KATU (TV)
kW | |
HAAT | 524 m (1,719 ft) |
---|---|
Transmitter coordinates | 45°30′57.8″N 122°44′3.1″W / 45.516056°N 122.734194°W |
Translator(s) | see § Translators |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Website | katu |
KATU (channel 2) is a
KATU went on the air as the fourth commercial station in Portland in 1962. It was built and signed on by Fisher Broadcasting Company, later Fisher Communications, and originally served as an independent station before joining ABC in 1964. The station expanded its local programming in the early 1970s and became a contender in Portland-area local news ratings. Fisher continued to own KATU until the entire company was sold to Sinclair Broadcast Group in 2013.
History
Channel 2 comes to Portland
Channel 2 was not initially assigned to Portland, being allocated in 1957. That action spurred activity on the valuable frequency. Four applications were initially received, from
Work began to build facilities in the former Crystal Laundry on NE Sandy Boulevard in June;[8] the two-story building was refitted to contain two production studios.[9] The station originally was assigned the call letters KOXO but switched to the call sign KATU within months.[7]
KATU began broadcasting on March 15, 1962, originally operating as an independent station; Portland native and actress Jane Powell was the master of ceremonies.[10] The station's transmitter was originally located atop Livingston Mountain, about 7 miles (11 km) north-northeast of Camas, Washington; this northerly site had been required to maintain minimum spacing to the unbuilt channel 3 (the future KVDO-TV) at Salem.[11]
While it was the 25th independent in the United States, from the moment it went on air, speculation swirled that KATU might look to poach a network affiliation from one of the three other commercial stations in Portland.)
After a decade in which the station struggled to build an identity in the market, KATU began to find its way in the early 1970s after expanding its local programming. New shows such as public affairs program Town Hall, weekend children's program Bumpity, and talk show AM Northwest proved critical to the station's success.[18] AM Northwest continues to air, while other shows, such as Faces & Places and Two at Four, ended in the 1980s.[19]
KATU was Portland's first commercial station to broadcast in digital, doing so in 1998 alongside Oregon Public Broadcasting.[20] KATU shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 2, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 43, using virtual channel 2.[21]
Sinclair Broadcast Group ownership
On April 10, 2013, KATU and Fisher Communications's other holdings were acquired by the Sinclair Broadcast Group.[22][23] The Federal Communications Commission granted its approval of the deal on August 7,[24] and the sale was completed the following day.[2]
On May 8, 2017, Sinclair Broadcast Group entered into an agreement to acquire Tribune Media—owner of CW affiliate KRCW-TV (channel 32)—for $3.9 billion, plus the assumption of $2.7 billion in debt held by Tribune. Sinclair would have been required to sell one of KUNP or KRCW-TV if the deal were to be approved.[25] However, in 2018, the FCC designated the deal for hearing by an administrative law judge;[26] the deal was then terminated by Tribune.[27]
News operation
From the station's first day on air, KATU produced local newscasts. As an independent, its late-night local news aired at 10 p.m.
One Oregon news event covered by KATU cameras in the station's first decade on air acquired lasting notoriety. In November 1970, reporter Paul Linnman, who worked at KATU from 1967 to 1972 before returning to the station in 1984[29] and retiring from TV news in 2004,[30] traveled to Florence, Oregon, where a sperm whale washed ashore; its carcass was exploded unsuccessfully. The station continued to receive requests for footage years after the event and has since commemorated anniversaries of the exploding whale, including a news special in 1995[31] and a remaster of the original newsfilm in 2020.[32] The 4K remaster was conducted by the Oregon Historical Society, which has held the original film in its collection since the 1980s.[33]
In 1975, Richard Ross left KGW-TV after 19 years to become the news director at channel 2.
