King Broadcasting Company
Encyclopedia
King Broadcasting Company is a Seattle, Washington
media conglmerate founded by Dorothy Stimson Bullitt
. It began with one AM radio station and later an FM radio station, and grew to include a large group of broadcast television and radio stations, as well as a cable television
network.
Thus, KEVR aired programs such as Boston Blackie
, The Shadow
, The Lone Ranger
, and Calling All Cars
, programs the big network radio stations did not have. As a result, KEVR offered independent listening choices that maintained a rather large listening audience, the cost, of which, was supported by commercial advertising sponsors. Although not having a network was a tough proposition, under Dorothy Bullitt's guidance, the station prospered.
In the early days, the Ziv Company also furnished syndicated television programming to KING-TV, such as Highway Patrol
, starring Broderick Crawford, and Sea Hunt
, starring Lloyd Bridges.
Bullitt's radio station later raised is output power to 50,000 watts, the maximum allowed in the United States.
Also in 1947, Bullitt purchased call letters from a fishing boat and changed KEVR to KING.
In 1948, Dorothy Bullitt constructed KING-FM
at 98.1 to air classical music, her favorite. In 1949, she purchased KRSC-TV, Channel 5, for $375,000. The call letters of the television station were also changed to KING-TV
.
When KRSC-TV first went on the air Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1948 under other ownership, it was the only television station west of Minneapolis and north of San Francisco. At that time, television was considered by many to be a fad and a passing fancy. Consequently, making a go of a television station during this time period was a daunting effort. The KRSC-TV
call letters are now with an educational television station located in Claremore, Oklahoma
.
On 30 September 1948, the Federal Communications Commission
announced a "freeze" on the granting of new television licenses (those already authorized were allowed to begin or continue operations). The Commission had already granted over 100 licenses and was inundated with hundreds of additional applications. Unable to resolve several important interference, allocation and other technical questions because of this rush, the FCC believed that the freeze would allow it to hold hearings and study the issues, leading to something of a "master blueprint" for television in the United States. With the 14 April 1952 issuance of the Commission's 6th Report and Order, the freeze was finally lifted.
From November 25, 1948 to December 10, 1953 when KOMO-TV
came on the air, KING-TV was the only television station in Seattle, which allowed it to develop a progressive program, sales, and engineering infrastructure. Any stations, coming on the air in Seattle following the 1952 freeze lift, would have the task of developing their own methods. Therefore, KING-TV was ahead of the game when KOMO-TV began operations.
In the beginning, the station had only a few programs to televise. KING-TV's broadcast day began in late afternoon and finished by 10 p.m. each evening.
KING-TV became an NBC
Television Network affiliate in 1959 after switching networks with rival KOMO-TV.
KING was the first local station in the United States to purchase a two inch, quad, video tape machine from the Ampex Corporation at the National Association of Broadcasters
(NAB) convention in 1956. The machine was delivered and put into operation in November 1957.
Soon after buying Channel 5, Bullitt mandated what was one of the first local news operations in the country. She then helped shape it into a news unit that earned a national reputation for innovation and public service. KING-TV also excelled in producing local non-news programming.
"She had a very strong hand in determining policy. However, people called her the 'velvet steam roller,' which was a complimentary term meaning that she always used a kind, gentle hand when dealing with everyone. When Dorothy Bullitt made a suggestion, it was always interpreted as an order. I have never known anyone who had such a handle on what her employees, and the community in general, wanted and needed as Dorothy Bullitt," said Ancil Payne, who joined King Broadcasting in 1960 as an assistant to the vice president of the business division and retired in 1987 as president of the company.
Dorothy Bullitt remained president of the company until 1961 when she was succeeded by her son, Stimson Bullitt. She served as chairwoman of the board until 1967 and remained active until her death in 1989.
In 1972, Dorothy Bullitt's daughters assumed positions with the company's board of directors. Priscilla "Patsy" Collins
took charge of the board, and Harriet Stimson Bullitt became head of the board's executive committee.
Stimson Bullitt served as president until Payne took over in 1972, and Steven A. Clifford was named president of King Broadcasting in 1987.
