Hawaii Television Stations Guide

Hawaii has four major news-producing television stations serving the islands:

• KHON2 (FOX): Hawaii's news leader with 37 hours of local news weekly and legendary anchor Joe Moore. Known for extensive sports and lifestyle coverage.
• Hawaii News Now (KGMB CBS/KHNL NBC): Combined news operation with the most-watched morning newscast and largest digital footprint. KGMB is renowned for investigative journalism.
• KITV4 (ABC): Produces 30+ hours of news weekly, including the market's only weekday midday newscast and weekend morning news on both Saturday and Sunday.

All three news organizations provide comprehensive coverage of breaking news, weather, traffic, and local events across all Hawaiian Islands.

Yes, all major Honolulu television stations are available on Hawaii's neighbor islands through multiple distribution methods:

• Full-Power Satellites: KITV operates KHVO-TV in Hilo and KMAU-TV on Maui. KHNL operates KHBC in Hilo and KOGG on Maui. PBS Hawaii operates KMEB on Maui. These stations simulcast Honolulu programming including local newscasts.
• Cable TV: Spectrum and Hawaiian Telcom (as of 2024) carry all major network affiliates throughout the islands.
• Satellite TV: DIRECTV and DISH Network provide all local Hawaii channels statewide.
• Translators: Kauai and remote areas use low-power translator stations to rebroadcast Honolulu signals.

Coverage is near-universal across all inhabited islands, ensuring neighbor island residents receive the same programming as Oahu viewers.

As of 2024, Hawaii residents have two cable TV providers to choose from:

• Spectrum (Oceanic Cable): Available statewide on Oahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai. Offers 125-200+ channels with bundle packages including internet and phone. Spectrum has served Hawaii for decades and holds renewed franchises through the 2020s.
• Hawaiian Telcom Fioptics+ TV: Launched on neighbor islands in July 2024, ending Spectrum's 30-year monopoly outside Oahu. Offers two package tiers (Advantage with 175+ channels, Advantage Plus with 250+ channels) delivered over fiber-optic infrastructure. Available in fiber-enabled neighborhoods on Oahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai.

Both providers offer triple-play bundles (TV, internet, phone) and compete on pricing and channel selection. Hawaiian Telcom's expansion was approved by the Hawaii DCCA to improve infrastructure and serve underserved communities.

Additionally, satellite TV from DIRECTV and DISH Network is available statewide, along with streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV.

Hawaii made television history on January 15, 2009, becoming the first state in the United States to permanently switch from analog to digital television broadcasting. All full-power TV stations in Hawaii ceased analog broadcasts at noon on that date, almost five months earlier than the national transition deadline of June 12, 2009.

The early transition was successful because:

• Hawaii's island geography made it an ideal test case for digital conversion
• The market is relatively contained with no cross-border signal interference issues
• State and federal officials conducted extensive public education campaigns
• Digital converter box distribution programs reached underserved communities

Additionally, Hawaii became an early adopter of ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) technology, with stations in Honolulu launching 4K broadcasts and enhanced mobile reception in 2022.

PBS Hawai'i is available throughout the Hawaiian Islands via multiple channels and platforms:

Over-the-Air Broadcast:

• KHET Channel 11: Serving Oahu and Honolulu (3 subchannels: 11.1 PBS, 11.2 PBS Kids/NHK World, 11.3 PBS Kids 24/7)
• KMEB Channel 10: Serving Maui County (3 subchannels: 10.1 PBS, 10.2 PBS Kids/NHK World, 10.3 PBS Kids 24/7)
• Translator Network: Low-power stations on Big Island and Kauai rebroadcast PBS Hawai'i programming

Cable & Satellite: Both Spectrum and Hawaiian Telcom carry PBS Hawai'i in their basic channel lineups. DIRECTV and DISH Network also include KHET.

Online Streaming: PBS Hawai'i programming is available on PBSHawaii.org and the PBS Video app for streaming on-demand.

