KTUL
{{Short description|Television station in Tulsa, Oklahoma}}
{{For|the airport serving Tulsa, Oklahoma, assigned the ICAO code KTUL|Tulsa International Airport}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KTUL
| logo = KTUL logo 2024.svg
| logo_alt = A red rounded rectangle with a white 8. Beneath is a white portion of the rounded rectangle with the word TULSA in black. The ABC network logo, a black disk with the letters a b c, overlaps the rectangle to the right.
| logo_upright = .8
| branding = NewsChannel 8
| digital = 14 (UHF)
| virtual = 8
| translators = 24 (UHF) McAlester
| affiliations = {{ubl|8.1: ABC|for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}}}
| owner = Sinclair Broadcast Group
| licensee = KTUL Licensee, LLC
| location = Tulsa, Oklahoma{{efn|Originally licensed to Muskogee, Oklahoma; moved to Tulsa in 1957.}}
| country = United States
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1954|09|18}}
| callsign_meaning = Taken from KTUL radio, now KTBZ
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KTVX (1954–1957)|KTUL-TV (1957–1993)}}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|Analog: 8 (VHF, 1954–2009)|Digital: 10 (VHF, 2009–2023)}}
| former_affiliations = DuMont (1954–1955)
| erp = 1,000 kW
| haat = {{convert|578|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 35685
| coordinates = {{coord|35|58|8|N|95|36|56|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = FCC
| website = {{URL|https://ktul.com/}}
}}
KTUL (channel 8) is a television station in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, affiliated with ABC and owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group. The station's studios are located at Lookout Mountain (near South 29th West Avenue, west of Interstate 244) in southwestern Tulsa, and its primary transmitter is located on South 321st Avenue East, adjacent to the Muskogee Turnpike, in unincorporated southeastern Tulsa County (near Coweta).
Channel 8 was originally allocated to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where several groups sought the permit, including Muskogee-based and out-of-town interests. The permit was won by J. T. Griffin and Marjory Griffin Leake, who owned radio station KTUL in Tulsa, and went on the air as KTVX on September 18, 1954. It affiliated with ABC, giving the Tulsa market primary affiliates of each of the Big Three networks. Despite several complaints from stations in Tulsa, the Federal Communications Commission granted KTVX permission to move to Tulsa in 1957, whereupon it became KTUL-TV. The station began broadcasting from Coweta in 1964; it continued to produce several notable non-news local programs into the 1970s.
KTUL was acquired in 1983 by Allbritton Communications. The station's newscasts generally fought for first and second place in the market, while the news department continued to expand its news offerings and resources. Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired the station in 2014 as part of its purchase of Allbritton. The news department was wound down in December 2023 in a cost-cutting measure, with the station's news programs originating from Sinclair-owned KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City.
Early history in Muskogee
=Hearing process and construction=
John Toole "J. T." Griffin—majority owner and president of wholesale food distributors Griffin Grocery Company and Denison Peanut Company and hardware manufacturer Western Hardware Corporation, all of which were headquartered in Muskogee—became interested in television broadcasting around 1950, after noticing during one of his commutes that many homes in the Oklahoma City area had installed outdoor television antennas to receive the signal of Oklahoma City station WKY-TV.{{citation |title=Interview with Griffin Communications president David Griffin from the anniversary special 50 Years of News 9 |publisher=Griffin Communications |year=2003}} In June 1952, the Tulsa Broadcasting Company—a company run by John and his sister, Marjory Griffin Leake, and owner of Tulsa radio station KTUL (1430 AM) as well as radio interests in Oklahoma City and Fort Smith, Arkansas, applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a construction permit to build a television station on channel 8 in Muskogee. The application proposed studios in Muskogee and a transmitter on Concharty Mountain, {{convert|20|mi|km}} northwest of the city.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-times-democrat-griffin-planning/136545335/|date=June 26, 1952|page=1|title=Griffin Planning City TV Station To Cover Region: Equipment Bought, Much Of It Ready; Awaiting FCC Nod|newspaper=Muskogee Times-Democrat|location=Muskogee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023}}{{cite magazine |title=At Deadline: 65 TV Applications Filed with FCC |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=86 |date=June 30, 1952 |id={{ProQuest|1285692262}}}}{{cite magazine |title=FCC Roundup |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=49 |date=July 7, 1952|id={{ProQuest|1401197946}} }} The choice to apply for Muskogee and not Tulsa's available channel 2 was attributed to the way the FCC was processing its backlog of applications, prioritizing cities without existing stations; Tulsa had KOTV on channel 6.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-tulsan-seeks-video-station-a/136545664/|date=June 26, 1952|page=26|title=Tulsan Seeks Video Station At Muskogee|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023}}
The Griffin-owned group saw competition crop up for the channel 8 permit over the next two years. The Oklahoma Press Publishing Company—a group majority owned by Tams Bixby Jr. and son Tams Bixby III, which published the Muskogee Phoenix and Times-Democrat and owned Muskogee radio station KBIX (1490 AM)—filed a separate application for the channel 8 license on October 9, 1952.{{cite magazine |title=Television Applications Filed at FCC |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=11 |date=October 13, 1952|id={{ProQuest|1285689719}} }} The applicants derided the KTUL-led bid as an attempt to "slip in the back door" to Tulsa from the start, down to its proposal to use the call sign KTUL-TV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tulsa-tribune-muskogeeans-contest-kt/136545827/|date=October 4, 1952|page=4|title=Muskogeeans Contest KTUL for TV Permit|newspaper=The Tulsa Tribune|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023}} The Oklahoma Press application had the effect of pushing Muskogee—and channel 8—down the priority order because the channel was contested.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-morning-news-bixby-blocks-sprin/136545940/|date=October 9, 1952|page=1|title=Bixby Blocks Springfield's Muskogee TV Station|newspaper=Muskogee Morning News|location=Muskogee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023}} The Tulsa Broadcasting Company took out a full-page advertisement questioning why, if these groups sought to provide local service, they did not apply for Muskogee's other channel, ultra high frequency (UHF) channel 66.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-morning-news-a-statement-reg/136546031/|date=October 23, 1952|page=3|title=A Statement... Regarding the KTUL-TV Application for Channel 8, Muskogee|newspaper=Muskogee Morning News|location=Muskogee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210074443/https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-morning-news-a-statement-reg/136546031/|url-status=live}} Another application for channel 8 was received in November 1953 from Ashley L. Robison, who was selling a stake in a station he owned in Sacramento, California.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/okmulgee-daily-times-muskogee-may-get-tv/136546363/|date=November 24, 1953|page=2|agency=Associated Press|title=Muskogee May Get TV Station|newspaper=Okmulgee Daily Times|location=Okmulgee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210074443/https://www.newspapers.com/article/okmulgee-daily-times-muskogee-may-get-tv/136546363/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |title=At Deadline: New San Jose Station Proposed; Other FCC Actions |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=11 |date=November 23, 1953|id={{ProQuest|1401209010}}}} The Tulsa Broadcasting bid was modified in early 1954 to specify a new general manager and studio site.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tulsa-tribune-muskogee-tv-bid-altere/136546534/|date=January 2, 1954|page=13|title=Muskogee TV Bid Altered by Firm|newspaper=The Tulsa Tribune|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023}}
