Albuquerque CBS viewers should prepare for an Aug. 1 station change

CBS viewers in the Albuquerque television market should prepare for a scheduled station change beginning August 1, 2026. KOAT says it will begin carrying CBS programming while KRQE will no longer serve as the market’s CBS affiliate.

For viewers who receive television over the air with an antenna, CBS programming is expected to appear on KOAT 7.4. KOAT advises some viewers to rescan their televisions or converter boxes if the channel does not appear after the transition.

What antenna viewers should do

Viewers who currently rely on KRQE for CBS should check their channel lineup beginning August 1. The station change does not mean KOAT’s main over-the-air channel is moving. The confirmed CBS service is on digital subchannel KOAT 7.4.

A channel rescan may be necessary because digital televisions and antenna receivers do not always add or update subchannels automatically. Viewers should consult their television or converter-box instructions if they need help running the scan.

What pay-TV customers should expect

Cable, satellite, and live-TV streaming customers should check their provider’s local-channel listings before the scheduled change. The available station notices did not yet identify final channel positions for every provider, so Albuquerque-area customers should not assume the new CBS channel will use the same number across services.

Customers who watch CBS through a television package, streaming bundle, or provider-owned guide should look for an updated local lineup as August 1 approaches.

How the Albuquerque market is changing

KOAT says it will carry CBS primetime programming, CBS News, and CBS Sports while continuing its ABC programming and local newscasts. That would give the Hearst-owned station programming from both networks.

KRQE is expected to move to full-time Fox programming after CBS leaves the station. The change is part of a broader affiliation shift involving some stations owned by Nexstar and Hearst, according to trade reporting from The Desk and local coverage from Albuquerque Business First.

The August 1 date is a scheduled start date, not a completed change. Albuquerque viewers should check KOAT announcements and their television provider’s listings before the transition, particularly if they depend on an antenna or currently watch CBS through KRQE.

Sources

• KOAT viewer notice: CBS programming begins August 1
• Albuquerque Business First: CBS switches from KRQE to KOAT
• The Desk: Hearst and Nexstar CBS affiliation changes