Removed parameters. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:Incomplete lists from October 2021 | #UCB_Category 9/1778
|
|||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}} |
|||
{{Short description|American broadcasting company}} |
{{Short description|American broadcasting company}} |
||
{{more citations needed|date=December 2012}} |
{{more citations needed|date=December 2012}} |
||
{{Infobox company |
{{Infobox company |
||
| name |
| name = Kaiser Broadcasting Corp. |
||
| logo |
| logo = Kaiser_Broadcasting_logo_1968.jpg |
||
| caption |
| caption = |
||
| type |
| type = Private subsidiary |
||
| fate = sold |
|||
| traded_as = |
|||
| successor = [[Field Communications]] |
|||
| fate = sold<ref name=lat/> |
|||
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1957}} |
|||
| predecessor = |
|||
| founder = [[Henry J. Kaiser]] |
|||
| successor = [[Field Communications]]<ref name=lat/> |
|||
| |
| defunct = {{End date and age|1977}} |
||
| location_city = {{ubl|Oakland, California, U.S.|San Francisco, California, U.S.}} |
|||
| founder = [[Henry J. Kaiser]]<ref name=lat/> |
|||
| key_people = {{ubl|Richard Block; [[Vice president|VP]], [[General manager|GM]]|Don B. Curran, President}} |
|||
| defunct = {{End date and age|1977}}<ref name=lat/> |
|||
| industry = Television |
|||
| location_city = {{Plainlist| |
|||
| parent = Kaiser Industries |
|||
* Oakland, California, U.S.<ref name=by1969/> |
|||
| divisions = Kaiser Broadcasting Company |
|||
* San Francisco, California, U.S.<ref name=byb1975/> |
|||
}} |
|||
| location_country = |
|||
| locations = |
|||
| area_served = |
|||
| key_people = {{Plainlist| |
|||
* Richard Block, {{small|[[Vice president|VP]], [[General manager|GM]]}}<ref name=by1969/> |
|||
* Don B. Curran, {{small|President}}<ref name=byb1975/> |
|||
}} |
|||
| industry = Television |
|||
| products = |
|||
| production = |
|||
| services = |
|||
| revenue = |
|||
| operating_income = |
|||
| net_income = |
|||
| assets = |
|||
| equity = |
|||
| owner = |
|||
| num_employees = |
|||
| parent = [[Kaiser Industries]]<ref name=lat/> |
|||
| divisions = Kaiser Broadcasting Company<ref name=byb1975/> |
|||
| subsid = Kaiser-Globe Broadcasting Corp.<ref name=by1969/> |
|||
| footnotes = |
|||
| intl = |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
The '''Kaiser Broadcasting Corp.''' was an American [[broadcast media]] company that owned and operated [[television station]]s and [[radio station]]s in the [[United States]] from 1958 to 1977.<ref name=lat/> |
The '''Kaiser Broadcasting Corp.''' was an American [[broadcast media]] company that owned and operated [[television station]]s and [[radio station]]s in the [[United States]] from 1958 to 1977.<ref name=lat/> |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
Kaiser's involvement in television broadcasting began when the '''[[Henry J. Kaiser]] Company Ltd.''', a multi-industrial conglomerate, signed on KHVH-TV in [[Honolulu, Hawaii]] (operating on channel 13 at the time), in 1957.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} In 1958 Kaiser purchased Honolulu's KULA-TV<ref name=bpp>{{cite web|last=Wilkinson|first=Gerry|title=WKBS Signoff|url=http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/wkbssignoff.html|publisher=Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia|access-date=30 |
Kaiser's involvement in television broadcasting began when the '''[[Henry J. Kaiser]] Company Ltd.''', a multi-industrial conglomerate, signed on KHVH-TV in [[Honolulu, Hawaii]] (operating on channel 13 at the time), in 1957.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} In 1958 Kaiser purchased Honolulu's KULA-TV<ref name=bpp>{{cite web|last=Wilkinson|first=Gerry|title=WKBS Signoff|url=http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/wkbssignoff.html|publisher=Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia|access-date=August 30, 2012}}</ref> and merged it with KHVH, resulting in KULA becoming the new KHVH-TV, which is now [[KITV]].{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} |
||
Later in the 1960s, Kaiser explored new opportunities to expand its broadcast holdings on the [[Continental United States|U.S. mainland]]. [[Planning permission|Construction permits]] were secured for multiple [[ultra high frequency]] (UHF) stations, all in large markets, and KHVH-TV was sold off to help fund this expansion.<ref name="SanFra19660313p37" /> The first two of these stations signed on during 1965: [[WKBD-TV]] in [[Detroit]] went on the air in January,<ref name="SanFra19660313p37">{{Cite news |last=Newton |first=Dwight |date=March 13, 1966 |title=Kaiser TV On the Way |page=II:5 |work=San Francisco Examiner |location=San Francisco, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72559354/kaiser-tv-on-the-way/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927203748/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72559354/kaiser-tv-on-the-way/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> followed nine months later by [[WKBS-TV (Philadelphia)|WKBS-TV]] in [[Burlington, New Jersey]], a suburb of [[Philadelphia]].<ref>{{cite news |date=September 1, 1965 |title=2d UHF Commercial Station to Bow |page=28 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80515818/ |url-status=live |accessdate=June 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926014218/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80515818/2d-uhf-commercial-station-to-bow/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> [[KVEA|KMTW-TV]] took to the air on June 29, 1966.<ref name="debut">{{cite news |date=June 29, 1966 |title=UHF Channel 52 to Debut Today |page=IV:19 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81196202/uhf-channel-52-to-debut-today/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712043857/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81196202/uhf-channel-52-to-debut-today/ |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Later renamed KBSC-TV,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 24, 1968 |title=Channel Call Letters Changes |page=III:3 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81196312/channel-call-letters-changed/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712043857/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81196312/channel-call-letters-changed/ |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> this station proved to a weak point in the chain after failing to attain a local [[Phonevision]] franchise and became uncompetitive against the market's established seven other [[Independent station (North America)|independent]] stations.<ref name="supersales">{{cite news |last=Dutton |first=Walt |date=July 8, 1966 |title=UHF Stations Grow: L.A. TV Market Super Sales Area |page=IV:14 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81196254/la-tv-market-super-sales-area/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712043857/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81196254/la-tv-market-super-sales-area/ |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |
|||
Later in the 1960s, Kaiser explored new opportunities to expand its broadcast holdings on the [[Continental United States|U.S. mainland]]. Kaiser secured [[construction permit#broadcasting|permits to construct]] new [[UHF]] stations, all of which were in large markets. The first two of these new stations signed-on during 1965: [[WKBD-TV]] in [[Detroit]] went on the air in January, followed nine months later by [[WKBS-TV (Philadelphia)|WKBS-TV]] in [[Burlington, New Jersey]], a suburb of [[Philadelphia]]. Also that year Kaiser sold KHVH-TV, partially to help fund its mainland expansion.<ref name=bpp/> |