In February 1954, just as hearings were to begin for channel 8 in Muskogee and channel 2 in Tulsa,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-3-way-fights-on-tv-permits-s/136546663/|date=January 31, 1954|pages=3:1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-fights/136546715/ 3:12]|title=3-Way Fights On TV Permits Start Friday: 6 Groups to Compete for FCC Channel Bids for Tulsa, Muskogee|first=Norman K.|last=Baxter|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210012542/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-3-way-fights-on-tv-permits-s/136546663/|url-status=live}} Oklahoma Press Publishing announced it was withdrawing from the case;{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-daily-phoenix-and-times-democra/136546623/|date=February 6, 1954|page=2|title=Tulsa, Muskogee TV Applications Are Withdrawn: Muskogee Applicant Is Denied Request For Short Delay|newspaper=Muskogee Daily Phoenix|location=Muskogee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210012542/https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-daily-phoenix-and-times-democra/136546623/|url-status=live}} the Daily Phoenix ran a front-page editorial declaring that the record now showed a city like Muskogee could not support a station on its own and that local businessmen were not supportive of the station they proposed, which they learned would be a "most hazardous venture".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-daily-phoenix-and-times-democra/136546758/|date=February 6, 1954|page=1|title=An Editorial: This Will Please Some People|newspaper=Muskogee Daily Phoenix|location=Muskogee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210012545/https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-daily-phoenix-and-times-democra/136546758/|url-status=live}} Robison followed suit weeks later; Tulsa Broadcasting settled with him and paid him $6,000 for the legal costs incurred in his application. This left Tulsa Broadcasting unopposed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-times-democrat-only-one-left-in/136546955/|date=February 27, 1954|page=1|agency=Associated Press|title=Only One Left In Contest For Local Television Channel|newspaper=Muskogee Times-Democrat|location=Muskogee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210012542/https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-times-democrat-only-one-left-in/136546955/|url-status=live}} FCC hearing examiner Millard French issued an initial decision in its favor,{{cite magazine |title=New Muskogee TV Station Proposed by Commission |id={{ProQuest|1285709072}}|periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=54 |date=March 8, 1954}}{{cite magazine |title=For the Record|id={{ProQuest|1285704707}} |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=96 |date=March 8, 1954}} followed by a commission grant of the permit on April 8, 1954.{{cite magazine |title=First Local TV Grant Goes to Muskogee, Okla.|id={{ProQuest|1285699937}} |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=36 |date=April 12, 1954}}{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=108 |date=April 19, 1954|id={{ProQuest|1285713692}}}} Tulsa Broadcasting sought a call sign for the new station containing the letters TV and ended up with the call sign KTVX; Griffin discovered that the calls had been dormant since the S.S. William S. Clark turned in its signal code to the Customs Bureau of the Treasury Department upon the ocean vessel's January 1947 retirement.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktvx-is-signal-of-channel-8/136547751/|date=April 14, 1954|page=3|title=KTVX Is Signal of Channel 8: Call Letters of Ship Given to New Station|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210074443/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktvx-is-signal-of-channel-8/136547751/|url-status=live}}
Weeks after the FCC granted the permit, J. Elfred Beck, owner of fledgling UHF outlet KCEB, filed a protest with the FCC. Beck alleged that the Concharty Mountain transmitter site would provide better service to Tulsa than to Muskogee and that it would overlap with other Griffin-owned properties, particularly KWTV in Oklahoma City, as well as other Griffin holdings: KTUL, KFPW, and KOMA radio, as well as KATV in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.{{cite magazine |title=At Deadline: Protest Muskogee Grant; Other Actions of FCC |id={{ProQuest|1285703865}}|periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=9 |date=May 10, 1954}}{{cite magazine |title=For the Record|id={{ProQuest|1285711110}} |periodical=Broadcasting |page=104 |date=April 26, 1954}} KOTV owner Wrather-Alvarez Inc. and Arthur R. Olson, permittee for an unbuilt UHF station in Tulsa, submitted their own petitions that made very similar allegations against Tulsa Broadcasting two weeks later.{{cite magazine |title=Two More Tulsa Outlets Protest Muskogee Grant |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |id={{ProQuest|1285718810}} |pages=60, 62 |date=May 17, 1954}}{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=99 |date=June 21, 1954|id={{ProQuest|1285718111}}}} On July 9, the FCC denied the protest petitions were invalid, as the grant was handed down after a hearing.{{cite magazine |title=At Deadline: Lamb Denied Injunction Against FCC; Will Appeal |id={{ProQuest|1285713910}}|periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=9 |date=June 14, 1954}}{{cite magazine |title=Protest of Muskogee Ch. 8 Grant Denied |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=50 |date=July 12, 1954|id={{ProQuest|1285721023}}}}{{cite magazine |title=Tulsa UHFs Challenge Dismissal of Protest |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=88 |date=July 19, 1954|id={{ProQuest|1285709354}}}} All three petitioners appealed the ruling to the D.C. Court of Appeals, which would deny their request to stay the construction of KTVX.{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=95 |date=July 19, 1954|id={{ProQuest|1285704428}}}}{{cite magazine |title=Milwaukee, Muskogee Cases Before Court |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=65 |date=August 9, 1954|id={{ProQuest|1285714348}}}}{{cite magazine |title=Two Stay Requests Denied by Court |periodical=Broadcasting |page=54 |date=August 16, 1954|id={{ProQuest|1285720315}}}}
=Early years=
KTVX began broadcasting on September 18, 1954,{{cite magazine |title=Two TV Stations Begin Operations|id={{ProQuest|1285709332}} |periodical=Broadcasting |page=68 |date=September 20, 1954}} ramping up to a full 316,000 watts of power on November 30.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktvx-boosts-power-level-tel/136551171/|date=December 1, 1954|page=10|title=KTVX Boosts Power Level: Television Station Goes to Full Strength|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210074444/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktvx-boosts-power-level-tel/136551171/|url-status=live}} It assumed the ABC affiliation shortly before launching,{{Cite news|title=ABC-TV Signs 5 Affiliates; Total Increased to 209|id={{ProQuest|1285718746}}|date=September 6, 1954|pages=69–70|work=Broadcasting-Telecasting}} and it also aired programming from the DuMont Television Network.{{r|BC540920}} DuMont and NBC had previously been seen on KCEB when that station began in March,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-newest-tulsa-tv-station-take/136548826/|date=March 14, 1954|page=3:1|title=Newest Tulsa TV Station Takes the Air|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210012543/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-newest-tulsa-tv-station-take/136548826/|url-status=live}} and NBC moved to channel 2 when KVOO-TV began on December 5.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-kvoo-makes-its-debut-on-the/136549047/|date=December 5, 1954|page=30|title=KVOO Makes Its Debut On The Air Today|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210012543/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-kvoo-makes-its-debut-on-the/136549047/|url-status=live}} KCEB suspended operation on December 10.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tulsa-tribune-suspension-for-kceb-ap/136549104/|date=December 10, 1954|page=1|title=Suspension for KCEB Approved|newspaper=The Tulsa Tribune|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013045/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tulsa-tribune-suspension-for-kceb-ap/136549104/|url-status=live}} In April 1955, Tulsa Broadcasting bought KCEB's studios on Lookout Mountain in Tulsa for use as an auxiliary facility for KTVX;{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-daily-phoenix-and-times-democra/136548514/|date=April 6, 1955|page=2|title=Tulsa Company Buys KCEB Facilities In Tulsa|newspaper=Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat|location=Muskogee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013045/https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-daily-phoenix-and-times-democra/136548514/|url-status=live}} KTUL radio moved in the next month.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktul-now-operating-on-lookou/136550376/|date=May 18, 1955|page=17|title=KTUL Now Operating On Lookout Mountain|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013046/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktul-now-operating-on-lookou/136550376/|url-status=live}}