Following Dorothy Bullitt's death, KING Broadcasting Company was sold to The Providence Journal
newspaper in 1991, which was later sold to the Belo
Corporation in 1997, which included King Broadcasting.
The King Broadcasting name lives on as a holding company within Belo's corporate structure. It is still the licensee for the former King Broadcasting television stations, except KHNL
, which was sold to Raycom Media
in 1999.
's film The Plot Against Harry
, which became famous for having been completed in 1970 but not securing a commercial release until 1990. Although King Screen was closed in the early 1970s, King Broadcasting continued to control the film's rights at the time of the 1990 release.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
media conglmerate founded by Dorothy Stimson Bullitt
Dorothy Stimson Bullitt
Dorothy Stimson Bullitt was a radio and television pioneer who founded King Broadcasting Company, a major owner of broadcast stations in Seattle, Washington...
. It began with one AM radio station and later an FM radio station, and grew to include a large group of broadcast television and radio stations, as well as a cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
network.
History
In 1947, Dorothy Bullitt purchased Seattle radio station KEVR-AM, 1090. KEVR had no network affiliation and relied entirely on syndicated programming from different program service providers as World Transcription Service, MacGregor Transcription service, and Fredrick W. Ziv Productions.Thus, KEVR aired programs such as Boston Blackie
Boston Blackie
Boston Blackie is a fictional character created by author Jack Boyle . Originally a jewel thief and safecracker in Boyle's novels, he became a detective in adaptations for films, radio and television—an "enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend."-Literature:Jack...
, The Shadow
The Shadow
The Shadow is a collection of serialized dramas, originally in pulp magazines, then on 1930s radio and then in a wide variety of media, that follow the exploits of the title character, a crime-fighting vigilante in the pulps, which carried over to the airwaves as a "wealthy, young man about town"...
, The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked Texas Ranger who, with his Native American companion Tonto, fights injustice in the American Old West. The character has become an enduring icon of American culture....
, and Calling All Cars
Calling All Cars
Calling All Cars can refer to:*Calling All Cars , an Australian rock band*"Calling All Cars" , an old radio program*"Calling All Cars", a song by Senses Fail*"Calling All Cars"...
, programs the big network radio stations did not have. As a result, KEVR offered independent listening choices that maintained a rather large listening audience, the cost, of which, was supported by commercial advertising sponsors. Although not having a network was a tough proposition, under Dorothy Bullitt's guidance, the station prospered.
In the early days, the Ziv Company also furnished syndicated television programming to KING-TV, such as Highway Patrol
Highway patrol
A highway patrol is either a police unit created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways, or a detail within an existing local or regional police agency that is primarily concerned with such duties.Duties of highway patrols or traffic...
, starring Broderick Crawford, and Sea Hunt
Sea Hunt
Sea Hunt was an American adventure television series that was aired in syndication by Ziv Television Programs from 1958 to 1961 and was popular in syndication for decades afterwards. The series originally aired for four seasons, with 155 episodes produced...
, starring Lloyd Bridges.
Bullitt's radio station later raised is output power to 50,000 watts, the maximum allowed in the United States.
Also in 1947, Bullitt purchased call letters from a fishing boat and changed KEVR to KING.
In 1948, Dorothy Bullitt constructed KING-FM
KING-FM
KING-FM is a classical music radio station in Seattle, Washington. Its transmitter is located in Issaquah, Washington....
at 98.1 to air classical music, her favorite. In 1949, she purchased KRSC-TV, Channel 5, for $375,000. The call letters of the television station were also changed to KING-TV
KING-TV
KING-TV, virtual channel 5, is a television station in Seattle, Washington, affiliated with the NBC network. Owned by Belo Corporation, it broadcasts on UHF digital channel 48. Its offices and broadcasting center are located just east of Seattle Center...
.
When KRSC-TV first went on the air Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1948 under other ownership, it was the only television station west of Minneapolis and north of San Francisco. At that time, television was considered by many to be a fad and a passing fancy. Consequently, making a go of a television station during this time period was a daunting effort. The KRSC-TV
KRSC-TV
KRSC-TV is an educational television station in Claremore, Oklahoma, owned and operated by Rogers State University. It broadcasts locally on UHF channel 36 as an independent station. It broadcasts cultural and educational programming 24 hours a day. Over night programming consists of Classic Arts...
call letters are now with an educational television station located in Claremore, Oklahoma
Claremore, Oklahoma
Claremore is a city and the county seat of Rogers County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 18,581 at the 2010 census, a 17.1 percent increase from 15,873 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area and home to Rogers State University...
