:KRTV (Arkansas)
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox television station
| name = KRTV
| location = Little Rock, Arkansas
| country = US
| analog = 17 (UHF)
| airdate = {{Start date|1953|4|5}}
| last_airdate = {{End date|1954|3|31}}
({{age in years and days|1953|4|5|1954|3|31}})
| affiliations = CBS, ABC, DuMont Television Network, NBC
| owner = Little Rock Telecasters, Inc.
}}
KRTV was a television station on ultra high frequency (UHF) channel 17 in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. The first television station in Arkansas, KRTV operated from April 1953 to March 1954. Its early demise was attributed to economic factors that made it impossible to compete with competing very high frequency (VHF) stations that signed on after KRTV. One of these stations, KATV (channel 7, then located in Pine Bluff), purchased KRTV's studio facility and assumed its personnel, a prelude to KATV itself moving to Little Rock in 1958.
History
Little Rock Telecasters, a company half-owned by newspaper man Donald W. Reynolds and half by other investors from Texas (E. H. Rowley of Dallas and Kenyon Brown of Wichita Falls), applied for a construction permit to build a UHF television station in the city in August 1952.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//mtielehxunbhdqqhspmlkifdqmtzaypn_wma-gateway016_1672705491097|page=1B|title=UHF Application For Little Rock Filed By Company|work=Arkansas Gazette|date=August 19, 1952|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105200925/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:1123C1CC6D31C748@GB3NEWS-15AF444CA13D3251@2434244-15AF2C4943BC635C@12-15AF2C4943BC635C?clipid=mtielehxunbhdqqhspmlkifdqmtzaypn_wma-gateway016_1672705491097|url-status=live}} A commercial television station permit, the first in the state of Arkansas, was granted on September 18, 1952.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15BA181EE9FB1CAA%402434275-15B9D20C40D4B307%405-15B9D20C40D4B307?clipid=zkooabtbfzqegqikjyypkutppjxxsdpf_wma-gateway007_1672705529721|title=FCC Grants First Video Permit Here|page=6|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=September 19, 1952|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110060354/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15BA181EE9FB1CAA%402434275-15B9D20C40D4B307%405-15B9D20C40D4B307?clipid=zkooabtbfzqegqikjyypkutppjxxsdpf_wma-gateway007_1672705529721|url-status=live}} By December, the Prospect Theater, a movie house on Beech Street, was selected to be converted into KRTV's studio.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B0817447996D4C%402434365-15B075970F249F3C%400-15B075970F249F3C?clipid=dgggvmsijbkbfwpigsjdumdbohmtabcs_wma-gateway018_1672706026964|page=1A|date=December 18, 1952|work=Arkansas Gazette|title=TV Station To Be Housed In Theater|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110060355/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B0817447996D4C%402434365-15B075970F249F3C%400-15B075970F249F3C?clipid=dgggvmsijbkbfwpigsjdumdbohmtabcs_wma-gateway018_1672706026964|url-status=live}} Work on the station's tower was beset by a rainy March as well as opposition from neighborhood homeowners, one of whom called the mast "unsightly, offensive, and dangerous" and claimed it was responsible for "a bad effect on the peace and health of the citizens".{{Cite news|page=1A|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B08F8C274B349F%402434468-15B08647ED1916B5%400-15B08647ED1916B5?clipid=ybaphabyfxtaidyorqrrwzcvxxojboez_wma-gateway007_1672707466703|work=Arkansas Gazette|title=TV Tower Foes Lose Skirmish In City Council|date=March 31, 1953|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110060355/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B08F8C274B349F%402434468-15B08647ED1916B5%400-15B08647ED1916B5?clipid=ybaphabyfxtaidyorqrrwzcvxxojboez_wma-gateway007_1672707466703|url-status=live}}
