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What is the history of KTAC radio, Tacoma, Wa?
15 web pages
History of KTAC Radio, Tacoma, WA:
Origins and Early Years:
KTBI: KTAC began as KTBI, which went on the air in August 1942 at 1490 AM with a power of 250 watts. The call sign stood for Tacoma Broadcasters Incorporated. In 1945, H.J. Quilliam, president of Muzak in Seattle, purchased the station, leading to a frequency change to 810 AM with an increase to 1,000 watts, though it was limited to daytime broadcasting to avoid interference with KGO in San Francisco.
Frequency and Power Changes: In 1952, the station switched to the call sign KTAC and moved to AM 850, allowing it to broadcast around the clock with the same power of 1,000 watts.
The 1950s and 1960s:
Studio Relocation: By 1956, KTAC moved its studios and offices to the Winthrop Hotel in Tacoma.
Top 40 Era: KTAC adopted a Top 40 format in the late 1960s, competing with Seattle’s KJR, KING, and KOL for listeners in the South Sound area. Notable personalities during this time included Don Wade, Robert O’Smith, John Williams, Ron Erak, Bruce Cannon, Bob Case, and Ric Hansen.
1970s – 1980s:
Peak of Top 40: Throughout the 1970s, KTAC was known for its Top 40 programming, offering a local alternative to Seattle stations. It was a significant player in the radio landscape, with a strong, engaged listenership.
Ownership Changes: In 1966, KTAC was sold to Radio 850 Corporation. Further changes in ownership included acquisitions by Entertainment Communications of Philadelphia in 1973 and Entercom in the early 1990s.
Shift to FM and AM Simulcast: By the late 1980s, with the rise of FM radio, KTAC’s AM signal began to decline in popularity. Entercom attempted to bolster its presence by simulcasting with KMTT-FM in 1992, briefly adopting the KMTT-AM call sign.
1990s – 2000s:
Format Changes: The station underwent several format changes, including a stint as a sports talk station under different call signs (e.g., KHHO).
Sports and Talk: In 1998, under The Ackerley Group’s ownership, KTAC switched to an all-sports format with ESPN Radio programming. It later transitioned through CBS Sports Radio and NBC Sports Radio affiliations.
Conservative Talk and BIN: In 2018, KHHO shifted to a conservative talk format before becoming a charter station for iHeartMedia’s Black Information Network (BIN) in 2020, focusing on news programming for the African American community.
Current Status:
Location and Ownership: As of the latest information, KHHO (formerly KTAC) is at 850 AM, licensed to Tacoma, and owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. It operates with 10,000 watts by day and 1,000 watts by night due to clear channel regulations.
Content: Today, KHHO focuses on news catered towards the African American community as part of the BIN network, moving away from its historical Top 40 and sports radio roots.
Cultural Impact:
Local Talent and Programming: KTAC was significant for its local talent development, with many broadcasters starting or advancing their careers there. It also played a crucial role in local events and promotions, like the KTAC DJ’s vs. Pizza Pete’s Girls Softball Team in the early 1970s.
Legacy: Despite multiple format changes and ownership shifts, KTAC’s history is a testament to the dynamic nature of radio broadcasting in Tacoma, reflecting broader trends in media and technology.
This history is pieced together from various sources, including historical records, radio enthusiast discussions, and archived documents.
What were the sources for the KTAC information?
15 web pages
The sources for the KTAC information include:
**** – KHHO – Wikipedia
**** – KTAC AUDIO – QZVX – Broadcast History & Current Affairs
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What is the history of KTVW channel 13 Tacoma, Wa?
15 web pages
The history of KTVW, Channel 13 in Tacoma, Washington, is intricate and involves several ownership changes, network affiliations, and operational shifts. Here’s a detailed overview:
Early Years (1953 – 1969):
Launch and Initial Affiliation: KTVW signed on as KMO-TV on August 2, 1953, initially co-owned with KMO radio. It briefly served as an NBC affiliate until KOMO-TV in Seattle took over the NBC affiliation in December 1953.