|||
Also in June 1966, Kaiser purchased the broadcast assets of Harvey Radio Laboratories, including [[WJIB|WXHR AM]]/[[WBQT (FM)|FM]]/TV.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 17, 1966 |title=Boston UHF Channel Bought by Kaiser Corp. |page=9 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86882554/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016073042/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86882554/boston-uhf-channel-bought-by-kaiser/ |archive-date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> The television station had been off the air since 1956<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 9, 1956 |title=Mass. Lt. Governor Speaks At Final WTAO-TV Telecast |page=61 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-04-09-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629112909/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-04-09-BC.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2021}}</ref> but the license remained active and was purchased by Harvey Radio in 1959.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Elizabeth |date=September 21, 1962 |title=Archdiocese Gets New Hub UHF Channel |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86882359/tv-station/ 7] |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86882300/archdiocese-gets-new-hub-uhf-channel/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016073039/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86882300/archdiocese-gets-new-hub-uhf-channel/ |archive-date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' then purchased a 50 percent stake in the Boston stations,<ref>{{cite news |date=June 29, 1966 |title=Asks UHF Channel: Globe-Kaiser Seeks Hub TV |edition=Evening |page=1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86882586/asks-uhf-channel-globe-kaiser-seeks-hub/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016073043/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86882586/asks-uhf-channel-globe-kaiser-seeks/ |archive-date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> creating a 50–50 [[joint venture]] that took advantage of a [[loophole]] in a proposed FCC regulation limiting one group to no more than three television stations in the top 50 markets.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |date=September 25, 1967 |title=Another waiver for a group: FCC bypasses its proposed limit of three TV's in top-50 markets for fifth time in Kaiser case |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-09-25-BC.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=73 |issue=13 |pages=60, 62 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108152001/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-09-25-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> The television station was reactivated as [[WLVI|WKBG-TV]] on December 21, 1966.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 22, 1966 |title=WKBG-TV, Channel 56, On the Air |page=1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86883101/wkbg-tv-channel-56-on-the-air/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016074706/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86883101/wkbg-tv-channel-56-on-the-air/ |archive-date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> |
|||
In December 1966, Kaiser teamed up with the ''[[Boston Globe]]'' forming WKBG Inc. (later Kaiser-Globe Broadcasting<ref name=by1969/>) to purchase WXHR (AM-FM-[[WLVI-TV|TV]]) from Harvey Radio Laboratories.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Top 50 rule may have breathed its last|journal=Broadcasting|date=October 24, 1966|pages=9|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-IDX/66-OCR/1966-10-24-BC-0009.pdf|access-date=31 August 2012}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> WKBG, WCAS and WJIB were all placed into Kaiser-Globe Broadcasting Corp., 90% ownership by Kaiser Broadcasting and 10% Boston Globe.<ref name=by1969>{{cite journal|title=Group Ownership|journal=Broadcasting Yearbook|year=1969|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB-IDX/60s-OCR-YB/1969-YB/1969-BC-YB-for-OCR-Page-0151.pdf|access-date=31 August 2012}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Kaiser started up two more stations, [[KBCW (TV)|KBHK-TV]] in [[San Francisco]] and [[WKBF-TV]] in [[Cleveland]], within three weeks of each other in January 1968.<ref name=bpp/> |
|||
Kaiser started up two more stations, [[KBCW (TV)|KBHK-TV]] in [[San Francisco]] and [[WKBF-TV]] in [[Cleveland]], at the start of 1968. The company had intended to have both stations sign on at the same time on January 2, 1968, and arranged for executives to be present at both facilities for the occasion,<ref name="SanFra19671016p19">{{Cite news |last=Newton |first=Dwight |date=October 16, 1967 |title=New KBHK Warms Up |page=19 |work=San Francisco Examiner |location=San Francisco, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72559639/new-kbhk-warms-up/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927203748/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72559639/new-kbhk-warms-up/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> but repeated construction delays at the transmitter site due to inclement weather prevented WKBF-TV from signing on until January 19.<ref name="CPD19680120p12">{{cite news |date=January 20, 1968 |title=Channel 61 Is on Air Today |page=12 |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-12BC18122831657C%402439876-12B97A61D70F399D%4011-12B97A61D70F399D?clipid=tjegprzrusyfxvmfgqhiumrmwcdmgzox_wma-gateway008_1662872083680 |url-status=live |access-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923220626/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-12BC18122831657C%402439876-12B97A61D70F399D%4011-12B97A61D70F399D?clipid=tjegprzrusyfxvmfgqhiumrmwcdmgzox_wma-gateway008_1662872083680 |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |via=GenealogyBank}}</ref> Like WKBG-TV, WKBF-TV was jointly owned by Kaiser and Superior Broadcasting Company (which attained the station's construction permit<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 13, 1966 |title=For the Record: New call letters requested |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-06-13-BC.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=70 |issue=24 |page=92 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151355/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-06-13-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>) for its' first four years of operation,<ref name="WKBFjointventure">{{unbulleted list citebundle|{{cite magazine|date=May 8, 1967 |title=For the Record |page=101 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=72 |issue=19 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-05-08-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151231/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-05-08-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |via=World Radio History}}|{{cite magazine|date=May 8, 1967 |title=Kaiser has option to buy out Superior |page=66 |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=72 |issue=19 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-05-08-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151231/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-05-08-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |via=World Radio History}}}}</ref><ref name="WKBFbuyout">{{cite magazine |date=September 4, 1972 |title=For the Record: Ownership Changes–Actions |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-09-04-BC.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=83 |issue=10 |page=44 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151458/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-09-04-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> but was formally recognized as "a Kaiser station"<ref name="AkronB19671214p 49">{{Cite news |last=Shippy |first=Dick |date=December 14, 1967 |title=UHF Entry: Channel 61, Jan. 1 Air Date For Cleveland's WKBF |page=B23 |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109521724/uhf-entry-channel-61-jan-1-air-date/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914153258/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109521724/uhf-entry-channel-61-jan-1-air-date/ |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> equally taking advantage of the FCC's aforementioned "top 50 market" ownership limit.<ref name=":0" /> |