News hires at KATU in the 1980s included
KATU had worked its way up to having the top-rated newscasts in Portland by 1997,[44] but ratings were starting to decline before Gianola's departure for KOIN, which was responsible for leading a resurgence at that station. In 1997, the station's general manager concocted a promotional strategy, known as the "Power of 2", by which the station acquired two news helicopters, in an attempt to increase falling ratings, even though the news director had previously said helicopters were primarily a marketing tool.[45] The campaign was produced with such secrecy that its first airing took newsroom employees by surprise.[46] Within a month of the highly publicized debut of the second helicopter, the leased helicopter, "JetRanger II", crashed and burned in November while harvesting Christmas trees.[47][48]
By 2021, KATU had returned to first place in early and late evening news in total viewership, though Fox affiliate KPTV beat it out in morning news.[49] That year, the station attracted industry attention for suspending an entire day of newscasts so the station staff could take stress management training in light of increasing burnout in television news.[50]
Notable former on-air staff
- Dick Bogle – reporter, and later anchor, from 1968 to 1982; later a city council member[51]
- Anna Canzano – anchor/investigative reporter
- Jack Faust – hosted the weekly public affairs show Town Hall for 13 years (1980–1993)[52]
- Paul Magers – reporter (1979–1981)[53]
- Rob Marciano – meteorologist (1997–2003)[54][55]
- Cathy Marshall – reporter/anchor (1998–2003)[56]
- Tom Rinaldi – lead reporter for ESPN and contributor to ESPN College Football, now with Fox Sports[57]
- Roger Twibell – sports reporter (1973–75), now sportscaster for CBS Sports Network[58]
- Brian Wood – reporter/anchor (2008–2021)[59]
- Linda Yu – news anchor (1975)[60][61]
Technical information
Subchannels
The station's signal is
Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming |
---|---|---|---|---|
2.1 | 720p | 16:9 |
KATU | Main KATU programming / ABC |
2.2 | 480i | Charge! | Charge! | |
2.3 | Comet | Comet | ||
2.4 | TBD | TBD | ||
32.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | KRCW | The CW (KRCW-TV) |
The 32.1 subchannel for KRCW-TV is broadcast by KATU as part of Portland's ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) deployment plan; in exchange, KRCW-TV broadcasts KATU in that format.[63]
Translators
KATU is additionally rebroadcast over a network of sixteen low-power digital translator stations:[62]
- Astoria: K26DB-D
- Baker Valley: K27MX-D
- Corvallis: K08PZ-D
- Hood River: K28CQ-D
- La Grande: K32LY-D
- La Grande: K35GA-D
- Lincoln City, etc.: K32NK-D
- Madras: K26NX-D
- Milton-Freewater: K28FT-D
- Pendleton: K34DI-D
- Prineville: K35LD-D
- Rainier: K31HK-D
- Rockaway Beach: K23NS-D
- The Dalles: K18HH-D
- Tillamook: K34PJ-D
- Lebam, WA: K20NL-D
References
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for KATU". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ a b "Sinclair Broadcast Group Closes On Fisher Communications Acquisition". All Access. August 8, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ "KPOJ Asks License On Channel 2". The Columbian. Vancouver, Washington. Associated Press. January 28, 1958. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ "Seattle Company Given TV Edge". The Columbian. Vancouver, Washington. UPI. December 31, 1959. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ a b "FCC History Cards for KATU". Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "Channel 2 TV Quarters Prepared: Work Starts On New Television Facilities". The Oregon Journal. June 24, 1961. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ Marks, Arnold (November 22, 1961). "TV-Radio Highlights: KATU Studio Nearly Ready; February Telecast Target". The Oregon Journal. p. 2:3. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ Murphy, Francis (March 17, 1962). "Behind the Mike". The Oregonian. p. 2:3. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via GenealogyBank.
KATU went on air smoothly Thursday night as guests who had gathered in new studio sat before monitors to watch opening show.
- ^ Murphy, Francis (September 30, 1961). "Behind the Mike". The Oregonian. p. 3:3. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Swing, Willian (March 11, 1963). "Channel 2 Will Make Debut; New TV Channel Offers Broad Choice of Programs". The Oregonian. p. TV 7. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ Murphy, Francis (June 28, 1963). "Behind the Mike". The Oregonian. p. 2:7. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ "ABC-TV to switch Portland, Ore., outlets" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 9, 1963. p. 63. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
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- ^ "NBC Shuffle Big Surprise to KOMO Chief". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. Associated Press. October 17, 1958. p. 31. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Carlin, Ames (September 22, 2002). "Portland TV turns 50: The irresistible glow". The Oregonian. p. A1.
- ^ Farrell, Peter (November 13, 1991). "Putting the squeeze on TV news". The Oregonian. p. D1.
- ^ Yim, Su-jin (November 9, 1998). "High-definition television preparing for prime time". The Oregonian. p. B9.
- ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Sinclair acquiring Fisher Communications". katu.com. April 11, 2013. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ Colman, Price (April 10, 2013). "Sinclair poised to buy Fisher stations". TVNewsCheck. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ "Consent to Transfer" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 27, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
- ^ Jessell, Harry A.; Miller, Mark K. (May 8, 2017). "The New Sinclair: 72% Coverage + WGNA". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheck Media. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
- ^
- Feder, Robert (July 16, 2018). "FCC throws Sinclair/Tribune deal in doubt". RobertFeder.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
- Mirabella, Lorraine (July 18, 2018). "FCC orders hearing even as Sinclair changes plans to sell TV stations to address concerns about Tribune deal". Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
- ^
- Lafayette, Jon (August 9, 2018). "Tribune Ends Deal with Sinclair, Files Breach of Contract Suit". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
- Fung, Brian; Romm, Tony (August 9, 2018). "Tribune withdraws from Sinclair merger, saying it will sue for 'breach of contract'". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
- ^ Baker, Doug (December 28, 1976). "Baker's Dozen: Shake-Up At Ch. 2". Oregon Journal. p. 11. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ "Linnman to join Channel 2". The Oregonian. December 20, 1983. p. C6. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ Romans, Phil (April 8, 2004). "Looking back on a whale of a career". The Oregonian. p. Southwest 2.
- Electronic Media. pp. 3, 31.
- ^ "The Exploding Whale remastered: 50th anniversary of legendary Oregon event". KATU. November 12, 2020. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ Gormley, Shannon (November 11, 2020). "Oregon Historical Society Has Released Newly Restored Footage of That Time State Officials Blew Up a Dead Whale". Willamette Week. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "Richard Ross Going To KATU-TV Sept. 1". Oregon Journal. August 8, 1975. p. 5. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ "KATU-TV to be joined by McCall". The Oregonian. July 29, 1975. p. B7. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ Marks, Arnold (January 2, 1978). "'Kidwitness News' innovation in newscasts". Oregon Journal. p. 16. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- (PDF) from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ Beggs, Chuck (January 9, 1983). "McCall unyielding in his commitment to conservation". Statesman Journal. Salem, Oregon. Associated Press. p. 8B. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Farrell, Peter (September 12, 1983). "KATU revamps late-night news format". The Oregonian. p. C8. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ Schulberg, Pete (May 5, 1998). "Gianola hops channels from KATU to KOIN". The Oregonian. p. C1.
- ^ Farrell, Peter (July 2, 1985). "KATU's O'Reilly heading east for family reasons, he says". The Oregonian. p. C6. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ Schulberg, Pete (April 23, 1998). "Bill O'Reilly isn't shy about speaking his mind". The Oregonian. p. C1.
- ^ Henniger, Jean (January 27, 1985). "Wanderlust comes naturally to KATU rover". The Oregonian. p. TV Click 39. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ Schulberg, Pete (February 28, 1997). "KATU holds on to top spot in news race". The Oregonian. p. D7.
- ^ Schulberg, Pete (October 28, 1998). "'Power of 2'-much marketing and 2-little news". The Oregonian. p. D1.
- ^ Schulberg, Pete (October 28, 1997). "Chopper campaign expensive, secretive". The Oregonian. p. B8.
- ^ Heinz, Spencer; Bjorhus, Jennifer (November 8, 1997). "KATU helicopter crashes, burns". p. B3.
- ^ Schulberg, Pete (November 12, 1997). "Crash of KATU chopper gets powerful play". The Oregonian. p. C7.
- ^ Malone, Michael (January 13, 2022). "Local News: Stumptown Gets Over the Hump". Broadcasting & Cable.
- ^ Ellefson, Lindsey (September 27, 2021). "Portland TV Station KATU Suspends News Coverage as Staff Attends Trauma Training". The Wrap. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ Harrison, James. "Richard "Dick" Bogle (1930–2010)". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ Schulberg, Pete (April 28, 1993). "Jack Faust of 'Town Hall': big shoes to fill". The Oregonian. p. B7.
- ^ Holston, Noel (July 2, 2000). "Magers' League". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. pp. F1, F5. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Schulberg, Pete (February 19, 1997). "Now you see your favorite weatherperson, now you don't". The Oregonian. p. B1.
- ^ Nicholas, Jonathan (February 26, 2003). "25 bucking the trend". The Oregonian. p. C1.
- ^ Ames Carlin, Peter (February 21, 2004). "KATU finds itself in middle of contract controversy". The Oregonian. p. D1.
- ^ Vierria, Dan (September 27, 1997). "Busy retirement ahead for KXTV anchor". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. p. Scene 7. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Eggers, Kerry (May 28, 1983). "Roger Twibell happy with role for ESPN". The Oregonian. p. C4. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ "Layoffs at Portland's KATU-TV include Brian Wood, others". OregonLive.com. March 3, 2021. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ Murphy, Francis (February 17, 1975). "Behind the mike: Dr. Joe operates better in surgery". The Oregonian. p. B7.
- ^ Wong, Ken (January 18, 1978). "Good news from a princess". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. p. AA-1. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "RabbitEars TV Query for KATU". RabbitEars.
- ^ "RabbitEars TV Query for KRCW-TV". RabbitEars.