Independent Status: After losing the NBC affiliation, it became an independent station under the call sign KTVW when J. Elroy McCaw bought the station in 1954. McCaw was known for running the station on a tight budget, focusing on local programming and syndicated content.
Local Programming: KTVW aired local shows like the “Penny and Her Pals” children’s program hosted by LaMoyne “Penny” Hreha in the 1960s, and “Stu Martin’s Double Date at the Movies.”
Blaidon Ownership (1971 – 1974):
New Ownership: After McCaw’s death in 1969, his estate sold KTVW to Blaidon Mutual Investors Corporation in 1971 for $1.1 million. Blaidon tried to modernize the station by introducing color broadcasting and attempting to upscale programming with shows like “The Tony Visco Show,” which aimed to be a local version of “The Tonight Show.”
Financial Struggles: Despite these efforts, KTVW continued to face financial difficulties, leading to its eventual bankruptcy and going off the air in 1974.
Educational Era (1975 – 1980):
Clover Park School District: In a surprising turn, the Clover Park School District, which operated educational station KPEC-TV on Channel 56, bought KTVW’s assets for $378,000 in 1975. The station relaunched as KCPQ, serving as an educational station with PBS programming from 1975 to 1980.
Return to Commercial Broadcasting (1980 – Present):
Kelly Broadcasting Acquisition: In 1980, Kelly Broadcasting, owners of KCRA-TV in Sacramento, purchased KCPQ from Clover Park for $6.25 million. The station transitioned back to commercial broadcasting, focusing on independent programming.
Subsequent Ownerships:
Tribune Broadcasting acquired it in the late 1990s through a series of transactions involving Meredith Corporation and Tribune’s purchase of other stations.
Nexstar Media Group bought Tribune in 2019, but KCPQ was part of a deal where Fox Television Stations acquired it in 2020 along with sister station KZJO.
Later Developments:
Programming and Branding: KCPQ became known for local sports broadcasts, particularly University of Washington and Washington State University games, and adopted the “Q13” brand. It later transitioned to “Fox 13” after being acquired by Fox Television Stations.
Current Operations: KCPQ continues to operate as a Fox affiliate, providing local news, sports, and syndicated programming to the Seattle-Tacoma area. Its studios are now in Seattle’s Westlake neighborhood, although it remains licensed to Tacoma.
Cultural Impact:
Local Identity: Throughout its history, KTVW/KCPQ has played a significant role in local broadcasting, from its early days of providing alternative entertainment to its educational phase and back to commercial broadcasting, shaping the media landscape of the Puget Sound region.
This history reflects the station’s journey through different phases of American television broadcasting, from network affiliations to independent and educational programming, and back to mainstream commercial broadcasting.
What sources were used for the information on KTVW?
15 web pages
The information on KTVW was sourced from:
**** – TELEVISION – QZVX – Broadcast History & Current Affairs – qzvx.com
**** – August 2, 1953: Channel 13 Tacoma – KMO/KTVW/KCPQ – QZVX – Broadcast History & Current Affairs – www.qzvx.com[](https://www.qzvx.com/2021/11/26/ktvw-channel-13-tacoma/) (http://www.qzvx.com[](https://www.qzvx.com/2021/11/26/ktvw-channel-13-tacoma/))
**** – KCPQ – Wikiwand – www.wikiwand.com[](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/KCPQ-TV) (http://www.wikiwand.com[](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/KCPQ-TV))
**** – KTVW Shut-down, Employees Unpaid, Station Sale Falls Through, Station Transferred to Receivership – QZVX – Broadcast History & Current Affairs – qzvx.com
Lou Robbins — Admin/Editor | Airchecks
KTOY | KVAC (WA-1974) | KDFL (WA-1975) | KTTX (TX- 1976) | KWHI (TX-1976) | KONP (WA-1977) | KBAM (WA-1978) | KJUN (WA-1983) | KRPM (WA-1984) | KAMT (WA-1986) | KASY (WA-1988) | KBRD (WA-1989) | KTAC (WA-1990) | KMTT (WA-1991) | KOOL (AZ-1994)
Similar results when we queried GROK about KOL Seattle and other stations.
Thank you for the credit, GROK!