KTVW expands late night schedule

December 5, 1962 – Swing shift workers who get home too late for even The Late Late Show will get an unexpected Christmas present. Those within range of Channel 13’s signal will be able to tune in television until 2:30 o’clock in the morning beginning December 17th. The KTVW-TV management announced yesterday that the Tacoma Independent station is one of the first two stations in the nation to sign for a program participation plan offered by the Independent Television Corporation. Under the plan the New York-based distributing company will make programs available to the station for late-night telecasting after Channel 13 normally is off the air. KTVW-TV which has been signing off at 11:30 will add 15 hours of telecast time weekly to it’s schedule, offering shows until 2:30 or later in the morning Monday through Friday. Under terms of the pact, the Tacoma station will pay the programming company for its product if the shows acquire sufficient sponsor revenue. If not, the service is offered free to stations with payment of minor service and shipping charges. KTVW’s revamped schedule will include such series as the Best of the Post, Cannonball, Charlie Chan Mysteries, Interpol Calling, New York Confidential and Four Just Men, From 11:30 to 1 o’clock. The station will conclude its broadcast schedule weeknights with Swing Shift Theater, featuring 90 minute RKO Motion Pictures produced between 1942 and 1955. At one time KTVW-TV attempted to keep the tubes lit up on a similar schedule but the service was suspended two years ago due to lack of sponsor interest. Channel 13 additional programming may not be regarded as any particular blessing in some quarters, but the night owl fraternity undoubtedly will welcome the service. Seattle’s newest radio station, KETO-AM, officially took the air at 6 o’clock this morning on 1590 kilocycles. Owned by William A. Boeing Junior., the station will take the kilocycle assignment of KTIX which went off the air six months ago. The 5000 watt AM station will complement Boeing’s KETO-FM and FM stereo operation and the combined facilities are being billed as the state’s first three-dimensional station. Simultaneous AMand FM programs will be offered from 6 o’clock in the morning until 6 in the evening and from 10 o’clock at night to 1 in the morning Monday through Saturday. In the period between 6 and 10 o’clock KETO-FM will present separate stereo programming. Sunday broadcasts on both AM and FM outlets will conclude at 10 at night. KETO programming will feature “the album sound” – vocal and instrumental music in the popular field. Jack Link is general manager and George Edgar serves as station manager.