After a number of delays, KRTV debuted on April 5, 1953—Easter Sunday—as the first television station in Arkansas.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15BA0BF91EEE2B38%402434469-15B881EC971DE525%400-15B881EC971DE525?clipid=kudsadfzirejwxsclbldiividsfxzaxn_wma-gateway011_1672706560835|first=Carl|last=Childress|work=Arkansas Democrat|title=Sunday Set As Opening For KRTV: Dedicatory Telecast Schedule for 2 P. M., Barring Difficulties|page=1|date=April 1, 1953|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110060355/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15BA0BF91EEE2B38%402434469-15B881EC971DE525%400-15B881EC971DE525?clipid=kudsadfzirejwxsclbldiividsfxzaxn_wma-gateway011_1672706560835|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:1123C1CC6D31C748@GB3NEWS-15B0CBB1315E7D81@2434475-15AF8B085A6E7F84@12-15AF8B085A6E7F84?clipid=ugxtbnuyadfuirpoqbpvtqonswimqkhn_wma-gateway011_1672706896798|title=Area's Reception Of KRTV's {{as written|Deb|ute [sic]}} Fair to Excellent|page=1B|work=Arkansas Gazette|date=April 7, 1953|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104113357/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:1123C1CC6D31C748@GB3NEWS-15B0CBB1315E7D81@2434475-15AF8B085A6E7F84@12-15AF8B085A6E7F84?clipid=ugxtbnuyadfuirpoqbpvtqonswimqkhn_wma-gateway011_1672706896798|url-status=live}} Though CBS was KRTV's basic network affiliation, channel 17 aired programming from all four networks at the time—CBS, NBC, ABC, and DuMont.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15BA13C791AFE812%402434452-15B881E70E5B12F7%4042-15B881E70E5B12F7?clipid=zpicsitrpwfbhodhwrzvrkecqvwvbkvh_wma-gateway014_1672706418932|page=Television 1|title=April 1 Set as Opening Date For State's First Television Station: KRTV Plans Dedication Ceremonies|first=Carl|last=Childress|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=March 15, 1953|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104091831/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:15AF7916AD8C31D6@GB3NEWS-15BA13C791AFE812@2434452-15B881E70E5B12F7@42-15B881E70E5B12F7?clipid=zpicsitrpwfbhodhwrzvrkecqvwvbkvh_wma-gateway014_1672706418932|url-status=live}} The station also presented local shows such as Parker's Den, hosted by KLRA disc jockey Bob Parker.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B01F25314DE15C%402434501-15AF8B7721DD8184%4063-15AF8B7721DD8184?clipid=syfenapzxuwwpcjbgkhmaeycxdsschrk_wma-gateway015_1672707611927|work=Arkansas Gazette|date=May 3, 1953|page=8F|title=Switching Medium Really Isn't So Easy|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104094838/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:1123C1CC6D31C748@GB3NEWS-15B01F25314DE15C@2434501-15AF8B7721DD8184@63-15AF8B7721DD8184?clipid=syfenapzxuwwpcjbgkhmaeycxdsschrk_wma-gateway015_1672707611927|url-status=live}} That September, the station increased its effective radiated power tenfold from 2,100 to 21,000 watts with the installation of new equipment.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15B827DFE42C2916%402434627-15B8130BDA476F3E%403-15B8130BDA476F3E?clipid=zgytdqhfgrghnuzxaxvzbhngixnwtmba_wma-gateway020_1672707272487|title=KRTV To Up Power Ten Times|date=September 6, 1953|page=4|work=Arkansas Democrat|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104091829/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:15AF7916AD8C31D6@GB3NEWS-15B827DFE42C2916@2434627-15B8130BDA476F3E@3-15B8130BDA476F3E?clipid=zgytdqhfgrghnuzxaxvzbhngixnwtmba_wma-gateway020_1672707272487|url-status=live}} The fall also saw a change in ownership interests within Little Rock Telecasters, as Rowley-Brown Broadcasting acquired all of Reynolds's 50 percent interest,{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15BA695B631AC296%402434616-15B8821C90A3CE3B%404-15B8821C90A3CE3B?clipid=ixyoyhprlcpmliljkhihyivgfrhesyqc_wma-gateway009_1672707769159|page=5|agency=Associated Press|title=KRTV Sale Plan Okayed|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=August 26, 1953|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105022126/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:15AF7916AD8C31D6@GB3NEWS-15BA695B631AC296@2434616-15B8821C90A3CE3B@4-15B8821C90A3CE3B?clipid=ixyoyhprlcpmliljkhihyivgfrhesyqc_wma-gateway009_1672707769159|url-status=live}} and the installation of network coaxial cable to Little Rock, allowing the station to carry the 1953 World Series live.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B0826960B31E2B%402434652-15AF8B70E243E600%400-15AF8B70E243E600?clipid=twqmqiabnnsticmetahoeiqtasaphcgm_wma-gateway016_1672799370886|title=Work Slows As Series Starts on TV|first=Paul|last=Mendy|date=October 1, 1953|work=Arkansas Gazette|page=1A|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110060357/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B0826960B31E2B%402434652-15AF8B70E243E600%400-15AF8B70E243E600?clipid=twqmqiabnnsticmetahoeiqtasaphcgm_wma-gateway016_1672799370886|url-status=live}}