The earlier charges pertaining to KTVX's transmitter location resurfaced in April 1955, when KOTV owner General Television and KVOO-TV parent Central Plains Enterprises filed complaints requesting that the FCC force KTVX to cease representing itself as a Tulsa station or face a hearing. At the time, channel 8 identified as such or as a Muskogee–Tulsa station in on-air and print promotions. Station management replied that it saw nothing wrong in promoting itself as a Tulsa-market station and suggested that these and other issues raised in the complaint considered to be unfair trade practices should be appealed to the Federal Trade Commission instead.{{cite magazine |title=Tulsa Competitors Charge KTVX (TV) Misrepresentation|id={{ProQuest|1285735704}} |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=76 |date=April 4, 1955}}{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|1285722220}}|title=KTVX (TV) Denies Charges by Stations |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=78 |date=April 18, 1955}} The FCC dismissed the complaint on September 2; Tulsa Broadcasting admitted to failing to comply with station identification rules but made assurances that it stopped such practices.{{unbulleted list citebundle|{{cite magazine|id={{ProQuest|1014911824}}|title=KTVX (TV) License Granted Despite Tulsa TV Protests |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=90 |date=September 5, 1955}}|{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |id={{ProQuest|1014913876}} |page=102 |date=September 5, 1955}} }} The commission also admonished the station for exaggerating its coverage area in trade publications and reminded it that it must give "primary consideration" to Muskogee in its local programming.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tulsa-tribune-warning-to-ktvx-by-fcc/136550025/|date=September 2, 1955|page=33|title=Warning to KTVX by FCC: Alleged Violations of Regulations Cited|newspaper=The Tulsa Tribune|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013048/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tulsa-tribune-warning-to-ktvx-by-fcc/136550025/|url-status=live}} Two months later, KTVX began originating programs from the Tulsa studio.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-morning-news-ktvx-operations-ex/136550293/|date=November 3, 1955|page=1|title=KTVX Operations Expand This Week|newspaper=Muskogee Morning News|location=Muskogee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013051/https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-morning-news-ktvx-operations-ex/136550293/|url-status=live}}
Transfer to Tulsa
On January 18, 1957, Tulsa Broadcasting filed a request to move KTVX's city of license from Muskogee to Tulsa.{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|1285771459}}|title=At Deadline: Asks Ch. 8 Move to Tulsa |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=9 |date=January 21, 1957}} Tulsa Broadcasting claimed that Muskogee was not large enough to support a VHF station, that the move would put it at a better advantage with its Tulsa-based competitors, and that it would provide a third competitive station in Tulsa. After the FCC invited comments on the switch and other proposals,{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|1401223095}}|title=WIRL-TV in Court to Save Ch. 8; FCC Proposes Still More Shifts |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=60 |date=April 1, 1957}} the owners of KOTV and KVOO-TV as well as Arthur Olson replied in opposition. Olson asked that KTVX remain licensed to Muskogee and relegated to a UHF channel if the channel 8 allocation were reassigned to Tulsa, claiming that Tulsa Broadcasting had "engaged in a pattern of inconsistent, misleading and incorrect representations to the [FCC]"; he stated that he would have applied for channel 8 instead of UHF channel 17 had it had been allocated to Tulsa from the start. KOTV and KVOO-TV and that it had been operating as a de facto Tulsa station with limited equipment and personnel based in Muskogee.{{cite magazine |title=TV Rulemaking Pleas On Shifts Flood FCC |id={{ProQuest|1401222364}} |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |pages=82–83 |date=May 6, 1957}} The commission denied these requests on August 2, 1957, moving channel 8 and KTVX to Tulsa.{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|1401222364}} |title=At Deadline: FCC Papers Fly on Vacation Eve |periodical=Broadcasting |page=10 |date=August 5, 1957}} With the move, in September, the station changed its call letters to KTUL-TV to match its radio sister.{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|1505637134}} |title=New KTVX (TV) Call: KTUL-TV |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=93 |date=September 23, 1957}} The Griffin-Leake interests sold off KTUL radio in 1961.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tulsa-tribune-ktul-now-keli-format/136551784/|date=December 12, 1961|page=22|title=KTUL Now KELI; Format Changed|newspaper=The Tulsa Tribune|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013048/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tulsa-tribune-ktul-now-keli-format/136551784/|url-status=live}} In 1963, Griffin and Leake bought out minority investors in KWTV, folding KTUL and KATV into the resulting company.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-tv-station-stocks-sold-grif/136552203/|date=December 11, 1963|page=1|title=TV Station Stocks Sold: Griffin, Leake Will Own Outlet at OC|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013049/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-tv-station-stocks-sold-grif/136552203/|url-status=live}}
In 1963, the station applied to construct a new transmitter tower at a site {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} east of Coweta (approximately {{convert|10|mi|km|disp=sqbr}} northeast of the original transmitter site). Consideration of the application was delayed because a hearing was in progress over Griffin-Leake's qualifications to be a licensee in a case revolving around a planned transmitter relocation for KATV.{{cite magazine |title=KTUL-TV application hits stumbling block|id={{ProQuest|1014468628}} |periodical=Broadcasting |page=10 |date=December 2, 1963}} After that hearing was dismissed,{{cite magazine |title=Dismiss KATV(TV) Plea|id={{ProQuest|1014479705}} |periodical=Broadcasting |pages=65–66 |date=February 3, 1964}} the FCC approved the relocation and new {{convert|1890|ft|m|0|adj=on}} tower in February 1964.{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |page=97 |date=February 24, 1964}} The new mast, billed as the second-tallest artificial structure in the world,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-giant-ktul-tower-near-comple/136552746/|date=March 8, 1965|page=7|title=Giant KTUL Tower Near Completion|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013049/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-giant-ktul-tower-near-comple/136552746/|url-status=live}} was put into service on July 24, 1965.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-channel-8s-new-tower-goes-o/136552903/|date=July 25, 1965|page=16|title=Channel 8's New Tower Goes on Amid Pageantry|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210074444/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-channel-8s-new-tower-goes-o/136552903/|url-status=live}} In 1967, the station began airing local programming in color.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pictorial-press-ktul-adds-more-color/136553039/|date=February 16, 1967|page=6|title=KTUL Adds More Color|newspaper=The Pictorial Press|location=Tahlequah, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210074444/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pictorial-press-ktul-adds-more-color/136553039/|url-status=live}}
One of channel 8's most popular program hosts in its early history was John Chick, who joined then-KTVX in 1955. From 1955 to 1963, Chick hosted the local afternoon children's program Cartoon Zoo, a showcase of cartoon shorts on which he originated the character Mr. Zing, donning a fake moustache—which Chick had chosen for the purpose of maintaining anonymity when he was not performing the character—and zookeeper's uniform. The program was the highest-rated children's program in the Tulsa market for most of its run.{{cite news |title=John Chick: Ups and downs of live programs |url=http://www.mcalesternews.com/news/local_news/john-chick-ups-and-downs-of-live-programs/article_d0c26e36-3d8f-5ff4-9665-b0429802cb37.html |last=Beaty |first=James |newspaper=McAlester News-Capital |date=August 21, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2017 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125102307/https://www.mcalesternews.com/news/local_news/john-chick-ups-and-downs-of-live-programs/article_d0c26e36-3d8f-5ff4-9665-b0429802cb37.html |url-status=live }} The program would later evolve into Mr. Zing and Tuffy after station director Wayne Johnson conceived the idea for the costumed tiger character Tuffy; he was also joined by another costumed animal character, Shaggy Dog (played by Tom Ledbetter and later Mike Denney).{{cite news |title=KTUL's 'Tuffy' Johnson dies at 66 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul-s-tuffy-johnson-dies-at/article_bd96d28b-e5b9-5e17-8bd1-dcac5cb37447.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=March 24, 2008 |access-date=December 15, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134228/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul-s-tuffy-johnson-dies-at/article_bd96d28b-e5b9-5e17-8bd1-dcac5cb37447.html |url-status=live }}