.
On 30 September 1948, the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
announced a "freeze" on the granting of new television licenses (those already authorized were allowed to begin or continue operations). The Commission had already granted over 100 licenses and was inundated with hundreds of additional applications. Unable to resolve several important interference, allocation and other technical questions because of this rush, the FCC believed that the freeze would allow it to hold hearings and study the issues, leading to something of a "master blueprint" for television in the United States. With the 14 April 1952 issuance of the Commission's 6th Report and Order, the freeze was finally lifted.
From November 25, 1948 to December 10, 1953 when KOMO-TV
KOMO-TV
KOMO-TV, virtual channel 4, is a television station in Seattle, Washington. It is an affiliate of ABC and broadcasts on digital channel 38. KOMO-TV is the flagship station of Fisher Communications, and its studios and offices are co-located with sister radio stations KOMO , KVI , and KPLZ-FM ...
came on the air, KING-TV was the only television station in Seattle, which allowed it to develop a progressive program, sales, and engineering infrastructure. Any stations, coming on the air in Seattle following the 1952 freeze lift, would have the task of developing their own methods. Therefore, KING-TV was ahead of the game when KOMO-TV began operations.
In the beginning, the station had only a few programs to televise. KING-TV's broadcast day began in late afternoon and finished by 10 p.m. each evening.
KING-TV became an NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
Television Network affiliate in 1959 after switching networks with rival KOMO-TV.
KING was the first local station in the United States to purchase a two inch, quad, video tape machine from the Ampex Corporation at the National Association of Broadcasters
National Association of Broadcasters
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association, workers union, and lobby group representing the interests of for-profit, over-the-air radio and television broadcasters in the United States...
(NAB) convention in 1956. The machine was delivered and put into operation in November 1957.
Soon after buying Channel 5, Bullitt mandated what was one of the first local news operations in the country. She then helped shape it into a news unit that earned a national reputation for innovation and public service. KING-TV also excelled in producing local non-news programming.
"She had a very strong hand in determining policy. However, people called her the 'velvet steam roller,' which was a complimentary term meaning that she always used a kind, gentle hand when dealing with everyone. When Dorothy Bullitt made a suggestion, it was always interpreted as an order. I have never known anyone who had such a handle on what her employees, and the community in general, wanted and needed as Dorothy Bullitt," said Ancil Payne, who joined King Broadcasting in 1960 as an assistant to the vice president of the business division and retired in 1987 as president of the company.
Dorothy Bullitt remained president of the company until 1961 when she was succeeded by her son, Stimson Bullitt. She served as chairwoman of the board until 1967 and remained active until her death in 1989.
In 1972, Dorothy Bullitt's daughters assumed positions with the company's board of directors. Priscilla "Patsy" Collins
Patsy Bullitt Collins
Dorothy Priscilla Bullitt Collins was a Seattle philanthropist. Born in Seattle on September 24, 1920 to the wealthy A. Scott Bullitt and Dorothy Stimson Bullitt, during her childhood she lived in a 23-room mansion in The Highlands. She graduated from Vassar College in 1942.She married Josiah...
took charge of the board, and Harriet Stimson Bullitt became head of the board's executive committee.
Stimson Bullitt served as president until Payne took over in 1972, and Steven A. Clifford was named president of King Broadcasting in 1987.
Following Dorothy Bullitt's death, KING Broadcasting Company was sold to The Providence Journal
The Providence Journal
The Providence Journal, nicknamed the ProJo, is a daily newspaper serving the metropolitan area of Providence, Rhode Island and is the largest newspaper in Rhode Island. The newspaper, first published in 1829 and the oldest continuously-published daily newspaper in the United States, was purchased...
newspaper in 1991, which was later sold to the Belo
Belo
Belo Corp. is a Dallas-based media company that owns 20 commercial broadcasting television stations and two regional 24-hour cable news television channels. The company was previously known as A.H. Belo Corp. after one of the early owners of the company, Alfred Horatio Belo, now the name of the...
