Did you know that KTW in Seattle started broadcasting in 1922? The First Presbyterian Church of Seattle was its first licensee. Imagine a time before widespread radio. KTW was revolutionary. It used 250 watts. It brought religious services to remote Presbyterian chapels. This small station with a randomly assigned call sign KTW was a beacon of hope and connection.
KTW’s initial broadcasts ran from 11 am to 12:30 pm and 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. These early programs weren’t just sermons. They offered entertainment and community. KTW quickly became a cornerstone of Seattle’s life. It was one of the oldest stations in the US. Its initial broadcasts connected twenty-two outlying Presbyterian mission houses and chapels without their ministers.
Over the years KTW changed frequencies many times. It started on 360 meters then moved to 660 kHz and 760 kHz. In 1928 it was reassigned to 1270 kHz. In 1931 it went to 1220 kHz and finally settled on 1250 kHz in 1941. This final frequency has been KTW and its successors’ home ever since. The changes reflected the evolution of radio broadcasting. They showcased the need to accommodate the growing number of stations.
Commercial programming began in 1946. A Top 40 format attempt failed. KTW shared its 1250 kHz frequency with KWSU in Pullman. This station had priority. KTW had to sign off at sunset. This arrangement damaged young listeners’ engagement. The station’s four DJs worked in cinderblock studios at 710 Madison Street.
The station faced several ownership changes and format shifts. It transitioned from religious broadcasting to Top 40 to paid Christian programming. Eventually KTW became known as KKDZ. The story of KTW is a journey. It reflects Seattle’s growth and the remarkable changes in the world of broadcasting. Today it is Radio Punjabi broadcasting in South Asian languages. Its legacy continues to resonate. Its story reminds us of KTW’s enduring connection to the city.