Another popular KTUL personality joined channel 8 in 1965 when Betty Boyd, a well-known personality at rival KOTV, was lured away to host The Betty Boyd Show. The local daytime program, which featured a mix of interviews with Tulsa-area newsmakers, community affairs, and women's topics, later turned into a morning show, Good Morning Oklahoma, which ran until Boyd left channel 8 in 1980. It helped KTUL reach first place among female viewers at a time when ABC had remained lagged in third place among the three national networks in the Nielsen ratings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-betty-boyd-leaving-televisio/136571607/|date=September 10, 1980|page=A-18|first=Rita|last=Sherrow|title=Betty Boyd Leaving Television for Vo-Tech Position|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210074444/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-betty-boyd-leaving-televisio/136571607/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title="Queen of Tulsa TV" Betty Boyd dies at 86 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/queen-of-tulsa-tv-betty-boyd-dies-at/article_c9f863d7-1c84-5a60-932d-efdec04ebed7.html |last=Stanley |first=Tim |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=January 7, 2011 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521135955/https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/queen-of-tulsa-tv-betty-boyd-dies-at/article_c9f863d7-1c84-5a60-932d-efdec04ebed7.html |url-status=live }}
Sole Leake ownership
Griffin and Leake separated their broadcasting interests in 1969, unwinding a 29-year business connection: Griffin became the sole licensee of KWTV and retained the Muskogee-based Griffin Grocery Company, while Leake retained control of KTUL and KATV as well as a station in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and other interests.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-griffin-leakes-tv-ownership/136553099/|date=April 15, 1969|page=A-15|title=Griffin Leake's TV Ownership Divided|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013605/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-griffin-leakes-tv-ownership/136553099/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-griffin-leake-division-given/136553262/|date=October 5, 1969|page=A-6|title=Griffin-Leake Division Given Approval by FCC|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013605/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-griffin-leake-division-given/136553262/|url-status=live}}
When Mr. Zing and Tuffy ceased production in January 1970, it was partially replaced with Uncle Zeb's Cartoon Camp,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-is-it-true-that-the-mr-zing/136571394/|date=January 21, 1970|page=A-7|title=Is it true that the Mr. Zing and Tuffy show is going off the air?|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}} The show is titled Uncle Zeb's Cartoon Camp beginning in listings dated February 8, 1970. hosted by KTUL promotion director Carl Bartholomew. The program was discontinued in 1979, as Bartholomew decided to focus his duties on his existing role as promotions director at channel 8.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-viewpoint/136559448/|date=May 31, 1979|page=F-4|first=Ronald E.|last=Butler|title=Viewpoint|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013606/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-viewpoint/136559448/|url-status=live}} Dan Murphy, a KTUL reporter, briefly took over the time slot, hosting as "Dr. Ding A. Ling",{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktuls-dr-ding-a-ling-kidd/136559520/|date=October 7, 1979|pages=TV World 33, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-dr-ding-show-host/136559557/ 35]|first=Rita|last=Sherrow|title=KTUL's Dr. Ding A. Ling Kiddie Show Off to a Good Start|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}} and another local children's show, Uncle Zip's Do-Da-Day, aired in 1980.{{cite news |title=Happy Trails // Uncle Zeb Hanging Up His Hat After More Than 4,000 Shows |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/happy-trails-uncle-zeb-hanging-up-his-hat-after-more/article_d1a38bcd-fca3-57d4-902c-f0e768e7aa9d.html |last=Sherrow |first=Rita |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=March 2, 1997 |access-date=December 15, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014133921/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/happy-trails-uncle-zeb-hanging-up-his-hat-after-more/article_d1a38bcd-fca3-57d4-902c-f0e768e7aa9d.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Memorial service today for KTUL's Uncle Zip |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/memorial-service-today-for-ktul-s-uncle-zip/article_4e3d9953-a9b2-535b-8e61-d3d5223ca60a.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=April 17, 2007 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014133915/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/memorial-service-today-for-ktul-s-uncle-zip/article_4e3d9953-a9b2-535b-8e61-d3d5223ca60a.html |url-status=live }}
The end of Zing also saw Chick move into a new role. Chick began hosting The John Chick Show, a live morning music program that featured local country music talent.{{r|McAl160821}} The weekday morning program beat The Today Show in the local ratings at 7 a.m. Chick remained on the air in mornings even after ABC debuted Good Morning America in 1975; the president of ABC visited the station to see why they did not air the morning show and acquiesced to the affiliate,{{cite magazine |title=John Chick |date=January 5, 2011 |url=https://thislandpress.com/2012/03/03/john-chick/ |last=Nipper |first=Clara |publisher=This Land Press |magazine=This Land |access-date=December 15, 2017 |archive-date=February 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223001816/http://thislandpress.com/2012/03/03/john-chick/ |url-status=live }} calling the series "a local phenomenon".{{r|Tuls860521}} Chick ended his eponymous morning show in January 1979, following a diagnosis of early stage multiple sclerosis two months prior; he died in May 1986.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-gallant-fight-lost-at-age-53/136553660/|date=May 21, 1986|page=C-1|title=Gallant Fight Lost At Age 53|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210013606/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-gallant-fight-lost-at-age-53/136553660/|url-status=live}}
On July 20, 1981, Leake fired some 50 employees at his two stations and other businesses, including 24 at KTUL, in a move to "streamline" company operations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktul-tv-streamlines-its-op/136564771/|date=July 21, 1981|page=A14|first=Vern|last=Stefanic|title=KTUL-TV 'Streamlines' Its Operation, Fires Several Employees|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075019/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktul-tv-streamlines-its-op/136564771/|url-status=live}} Employees at KTUL and KATV lodged a formal complaint, claiming the real reason for their dismissal was their involvement in an attempt by NABET to unionize the two stations; off-camera employees at KTUL had voted earlier that month to unionize, becoming the first TV station in Tulsa to do so.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-union-terms-ktul-firings-la/136564954/|date=July 22, 1981|page=B7|first=Bill|last=Enfield|title=Union Terms KTUL Firings 'Labor Massacre'|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075019/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-union-terms-ktul-firings-la/136564954/|url-status=live}} The National Labor Relations Board concurred and ordered Leake to pay back wages to the staffers; the board also accused Leake of transferring and demoting employees that engaged in union activities and holding back pay increases.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-labor-board-wants-ktul-to-re/136564804/|date=December 23, 1981|page=C4|first=Bill|last=Enfield|title=Labor Board Wants KTUL to Reinstate Employees|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075020/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-labor-board-wants-ktul-to-re/136564804/|url-status=live}} Leake protested, and a hearing was in progress when an agreement was reached, only to nearly fall apart because KTUL refused to sign off on it.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-union-ktul-agreement-on-the/136565010/|date=August 25, 1982|page=B5|first=Bill|last=Enfield|title=Union-KTUL Agreement On the Verge of Collapse|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075021/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-union-ktul-agreement-on-the/136565010/|url-status=live}} The head of the NABET local at KTUL was fired twice from his position, contributing to a poor climate for efforts to unionize other broadcast stations in Oklahoma.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-broadcast-union-finds-ferti/136565093/|date=April 20, 1983|page=C1|first=Bill|last=Enfield|title=Broadcast Union Finds 'Fertile Ground' Barren|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075020/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-broadcast-union-finds-ferti/136565093/|url-status=live}}
Allbritton ownership
