Kaiser Broadcasting
Parent Kaiser Industries | | |
Divisions | Kaiser Broadcasting Company |
---|
The Kaiser Broadcasting Corp. was an American
History
Creating a broadcast chain
Kaiser's involvement in broadcasting began in 1957 when the
Later in the 1960s, Kaiser explored new opportunities to expand its broadcast holdings on the
Kaiser started up two more stations,
Growing financial problems
In September 1967, the Kaiser Broadcasting Corporation announced plans for live
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.[39] 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;[40] WKBG-TV's news operation was the last to launch on December 1, 1969,[41] while KBHK-TV's attempt at a 10 p.m. newscast failed earlier in the year.[42] 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.[40] 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.[43] WKBG-TV's picture was especially dire, having lost nearly $11 million over the course of four years.[44] 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.[40]
Field Communications alliance and buyout
On May 26, 1972, Kaiser sold a 22.5 percent minority stake in their broadcasting holdings to
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
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).[57] 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]
Programming
From 1965 onward, Kaiser Broadcasting consisted of stations of
While the initial plan of creating a "
Former stations
Stations are listed in alphabetical order by state and city of license.[64][65]
Television
City of license / Market | Station | Channel | Years owned | Current status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles, CA
|
KMTW-TV/KBSC-TV | 52 | 1966–1977 | O&O) KVEA
|
San Jose, CA
|
KBHK-TV | 44 | 1968–1977 | Independent KPYX, owned by Paramount Global |
Honolulu, HI
|
KHVH-TV | 13 | 1957–1958 | Defunct, ceased operations in 1958[a] |
KHVH-TV | 4 | 1958–1965 | Allen Media Broadcasting
| |
Chicago, IL
|
WFLD-TV
|
32 | 1972–1977 | Fox owned-and-operated (O&O) |
Boston, MA
|
WKBG-TV/WLVI-TV[b] | 56 | 1966–1977 | The CW affiliate owned by Sunbeam Television |
Detroit, MI
|
WKBD-TV | 50 | 1965–1977 | Independent owned by Paramount Global |
Philadelphia, PA
|
WKBS-TV | 48 | 1965–1977 | Defunct, ceased operations in 1983[c] |
Canton, OH
|
WKBF-TV[d] | 61 | 1968–1975 | Defunct, ceased operation in 1975[e] |
Radio
AM Station | FM Station |
---|
City of license / Market | Station | Years owned | Current status |
---|---|---|---|
Oakland, CA
|
KBAY-FM/KFOG 104.5 | 1960–1974 | KNBR-FM, owned by Cumulus Media |
Honolulu, HI
|
KHVH 990 | 1957–1965 | KIKI, owned by iHeartMedia |
Boston, MA
|
WCAS 740[b] | 1967–1976 | WJIB, owned by Bob Bittner Broadcasting |
WXHR/WJIB 96.9[b] | 1967–1972 | WBQT, owned by Greater Media |
Notes
See also
References
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- ^ a b
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- ^ a b Shippy, Dick (December 14, 1967). "UHF Entry: Channel 61, Jan. 1 Air Date For Cleveland's WKBF". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. p. B23. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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- ^ a b c "Down to the bone in Kaiser's news: UHF group gives notice to 50 air journalists in sharp economy move" (PDF). Broadcasting. Vol. 79, no. 20. November 16, 1970. p. 51. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2022 – via World Radio History.
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- ^ Teitelbaum, Sheldon (May 5, 1991). "How Gene Roddenberry and his Brain Trust Have Boldly Taken 'Star Trek' Where No TV Series Has Gone Before : Trekking to the Top". Los Angeles Times. p. 16. Archived from the original on November 6, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
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- ISBN 978-0-7425-2486-6. Archivedfrom the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
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- ^ a b "Group Ownership" (PDF). Broadcasting Yearbook. 1969. Retrieved August 31, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Group Ownership: Kaiser Broadcasting Stations" (PDF). Broadcasting Yearbook: A-34. 1975. Retrieved August 31, 2012.[permanent dead link]
External links
- Kaiser Broadcasting 1968 Sales Presentation (Part 1) and (Part 2)
- Video of Kaiser Broadcasting ID at The Museum of Classic Chicago Television
- Video of another animated Kaiser Broadcasting ID at The Museum of Classic Chicago Television
- The Lou Gordon Program (talk show produced by WKBD and seen on Kaiser's stations)