Central Arkansas gained a second television station in December 1953. Broadcasting from Pine Bluff, KATV (channel 7) promised city-grade coverage of Little Rock.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B0CC6502088D4F%402434718-15B076DCF511F89C%4062-15B076DCF511F89C?clipid=bvsgjftmudwrtzguftlhsvqsijlykzpf_wma-gateway004_1672707917156|page=3G|date=December 6, 1953|work=Arkansas Gazette|title='City Grade' Reception Due At Little Rock|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104030221/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:1123C1CC6D31C748@GB3NEWS-15B0CC6502088D4F@2434718-15B076DCF511F89C@62-15B076DCF511F89C?clipid=bvsgjftmudwrtzguftlhsvqsijlykzpf_wma-gateway004_1672707917156|url-status=live}} By the start of 1954, the picture was clear. Little Rock's first VHF station, KARK-TV (channel 4), was coming to air at some point in the coming months, which would give central Arkansas two operating VHF outlets plus KRTV; in addition, KRTV would lose its NBC affiliation to KARK-TV, whose radio companion KARK was NBC's longtime Little Rock outlet. This did not take into account VHF channel 11, still in comparative hearing.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15B86F4616F2B977%402434774-15B81447E2A7EAEF%4069-15B81447E2A7EAEF?clipid=rxypqbgnhbmcgqvqvlafsitdgdlfubvi_wma-gateway001_1672708038365|page=10F|title=Three TV Stations In Operation: Fourth Outlet Expected to Be Ready by March|date=January 31, 1954|work=Arkansas Democrat|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104093332/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:15AF7916AD8C31D6@GB3NEWS-15B86F4616F2B977@2434774-15B81447E2A7EAEF@69-15B81447E2A7EAEF?clipid=rxypqbgnhbmcgqvqvlafsitdgdlfubvi_wma-gateway001_1672708038365|url-status=live}} On the 10 p.m. newscast of KATV on March 7, it was announced that the two stations would combine in what was described as a "merger", with KRTV going off the air and its facilities and personnel becoming KATV's Little Rock studio, connected by coaxial cable and microwave to its transmitter.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B135D0C945C5B5%402434810-15B0DBFF8C2EF3B1%400-15B0DBFF8C2EF3B1?clipid=mvqvlwowffezkmfmeqjofxicpqrcoslo_wma-gateway016_1672708187599|title=KRTV to Leave Air To Join With KATV, Both on Channel 7|date=March 8, 1954|page=1A|work=Arkansas Gazette|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110060357/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B135D0C945C5B5%402434810-15B0DBFF8C2EF3B1%400-15B0DBFF8C2EF3B1?clipid=mvqvlwowffezkmfmeqjofxicpqrcoslo_wma-gateway016_1672708187599|url-status=live}} In actuality, the deal was a $400,000 sale—"lock, stock and tower"—of the station, minus its license and the tower (which was to be dismantled).{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B135D1B6B9B91E%402434811-15B0DBFFD9322EEA%400-15B0DBFFD9322EEA?clipid=deyroadgihoanilzdwkxzjjqqtfgrmfn_wma-gateway001_1672708406794|page=1A|work=Arkansas Gazette|title=Lock, Stock and Tower: Station KRTV Was Sold—Not Merged With KATV|date=March 9, 1954|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110060358/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B135D1B6B9B91E%402434811-15B0DBFFD9322EEA%400-15B0DBFFD9322EEA?clipid=deyroadgihoanilzdwkxzjjqqtfgrmfn_wma-gateway001_1672708406794|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B135D2C8B27508%402434812-15B0DC0065224D68%4016-15B0DC0065224D68?clipid=mpmkdrakpffbkgpjwrjsemqanvqqsonl_wma-gateway015_1672708884052|date=March 10, 1954|page=1B|work=Arkansas Gazette|title=Owners Plan To Sell Tower Used by KRTV|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104123357/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:1123C1CC6D31C748@GB3NEWS-15B135D2C8B27508@2434812-15B0DC0065224D68@16-15B0DC0065224D68?clipid=mpmkdrakpffbkgpjwrjsemqanvqqsonl_wma-gateway015_1672708884052|url-status=live}}