|||
In September 1967, the Kaiser Broadcasting Corporation announced plans for live [[television network]] operations by 1970.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Kellner|first=C.A.|date=Spring 1969|title=The Rise and Fall of the Overmyer Network|journal=Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media|volume=13|issue=2|pages=125–130|doi=10.1080/08838156909386290}}</ref> |
|||
In September 1967, the Kaiser Broadcasting Corporation announced plans for live [[television network]] operations by 1970.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 25, 1967 |title=Kaiser's plans move forward: Group's dream of network by late 1970 is supported by approval of Cleveland UHF purchase and other moves |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-09-25-BC.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=73 |issue=13 |page=54 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108152001/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-09-25-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> Excluding KBSC-TV, all stations in the Kaiser chain placed a significant emphasis on local programming, with some of the more popular programs syndicated to other Kaiser stations. These included shows hosted by Joe Dolan in San Francisco, Alan Douglas in Cleveland,<ref name="CPD19691108p7D">{{cite news |last=Hart |first=Raymond P. |date=November 8, 1969 |title=Switches to Channel 43: Hey Kids, 'Barnaby' Is Returning Dec. 1 |page=7-D |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-12CE398439B8D7D2%402440534-12CE378D6D7D4058%4050-12CE378D6D7D4058?clipid=wjzvyltrglppsguzmhpvrcfstyqmdtyj_wma-gateway014_1664161162996 |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926042453/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-12CE398439B8D7D2%402440534-12CE378D6D7D4058%4050-12CE378D6D7D4058?clipid=wjzvyltrglppsguzmhpvrcfstyqmdtyj_wma-gateway014_1664161162996 |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=GenealogyBank}}</ref> [[Hy Lit]] in Philadelphia<ref name="AkronB19680216p 26">{{Cite news |date=February 16, 1968 |title=Television Tonight... And Tomorrow |page=B6 |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110243246/television-tonight-and-tomorrow/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926212307/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110243246/television-tonight-and-tomorrow/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and [[Lou Gordon (journalist)|Lou Gordon]] in Detroit.<ref name="AkronB19680113p 30">{{Cite news |date=January 13, 1968 |title=Television Today/Area TV Schedules |page=B18 |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110243599/television-todayarea-tv-schedules/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926212306/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110243599/television-todayarea-tv-schedules/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Gordon's WKBD-TV show proved to be the most successful, with all the Kaiser stations eventually carrying the program.<ref name="AkronB19711107p 69">{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1971 |title=Ford Sees 'Tremendous Price Hikes' |page=C3 |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |agency=Associated Press |location=Akron, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110241971/ford-sees-tremendous-price-hikes/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926212313/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110241971/ford-sees-tremendous-price-hikes/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> This internal networking practice continued into the mid-1970s when "The Ghoul", a WKBF-TV [[horror host]] portrayed by [[Ron Sweed]],<ref name="CPD19840924Fp40">{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Jane |date=September 24, 1982 |title=Ghoul is going after local bands |page=Friday 40 |work=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-130CE7BB5D44827D%402445237-130CE146C4E5D5C6%40116-130CE146C4E5D5C6?clipid=junkbbzaztmxpvnvvoyrmdjaumyppere_wma-gateway015_1663302892615 |url-status=live |access-date=September 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919050325/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-130CE7BB5D44827D%402445237-130CE146C4E5D5C6%40116-130CE146C4E5D5C6?clipid=junkbbzaztmxpvnvvoyrmdjaumyppere_wma-gateway015_1663302892615 |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |via=GenealogyBank}}</ref> was syndicated to WKBD-TV,<ref name="Detroi19720520p 31">{{Cite news |last=Hanna |first=Charlie |date=May 20, 1972 |title=The Ghoul and Cavett: What Were They Trying To Say? |page=11C |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit, Michigan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110216027/the-ghoul-and-cavett-what-were-they/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926065756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110216027/the-ghoul-and-cavett-what-were-they/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WKBG-TV,<ref name="Boston19740606p53">{{Cite news |date=June 6, 1974 |title=Ask The Globe |page=53 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |location=Boston, Massachusetts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110216171/ask-the-globe/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926065819/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110216171/ask-the-globe/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> KBHK-TV<ref name="Detroi19730119p 11">{{Cite news |last=Talbert |first=Bob |date=January 19, 1973 |title=Lunch With The Ghoul a Zesty Affair |page=11A |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit, Michigan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110216064/lunch-with-the-ghoul-a-zesty-affair/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926065756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110216064/lunch-with-the-ghoul-a-zesty-affair/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and later [[WFLD-TV]] (the latter after Kaiser purchased majority control).<ref name="Chicag19731202p449">{{Cite news |date=December 2, 1973 |title=TV mailbag |page=2 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune TV Week |location=Chicago, Illinois |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109522103/tv-mailbag-svengoolie-cancelled-for/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919050408/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109522103/tv-mailbag-svengoolie-cancelled-for/ |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="Chicag19740224p260">{{Cite news |date=February 24, 1974 |title=TV mailbag |page=2 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune TV Week |location=Chicago, Illinois |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110216411/tv-mailbag-ghoul-bumper-sticker/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926065819/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110216411/tv-mailbag-ghoul-bumper-sticker/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |
|||
Although many of ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'s'' third season's episodes were of poor quality, it gave ''Star Trek'' enough episodes for [[television syndication]].<ref name="teitelbaum19910505">{{cite news | url=http://articles.latimes.com/print/1991-05-05/magazine/tm-2100_1_star-trek | title=How Gene Roddenberry and his Brain Trust Have Boldly Taken 'Star Trek' Where No TV Series Has Gone Before : Trekking to the Top | work=Los Angeles Times | date=May 5, 1991 | page = 16 | access-date=January 24, 2012 | author=Teitelbaum, Sheldon}}</ref> Most shows require at least four seasons for syndication, because otherwise there are not enough episodes for daily [[stripping (television)|stripping]]. Kaiser Broadcasting, however, had already purchased syndication rights for ''Star Trek'' during the first season for its stations in several large cities. The company arranged the unusual deal because it saw the show as effective [[Counterprogramming (television)|counterprogramming]] against the [[Big Three networks]]' 6 pm evening news programs.<ref name="abbott2010">{{cite book| author = Abbott, Stacey| title = The Cult TV Book| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=gA7qK_VhVH0C| date = March 10, 2010| publisher = I.B. Tauris| isbn = 978-1-84885-026-2 }}</ref>{{rp|138}}Paramount began advertising the reruns in [[trade press]] in March 1969;<ref name="to20081215">{{cite web | url=http://www.tvobscurities.com/2008/12/star-trek-syndication-advertisements-circa-1969-1970/ | title=Star Trek Syndication Advertisements, Circa 1969-1970 | publisher=Television Obscurities | date=December 15, 2008 | access-date=May 15, 2011}}</ref> as Kaiser's ratings were good, other stations, such as [[WPIX]] in New York City, also purchased the episodes<ref name="meehan2005">{{cite book| author = Meehan, Eileen R.| title = Why TV is not our fault: television programming, viewers, and who's really in control| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=SEtw4yGRjwUC| year = 2005| publisher = Rowman & Littlefield| isbn = 978-0-7425-2486-6 }}</ref>{{rp|91–92}} for similar counterprogramming. |
|||
Beginning in 1968, Kaiser committed to launching news services throughout the chain, many of which boasted late-evening newscasts an hour earlier than network affiliates.<ref name="CPD19680519p7G">{{cite news |last=Hart |first=Raymond P. |date=May 19, 1968 |title=Channel 61 Aims at Aug. 12 for Debut of 10 p.m. News |page=7-G |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-12BE1E21E7CE9A49%402439996-12BE1BC161285BDD%40174-12BE1BC161285BDD?clipid=jobblmpzgtbzlebifxuxrasjdvowiumh_wma-gateway009_1662872154062 |access-date=September 25, 2022 |via=GenealogyBank}}</ref> Kaiser invested approximately $6 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|6000000|1970}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) into these news departments, with emphasis given to WKBF-TV, WKBS-TV and WKBD-TV;<ref name="KaiserDownToBone">{{cite magazine |date=November 16, 1970 |title=Down to the bone in Kaiser's news: UHF group gives notice to 50 air journalists in sharp economy move |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1970/1970-11-16-BC.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=79 |issue=20 |page=51 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151321/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1970/1970-11-16-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> WKBG-TV's news operation was the last to launch on December 1, 1969.<ref name="Boston19691130p322">{{Cite news |date=November 30, 1969 |title=The Cover |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110358196/the-cover/ 1]–2 |newspaper=The Boston Globe TV Week |location=Boston, Massachusetts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110358175/the-cover-p2/ |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The high costs incurred, in addition to a weak economic picture nationally and a marketplace reluctant to embrace UHF, led Kaiser to suspend news operations throughout the entire chain on November 12, 1970.<ref name="KaiserDownToBone" /> Out of the five stations with a news department, only WKBD-TV turned a profit but still had ratings much lower than had been expected.<ref name="Detroi19701113p 1">{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Bettylou |date=November 13, 1970 |title=Staff of 17 Fired: Channel 50 Cancels News |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110243775/staff-of-17-fired-channel-50-cancels/ 4A] |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit, Michigan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110243740/staff-of-17-fired-channel-50-cancels/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926212336/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110243740/staff-of-17-fired-channel-50-cancels/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WKBG-TV's picture was especially dire, having lost nearly $11 million over the course of four years.<ref name="newscuts">{{cite news |last=Shain |first=Percy |date=November 12, 1970 |title=Channel 56 cuts night news show |edition=Evening |page=4 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86883438/channel-56-cuts-night-news-show/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016074729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86883438/channel-56-cuts-night-news-show/ |archive-date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> The unilateral move to cull local newscasts was met with doubts and concerns in the industry over the profitability of UHF stations given Kaiser's reputation as a well-equipped broadcaster.<ref name="KaiserDownToBone" /> |
|||
[[KVEA|KBSC-TV]] was purchased in 1966. In 1972, the company sold a minority ownership (about 22.5 percent) in some of its broadcasting holdings to [[Chicago]]-based [[Field Communications]]. Through this exchange, Kaiser also acquired a majority interest in [[WFLD|WFLD-TV]], Field's Chicago station, and added it to its stable.<ref name=bpp/> The Kaiser/Field partnership was named Kaiser Broadcasting Co. (Kaiser Co.) and included KBHK-TV, WFLD-TV, WKBD-TV, WKBS-TV and WKBF-TV.<ref name=byb1975>{{cite journal|title=Group Ownership: Kaiser Broadcasting Stations|journal=Broadcasting Yearbook|year=1975|pages=A-34|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB-IDX/70s-OCR-YB/1975-YB/1975-BC-YB-for-OCR-Page-0054.pdf|access-date=31 August 2012}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
|||
