560492/future-of-educational-tv-in-capital/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Both groups continued to also exist separately.<ref name="Sacr561121">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-educational-tv-drive/134756663/|date=November 21, 1956|page=B-1|title=Educational TV Drive Is Authorized|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

In October 1957, CCET approved a fundraising project to raise necessary money for staffing.<ref name="Sacr571031">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-educational-tv-group/134756707/|date=October 31, 1957|page=50|title=Educational TV Group Approves $10,000 Campaign|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The fund drive needed to raise money from the community to support [[matching funds]] from the Fund for Adult Education;<ref name="Sacr580201">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560547/educational-tv-outlet-depends-on-fund-dr/|date=February 1, 1958|page=D-6|title=Educational TV Outlet Depends On Fund Drive|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115062657/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560547/educational-tv-outlet-depends-on-fund/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> John C. Crabbe, one of KVIE's founders, traveled the region and gave 92 speeches in 90 days.{{r|Sacr840222}} This drive raised $205,000, enough to qualify for the matching funds.<ref name="Sacr580401">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560605/goal-is-met-in-educational-tv-campaign/|date=April 1, 1958|page=E-1|title=Goal Is Met In Educational TV Campaign|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075138/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560605/goal-is-met-in-educational-tv-campaign/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> In April, [[KOVR]] extended an offer to the station, which was accepted, to use facilities it had acquired when it purchased the assets of UHF station [[KCCC-TV]] the year prior on Garden Highway; KOVR would also carry demonstration programs to present educational television to the area until the station launched.<ref name="Sacr580522">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560656/education-tv-trials-are-scheduled/|date=May 22, 1958|page=C-1|title=Education TV Trials Are Scheduled|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075118/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560656/education-tv-trials-are-scheduled/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

The FCC granted CCET a construction permit on July 30, 1958.<ref name="Sacr580731">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560707/education-tv-channel-6-will-start-in-fal/|date=July 31, 1958|page=C-1|title=Education TV Channel 6 Will Start In Fall|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063706/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560707/education-tv-channel-6-will-start-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The consortium invited proposals for call signs,<ref name="Sacr580815">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560727/channel-6-still-is-accepting-call-letter/|date=August 15, 1958|page=B4|title=Channel 6 Still Is Accepting Call Letter Proposals|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063716/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560727/channel-6-still-is-accepting-call/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> selecting KVIE (for "Valley Information and Education" as well as containing VI, the Roman numeral for 6).<ref name="Sacr580821">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560768/educational-tv-station-will-be-named-kvi/|date=August 21, 1958|page=C-14|title=Educational TV Station Will Be Named KVIE|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063717/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560768/educational-tv-station-will-be-named/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The pilot programs on KOVR ended in December 1958 in preparation for the launch of channel 6.<ref name="Sacr581213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560817/kvie-tv-will-present-college-singing-gro/|date=December 13, 1958|page=L-14|title=KVIE-TV Will Present College Singing Group|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063717/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560817/kvie-tv-will-present-college-singing/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

===Early years===
KVIE began broadcasting on February 23, 1959, with evening educational programming.<ref name="Sacr590223">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560843/educational-tv-station-will-go-on-air-to/|date=February 23, 1959|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560863/channel-6-will-make-debut-tonight/ A4]|title=Educational TV Station Will Go On Air Tonight|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063727/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560843/educational-tv-station-will-go-on-air/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The first educational programs for schools were broadcast at the end of March.<ref name="Sacr590401">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560885/tv-goes-to-school-children-grasp-spanis/|date=April 1, 1959|page=21|title=TV Goes To School: Children Grasp Spanish From Classroom Screen|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063718/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115560885/tv-goes-to-school-children-grasp/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> In 1964, [[KIXE-TV]] began broadcasting to the [[Northstate]]; KVIE programs were received by [[Microwave transmission|microwave]] at [[Chico State College]], local programs and identifications were added, and the result was transmitted to the region.<ref name="Chic640718">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115561015/educational-tv-station-sets-opening/|date=July 18, 1964|page=1B|title=Educational TV Station Sets Opening|newspaper=The Chico Enterprise-Record|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115561015/educational-tv-station-sets-opening/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Chic641017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115561145/for-etv-channel-dish-atop-csc-buildin/|date=October 17, 1964|page=10B|title=For ETV Channel: 'Dish' Atop CSC Building Cause of Many Comments|newspaper=The Chico Enterprise-Record|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063718/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115561145/for-etv-channel-dish-atop-csc/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Founding manager and director John C. Crabbe resigned in 1968 at the request of the board of directors over budgetary issues;<ref name="Sacr680803">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115561165/channel-6-manager-is-asked-to-quit-by-st/|date=August 3, 1968|page=A3|title=Channel 6 Manager Is Asked To Quit By Station's Board Of Directors|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063718/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115561165/channel-6-manager-is-asked-to-quit-by/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> this was later rescinded, and he resigned the next year instead. While bickering with the consortium of schools using its instructional programming and financial issues confronted KVIE at this time, 1970 also saw the station move its transmitter to Walnut Grove, giving its broadcasts parity with the market's three VHF commercial stations.<ref name="Sacr700329">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115561251/will-troubles-of-past-plague-forward-ste/|date=March 29, 1970|page=A6|first=Bruce|last=Keppel|title=Will Troubles Of Past Plague Forward Steps For KVIE?|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063718/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115561251/will-troubles-of-past-plague-forward/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Previously, limited power and the orientation of many Sacramento-area TV antennas away from KVIE's transmitter near [[Placerville, California|Placerville]] and toward Walnut Grove hindered reception.<ref name="Sacr700921">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115561317/clear-sharp-picture-channel-6-returns/|date=September 21, 1970|page=A4|title=Clear, Sharp Picture: Channel 6 Returns To Air With Widely Increased Range|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075135/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115561317/clear-sharp-picture-channel-6-returns/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