Beginning April 1, two daily news programs and other fare for KATV began broadcasting from the Little Rock studios.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B0EB33B5AA4460%402434834-15B0DC0B222D66F3%400-15B0DC0B222D66F3?clipid=ejdyazczdxsthxsqokckayirgxxkrnup_wma-gateway008_1672708535915|date=April 1, 1954|work=Arkansas Gazette|page=1A, [https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B0EB33B5AA4460%402434834-15B0DC0B256C5652%401?clipid=gcmiieiqcfirjypunqxtbdvyolgrclti_wma-gateway016_1672708606977 2A]|title=KRTV Shifts Over to KATV; Studios Stay|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110060359/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B0EB33B5AA4460%402434834-15B0DC0B222D66F3%400-15B0DC0B222D66F3?clipid=ejdyazczdxsthxsqokckayirgxxkrnup_wma-gateway008_1672708535915|url-status=live}} For two weeks, no television station licensed to Little Rock was on the air; this changed when KARK-TV signed on April 15.{{cite news|title=New TV Gets Ready, Old One Expires|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15B8281E6B15C009%402434834-15B81F1B13FDC9F3%4016-15B81F1B13FDC9F3?clipid=jsxodyhsfvrcjzelysmizedmmwpetesv_wma-gateway018_1672708584927|page=17|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=April 1, 1954|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104093329/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:15AF7916AD8C31D6@GB3NEWS-15B8281E6B15C009@2434834-15B81F1B13FDC9F3@16-15B81F1B13FDC9F3?clipid=jsxodyhsfvrcjzelysmizedmmwpetesv_wma-gateway018_1672708584927|url-status=live}}
The KATV Little Rock studios burned to the ground on the morning of November 1, 1957.{{Cite news|first=George|last=Douthit|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15BA1F3C5D5A2BD7%402436144-15B9BD3947613B42%400-15B9BD3947613B42?clipid=kfimoyxljbohyuudikqsrehyfmvxqiry_wma-gateway001_1672708945158|page=1|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=November 1, 1957|title=Early Morning Blaze Ruins KATV Studio; Loss Tops Half Million|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104104847/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:15AF7916AD8C31D6@GB3NEWS-15BA1F3C5D5A2BD7@2436144-15B9BD3947613B42@0-15B9BD3947613B42?clipid=kfimoyxljbohyuudikqsrehyfmvxqiry_wma-gateway001_1672708945158|url-status=live}} The station rebuilt at another site; in July 1958, it was approved to change its city of license from Pine Bluff to Little Rock,{{Cite news|page=13B|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40GB3NEWS-15B1842E9FC8C23E%402436410-15B18152B43F4E44%4026-15B18152B43F4E44?clipid=nsahsiafvyndkpyeqxvbhdbcnaxhqskf_wma-gateway008_1672709037190|work=Arkansas Gazette|date=July 25, 1958|title=KATV Wins Okay on Move|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104093325/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:1123C1CC6D31C748@GB3NEWS-15B1842E9FC8C23E@2436410-15B18152B43F4E44@26-15B18152B43F4E44?clipid=nsahsiafvyndkpyeqxvbhdbcnaxhqskf_wma-gateway008_1672709037190|url-status=live}} and that October, the station completed the move.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40GB3NEWS-15BB0703CC9C02A4%402436485-15BA6276908DC7F1%4011-15BA6276908DC7F1?clipid=muzvkgrmbfpuqeugfyzvlkptcpkjwhcg_wma-gateway008_1672775889196|page=12|title=Transfer Of KATV Completed|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=October 8, 1958|access-date=January 4, 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104123401/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:15AF7916AD8C31D6@GB3NEWS-15BB0703CC9C02A4@2436485-15BA6276908DC7F1@11-15BA6276908DC7F1?clipid=muzvkgrmbfpuqeugfyzvlkptcpkjwhcg_wma-gateway008_1672775889196|url-status=live}}
References
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{{Little Rock TV}}
{{Portal bar|1950s|Arkansas|Television}}
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Category:1953 establishments in Arkansas
Category:1954 disestablishments in Arkansas
Category:Defunct television stations in the United States
Category:Television channels and stations established in 1953
Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 1954