For the first time in its 39-year history, the FOX broadcast network is available over the air in Mason City, Iowa.
Gray Media’s KXLT-TV/47.1 (Rochester, Minn.) announced the expansion of its coverage area in a rescan announcement on Oct. 30.
KXLT is now being relayed by K30QY-D (Mason City), which Gray moved in from southern Minnesota. K30QY-D transmits with 15kW, the maximum allowed for low-power TV/translator stations, and signal strength calculations by RabbitEars.info say it is now the strongest signal in Mason City.
KXLT-TV’s main signal transmits from a tower not far from the Iowa border near Grand Meadow, reaching Rochester and Austin but missing Mason City.
Gray had indicated plans to launch the KXLT translator when it purchased the station earlier this year for $490,500. KXLT had already operated for decades by Gray NBC affiliate KTTC/10.1 (Rochester), which can be received in Mason City with a rooftop antenna.
KXLT also carries North Star Sports, H&I, ION Mystery, Quest, Court TV, and Laff on subchannels.