Although many of ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'s'' third season's episodes were of poor quality, it gave ''Star Trek'' enough episodes for [[television syndication]].<ref name="teitelbaum19910505">{{cite news | url=http://articles.latimes.com/print/1991-05-05/magazine/tm-2100_1_star-trek | title=How Gene Roddenberry and his Brain Trust Have Boldly Taken 'Star Trek' Where No TV Series Has Gone Before : Trekking to the Top | work=Los Angeles Times | date=May 5, 1991 | page = 16 | access-date=January 24, 2012 | author=Teitelbaum, Sheldon}}</ref> Most shows require at least four seasons for syndication, because otherwise there are not enough episodes for daily [[stripping (television)|stripping]]. Kaiser Broadcasting, however, had already purchased syndication rights for ''Star Trek'' during the first season for its stations in several large cities. The company arranged the unusual deal because it saw the show as effective [[Counterprogramming (television)|counterprogramming]] against the [[Big Three networks]]' 6 pm evening news programs.<ref name="abbott2010">{{cite book| author = Abbott, Stacey| title = The Cult TV Book| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=gA7qK_VhVH0C| date = March 10, 2010| publisher = I.B. Tauris| isbn = 978-1-84885-026-2 }}</ref>{{rp|138}} Paramount began advertising the reruns in [[trade press]] in March 1969;<ref name="to20081215">{{cite web | url=http://www.tvobscurities.com/2008/12/star-trek-syndication-advertisements-circa-1969-1970/ | title=Star Trek Syndication Advertisements, Circa 1969-1970 | publisher=Television Obscurities | date=December 15, 2008 | access-date=May 15, 2011}}</ref> as Kaiser's ratings were good, other stations, such as [[WPIX]] in New York City, also purchased the episodes<ref name="meehan2005">{{cite book| author = Meehan, Eileen R.| title = Why TV is not our fault: television programming, viewers, and who's really in control| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=SEtw4yGRjwUC| year = 2005| publisher = Rowman & Littlefield| isbn = 978-0-7425-2486-6 }}</ref>{{rp|91–92}} for similar counterprogramming. |
|||
In 1975, in Cleveland, Kaiser Co. decided to merge WKBF's operations with [[United Artists]]-owned [[WUAB]], with Kaiser Co. closing down WKBF and returning its license to the [[Federal Communications Commission]]. Kaiser Co. then purchased a minority share of WUAB, but was responsible for programming the station. In Boston, Kaiser/Field bought out the ''Boston Globe'' and ended its partnership in WKBG.<ref name=bpp/> |
|||
On May 26, 1972, Kaiser sold a 22.5 percent minority stake in their broadcasting holdings to [[Chicago]]-based [[Field Communications]] (excluded from this were KBSC-TV and the radio stations) while Kaiser acquired a 77.5 percent majority stake in WFLD-TV, Field's Chicago station.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=May 29, 1972 |title=Kaiser, Field put their U's together |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-05-29-BC.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=82 |issue=22 |page=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104001405/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-05-29-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> Completed in May 1973, the Kaiser/Field partnership was named Kaiser Broadcasting Co. (Kaiser Co.) and included KBHK-TV, WFLD-TV, WKBD-TV, WKBS-TV, WKBF-TV and majority control of WKBG-TV.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=May 14, 1973 |title=Kaiser-Field merger passes FCC muster |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1973/1973-05-14-BC.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=84 |issue=20 |page=34 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108161112/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1973/1973-05-14-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> The ''Boston Globe'' sold its stake in WKBG-TV to Kaiser in 1974,<ref>{{cite news |date=January 22, 1974 |title=Globe Newspaper agrees to sell Kaiser-Globe interest |page=27 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86883670/globe-newspaper-agrees-to-sell-kaiser-gl/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016074731/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86883670/globe-newspaper-agrees-to-sell/ |archive-date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> with the station renamed WLVI.<ref>{{cite news |last=McLean |first=Robert A. |date=April 30, 1974 |title=Interview with transsexual a coup for Hamlin |edition=Evening |page=47 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86883682/interview-with-transsexual-a-coup-for-ha/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016074747/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86883682/interview-with-transsexual-a-coup-for/ |archive-date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> After a prior attempt to spin off KBSC-TV to a prospective [[Pay television|subscription television]] operator failed,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 26, 1973 |title=Ownership changes |page=129 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1973/1973-03-26-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=July 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308035332/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1973/1973-03-26-BC.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 1975 |title=Pay is off |page=10 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-02-17-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=July 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308025226/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-02-17-BC.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2021}}</ref> Kaiser sold off the station to a joint venture between [[Oak Industries]] and [[Jerry Perenchio]] in December 1975,<ref name="kbscbought">{{Cite news |date=September 20, 1976 |title=Changing Hands |page=43 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-09-20-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101104959/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-09-20-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> becoming the genesis of the [[ON TV (TV network)|ON TV]] pay television service.<ref name="ticket">{{Cite news |last=Margulies |first=Lee |date=March 29, 1977 |title=Just the Ticket for Pay TV |page=View 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61280389/pay-tvs-home-run-ticket/ 7] |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61280429/just-the-ticket-for-pay-tv/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031012959/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61280429/just-the-ticket-for-pay-tv/ |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |
|||
In 1977, [[Kaiser Industries]] decided to split itself up. It exited television after Field purchased the remainder of Kaiser Broadcasting Corporation's shares in 1977,<ref name=lat>{{cite news|last=Walters|first=Donna K. H.|title=An Empire Fades Away, but Its Legacy Lingers On : Final Chapter Is Being Written for What Once Was West's Greatest Industrial Power|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/business/fi-4512_1_empire/6|access-date=28 August 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 4, 1985}}</ref> with the exception of KBSC and WUAB (which were not included and sold to other firms).<ref name=bpp/> |
|||