KVIE steadily increased its local programming. Most of its early efforts centered around activities at the state capitol. The station televised the full 14-hour death penalty hearing for [[Caryl Chessman]], a man who was convicted for a series of crimes in the late 1940s, and also aired governors' press conferences and legislative hearings at a time when longform coverage of such events was rare on television.<ref name="Sacr840222">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112196644/kvie-at-25-the-past-present-and-future/|date=February 22, 1984|page=F1|first=Dean|last=Huber|title=KVIE At 25: The Past, Present And Future Of Public Television|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063718/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112196644/kvie-at-25-the-past-present-and/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

The 1970s were turbulent times for station leadership. Art Paul succeeded Crabbe in 1970, and while he was successful at managing KVIE's finances—an issue in Crabbe's last years—station board members desired to increase local programming, and there were objections to several decisions and use of station funds.<ref name="vf">{{Cite AV media |url=https://vids.kvie.org/video/kvie-viewfinder-kvie-fifty/ |title=ViewFinder: KVIE at Fifty |date=February 11, 2009 |type=Video |publisher=KVIE |access-date=January 1, 2023 |archive-date=January 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101194740/https://vids.kvie.org/video/kvie-viewfinder-kvie-fifty/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|12:04}}<ref name="Sacr780918">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115582997/station-chief-key-issue-kvie-holding-cr/|date=September 18, 1978|page=B3|first=Doug|last=Dempster|title=Station Chief Key Issue: KVIE Holding Crucial Vote|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063719/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115582997/station-chief-key-issue-kvie-holding/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The board of directors recommended not rehiring Paul when his contract expired.<ref name="Sacr780727">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115583107/kvie-directors-recommend-station-chief-n/|date=July 27, 1978|page=B1|first=Pam|last=Slater|title=KVIE Directors Recommend Station Chief Not Be Rehired|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063718/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115583107/kvie-directors-recommend-station-chief/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Instructional programs also went by the wayside in 1978 as a result of [[Proposition 13]], which capped and reduced property taxes and severely restricted new tax increases; schools could no longer afford the programs as a result of declining tax receipts.<ref name="Sacr780616">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115582182/kvies-vita-could-be-tuned-out-by-prop/|date=June 16, 1978|page=B2|title=KVIE's VITA Could Be Tuned Out By Prop. 13|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101194736/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115582182/kvies-vita-could-be-tuned-out-by-prop/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

Under John Hershberger, general manager from 1979 to 1994, KVIE renewed its emphasis on local program production, which had been a sore point under Paul.<ref name="Sacr800810">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115584575/pbs-in-sacramento/|date=August 10, 1980|page=Scene 3|first=Robert A.|last=Masullo|title=PBS In Sacramento|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101194740/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115584575/pbs-in-sacramento/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> KVIE supporter organization Friends of Six, in a unique attempt to help raise funds for the station, opened ''At Six'', a restaurant in the Sierra 2 performing arts center.<ref name="Sacr830619">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622932/at-six-volunteers-are-the-power-behind/|date=June 19, 1983|page=D7|first=Michael|last=Bello|title=At Six!: Volunteers Are The Power Behind The Scones|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 2, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063719/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622932/at-six-volunteers-are-the-power/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The cafe lasted a year, beset by management turnover and poor advertising, and its closure left the station out $35,000 in money it gave for setup costs.<ref name="Sacr840721">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622987/fund-raising-restaurants-costly-closure/|date=July 21, 1984|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115623004/kvie/ B2]|first=Hilary|last=Abramson|title=Fund-raising restaurant's costly closure|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 2, 2023|archive-date=January 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102053306/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622987/fund-raising-restaurants-costly-closure/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

