KBFD transitions to high definition

Honolulu-based television station KBFD-TV — known for airing Korean drama series and other Korean-language programming — has finished its transition to high-definition broadcasting statewide.

KBFD, which started in 1986, is the first independent station in Hawaii to transition to HD. It launched HD service on Oahu in 2015 and finished its neighbor island conversion last week. Programming can be found on Spectrum channels 2 and 1002 and Hawaiian Tel channels 12 and 1012.

KBFD General Manager Jeff Chung said he expects a boost in viewership by year’s end as a result of being able to offer HD programming statewide.

“On Oahu, KBFD HD has increased our viewership by more than 100 percent and we expect the same to happen on neighbor islands,” he said.

Chung pens the “K-Drama” column that runs Sundays in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Currents section.