PBS Hawai'i has broadcast 24 hours a day since July 15, 2019, offering continuous programming including national PBS shows, local Hawaii content, and the PBS Kids 24/7 channel for children's educational programming.

Hawaii News Now is a shared news operation created on October 26, 2009, combining the news departments of KGMB (CBS Channel 5) and KHNL (NBC Channel 13) under a single brand. Both stations continue to operate separately on different channels but share news production, anchors, reporters, and resources.

Why the merger happened:

• In August 2009, the stations' owners (MCG Capital for KGMB, Raycom Media for KHNL) entered a shared services agreement to reduce costs and compete more effectively with KHON-TV's dominant news ratings
• The combined operation allowed both stations to pool resources, expand coverage, and invest in better technology
• Gray Television acquired both stations in January 2019, continuing the shared news model

How it works today:

• Both KGMB and KHNL air the same newscasts simultaneously (simulcast)
• Viewers can watch Hawaii News Now on either Channel 5 or Channel 13
• The combined viewership made Hawaii News Now competitive with KHON2, with HNN's morning newscast "Sunrise" becoming the market's most-watched
• Hawaii News Now also produces content for KFVE (Telemundo Channel 6)

The partnership has been highly successful, creating what the stations describe as "a dominant news presence, with the most-visited website, most followers on social media platforms, and the highest rated news and entertainment programs."

Yes, Hawaii residents can access all major network television stations for free using a digital TV antenna. No cable or satellite subscription is required.

What you'll receive over-the-air on Oahu:

• KHON-TV Channel 2 (FOX, The CW)
• KITV Channel 4 (ABC, MeTV, Start TV, Heroes & Icons)
• KGMB Channel 5 (CBS, This TV)
• KHET Channel 11 (PBS Hawai'i, PBS Kids, NHK World)
• KHNL Channel 13 (NBC, Telemundo, Antenna TV)
• KIKU Channel 20 (Independent, Asian programming)
• Additional independent and religious stations

Equipment needed: A digital TV antenna (indoor or outdoor) connected to any television with a built-in digital tuner (all TVs sold since 2007). Indoor antennas typically cost $15-50, while outdoor antennas range from $40-150 depending on quality and reception needs.

Reception quality: Oahu residents generally get excellent reception due to transmitter locations on mountain ridges. Neighbor island residents have access to full-power satellite stations and translator networks, though reception quality depends on terrain and distance from transmitters.

Total free channels: Oahu viewers can typically receive 15-20+ digital channels over-the-air, including multiple subchannels with classic TV, movies, and specialty programming—all completely free.

Each major Hawaii TV station has unique strengths, and the "best" depends on your preferences:

KHON2 (FOX) - Overall News Leader:

• 37 hours of local news weekly (most in Hawaii)
• Legendary anchor Joe Moore ("Hawaii's most watched television newscaster") since 1979
• Strong emphasis on sports and lifestyle coverage
• Historical ratings leader for over 40 years

Hawaii News Now (KGMB CBS/KHNL NBC) - Morning & Digital Leader:

• Most-watched morning newscast ("Hawaii News Now: Sunrise" dominates 5-8 AM)
• Largest digital footprint (most-visited website, highest social media following)
• Award-winning investigative journalism on KGMB
• Combined resources of two networks for comprehensive coverage

KITV4 (ABC) - Most News Hours & Community Focus:

• 30+ hours of weekly local news (highest for an ABC affiliate in this market size)
• Only station with weekday midday newscast and weekend morning news (Saturday & Sunday)
• Strong emphasis on community stories and island-wide presence
• 24/7 news subchannel (4.3) with continuous weather and skycam feeds

Recommendation: Try watching different stations' evening newscasts for a week to see which presentation style, anchors, and coverage focus matches your preferences. Many viewers watch KHON2 or Hawaii News Now for evening news, but tune to KITV4 for midday updates or weekend morning coverage.