:WPMT (Maine)
{{Short description|Television station in Maine, U.S.}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox television station
| name = WPMT
| location = Portland, Maine
| country = United States
| analog = 53 (UHF)
| affiliations = {{ubl|DuMont Television Network|NBC (1953)|CBS (1953–1954)|ABC (1953–1954)}}
| owner = Portland Telecasting Corporation
| airdate = {{Start date|1953|8|30}}
| last_airdate = {{End date|1954|12|15}}
({{age in years and days|1953|8|30|1954|12|15}})
| haat = {{convert|260|ft|m}}
| coordinates = {{coord|43|39|13|N|70|15|56.5|W}}
| embed_header = Satellite station — WLAM-TV
| embedded = {{ Infobox television station|child=yes
| location = Lewiston–Auburn, Maine
| country = United States
| analog = 17 (UHF)
| airdate = November 26, 1953
| enddate = March 15, 1955
({{age in years and days|1953|11|26|1955|3|15}})
| haat = {{convert|370|ft|m}}
| coordinates = {{coord|44|9|13|N|70|16|36|W|name=WLAM-TV}}
| sister_stations = WLAM
}}
}}
WPMT (channel 53) was a television station in Portland, Maine, United States. It operated from August 30, 1953, to December 15, 1954, and was the first television station in Portland.{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=Ellie|title=The History of Broadcasting in Maine: The First 50 Years|publisher=Maine Association of Broadcasters|location=Augusta, Maine|page=70|date=1990}} Much of its programming was also rebroadcast on WLAM-TV (channel 17) in Lewiston–Auburn, which broadcast from November 26, 1953, to March 25, 1955; the two stations were known as the Maine Television Network. Like many early UHF television stations, the arrival of VHF stations—in this case WCSH-TV, WGAN-TV, and WMTW-TV—took away network programming and economic viability from the UHF outlets.
History
File:The Columbia Hotel, Portland, Maine (78338).jpg
In January 1953, the Portland Telecasting Corporation, whose principals (including president Frank S. Hoy) were the owners of Lewiston–Auburn radio station WLAM (1470 AM), applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a construction to build a television station on Portland's allotted UHF channel, 53.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1953/BC-1953-01-26.pdf|date=January 26, 1953|page=89|work=Broadcasting|title=For the Record|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108155102/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1953/BC-1953-01-26.pdf|url-status=live}}{{r|mab}} (Four applicants had filed for Portland's two VHF channels.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105747238/bid-for-tv-permit-portland-corp-files/|date=January 20, 1953|page=14|agency=Associated Press|title=Bid For TV Permit: Portland Corp. Files For An Ultra High Frequency Outlet|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105747238/bid-for-tv-permit-portland-corp-files/|url-status=live}}) In mid-February, the FCC approved the Portland Telecasting Corporation application and 16 others in one of its largest batches of television station grants to date.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1953/BC-1953-02-16.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=February 16, 1953|page=52|title=FCC Grants 17 New TV Stations Permits|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508213146/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1953/BC-1953-02-16.pdf|url-status=live}}
The approval of a television station kickstarted construction, work on facilities in the former quarters of radio station WGAN in the Columbia Hotel, and the construction of microwave relay facilities to bring network television service from Boston northeast to Maine.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105663370/micro-wave-pony-express-impulse-will/|date=March 8, 1953|page=6B|title=Micro-Wave 'Pony Express' Impulse Will Carry Television Into Maine Homes|newspaper=Portland Sunday Telegram|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045849/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105663370/micro-wave-pony-express-impulse-will/|url-status=live}} Basic affiliation with CBS was obtained, though the station would air the programming of all major networks (CBS, NBC, ABC, and DuMont) at the outset.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105663456/cbs-will-be-basic-network-for-citys/|date=April 23, 1953|page=3|title=CBS Will Be Basic Network For City's First Television Station|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105663456/cbs-will-be-basic-network-for-citys/|url-status=live}}
