Is KRON-TV (CW 4) on NextGen TV?
CW · channel 4 · San Francisco, CA (San Francisco-Oak-San Jose market)
KRON-TV's own transmitter now broadcasts only NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). Its regular channel didn't go away — it moved to KTVU's signal, and a rescan finds it under the same channel number.
Source: FCC licensing records, checked October 29, 2026.
KRON-TV at a glance
- Channel on your TV
- 4
- Real (RF) broadcast channel
- 7 · VHF-high
- Network
- CW
- City of license
- San Francisco, CA
- TV market
- San Francisco-Oak-San Jose (#6)
- License type
- Full-power
- NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0)
- Yes — 3.0-only transmitter
- NextGen TV since
- March 29, 2023
- Old-format (1.0) signal
- Carried by KTVU (2)
- FCC facility ID
- 65526
How KRON-TV shares transmitters
During the switch, stations in a market pair up: one transmitter (the “lighthouse”) goes NextGen-only and carries everyone’s 3.0 versions, while its own old-format programming moves to a partner. Your TV shows the same channel numbers either way.
- KRON-TV’s transmitter carries the NextGen TV versions of KTVU (2), KPIX-TV (CBS 5), KGO-TV (ABC 7), KNTV (NBC 11) and KDTV-DT (Univision 14).
- KRON-TV’s old-format programming now airs from KTVU (2) (RF 31).
Questions about KRON-TV
Is KRON-TV broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV)?
KRON-TV's own transmitter now broadcasts only NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). Its regular channel didn't go away — it moved to KTVU's signal, and a rescan finds it under the same channel number.
Will KRON-TV stop working on my TV?
KRON-TV's programming already moved to KTVU's transmitter and is still free over the air in the old format. Not under today's rules. Any full-power or Class A station that switches to NextGen TV must keep an old-format (ATSC 1.0) simulcast on the air, and that requirement has no end date. What could change it: broadcasters have asked the FCC to let full-power stations in the 55 largest markets end old-format signals in February 2028. The FCC's own October 2025 proposal leaned the other way — letting each station choose when to stop. A final decision is expected by the end of 2026.
Why can't I get channel 4?
If channel 4 disappeared, it's almost always because its old-format signal moved to KTVU's transmitter. Run a full channel scan (Settings → Channels → Auto scan) and it comes back under the same number. KRON-TV transmits on real (RF) channel 7, which is VHF-high. Many flat and "HD" indoor antennas are built mainly for UHF and do poorly on VHF-high (channels 7–13). If this station drops out while UHF stations come in, try an antenna that lists VHF-high reception, or one with rabbit-ear dipoles extended.
Why channels disappear → · Where the FCC decision stands → · Does my TV have a 3.0 tuner? →
Other stations in San Francisco-Oak-San Jose
- KAXT-CD (Catchy Comedy 1)
- KDTV-CD (Univision 28)
- KCNZ-CD (LATV 28)
- KTVU (2) · 3.0
- KPIX-TV (CBS 5) · 3.0
- KEDB (6)
- KGO-TV (ABC 7) · 3.0
- KQSL (8)
- KQED (PBS 9)
- KNTV (NBC 11) · 3.0
- KDTV-DT (Univision 14) · 3.0
- KOFY-TV (Merit Street 20)
- KRCB (PBS 22)
- KTSF (26)
- KMTP-TV (ETV 32)
- KICU-TV (36)
- KCNS (Shop LC 38)
- KTNC-TV (42)
- KPYX (44)
- KSTS (Telemundo 48)
- KEMO-TV (TIMELESS TV 50)
- KQEH (PBS 54)
- KPJK (PBS 60)
- KKPX-TV (ION 65)
- KFSF-DT (UniMás 66)
- KTLN-TV (Heroes & Icons 68)
Full San Francisco-Oak-San Jose station list and shutoff timeline →