So you're sitting on the couch in the 417, remote in hand, and nothing on the screen matches what you thought was supposed to be there. We've all been there. Finding a reliable Springfield MO TV schedule feels weirdly difficult lately, especially with how much the local stations have shuffled their subchannels. You might remember the days when channel 3 was just NBC and channel 10 was just CBS, but the digital age turned those single channels into entire neighborhoods of content.
Honestly, if you're still relying on the "Guide" button on an old cable box, you're probably missing half the story. The Ozarks television landscape has become a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. Between the Nexstar-owned stations sharing space and the Gray Television powerhouse over on West Sunshine, knowing who owns what—and where they put the good stuff—is the only way to actually find your shows.
Making Sense of the Springfield MO TV Schedule
Most people get frustrated because they check a generic national website that doesn't account for the "shared services" reality of Springfield. For instance, did you know that KY3 and KSPR basically live in the same building now? If you're looking for the ABC lineup, you're technically looking for KSPR-LD, but it's often bundled into the same digital stream as your NBC news.
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It's kinda wild how many channels we actually have. If you've got a decent digital antenna pointed toward Fordland, you aren't just getting the "Big Four." You're getting a massive variety of niche networks.
Take the current digital lineup as of early 2026. KY3 (NBC) dominates channel 3.1, but then you've got WeatherNation on 3.2 and Cozi TV on 3.3. If you’re a fan of old-school crime dramas or "Outlaw" westerns, those are tucked away on 3.4 and 3.5. If you didn't rescan your TV recently, you're likely staring at a "No Signal" screen on a channel that actually has a full movie running right now.
The Heavy Hitters: Where to Find the News
Locals usually care about the news more than anything else. In Springfield, the battle for the morning commute and the 10:00 p.m. slot is legendary.
- KY3 (NBC): Still the giant in the room. They run news almost constantly, including a 9:00 p.m. newscast that people often forget is actually on their CW affiliate (The Ozarks' CW, channel 33.2 or 15 by cable standards).
- KOLR 10 (CBS): They’ve got a long history here. Interestingly, they share a "virtual duopoly" with KOZL and KRBK Fox 49. If you’re looking for local sports, especially high school highlights, this is usually your home base.
- KSPR (ABC): Now operating as 33.1. They still hold their own at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., but they’ve basically merged their main news desk with KY3.
- KRBK (FOX): This one is the "younger" sibling but carries the heavy-hitting NFL games and the 9:00 p.m. Fox news block.
Why Your Antenna Isn't Picking Up Everything
You’ve probably noticed that some days channel 27 (KOZL) comes in crystal clear, while channel 21 (Ozarks Public Television) is nothing but digital artifacts. That’s because the transmitters aren't all in the same spot, though many are clustered near Fordland.
Elevation matters here. The Ozarks aren't exactly flat. If you’re down in a valley near James River, you might need a boosted antenna to catch the PBS signal clearly. A lot of folks think their TV is broken when really, they just haven't accounted for the signal bounce off the hills.
Speaking of PBS, Ozarks Public Television (KOZK) is a gem that people underestimate. It’s not just Sesame Street. On channel 21.2, they run PBS Kids 24/7, which is a lifesaver for parents. But 21.3 is "Create," which is basically DIY and cooking heaven. If you want to watch Rick Steves or learn how to paint like Bob Ross (yes, they still show him), that’s where you go.
The Subchannel Explosion
This is where the Springfield MO TV schedule gets really interesting. The "dot" channels have become the new frontier for binge-watching without a Netflix subscription.
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- Laff (10.2): Non-stop sitcoms. That '70s Show and Home Improvement live here.
- Grit (10.3): If it has a horse, a cowboy hat, or a dusty trail, it's on Grit.
- MeTV (24.6 or 8.1): This is the king of nostalgia. MASH*, The Andy Griffith Show, and Perry Mason.
- The Country Network (8.1): Music videos for people who miss when CMT actually played music.
Streaming vs. Broadcast in the 417
A lot of you have ditched the antenna altogether. I get it. But cutting the cord in Springfield has its own set of headaches. If you use YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, you generally get the local majors—KY3, KOLR, KSPR, and KRBK.
But you lose the subchannels.
You won't get "Mystery" or "Quest" on a standard streaming package. If you’re looking for a specific Springfield MO TV schedule for those niche channels, you basically have to go back to the antenna or use an app like Zeam. Zeam has actually been a game-changer for local news; it lets you stream KY3’s live broadcasts for free without a cable login. It’s sorta the best-kept secret for people who want local weather updates during tornado season but don't want to pay $70 a month for a streaming bundle.
Cable is Still Kicking (Sorta)
Mediacom is the primary player here, along with some newer fiber entries like Brightspeed or Quantum. On Mediacom, the channel numbers are completely different from the over-the-air numbers. Channel 3 becomes channel 7, channel 10 becomes channel 9. It’s confusing on purpose, I'm convinced.
If you're on cable, your guide is built-in, but it often lags. Honestly, the most accurate way to check the schedule is to go directly to the station's website. Stations like OzarksFirst.com (which covers KOLR, KOZL, and KRBK) or KY3.com have live grids that are updated in real-time when games run long or breaking news preempts Wheel of Fortune.
Dealing with Preemptions and Sports
Nothing ruins a Tuesday night like your favorite show being pushed to 1:00 a.m. because of a local telethon or a Mizzou game. This happens a lot in our market. Because we are a secondary sports market for the Cardinals and the Chiefs, expect the Springfield MO TV schedule to get blown up on weekends.
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KOLR 10 is the CBS home for the Chiefs. If they’re playing, your Sunday afternoon schedule is toast. Meanwhile, KRBK carries the Fox NFL games. If there’s a conflict, sometimes the "secondary" games get moved to KOZL 27. Basically, if you can't find the game on the main channel, check 27.
Actionable Steps for a Better TV Experience
If you’re tired of guessing what’s on, do these three things right now to fix your setup:
- Rescan your Digital Tuner: Do this every three months. Stations change their "virtual bitrates" and move subchannels more often than you’d think. If you haven't scanned since 2024, you're missing at least 3-4 new channels.
- Bookmark Local Grids: Don't use generic "TV Guide" sites. Bookmark the "Schedule" pages on KY3.com and OzarksFirst.com. They are the only ones that account for local Springfield preemptions.
- Get a High-UHF Antenna: Most Springfield signals are in the UHF range now. If you're using old "rabbit ears" from the 90s, you’re only getting half the signal strength. An amplified indoor antenna or a small outdoor Yagi-style antenna pointed North/Northeast (toward the Fordland towers) will change your life.
Stop guessing what’s on tonight. The information is out there, but you have to look at the local sources rather than the national conglomerates. Whether you’re looking for the latest weather alert or just want to catch an episode of The Price Is Right, staying on top of the local digital shuffle is the only way to win the battle for the remote.