By the time WPMT had been granted, WLAM (owned by the Lewiston–Auburn Broadcasting Corporation) had already filed for channel 8 in Auburn, as had station WCOU in Lewiston. However, a third proposal was heard by the commission: one to put the station on Mount Washington, the highest point in the northeastern United States, where it could serve as many as 1.5 million people.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105747772/mt-washington-tv-gets-trial-permit/|date=March 13, 1953|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105747853/ 9]|title=Mt. Washington TV Gets Trial Permit|newspaper=Sun-Journal|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105747772/mt-washington-tv-gets-trial-permit/|url-status=live}} The three-way comparative hearing prompted Hoy to drop out of the VHF fight and seek channel 17 instead in order to be able to start by year's end.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105747980/asks-tv-change-station-wants-open-lewis/|date=July 8, 1953|page=14|title=Asks TV Change: Station Wants Open Lewiston Channel; Promises Service By Year's End|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105747980/asks-tv-change-station-wants-open/|url-status=live}} This inadvertently started a chain reaction. WCOU merged with the Mount Washington group, which resulted in WMTW getting a construction permit at the same time as WLAM-TV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105748133/fcc-terms-to-be-met-by-concern-promise/|date=July 10, 1953|page=9|title=FCC Terms To Be Met By Concern; Promise Speedy Start on TV Station Atop Mt. Washington; Grant Hoy Permit|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105748133/fcc-terms-to-be-met-by-concern-promise/|url-status=live}} The competing application for channel 6 that was connected to channel 8 withdrew, resulting in a construction permit grant for WCSH-TV on July 29.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105748286/wcsh-owners-granted-first-vhf-tv-permit/|date=July 30, 1953|page=1|first=May|last=Craig|title=WCSH Owners Granted First VHF-TV Permit In Portland|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105748286/wcsh-owners-granted-first-vhf-tv-permit/|url-status=live}}
WPMT made its debut on August 30 and became Maine's second television station in operation (WABI-TV in Bangor was already in service) but its first with live network programming. The opening night was headlined by a string of public dignitaries and Philo Farnsworth, who had an estate in Brownfield.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105673887/live-net-tv-programs-come-to-maine-as/|date=August 31, 1953|page=1|title=Live Net TV Programs Come To Maine As Station WPMT Goes On Air Here|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716051528/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105673887/live-net-tv-programs-come-to-maine-as/|url-status=live}} With the Portland outlet on the air, work could begin in earnest in Lewiston. The Hoy family purchased a parcel of land including a house atop Applesass Hill—so named because a previous family that lived there was said to have "made and sold applesauce in large quantity"{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105748584/tv-station-gets-permit-for-applesass-hil/|date=July 26, 1953|page=9B|title=TV Station Gets Permit For Applesass Hill Tower|newspaper=Portland Sunday Telegram|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105748584/tv-station-gets-permit-for-applesass/|url-status=live}}—to house WLAM-TV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105748555/purchase-site-for-television-station/|date=August 1, 1953|page=14|title=Purchase Site For Television Station|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105748555/purchase-site-for-television-station/|url-status=live}} The Lewiston–Auburn station bowed on Thanksgiving Day, November 26; at the outset, there was no studio equipment at Lewiston, and almost all programming—including the scheduled dedication show for WLAM-TV—had to originate in Portland.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100796536/television-reality-on-thanksgiving-day/|date=November 11, 1953|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105749434/wlam/ 14A]|first=Johnny|last=Robinson|title=Television Reality On Thanksgiving Day: Football Games First On WLAM|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100796536/television-reality-on-thanksgiving-day/|url-status=live}} That program had to be canceled because the microwave connection from Portland to Lewiston was not complete;{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105749739/tv-station-on-air-cancel-ceremonies/|date=November 27, 1953|page=1|title=TV Station On Air; Cancel Ceremonies|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105749739/tv-station-on-air-cancel-ceremonies/|url-status=live}} when it was, however, WLAM-TV became the first satellite station rebroadcasting the programming of another in the eastern United States.{{r|Lewi550126}} The first live program from Lewiston aired in February 1954.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105750036/lewiston-tv-station-to-start-live-shows/|date=February 4, 1954|page=14|agency=Associated Press|title=Lewiston TV Station To Start Live Shows|newspaper=The Bangor Daily News|location=Bangor, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022}}