On November 3, 1982, Leake Industries sold KTUL and KATV to Washington, D.C.–based Allbritton Communications in an all-cash transaction for $80 million;{{cite magazine |title=In Brief |periodical=Broadcasting |page=118 |id={{ProQuest|963220754}}|date=November 8, 1982}}{{cite magazine |title=Changing Hands |periodical=Broadcasting |pages=89–90 |date=November 15, 1982|id={{ProQuest|1014701872}}}} the sale received FCC approval on February 14, 1983.{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |page=124 |id={{ProQuest|963242544}} |date=March 7, 1983}}{{efn|Allbritton had previously attempted to acquire another TV station in Oklahoma when it reached a deal to trade WMAL-TV in Washington, D.C., to Combined Communications Corporation for KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. Instead, the company sold The Washington Star newspaper.{{Cite news|title=Allbritton Axes D.C.-Okla. Deal On TVer Swap|pages=43, 62|id={{ProQuest|1401327140}}|work=Variety|date=March 29, 1978 }}}}
The tower at Coweta collapsed in an ice storm on December 26, 1987.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-25000-homes-powerless-tv-t/136567080/|date=December 27, 1987|pages=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-25000-homes-without-electri/136567112/ A-4]|title=25,000 Homes Powerless; TV Tower Falls|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075021/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-25000-homes-powerless-tv-t/136567080/|url-status=live}} The collapse, brought on by the accumulation of {{convert|1000000|lb|kg|-3}} of ice on the mast, damaged the transmitter building, disturbing insulation containing asbestos.{{r|BC880111}} It also knocked out communication for the sheriff's department.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-previous-one-destroyed-in-kt/136567546/|date=January 2, 1988|page=A-18|first=Liz|last=McMahan|title=Previous One Destroyed in KTUL-TV Tower Crash: Radio Transmitter Donated to Sheriff's Office|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075022/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-previous-one-destroyed-in-kt/136567546/|url-status=live}} The station restored a signal to Tulsa Cable Television, the city's main cable system, within 24 hours.{{cite magazine |title=In Brief: Tower trouble|id={{ProQuest|1014729595}} |periodical=Broadcasting |page=145 |date=January 4, 1988}} On January 2, 1988, KTUL resumed transmitting from a temporary facility, a {{convert|300|ft|m|adj=on}} tower, at just 13 percent of its authorized power;{{cite magazine |title=In Sync: Helping Hand|id={{ProQuest|1016920811}} |periodical=Broadcasting |page=70 |date=January 11, 1988}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-channel-8-is-solving-problem/136567621/|date=January 6, 1988|page=B6|title=Channel 8 Is Solving Problems: Temporary 300-Foot Broadcasting Tower in Place|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075023/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-channel-8-is-solving-problem/136567621/|url-status=live}} in February, it moved to a temporary {{convert|1200|ft|m|adj=on}} mast at Oneta.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/okmulgee-daily-times-temporary-facilitie/136567716/|date=February 2, 1988|page=10|title=Temporary facilities are completed for TV station|newspaper=Okmulgee Daily Times|location=Okmulgee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}} A replacement tower at Coweta went into service on May 25, 1988.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-2-dead-after-2000-foot-tv-t/136567788/|date=June 3, 1988|page=D15|agency=Associated Press|title=2 Dead After 2,000-foot TV Tower Collapses|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075542/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-2-dead-after-2000-foot-tv-t/136567788/|url-status=live}} KTUL began 24-hour broadcasting five days a week in January 1992.{{cite news |title=KTUL Starts 24-Hour Schedule; Adds Late Movie |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul-starts--hour-schedule-adds-late-movie/article_159d133d-04c0-59fe-8850-5ccd57fd3688.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=January 3, 1992 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014133458/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul-starts--hour-schedule-adds-late-movie/article_159d133d-04c0-59fe-8850-5ccd57fd3688.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=KTUL-8 to begin 24-hour schedule |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul--to-begin--hour-schedule/article_3965f278-b6f9-580b-94f5-b44eef7eebe3.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=January 4, 1992 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134228/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul--to-begin--hour-schedule/article_3965f278-b6f9-580b-94f5-b44eef7eebe3.html |url-status=live }}
The station announced in January 1998 that it would expand its Lookout Mountain studio in a $2 million project to add {{convert|12000|ft2|m2|0}} which would include a new newsroom, sales offices, and an outdoor deck for weather segments.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-channel-8-announces-plans-to/136568252/|date=February 1, 1998|page=H-2|first=Rita|last=Sherrow|title=Channel 8 Announces Plans To Expand Its Facilities|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}} The project was completed in October 1999 and included a new layout for employees, whose offices were previously scattered on the building's two floors; the station simultaneously rebranded its newscasts as Oklahoma's NewsChannel 8.{{cite news |title=KTUL channel 8 unveils newly expanded newsroom and weather center |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul-channel-unveils-newly-expanded-newsroom-and-weather-center/article_77590c1c-32b1-53cf-b1c5-fde181f68e36.html |last=Sherrow |first=Rita |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=October 31, 1999 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134240/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul-channel-unveils-newly-expanded-newsroom-and-weather-center/article_77590c1c-32b1-53cf-b1c5-fde181f68e36.html |url-status=live }}
Acquisition by Sinclair
Allbritton announced the sale of their television station holdings to Sinclair Broadcast Group on July 29, 2013, in a $985 million deal.{{cite news |title=Allbritton to sell 7 TV stations, including WJLA, to Sinclair for $985 million |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/allbritton-to-sell-stations-to-sinclair-broadcast-group/2013/07/29/0ee746f2-f858-11e2-afc1-c850c6ee5af8_story.html |last1=Heath |first1=Thomas |last2=Wilgoren |first2=Debbi |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 29, 2013 |access-date=December 12, 2017 |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903170330/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/allbritton-to-sell-stations-to-sinclair-broadcast-group/2013/07/29/0ee746f2-f858-11e2-afc1-c850c6ee5af8_story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=KTUL television station sold to Sinclair Group |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/technology/ktul-television-station-sold-to-sinclair-group/article_3d6bb68e-9604-5e90-8957-1231f113b84d.html |last=Arnold |first=Kyle |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=July 30, 2013 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=October 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022110835/https://tulsaworld.com/business/technology/ktul-television-station-sold-to-sinclair-group/article_3d6bb68e-9604-5e90-8957-1231f113b84d.html |url-status=live }} While the deal did not pose regulatory issues in Tulsa, conflicts in other markets where Allbritton and Sinclair each owned stations—including Birmingham, Alabama; Charleston, South Carolina; and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania—held up FCC approval,{{cite news |title=FCC Okays Modified Sinclair-Allbritton Deal |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/77958/fcc-okays-modified-sinclairallbritton-deal |last=Halonen |first=Doug |website=TVNewsCheck |date=July 25, 2014 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=December 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214014942/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/77958/fcc-okays-modified-sinclairallbritton-deal |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=KTUL sale approved by federal regulators |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/businesshomepage3/ktul-sale-approved-by-federal-regulators/article_7130494d-09b5-5953-90d7-dc0596b10836.html |last=Eger |first=Andrea |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=July 26, 2014 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224071754/https://tulsaworld.com/businesshomepage3/ktul-sale-approved-by-federal-regulators/article_7130494d-09b5-5953-90d7-dc0596b10836.html |url-status=live }} and the deal did not close for a full year.{{cite news |title=Sinclair's Deal For Allbritton Closes |url=http://broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/sinclair-s-deal-allbritton-closes/132894 |last=Malone |first=Michael |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |date=August 1, 2014 |access-date=December 12, 2017 |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045332/http://broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/sinclair-s-deal-allbritton-closes/132894 |url-status=live }}