Corporation in 1997, which included King Broadcasting.
The King Broadcasting name lives on as a holding company within Belo's corporate structure. It is still the licensee for the former King Broadcasting television stations, except KHNL
KHNL
KHNL is the NBC-affiliated television station for the state of Hawaii that is licensed to Honolulu. The station broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 35 from a transmitter in Palehua...
, which was sold to Raycom Media
Raycom Media
- History :Although Raycom Media dates its birth to 1996, the core of the company was formed in 1992 when Atlanta native Bert Ellis formed Ellis Communications. He eventually controlled 13 television stations and two radio stations....
in 1999.
Film production
King Broadcasting Company established a subsidiary, King Screen Productions, in 1966, to produce movies. The company financed Michael RoemerMichael Roemer
Michael Roemer is a film director, producer and writer. He has won several awards for his films. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. A professor at Yale University, he is the author of Telling Stories.- Early years :...
's film The Plot Against Harry
The Plot Against Harry
The Plot Against Harry is a 1989 American comedy film directed by Michael Roemer and filmed in 1969. It was screened out of competition at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Martin Priest as Harry Plotnick* Ben Lang as Leo* Maxine Woods as Kay...
, which became famous for having been completed in 1970 but not securing a commercial release until 1990. Although King Screen was closed in the early 1970s, King Broadcasting continued to control the film's rights at the time of the 1990 release.
See also
- KPTKKPTKKPTK is a Progressive talk radio station based in Seattle, Washington, broadcasting at 1090 kHz.Billing itself as "Seattle's Progressive Talk," KPTK broadcasts syndicated progressive/liberal talk programs hosted by personalities such as Ed Schultz, Mike Malloy, Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann, Rachel...
, the former KING (AM) (SeattleSeattle, WashingtonSeattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
) - KING-TVKING-TVKING-TV, virtual channel 5, is a television station in Seattle, Washington, affiliated with the NBC network. Owned by Belo Corporation, it broadcasts on UHF digital channel 48. Its offices and broadcasting center are located just east of Seattle Center...
(Seattle) - KING-FMKING-FMKING-FM is a classical music radio station in Seattle, Washington. Its transmitter is located in Issaquah, Washington....
(Seattle) - KONG-TVKONG-TVKONG, virtual channel 16, is a television station based in Seattle, Washington. Owned by the Belo Corporation, KONG's city of license is Everett, Washington...
(Seattle/EverettEverett, WashingtonEverett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, it lies north of Seattle. The city had a total population of 103,019 at the 2010 census, making it the 6th largest in the state and...
, originally operated under a local marketing agreementLocal marketing agreementIn U.S. and Canadian broadcasting, a local marketing agreement is an agreement in which one company agrees to operate a radio or television station owned by another licensee...
) - KGW-TV (Portland, OregonPortland, OregonPortland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
) - KPOJKPOJKPOJ is a radio station located in the Portland, Oregon, area. It airs a progressive talk format and was an original Air America Radio affiliate.-History:...
, the former KGW (AM) (Portland, Oregon) - Northwest Cable News (Pacific NorthwestPacific NorthwestThe Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
) - KREM-TVKREM-TVKREM is the CBS television station affiliate serving the Spokane, Washington–Coeur d'Alene, Idaho market. Its digital signal is seen on UHF channel 20. The station is owned and operated by the Belo Corporation, and is sister station with KSKN-TV, The CW affiliate in the market. The two...
(Spokane, WashingtonSpokane, WashingtonSpokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
) - KTVBKTVBKTVB, channel 7, is the NBC-affiliated television station in Boise, Idaho, it is owned by Belo Corporation. The station broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 7.-History:...
(Boise, IdahoBoise, IdahoBoise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
) - KHNLKHNLKHNL is the NBC-affiliated television station for the state of Hawaii that is licensed to Honolulu. The station broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 35 from a transmitter in Palehua...
(Honolulu, HawaiiHonolulu, HawaiiHonolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
) - National Mobile TelevisionNational Mobile TelevisionNational Mobile Television was a Los Angeles-based television broadcasting industry corporation that operates a fleet of mobile television units....