VHF television arrived a month later to southern Maine, with WCSH-TV, an NBC affiliate, beginning on December 20.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105749986/new-wcsh-tv-station-starts-programs-toda/|date=December 20, 1953|page=11B|title=New WCSH-TV Station Starts Programs Today|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105749986/new-wcsh-tv-station-starts-programs/|url-status=live}} CBS affiliate WGAN-TV, also on VHF, followed on May 16; the station also became the preferred outlet for ABC in the area.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105750500/wgan-tv-portland-13-premiere-of-portlan/|date=May 15, 1954|page=3|title=WGAN-TV Portland 13: Premiere of Portland's Newest Television, Sunday At 5:00 P.M.|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105750500/wgan-tv-portland-13-premiere-of/|url-status=live}} Despite competition, the Maine Television Network continued to produce live remote events from Portland and Lewiston; camera crews captured a regional basketball tournament and a fashion show from Lewiston and an ordination ceremony for Catholic priests from Portland.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100796464/wlam-tv-had-eventful-year-is-only/|date=January 26, 1955|page=36A|first=Johnny|last=Robinson|title=WLAM-TV Had Eventful Year, Is Only Maine UHF Station|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 15, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100796464/wlam-tv-had-eventful-year-is-only/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105670543/bangor-originated-first-remote-telecast/|date=June 9, 1955|page=16|first=Victor A.|last=Schlich|title=Bangor Originated First Remote Telecast|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716051524/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105670543/bangor-originated-first-remote-telecast/|url-status=live}}
However, with a third regional VHF—WMTW-TV—on the air beginning in late September,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105752264/mt-washington-station-to-carry-game-sat/|date=September 17, 1954|page=19|title=Mt. Washington Station To Carry Game Saturday|newspaper=Rutland Daily Herald|location=Rutland, Vermont|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105752264/mt-washington-station-to-carry-game/|url-status=live}} there was little hope for WPMT to continue. It ceased broadcasting on December 15, 1954; in its final program, Hoy announced that the assets would be assigned to Carrell K. Pierce, employed by a Portland securities house, to be liquidated, and noted that he had attempted to find a potential educational use for the facility but met with no takers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105669689/portland-television-station-closing-is-a/|date=December 16, 1954|page=18|title=Portland Television Station Closing Is Announced by Hoy|newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045953/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105669689/portland-television-station-closing-is/|url-status=live}} Pierce denied rumors that The Boston Globe was interested in WPMT for use as a subscription television outlet were such transmissions to be approved by the FCC.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635092/pierce-denies-boston-globe-seeks/|date=September 2, 1955|page=5|title=Pierce Denies Boston Globe Seeks Purchase Of WMPT-TV [sic]|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635092/pierce-denies-boston-globe-seeks/|url-status=live}} The liquidation of Portland Telecasting concluded in early 1956; general creditors received 2.5 cents on the dollar after back taxes and administrative fees were paid, with $16,000 raised in an attempt to satisfy $200,000 in total claims.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105663260/claims-against-wpmt-paid-at-rate-of-25/|date=January 5, 1956|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105663240/claims-against/ 2]|title=Claims Against WPMT Paid At Rate Of 2.5 P.C.|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105663260/claims-against-wpmt-paid-at-rate-of-25/|url-status=live}}
WLAM-TV continued to broadcast for another three months with a vastly reduced program schedule and no programming on weekends after the Portland station closed down.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105670363/video-versions-revised-log-for-wlam-tv/|date=December 17, 1954|page=26|first=Johnny|last=Robinson|title=Video Versions: Revised Log for WLAM-TV|newspaper=Sun-Journal|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716051524/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105670363/video-versions-revised-log-for-wlam-tv/|url-status=live}} On March 14, 1955, citing "serious financial losses", Hoy announced it would go off air later that month,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635095/channel-17-going-off-air-this-month/|date=March 15, 1955|page=1|agency=Associated Press|title=Channel 17 Going Off Air This Month, Says Hoy|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|location=Portland, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045954/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635095/channel-17-going-off-air-this-month/|url-status=live}} which it did at the conclusion of its March 25 broadcast day.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100799095/video-versions/|date=March 25, 1955|page=19|title=Video Versions|newspaper=Sun-Journal|location=Lewiston, Maine|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 17, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045953/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100799095/video-versions/|url-status=live}}