Newscasts
{{See also|KOKH-TV#News operation}}
=Early history=
Channel 8's news department began operations when the station signed on the air in 1954. The station's newscast was anchored by Jack Morris. In addition to his anchoring duties, Morris—who had worked for KTUL radio since 1940, with the exception of a three-year period in which he served in the Army during World War II—served as the station's original news director until he left to become main anchor at KVOO-TV in 1970.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-morris-resigns-ktul-post/136569583/|date=January 25, 1970|page=B1|title=Morris Resigns KTUL Post|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075543/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-morris-resigns-ktul-post/136569583/|url-status=live}} Among Morris's notable assignments during his tenure at channel 8 was a 1956 story involving David Peterson, an infant born with a hole in the wall separating the chambers of his heart, for whom Morris pled for aid to repair the defect. The story led to donations totaling over $1,000, allowing for Peterson to be flown to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for surgery.{{cite news |title=Former News Anchor Bridged Gap From Radio to TV // Jack Morris to Be Inducted Into Broadcasters Hall of Fame |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/former-news-anchor-bridged-gap-from-radio-to-tv-jack/article_882ada6f-e3f7-5353-bc5c-4f224880deb2.html |last=Pearson |first=Janet |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=May 22, 1991 |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134350/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/former-news-anchor-bridged-gap-from-radio-to-tv-jack/article_882ada6f-e3f7-5353-bc5c-4f224880deb2.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Jack Morris 1921-2010: Longtime Tulsa newscaster Jack Morris died at 88 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/obituaries/longtime-tulsa-newscaster-jack-morris-died-at/article_d91627b2-6f34-5345-a8bd-7f0a5b0c3314.html |last=Stanley |first=Tim |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=December 7, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014133456/https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/longtime-tulsa-newscaster-jack-morris-died-at/article_d91627b2-6f34-5345-a8bd-7f0a5b0c3314.html |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |title=KTVX (TV) Plea Aids Infant |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |page=100 |date=June 25, 1956|id={{ProQuest|1285746107}}}} Another one of Morris's accomplishments at KTUL was the local television documentary The Five Civilized Tribes: Unfinished Journey, a one-hour documentary that took a look at the histories of Oklahoma's principal Native American tribes—Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole—in the 19th century as illustrated through paintings. The film won the Edward R. Murrow Award for "Best Television Documentary" in 1966.{{cite magazine |title=Public served better through color TV |periodical=Broadcasting |pages=54, 64, 66 |date=January 2, 1967|id={{ProQuest|1014507742}}}}
Shortly before the station signed on, management sought to hire a weather anchor who could draw a cartoon character. Don Woods—a professional meteorologist then working at KTVH in Hutchinson, Kansas{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-morning-news-ktvx-building-prog/136572313/|date=August 26, 1954|page=1|title=KTVX Building Progresses: High-Gain Antenna Arrives|newspaper=Muskogee Morning News|location=Muskogee, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075544/https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-morning-news-ktvx-building-prog/136572313/|url-status=live}}—was chosen. His cartoon character became Gusty, a boy caricature based on one which Woods created in 1953 for KTVH. Throughout his 35-year tenure at the station, Woods drew Gusty live during his weather forecasts in a way that viewers could tell what the expected weather was by what Gusty was doing or wearing: waving flags and smiling for fair weather, holding an umbrella if rain was forecast, or jumping in his "fraidy hole" for thunderstorms. Viewers sent in requests for their own Gusty drawings, with Woods holding on-air drawings to select lucky viewers. Woods was one of the few professional meteorologists on Tulsa television at the time and the first television weather anchor in Oklahoma to hold a meteorology degree. After Woods retired from KTUL on March 3, 1989, he continued to work as a watercolor artist and drew Gusty on occasion;{{cite news |title=Woods to take Gusty and blow |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/woods-to-take-gusty-and-blow/article_d0845ce0-08c1-5a5b-a066-e46611961f60.html |last=Wolfe |first=Ron |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=March 3, 1989 |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014133940/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/woods-to-take-gusty-and-blow/article_d0845ce0-08c1-5a5b-a066-e46611961f60.html |url-status=live }} Woods authored a book entitled The Gospel According to Gusty, and one of his Gusty drawings is currently housed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., which received the drawing in 1970 as a representation of contemporary American art. In April 2005, the Oklahoma Legislature passed and then-Governor Brad Henry signed a state resolution designating Gusty as the state's official cartoon character.{{cite news |title=Retired meteorologist Don Woods dies at 84 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/obituaries/retired-meteorologist-don-woods-dies-at/article_6f57e918-4b20-5343-aa0a-4c8dbd57e5a7.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014133915/https://tulsaworld.com/obituaries/retired-meteorologist-don-woods-dies-at/article_6f57e918-4b20-5343-aa0a-4c8dbd57e5a7.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Jimmie Tramel: Generations of Oklahomans remember Don Woods and Gusty |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/popculture/jimmie-tramel-generations-of-oklahomans-remember-don-woods-and-gusty/article_6f64be1f-d18c-5cd6-a6d2-efe06895f3d1.html |last=Tramel |first=Jimmie |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134240/https://tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/popculture/jimmie-tramel-generations-of-oklahomans-remember-don-woods-and-gusty/article_6f64be1f-d18c-5cd6-a6d2-efe06895f3d1.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Don Woods Has Lost His Battle With Cancer |url=http://www.ktul.com/story/18772413/don-woods-has-lost-his-battle-with-cancer |website=KTUL |date=June 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619074838/http://www.ktul.com/story/18772413/don-woods-has-lost-his-battle-with-cancer |archive-date=June 19, 2012}}
Beginning in the mid-1970s, KTUL unseated a previously dominant KOTV to have the highest-rated newscasts in Tulsa.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-viewpoint/136572413/|date=August 13, 1976|page=B-6|first=Ronald E.|last=Butler|title=Viewpoint|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-local-television-newsrooms-s/136572367/|date=October 13, 1978|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-local-tv-newsrooms-gun-for-1/136572396/ B-2]|first=Ronald E.|last=Butler|title=Local Television Newsrooms Square Off|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}} This continued for most of the next 25 years,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktul-news-and-prime-time-pla/136569652/|date=March 30, 1981|page=A14|first=Rita|last=Sherrow|title=KTUL News and Prime Time Place First, Ratings Indicate|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075545/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktul-news-and-prime-time-pla/136569652/|url-status=live}} though KJRH edged ahead in February 1988 after the KTUL tower collapsed,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-kjrh-is-ratings-champ-at-6-a/136569738/|date=April 2, 1988|page=C-20|title=KJRH Is Ratings Champ at 6 and 20 p.m.|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210075545/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-kjrh-is-ratings-champ-at-6-a/136569738/|url-status=live}} and beginning in the mid-1990s, KOTV and KTUL were often neck-and-neck in news viewership and total-day ratings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-channel-6-sweeps-ratings-rac/136569872/|date=March 21, 1996|page=D-2|first=Rita|last=Sherrow|title=Channel 6 Sweeps Ratings Race With February Airings|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-channels-6-8-in-ratings-rac/136569932/|date=April 2, 1998|page=D-3|first=Rita|last=Sherrow|title=Channels 6, 8 In Ratings Race|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}
