KOAA TV signal went down in Trinidad, repairs ordered and streaming suggested

KOAA reported that viewers who receive the station in the Trinidad area lost access to the over the air signal on December 21, 2025, after a translator service experienced technical problems. Station engineers have identified the failure and ordered repairs, but the broadcaster said it did not have an estimated time for when the translator would be restored. The outage affected reception for households relying on antennas rather than internet connected services.

Translator transmitters are commonly used to extend television coverage into terrain challenged and more remote parts of a station market, and a failure can interrupt routine delivery of local news, weather and emergency information. For Trinidad residents who depend on antenna reception, the outage reduced immediate access to KOAA News5 newscasts and the station advised viewers to use streaming devices to watch live scheduled newscasts, recent stories, headlines and feature reporting such as 360 Reporting and News5 Investigates by searching KOAA on their device.

The interruption underscores two connected trends facing rural counties. Broadcasters are increasingly directing viewers to streaming platforms as audiences shift away from traditional television, but rural and lower income households often lack reliable broadband or compatible devices. That digital divide means an outage of over the air infrastructure can leave some residents with limited alternatives to receive timely local information. Local advertisers that target over the air audiences also face reduced reach while the translator remains offline.

For community preparedness, the outage highlights the value of multiple information channels. County emergency managers and local governments can use official websites, social media pages and local radio to push urgent notices when television transmission is impaired. KOAA said its engineering team was working to correct the problem and thanked viewers for their patience.

Residents in Las Animas County who cannot receive KOAA by antenna are encouraged to try a streaming device and search for KOAA to view newscasts and recent reporting until the translator is repaired. The station did not provide a timeline for restoration as of December 26, 2025.