Faced with mounting financial losses in Cleveland, Kaiser ceased all operations at WKBF-TV on April 25, 1975, selling off the majority of assets to [[United Artists|United Artists Broadcasting]], owner of [[WUAB]].<ref name="CPD19750409p1A">{{cite news |last=Hart |first=Raymond P. |title=Channel 61 to go off air |pages=1A, [https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-12F6143CB44D3B39%402442512-12F59E6863B4B00C%405-12F59E6863B4B00C?clipid=zlonygvdwsuurqambrnrivzdpcuuglvp_wma-gateway013_1662872241580 6A] |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-12F615020DFDFDCD%402442512-12F6133AEBFB0F73%400-12F6133AEBFB0F73?clipid=ayeztagsgmppleuwxkafcgsbxoktuazk_wma-gateway014_1662872204979 |url-status=live |access-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923220632/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-12F615020DFDFDCD%402442512-12F6133AEBFB0F73%400-12F6133AEBFB0F73?clipid=ayeztagsgmppleuwxkafcgsbxoktuazk_wma-gateway014_1662872204979 |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |via=GenealogyBank}}</ref> In turn, Kaiser purchased an [[equity stake]] in WUAB, which it held until United Artists sold off that station in 1977.<ref name="CPD19781010p7B">{{cite news |last=Hart |first=Raymond P. |date=October 10, 1978 |title=Channel 61 plans a return |page=7-B |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-1302549A1AC11239%402443792-1301F1C9938C3DA6%4026-1301F1C9938C3DA6?clipid=qkdvcsbogqsnvxjebeframipsxoxymmb_wma-gateway016_1662873097908 |url-status=live |access-date=September 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919050324/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-1302549A1AC11239%402443792-1301F1C9938C3DA6%4026-1301F1C9938C3DA6?clipid=qkdvcsbogqsnvxjebeframipsxoxymmb_wma-gateway016_1662873097908 |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |via=GenealogyBank}}</ref> WKBF-TV management and Kaiser executives conceded that, due to WUAB signing on within months of WKBF-TV, the station never turned a profit and could not find consistent viewership or advertiser support in the Cleveland market.{{r|CPD19750409p1A}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Darlene |date=April 25, 1975 |title=WKBF-TV Signs Off Air |work=The Lorain Journal |location=Lorain, Ohio |url=https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnGD4TDjDeQ/WcWUabl0IJI/AAAAAAAAatA/X_diB10P90AN_AXJ1XmHP1bE7DLVgOfIgCLcBGAs/s1600/April-1975-WKBF-final.jpg |url-status=live |access-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923220624/https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnGD4TDjDeQ/WcWUabl0IJI/AAAAAAAAatA/X_diB10P90AN_AXJ1XmHP1bE7DLVgOfIgCLcBGAs/s1600/April-1975-WKBF-final.jpg |archive-date=September 23, 2022}}</ref> |
|||
In January 1977, Kaiser sold its stake in the station group to Field for a combined $42.625 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|42625000|1977}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1977 |title=Station sales rise with curve of air billings |page=23 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-01-31.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308042607/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-01-31.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2021}}</ref> This sale was part of a larger disposition of Kaiser Industries in which 90 percent of the conglomerate's assets were divested in 1977 alone.<ref name=lat>{{cite news|last=Walters|first=Donna K. H.|title=An Empire Fades Away, but Its Legacy Lingers On : Final Chapter Is Being Written for What Once Was West's Greatest Industrial Power|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/business/fi-4512_1_empire/6|access-date=August 28, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 4, 1985}}</ref> |
|||
==Programming== |
==Programming== |
||
The Kaiser Broadcasting group of stations consisted of [[independent station|independent]] outlets broadcasting on the UHF band. |
The Kaiser Broadcasting group of stations consisted of [[independent station|independent]] outlets broadcasting on the UHF band. In Detroit, Boston, and Cleveland, Kaiser-owned stations were the first independents in their respective markets. At a time when viewer interest in watching UHF television was still at its infancy, the Kaiser group did its part in attracting audiences by programming aggressively with movies, off-network programs, and children's shows. WKBD in Detroit invested heavily in sports programming, securing rights to carry games of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]'s [[Detroit Pistons]], the [[National Hockey League|NHL]]'s [[Detroit Red Wings]], and other area college teams early in its history. Perhaps the most elaborate and pioneering program supported throughout its station group and promoted by Kaiser was ''Della'' (also known as ''[[The Della Reese Show]]''), a 1969-70 talk/variety series, the first long-form national series of the sort to be hosted by an African-American woman, and one of the earliest to be hosted by a woman of any ethnicity. |
||
==Former Kaiser stations== |
==Former Kaiser stations== |
||
Stations are listed in alphabetical order by state and [[city of license]].<ref name=by1969/><ref name=byb1975>{{cite journal|title=Group Ownership: Kaiser Broadcasting Stations|journal=Broadcasting Yearbook|year=1975|pages=A-34|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB-IDX/70s-OCR-YB/1975-YB/1975-BC-YB-for-OCR-Page-0054.pdf|access-date=August 31, 2012}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
|||
Stations are listed in alphabetical order by state and [[city of license]]. |
|||
=== Television === |
=== Television === |
||
{{inc-video|date=October 2021}}<!--Change to complete if it is--> |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
|- |
|||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|||
! [[City of license]]/Market |
! scope="col" | [[City of license]] / [[Media market|Market]] |
||
! Station |
! scope="col" | Station |
||
! Channel |
!scope="col" | {{ubl|Channel|[[Virtual channel|TV]] ([[Digital terrestrial television|RF]])}} |
||
! |
!scope="col" | {{ubl|Years|owned}} |
||
! Current ownership status |
! scope="col" | Current ownership status |
||
|- |
|||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|||
| [[Corona, California|Corona]] |
| [[Corona, California|Corona]] – [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, CA]] |
||
|
! '''KMTW-TV/KBSC-TV''' |
||
| 52 (39) || 1966–1977 || '''[[Telemundo]]''' owned-and-operated ([[owned-and-operated station|O&O]]), '''[[KVEA]]''' |
|||
| 52 (39) |
|||
|- |
|||
| 1971–1977 <sup>1</sup> |
|||
| [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] – [[Oakland, California|Oakland]] – [[San Jose, California|San Jose, CA]] |
|||
| '''[[Telemundo]]''' owned-and-operated ([[owned-and-operated station|O&O]]), '''[[KVEA]]''' |
|||
! KBHK-TV |
|||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|||
| 44 (45) || 1968–1977 || '''[[The CW]]''' owned-and-operated (O&O), '''[[KBCW (TV)|KBCW]]''' |
|||
| [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] - [[Oakland, California|Oakland]] - [[San Jose, California|San Jose]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''KBHK-TV''' ** |
|||
| [[Honolulu|Honolulu, HI]] |
|||
| 44 (45) |
|||
! KHVH-TV |
|||
| 1968–1977 |
|||
| 4 (40) || 1958–1965 || '''[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]''' affiliate, '''[[KITV]]''', owned by [[Allen Media Broadcasting]] |
|||
| '''[[The CW]]''' owned-and-operated (O&O), '''[[KBCW (TV)|KBCW]]''' |
|||
|- |
|||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|||
| [[ |
| [[Chicago|Chicago, IL]] |
||
|
! [[WFLD|WFLD-TV]] |
||
| 32 (31) || 1972–1977 || '''[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]''' owned-and-operated (O&O) |
|||
| 4 (40) |
|||
|- |
|||
| 1958–1965 |
|||
| [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]] – [[Boston|Boston, MA]] |
|||
| '''[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]''' affiliate, '''[[KITV]]''', owned by [[Allen Media Broadcasting]] |
|||
! [[WLVI|WKBG-TV/WLVI-TV]]{{efn|name=KBG}} |
|||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|||
| 56 (42) || 1966–1977 || '''The CW''' affiliate owned by [[Sunbeam Television]] |
|||
| [[Chicago]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''[[WFLD|WFLD-TV]]''' |
|||
| [[Detroit|Detroit, MI]] |
|||
| 32 (31) |
|||
! [[WKBD-TV]] |
|||
| 1972–1977 |
|||
| ''' |
| 50 (14) || 1965–1977 || '''The CW''' owned-and-operated (O&O)''' |
||
|- |
|||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|||
| [[ |