KTUL launched a community outreach initiative in October 1980 with the debut of the "Waiting Child" series of feature segments produced in conjunction with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), profiling foster children in need of adoptive families. The initiative began as weekly segments on Wednesdays, modeled after similar features airing on KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, and was initially conducted by Bob Hower; Hower composed a song, "(I'm a) Waiting Child", used during the segments.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-a-waiting-child-newsman-s/136572922/|date=April 25, 1982|pages=F-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-a-waiting-child/136572893/ F-2]|title='A Waiting Child': Newsman Scores a Hit With Kids, Song|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-the-new-adoption-finding/136572910/|date=April 25, 1982|page=F-1|title=The New Adoption ... Finding a Family for Every Child|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}} Waiting Child helped place more than 800 children in homes in its first decade on the air.{{cite news |title='10 Years of Love' // KTUL Looks Back at 'Waiting Child' |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/years-of-love-ktul-looks-back-at-waiting-child/article_8a0abf15-9d54-527d-98fe-4e9df2aec756.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=November 11, 1990 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134735/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/years-of-love-ktul-looks-back-at-waiting-child/article_8a0abf15-9d54-527d-98fe-4e9df2aec756.html |url-status=live }} After Hower retired in 1986, evening news anchor Carole Lambert took up the initiative{{r|Tuls901111}} and was later honored with an "Angels in Adoption" award by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.{{cite news |title=Television Briefs: Anchor honored for adoption support |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/television-briefs-anchor-honored-for-adoption-support/article_70d845f5-155e-5155-9dab-9fa916617ebf.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=September 23, 2004 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134228/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/television-briefs-anchor-honored-for-adoption-support/article_70d845f5-155e-5155-9dab-9fa916617ebf.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Longtime KTUL news anchor Carole Lambert to leave |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/tv/longtime-ktul-news-anchor-carole-lambert-to-leave/article_2cd2c310-4a3e-527a-a841-528eab8e8d4e.html |last=Sherrow |first=Rita |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=June 11, 2011 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134735/https://tulsaworld.com/scene/tv/longtime-ktul-news-anchor-carole-lambert-to-leave/article_2cd2c310-4a3e-527a-a841-528eab8e8d4e.html |url-status=live }}
=News expansions under Allbritton=
The station's morning newscast, Good Morning Oklahoma (GMO), debuted on June 11, 1990, as an hour-long broadcast;{{cite news |title=New Morning Program To Debut on Channel 8 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/new-morning-program-to-debut-on-channel/article_2eb0a5ee-69a8-50d1-b371-97c193cf5919.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=June 9, 1990 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014133458/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/new-morning-program-to-debut-on-channel/article_2eb0a5ee-69a8-50d1-b371-97c193cf5919.html |url-status=live }} by 2010, GMO had expanded to {{frac|2|1|2}} hours on weekdays.{{cite news |title=Scene setting: What's going on around you today |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/scene-setting-what-s-going-on-around-you-today/article_9d7e5dfa-e6bd-539b-9c84-6b805bd640d8.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=September 2, 2010 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014133940/https://tulsaworld.com/scene/scene-setting-what-s-going-on-around-you-today/article_9d7e5dfa-e6bd-539b-9c84-6b805bd640d8.html |url-status=live }} The franchise was extended to weekends in 1992 with the market's first weekend morning newscast, airing on Saturdays where channel 8 had been broadcasting cartoons.{{cite news |title=Good Morning, Again // 'Saturday Edition' Preempts Cartoons in Favor of -- Gulp! -- News |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/good-morning-again-saturday-edition-preempts-cartoons-in-favor-of/article_01012d31-b818-5979-8961-bcee31ba9727.html |last=Wooley |first=John |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=July 17, 1992 |access-date=December 15, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134102/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/good-morning-again-saturday-edition-preempts-cartoons-in-favor-of/article_01012d31-b818-5979-8961-bcee31ba9727.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Channel 8 to Drop Saturday Cartoon Schedule |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/channel-to-drop-saturday-cartoon-schedule/article_a45f0ad0-98e2-505e-9b26-86319011b978.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=May 28, 1992 |access-date=December 15, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014133456/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/channel-to-drop-saturday-cartoon-schedule/article_a45f0ad0-98e2-505e-9b26-86319011b978.html |url-status=live }} In the 1990s and 2000s, KTUL became the first Oklahoma station to offer closed captioning of its newscasts for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers;{{cite news |title=Channel 8 Provides Closed Captioned News |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/channel-provides-closed-captioned-news/article_7f9d80c8-2c39-5567-9242-6f958d372796.html |last=Sherrow |first=Rita |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=August 7, 1990 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014200441/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/channel-provides-closed-captioned-news/article_7f9d80c8-2c39-5567-9242-6f958d372796.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=KTUL-8 to close-caption local newscasts |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul--to-close-caption-local-newscasts/article_29002f20-86f1-544d-a634-bf173e3aeaa0.html |last=Wolfe |first=Ron |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=August 10, 1990 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014133958/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul--to-close-caption-local-newscasts/article_29002f20-86f1-544d-a634-bf173e3aeaa0.html |url-status=live }} partnered with KOCO-TV for storm coverage;{{cite news |title=Storms - Watch Out! // KTUL, Oklahoma City Station Create Statewide Storm Network |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/storms---watch-out-ktul-oklahoma-city-station-create/article_b2efd214-581e-5cbf-8d76-dcedf8d2f95e.html |last=Sherrow |first=Rita |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=March 7, 1993 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331045937/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/storms---watch-out-ktul-oklahoma-city-station-create/article_b2efd214-581e-5cbf-8d76-dcedf8d2f95e.html |url-status=live }} and launched the first 4 p.m. newscast in the market.{{cite news |last=Sherrow |first=Rita |date=July 24, 2004 |title='Jane Pauley' to show on Channel 8 |newspaper=Tulsa World |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/jane-pauley-to-show-on-channel/article_6a594085-49c1-5f3e-8123-cca633e59547.html |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134228/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/jane-pauley-to-show-on-channel/article_6a594085-49c1-5f3e-8123-cca633e59547.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=KTUL changing lineup |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul-changing-lineup/article_7cdec758-a6ee-5b70-a574-4cbb8f71c8fe.html |last=Sherrow |first=Rita |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=September 6, 2008 |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134347/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/ktul-changing-lineup/article_7cdec758-a6ee-5b70-a574-4cbb8f71c8fe.html |url-status=live }}
In 1998, KTUL debuted a new Sunday night sports show, You Make the Call. This program was retooled as Ford Sports Xtra in 2012 and replaced in a 2017 with an extension of the late newscast.{{cite news |title=Bill Haisten: New shows challenge Ch. 2's 'Sports Extra' |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/bill-haisten-new-shows-challenge-ch-s-sports-extra/article_ddd1dfef-7482-5f5a-a888-52203d422c35.html |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=August 30, 1998 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125215503/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/bill-haisten-new-shows-challenge-ch-s-sports-extra/article_ddd1dfef-7482-5f5a-a888-52203d422c35.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Bill Haisten: After 'phenomenal' Russell Westbrook's 57-point blast, MVP discussion heats up |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/thunderextra/bill-haisten-after-phenomenal-russell-westbrook-s--point-blast/article_7eb95b4a-21d8-513f-8ec1-3f66beca2952.html |last=Haisten |first=Bill |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=March 30, 2017 |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014134105/https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/thunderextra/bill-haisten-after-phenomenal-russell-westbrook-s--point-blast/article_7eb95b4a-21d8-513f-8ec1-3f66beca2952.html |url-status=live }}