===A new building and digitalization===
The Garden Highway building, which had been constructed by KCCC-TV in stages in the early 1950s, was no longer adequate for KVIE after several decades of use and decay. In 1984, the station conducted studies to identify a site for a new station facility.{{r|Sacr840222}} KVIE had to lease other office space, and during the winter, portable toilets were necessary because the plumbing did not always work.{{r|Sacr850529}} Fundraising efforts began in 1985; at the same time, it was announced that KVIE would move to a new tower being erected by [[KTXL]] (channel 40) in Walnut Grove.<ref name="Sacr850529">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112196569/channel-6-launches-6-million-fund/|date=May 29, 1985|page=AA8|first=Dean|last=Huber|title=Channel 6 launches $6 million fund drive for new TV station|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075117/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112196569/channel-6-launches-6-million-fund/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Ground was broken on the present Natomas studios in 1988,<ref name="Sacr881105">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112196671/kvie-breaks-ground-for-studio-in-natomas/|date=November 5, 1988|page=F1|title=KVIE breaks ground for studio in Natomas|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075121/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112196671/kvie-breaks-ground-for-studio-in-natomas/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> and the station moved in in January 1990.<ref name="Sacr901025">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112196692/kvie-new-digs-loosen-up-space-at/|date=October 25, 1990|page=Neighbors 3A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112196722/kvie/ 7A]|first=Tom|last=Biondi|title=KVIE: New digs loosen up space at public television's HQ|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075140/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112196692/kvie-new-digs-loosen-up-space-at/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In Hershberger's final years, the station made three controversial rounds of layoffs, totaling 31 positions, in response to a soft economy, but KVIE's finances improved despite the [[early 1990s recession|recession]].<ref name="Sacr940806">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115584681/kvie-chief-leaving-public-tv-channel/|date=August 6, 1994|page=B4|first=Dan|last=Vierria|title=KVIE chief leaving public TV channel|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101194741/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115584681/kvie-chief-leaving-public-tv-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

After three years during which KVIE was led by former [[CBS News]] executive [[Van Gordon Sauter]], who launched several new TV programs including ''California Heartland'' and ''Central Valley Chronicles'',<ref name="Sacr950323">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115585145/ex-network-titan-to-run-channel-6/|date=March 23, 1995|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115585181/kvie-sauter-says-bolstering-local-progr/ A20]|first=Rick|last=Kushman|title=Ex-network titan to run Channel 6: Sauter vows fresh look at PBS|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101194738/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115585145/ex-network-titan-to-run-channel-6/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Sacr980108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115584993/van-gordon-sauter-is-leaving-kvie/|date=January 8, 1998|page=F1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115585039/sauter-station-made-progress/ F5]|title=Van Gordon Sauter is leaving KVIE|first=Dan|last=Vierria|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101194735/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115584993/van-gordon-sauter-is-leaving-kvie/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> David Hosley's nine-year tenure as general manager was dominated by the construction of digital transmission facilities and the upgrading of the physical plant.<ref name="Sacr980219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115584039/hosley-tapped-to-lead-channel-6-into-the/|date=February 19, 1998|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115583970/kvie-local-partnerships-sought/ C5]|first=Dan|last=Vierria|title=Hosley tapped to lead Channel 6 into the digital age|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115063719/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115584039/hosley-tapped-to-lead-channel-6-into/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Early in his tenure, in July 1999, KVIE managed the highest prime time rating of any public television station in the United States, surpassing [[KQED (TV)|KQED]] in San Francisco, which had attracted the most viewers for seven consecutive years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/1999/09/13/tidbits.html|title=KVIE pushes KQED out as nation's top PBS affiliate|work=Sacramento Business Journal|date=September 12, 1999|access-date=January 9, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115064219/https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/1999/09/13/tidbits.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