| [[Burlington, New Jersey|Burlington, NJ]] – [[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, PA]] |
||
|
! [[WKBS-TV (Philadelphia)|WKBS-TV]] |
||
| 48 || 1965–1977 || '''defunct'''; ''ceased operations in 1983''{{efn|Frequency currently occupied by [[Trinity Broadcasting Network|TBN]]-owned [[WGTW-TV]].}} |
|||
| 56 (42) |
|||
|- |
|||
| 1966–1977 <sup>2</sup> |
|||
| [[Cleveland]] – [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]] – [[Canton, Ohio]] |
|||
| '''The CW''' affiliate owned by [[Sunbeam Television]] |
|||
! [[WKBF-TV]]{{efn|Jointly owned by Kaiser and Superior Broadcasting Company from 1968 to 1972.{{r|WKBFjointventure}}{{r|WKBFbuyout}}}} |
|||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|||
| 61 || 1968–1975 || '''defunct'''; ''ceased operation in 1975{{efn|Frequency currently occupied by [[Univision]]-owned, [[WQHS-DT|WQHS-TV]].}}'' |
|||
| [[Detroit]] |
|||
| '''[[WKBD-TV]]''' ** |
|||
| 50 (14) |
|||
| 1965–1977 |
|||
| '''The CW''' owned-and-operated (O&O)''' |
|||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|||
| [[Burlington, New Jersey|Burlington, N.J.]] - [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] |
|||
| '''[[WKBS-TV (Philadelphia)|WKBS-TV]]''' ** |
|||
| 48 |
|||
| 1965–1977 |
|||
| '''defunct'''; ''ceased operations in 1983''<br>''Frequency currently occupied by '''[[Trinity Broadcasting Network|TBN]]'''-owned [[WGTW-TV]]'' |
|||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|||
| rowspan="2" | [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] - [[Lorain, Ohio]] |
|||
| '''[[WKBF-TV]]''' |
|||
| 61 |
|||
| 1968–1975 <sup>3</sup> |
|||
| '''defunct'''<br>''Frequency currently occupied by '''[[Univision]]'''-owned, [[WQHS-DT|WQHS-TV]]'' |
|||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|||
| '''[[WUAB]]''' |
|||
| 43 (28) |
|||
| 1975–1977 <sup>4</sup> |
|||
| '''The CW''' affiliate owned by [[Gray Television]] |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
=== Radio === |
=== Radio === |
||
{| |
{| |
||
| style="border: 1px solid #a3b0bf; cellpadding="2"; margin: auto" bgcolor="#cedff2" | '''AM Station''' |
| style="border: 1px solid #a3b0bf; cellpadding="2"; margin: auto" bgcolor="#cedff2" | '''AM Station''' |
||
Line 138: | Line 96: | ||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
! City of License/Market |
! scope="col" | City of License/Market |
||
! Station |
! scope="col" | Station |
||
! Years owned |
! scope="col" | Years owned |
||
! Disposition/notes |
! scope="col" | Disposition/notes |
||
! Current ownership |
! scope="col" | Current ownership |
||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
||
| San Francisco - Oakland |
| San Francisco - Oakland |
||
!style="background: #ddcef2;"| '''[[KNBR-FM|KBAY-FM/KFOG]]-104.5''' |
!style="background: #ddcef2;"| '''[[KNBR-FM|KBAY-FM/KFOG]]-104.5''' |
||
| 1960–1978 |
| 1960–1978 |
||
| sold to Field |
| sold to Field |
||
| |
| [[Cumulus Media]] |
||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
||
| Honolulu |
| Honolulu |
||
!style="background: #cedff2"| '''[[KIKI (AM)|KHVH-990]]''' |
!style="background: #cedff2"| '''[[KIKI (AM)|KHVH-990]]''' |
||
| 1957–1965 |
| 1957–1965 |
||
| sold to Western Telestations |
| sold to Western Telestations |
||
| |
| [[iHeartMedia]] |
||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
||
| rowspan="2" | Cambridge - Boston, MA |
| rowspan="2" | Cambridge - Boston, MA |
||
!style="background: #cedff2"| '''[[WJIB|WCAS-740]]''' |
!style="background: #cedff2"| '''[[WJIB|WCAS-740]]'''{{efn|name=KBG}} |
||
| 1967–1976 |
| 1967–1976 |
||
| sold to Dan Murphy and Mel Stone |
| sold to Dan Murphy and Mel Stone |
||
| |
| Bob Bittner Broadcasting |
||
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |
||
!style="background: #ddcef2;"| '''[[WBQT (FM)|WXHR/WJIB-96.9]]''' |
!style="background: #ddcef2;"| '''[[WBQT (FM)|WXHR/WJIB-96.9]]'''{{efn|name=KBG}} |
||
| 1967–1972 |
| 1967–1972 |
||
| sold to [[General Electric]] |
| sold to [[General Electric]] |
||
| |
| [[Greater Media]] |
||
|} |
|} |
||
===Footnotes=== |
===Footnotes=== |
||
{{notelist|notes={{efn|name=KBG|Jointly owned by Kaiser and ''The Boston Globe'' from 1966 to 1974.<ref name=by1969>{{cite journal|title=Group Ownership|journal=Broadcasting Yearbook|year=1969|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB-IDX/60s-OCR-YB/1969-YB/1969-BC-YB-for-OCR-Page-0151.pdf|access-date=August 31, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>}}}} |
|||
* (**) - Indicates that a station that was built and/or signed-on by Kaiser. |
|||
* <sup>1</sup> Kaiser purchased the construction permit for KMTW-TV and signed the station on in 1966. This station was not built by Kaiser from the ground-up. |
|||
* <sup>2</sup> Kaiser's Boston stations were co-owned with the ''[[Boston Globe]]'' through subsidiary Kaiser-Globe Broadcasting Corporation. This joint-venture was in effect from 1966 to 1975.<ref name=by1969/> |
|||
* <sup>3</sup> Kaiser co-owned WKBF-TV equally with Frank V. Mavec and Associates<ref name=by1969/> |
|||
* <sup>4</sup> Kaiser had minority ownership of WUAB with majority owner [[United Artists#United Artists Broadcasting|United Artists]], following the sign-off of WKBF-TV. |
|||
==See also== |
==See also== |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this articlebyadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Kaiser Broadcasting" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Company type | Private subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Television |
Founded | 1957; 67 years ago (1957) |
Founder | Henry J. Kaiser |
Defunct | 1977; 47 years ago (1977) |
Fate | sold |
Successor | Field Communications |
Headquarters |
|
Key people |
|
Parent | Kaiser Industries |
Divisions | Kaiser Broadcasting Company |
The Kaiser Broadcasting Corp. was an American broadcast media company that owned and operated television stations and radio stations in the United States from 1958 to 1977.[1]
Kaiser's involvement in television broadcasting began when the Henry J. Kaiser Company Ltd., a multi-industrial conglomerate, signed on KHVH-TV in Honolulu, Hawaii (operating on channel 13 at the time), in 1957.[citation needed] In 1958 Kaiser purchased Honolulu's KULA-TV[2] and merged it with KHVH, resulting in KULA becoming the new KHVH-TV, which is now KITV.[citation needed]
Later in the 1960s, Kaiser explored new opportunities to expand its broadcast holdings on the U.S. mainland. Construction permits were secured for multiple ultra high frequency (UHF) stations, all in large markets, and KHVH-TV was sold off to help fund this expansion.[3] The first two of these stations signed on during 1965: WKBD-TVinDetroit went on the air in January,[3] followed nine months later by WKBS-TVinBurlington, New Jersey, a suburb of Philadelphia.[4] KMTW-TV took to the air on June 29, 1966.[5] Later renamed KBSC-TV,[6] this station proved to a weak point in the chain after failing to attain a local Phonevision franchise and became uncompetitive against the market's established seven other independent stations.[7]
Also in June 1966, Kaiser purchased the broadcast assets of Harvey Radio Laboratories, including WXHR AM/FM/TV.[8] The television station had been off the air since 1956[9] but the license remained active and was purchased by Harvey Radio in 1959.[10] The Boston Globe then purchased a 50 percent stake in the Boston stations,[11] creating a 50–50 joint venture that took advantage of a loophole in a proposed FCC regulation limiting one group to no more than three television stations in the top 50 markets.[12] The television station was reactivated as WKBG-TV on December 21, 1966.[13]