=Under Sinclair=
Where KTUL had initially remained a strong second-place contender after being surpassed by KOTV in the mid-2000s, its ratings soon fell off. By 2012, KOTV had twice as many viewers for its 10 p.m. newscast.{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=March 4, 2013 |title=Market Eye: Tulsa Stations Turn Up the Heat |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-tulsa-stationsturn-heat-43937 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705212437/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-tulsa-stationsturn-heat-43937 |url-status=live }} By 2015, KOKI-TV, the Fox affiliate, had moved ahead of channel 8 in mornings.{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=August 10, 2015 |title=Market Eye: Drilling Deep for Viewers |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-drilling-deep-viewers-143240 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629062049/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-drilling-deep-viewers-143240 |url-status=live }}
On November 9, 2023, KTUL announced that it would consolidate production of its newscasts at Fox-affiliated sister station KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City effective December 11.{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Tim |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Tulsa's KTUL, Channel 8, moving news production to Oklahoma City |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/sinclair-broadcast-group/article_d4298c30-7f44-11ee-a9a5-4747bab26bfa.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=Tulsa World |language=en |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109235332/https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/sinclair-broadcast-group/article_d4298c30-7f44-11ee-a9a5-4747bab26bfa.html |url-status=live }}
Notable former on-air staff
- John Anderson – weekend sports anchor, 1988–1990{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-kotvs-anderson-scores-phoen/136571886/|date=July 12, 1996|page=B-3|first=Bill|last=Haisten|title=KOTV's Anderson Scores Phoenix Job|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}
- Chris Lincoln – sports director, 1974–1981 and 2007–2011{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-lincoln-replaces-bunds-at-kt/136573314/|date=May 4, 2007|page=B2|first=Bill|last=Haisten|title=Lincoln replaces Bunds at KTUL-8|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktul-anchor-changes-revamp-p/136573355/|date=July 23, 2011|page=D3|first=Rita|last=Sherrow|title=KTUL anchor changes revamp primetime news|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}
- Mike Denney – cameraman and director{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-child-again-oklahoma-nati/136571769/|date=December 15, 1996|page=H-2|first=Dennis|last=King|title='Child Again': Oklahoma Native Comes Home to Launch Film Project|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}
- Travis Meyer – chief meteorologist, 1981–2005{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-meteorologist-meyer-confirms/136571814/|date=January 8, 2005|page=D3|first=Rita|last=Sherrow|title=Meteorologist Meyer confirms move from 8 to 6|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-travis-meyer-goes-on-the-air/136571804/|date=May 3, 2005|page=D6|first=Rita|last=Sherrow|title=Travis Meyer goes on the air at KOTV June 1|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}
- Jeanne Tripplehorn – host of the music video program Night Shift in the mid-1980s (known on-air as Jeannie Summers){{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-tripplehorn-leaving-tulsa-fo/136571849/|date=January 31, 1986|page=B-4|title=Tripplehorn Leaving Tulsa for New York|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210080148/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-tripplehorn-leaving-tulsa-fo/136571849/|url-status=live}}
- Steve Zabriskie – sports anchor, 1970s{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-ktul-local-programming-a-cha/136571675/|date=September 10, 1972|page=I-5|type=Advertisement|title=KTUL Local Programming A Challenge|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023}}
Technical information
= Subchannels =
The station's signal is multiplexed:
| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of KTUL{{cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KTUL |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTUL#station |website=RabbitEars |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=December 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214071512/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTUL#station |url-status=live }} ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Aspect ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming |
| scope = "row" | 8.1 |
|---|
| scope = "row" | 8.2 |
| scope = "row" | 8.3
| 4:3 || Antenna || Antenna TV |
| scope = "row" | 8.4
| rowspan="2"|16:9 || ROAR || Roar |
| scope = "row" | 8.5
| Charge! || Charge! |
= Analog-to-digital conversion =
KTUL shut down its analog signal on June 12, 2009, when full-power television stations transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate.{{cite news |title=Analog TV a thing of the past |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/analog-tv-a-thing-of-the-past/article_5209a033-767b-5678-ae90-0f0022d2e67d.html |last=Arnold |first=Kyle |newspaper=Tulsa World |date=June 12, 2009 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=April 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423055316/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/analog-tv-a-thing-of-the-past/article_5209a033-767b-5678-ae90-0f0022d2e67d.html |url-status=live }} The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition VHF channel 10,{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} using virtual channel 8. Channel 10 had been substituted at KTUL's request for the original assignment of channel 58.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-most-tulsa-stations-unable-t/136571939/|date=May 1, 2002|page=D4|first=Rita|last=Sherrow|title=Most Tulsa stations unable to get digital signals on air|newspaper=Tulsa World|location=Tulsa, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210080149/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-most-tulsa-stations-unable-t/136571939/|url-status=live}}
Sinclair applied in 2020 to move KTUL from the VHF band to the UHF band on channel 14, citing reception complaints. A construction permit was granted in 2021;{{cite web |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff37529362a0175429058821b2e&id=25076ff37529362a0175429058821b2e&goBack=N |title=Channel Substitution/Community of License Change |work=Licensing and Management System |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125104910/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff37529362a0175429058821b2e&id=25076ff37529362a0175429058821b2e&goBack=N |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1161A1.pdf|title=Report & Order|publisher=Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission|date=September 16, 2021|access-date=September 17, 2021|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917105947/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1161A1.pdf|url-status=live}} the switch to channel 14 was made in June 2023.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/sinclairs-ktul-tv-upgrades-to-uhf-signal-in-tulsa|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=June 29, 2023|first=Jon|last=Lafayette|title=Sinclair's KTUL Tulsa Upgrades to UHF Signal|access-date=December 10, 2023|archive-date=July 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701235513/https://www.nexttv.com/news/sinclairs-ktul-tv-upgrades-to-uhf-signal-in-tulsa|url-status=live}}
= Translator =
A digital replacement translator rebroadcasts the KTUL signal in McAlester, on the southern edge of the coverage area.
| class="wikitable"
|+ Translator of KTUL ! scope = "col" | Call sign ! scope = "col" | City of license ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | ERP ! scope = "col" | HAAT ! scope = "col" | Facility ID ! scope = "col" | Transmitter coordinates |
| scope = "row" | {{FCC-LMS-Facility|35685|3=KTUL (DRT)}}
| McAlester || 24 || 600 W || {{convert|156|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 35685 || {{coord|34|59|13|N|95|42|11|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KTUL (DRT)}} |
|---|
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://ktul.com/ Official website]
- {{Structurae|id=20014019|title=KTUL Television Tower}}
- {{ASR|key=115086|number=1010985}}
- [http://www.tulsatvmemories.com/ A website of the history of Tulsa Television and radio stations]
{{Tulsa TV}}
{{Oklahoma TV}}
{{Kansas TV}}
{{SBGI}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ktul}}
Category:1954 establishments in Oklahoma
Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates
Category:Antenna TV affiliates
Category:Charge! (TV network) affiliates
Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates
Category:Roar (TV network) affiliates
Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group
Category:Television channels and stations established in 1954