David Lowe became KVIE's general manager in 2008; at the nadir of the [[Great Recession]], membership fell to 40,000 but had increased to 50,000 by 2018. That year, the station and Lowe received a "Pillar of Public Service" award from America's Public Television Stations for testing datacasting of [[earthquake early warning]] alerts to businesses and public agencies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/05/09/ed-goldman-david-lowe-kvie-win-major-public-tv.html|work=Sacramento Business Journal|first=Ed|last=Goldman|title=David Lowe, KVIE win major public TV award|date=May 9, 2018|access-date=January 15, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115064219/https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/05/09/ed-goldman-david-lowe-kvie-win-major-public-tv.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Local programming==
[[File:KVIE pledge drive June 3, 2009 picture 3 (3673406516).jpg|right|thumb|alt=Two men stand at lecterns on a set with KVIE logos in front of a camera|Taping of a [[pledge drive]] insert at the KVIE studios in 2009]]
In addition to PBS programming, KVIE produces in-house programs for distribution locally, regionally and nationwide. Having the widest distribution is ''[[America's Heartland]]'', a program covering agriculture issues nationally that debuted in 2005; this replaced the similarly themed ''California Heartland'', which aired for nine seasons.<ref name="Sacr050613">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622438/farm-show-goes-national-california-hea/|date=June 13, 2005|page=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622492/heartland-show-wants-cities-to-see-fami/ D5]|first=Jim|last=Wasserman|title=Farm show goes national: 'California Heartland' outgrows its Golden State roots|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 2, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115064221/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622438/farm-show-goes-national-california/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

As the public television station in the state capital, KVIE has also historically produced public affairs programs of statewide interest. Until its cancellation in the early 1980s, the statewide political roundtable ''California Week in Review'' originated at the station.<ref name="LosA840331">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622300/on-the-radio-task-force-divided-on-fund/|date=March 31, 1984|page=V:1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622281/on-the-radio/ 11]|first=Dennis|last=McDougal|title=On the Radio: Task Force Divided on Funds Issue|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 2, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115064221/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622300/on-the-radio-task-force-divided-on/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> From 2002 to 2007, it was one of four co-producers of the statewide newsmagazine ''[[California Connected]]''.<ref name="LosA020424">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622207/public-stations-get-connected/|date=April 24, 2002|page=F6|first=Sufiya|last=Abdur-Rahman|title=Public Stations Get 'Connected'|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 2, 2023|archive-date=January 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102053313/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115622207/public-stations-get-connected/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> More recently, ''Inside California Education'', aired statewide, profiles issues facing the state's education system.{{r|lcsr}}

KVIE's local programs include ''Viewfinder'', a documentary series; ''KVIE Arts Showcase'', an arts magazine; ''Rob on the Road'', a series of regional travel profiles; and ''Studio Sacramento'', covering public affairs issues in the region.{{r|lcsr}}

==Funding==
In fiscal year 2021, KVIE raised $16.75 million in revenue, nearly half of the total coming from membership contributions. Funds from the [[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]] account for 11 percent of revenue.<ref name="lcsr">{{cite web|url=https://www.kvie.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/FY2021_LocalReport_New.pdf|title=Fiscal Year 2021 Local Content and Service Report|website=KVIE|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=December 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221114152/https://www.kvie.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/FY2021_LocalReport_New.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
KVIE's transmitter is located in [[Walnut Grove, California]].{{r|FCC-LMS-35855}} The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of KVIE<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KVIE#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KVIE|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101075157/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KVIE#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.1 
| rowspan="2"|[[1080i]] || rowspan=4| [[16:9]] || KVIE-HD || [[PBS]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.2 
| KVIE2 || Reairs of PBS shows
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.3 
| rowspan="2"|[[480i]] || KVIEWLD || [[World Channel|World]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.4 
| KVIEKID || [[PBS Kids]]
|}

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
KVIE ended regular programming on its analog signal, over [[VHF]] channel 6, on June 12, 2009, as part of the [[Digital television transition in the United States|federally mandated transition from analog to digital television]]. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition [[UHF]] channel 53, which was among the high band UHF channels (52-69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition, to VHF channel 9, using [[virtual channel]] 6.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>

As part of the [[SAFER Act]], KVIE kept its analog signal on the air until July 12 to inform viewers of the digital television transition through a loop of [[public service announcement]]s from the [[National Association of Broadcasters]].<ref name="FCC Nightlight">{{cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-291375A1.pdf|title=UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=June 3, 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://www.kvie.org/ Official website]

{{Sacramento TV}}
{{PBS California}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kvie}}
[[Category:1959 establishments in California]]
[[Category:PBS member stations]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1959]]
[[Category:Television stations in Sacramento, California|VIE]]