Kaiser started up two more stations, KBHK-TVinSan Francisco and WKBF-TVinCleveland, at the start of 1968. The company had intended to have both stations sign on at the same time on January 2, 1968, and arranged for executives to be present at both facilities for the occasion,[14] but repeated construction delays at the transmitter site due to inclement weather prevented WKBF-TV from signing on until January 19.[15] Like WKBG-TV, WKBF-TV was jointly owned by Kaiser and Superior Broadcasting Company (which attained the station's construction permit[16]) for its' first four years of operation,[17][18] but was formally recognized as "a Kaiser station"[19] equally taking advantage of the FCC's aforementioned "top 50 market" ownership limit.[12]
In September 1967, the Kaiser Broadcasting Corporation announced plans for live television network operations by 1970.[20] Excluding KBSC-TV, all stations in the Kaiser chain placed a significant emphasis on local programming, with some of the more popular programs syndicated to other Kaiser stations. These included shows hosted by Joe Dolan in San Francisco, Alan Douglas in Cleveland,[21] Hy Lit in Philadelphia[22] and Lou Gordon in Detroit.[23] Gordon's WKBD-TV show proved to be the most successful, with all the Kaiser stations eventually carrying the program.[24] This internal networking practice continued into the mid-1970s when "The Ghoul", a WKBF-TV horror host portrayed by Ron Sweed,[25] was syndicated to WKBD-TV,[26] WKBG-TV,[27] KBHK-TV[28] and later WFLD-TV (the latter after Kaiser purchased majority control).[29][30]
Beginning in 1968, Kaiser committed to launching news services throughout the chain, many of which boasted late-evening newscasts an hour earlier than network affiliates.[31] Kaiser invested approximately $6 million (equivalent to $47.1 million in 2023) into these news departments, with emphasis given to WKBF-TV, WKBS-TV and WKBD-TV;[32] WKBG-TV's news operation was the last to launch on December 1, 1969.[33] The high costs incurred, in addition to a weak economic picture nationally and a marketplace reluctant to embrace UHF, led Kaiser to suspend news operations throughout the entire chain on November 12, 1970.[32] Out of the five stations with a news department, only WKBD-TV turned a profit but still had ratings much lower than had been expected.[34] WKBG-TV's picture was especially dire, having lost nearly $11 million over the course of four years.[35] The unilateral move to cull local newscasts was met with doubts and concerns in the industry over the profitability of UHF stations given Kaiser's reputation as a well-equipped broadcaster.[32]
Although many of Star Trek's third season's episodes were of poor quality, it gave Star Trek enough episodes for television syndication.[36] Most shows require at least four seasons for syndication, because otherwise there are not enough episodes for daily stripping. Kaiser Broadcasting, however, had already purchased syndication rights for Star Trek during the first season for its stations in several large cities. The company arranged the unusual deal because it saw the show as effective counterprogramming against the Big Three networks' 6 pm evening news programs.[37]: 138 Paramount began advertising the reruns in trade press in March 1969;[38] as Kaiser's ratings were good, other stations, such as WPIX in New York City, also purchased the episodes[39]: 91–92 for similar counterprogramming.
On May 26, 1972, Kaiser sold a 22.5 percent minority stake in their broadcasting holdings to Chicago-based Field Communications (excluded from this were KBSC-TV and the radio stations) while Kaiser acquired a 77.5 percent majority stake in WFLD-TV, Field's Chicago station.[40] Completed in May 1973, the Kaiser/Field partnership was named Kaiser Broadcasting Co. (Kaiser Co.) and included KBHK-TV, WFLD-TV, WKBD-TV, WKBS-TV, WKBF-TV and majority control of WKBG-TV.[41] The Boston Globe sold its stake in WKBG-TV to Kaiser in 1974,[42] with the station renamed WLVI.[43] After a prior attempt to spin off KBSC-TV to a prospective subscription television operator failed,[44][45] Kaiser sold off the station to a joint venture between Oak Industries and Jerry Perenchio in December 1975,[46] becoming the genesis of the ON TV pay television service.[47]
Faced with mounting financial losses in Cleveland, Kaiser ceased all operations at WKBF-TV on April 25, 1975, selling off the majority of assets to United Artists Broadcasting, owner of WUAB.[48] In turn, Kaiser purchased an equity stake in WUAB, which it held until United Artists sold off that station in 1977.[49] WKBF-TV management and Kaiser executives conceded that, due to WUAB signing on within months of WKBF-TV, the station never turned a profit and could not find consistent viewership or advertiser support in the Cleveland market.[48][50]
In January 1977, Kaiser sold its stake in the station group to Field for a combined $42.625 million (equivalent to $214 million in 2023).[51] This sale was part of a larger disposition of Kaiser Industries in which 90 percent of the conglomerate's assets were divested in 1977 alone.[1]
The Kaiser Broadcasting group of stations consisted of independent outlets broadcasting on the UHF band. In Detroit, Boston, and Cleveland, Kaiser-owned stations were the first independents in their respective markets. At a time when viewer interest in watching UHF television was still at its infancy, the Kaiser group did its part in attracting audiences by programming aggressively with movies, off-network programs, and children's shows. WKBD in Detroit invested heavily in sports programming, securing rights to carry games of the NBA's Detroit Pistons, the NHL's Detroit Red Wings, and other area college teams early in its history. Perhaps the most elaborate and pioneering program supported throughout its station group and promoted by Kaiser was Della (also known as The Della Reese Show), a 1969-70 talk/variety series, the first long-form national series of the sort to be hosted by an African-American woman, and one of the earliest to be hosted by a woman of any ethnicity.
Stations are listed in alphabetical order by state and city of license.[52][53]
City of license / Market | Station |
|
|
Current ownership status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Corona – Los Angeles, CA | KMTW-TV/KBSC-TV | 52 (39) | 1966–1977 | Telemundo owned-and-operated (O&O), KVEA |
San Francisco – Oakland – San Jose, CA | KBHK-TV | 44 (45) | 1968–1977 | The CW owned-and-operated (O&O), KBCW |
Honolulu, HI | KHVH-TV | 4 (40) | 1958–1965 | ABC affiliate, KITV, owned by Allen Media Broadcasting |
Chicago, IL | WFLD-TV | 32 (31) | 1972–1977 | Fox owned-and-operated (O&O) |
Cambridge – Boston, MA | WKBG-TV/WLVI-TV[a] | 56 (42) | 1966–1977 | The CW affiliate owned by Sunbeam Television |
Detroit, MI | WKBD-TV | 50 (14) | 1965–1977 | The CW owned-and-operated (O&O) |
Burlington, NJ – Philadelphia, PA | WKBS-TV | 48 | 1965–1977 | defunct; ceased operations in 1983[b] |
Cleveland – Akron – Canton, Ohio | WKBF-TV[c] | 61 | 1968–1975 | defunct; ceased operation in 1975[d] |
AM Station | FM Station |
City of License/Market | Station | Years owned | Disposition/notes | Current ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
San Francisco - Oakland | KBAY-FM/KFOG-104.5 | 1960–1978 | sold to Field | Cumulus Media |
Honolulu | KHVH-990 | 1957–1965 | sold to Western Telestations | iHeartMedia |
Cambridge - Boston, MA | WCAS-740[a] | 1967–1976 | sold to Dan Murphy and Mel Stone | Bob Bittner Broadcasting |
WXHR/WJIB-96.9[a] | 1967–1972 | sold to General Electric | Greater Media |