KUSI-TV
KUSI-TV (channel 51) is an independent television station in San Diego, California, United States. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside Fox affiliate KSWB-TV (channel 69). KUSI-TV's studios are located on Viewridge Avenue (near I-15) in the Kearny Mesa section of San Diego, and its transmitter is located southeast of Spring Valley.
| ATSC 3.0 station | |
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| Channels |
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| Branding | KUSI; KUSI News |
| Programming | |
| Affiliations |
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| Ownership | |
| Owner |
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Sister stations | KSWB-TV |
| History | |
First air date | September 13, 1982 |
Former channel number(s) | Analog: 51 (UHF, 1982–2009) |
Former affiliations | UPN (1995–1998) |
Call sign meaning | Station was built by United States International University |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 10238 |
| ERP | 355 kW |
| HAAT | 576 m (1,890 ft) |
| Transmitter coordinates | 32°41′51″N 116°56′5.7″W |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Website | fox5sandiego |
After a 15-year dispute over permit ownership that almost derailed the launch of the station on multiple occasions, KUSI began broadcasting in 1982 as a partnership between United States International University and McKinnon Broadcasting Company. It was the first independent station built in San Diego proper. Financial and accreditation problems at USIU led to the sale of its stake to McKinnon in 1990, with McKinnon exercising veto power to block any sale to another entity. McKinnon then started KUSI's news department, which has since grown to produce newscasts throughout the day. In 2023, McKinnon sold KUSI to Nexstar. The station's transmitter broadcasts KUSI and KSWB-TV in ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) format.