From its perch high above Seattle KIRO-TV has witnessed a century of change. KIRO-TV signed on the air in 1958. It was the last commercial VHF television station to join Seattle’s broadcasting scene. This wasn’t just another TV station. KIRO-TV was an extension of the already popular KIRO radio. This meant instant success. It inherited the CBS affiliation from KTNT-TV in Tacoma. A lawsuit followed but KIRO-TV won. For two years both stations shared the CBS affiliation.
Initially KIRO-TV’s studios were on Queen Anne Avenue. They were next to the broadcast tower. The location was convenient. The first program was a unique choice. It was the explosion of Ripple Rock in British Columbia. This was a hazard to navigation.
Ownership changed dramatically in 1963. The Deseret News Publishing Company bought KIRO-TV. This company was the for-profit media arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This wasn’t a mere business transaction. It marked a significant change in the station’s trajectory. The LDS Church held majority control for decades. KIRO-TV flourished under Bonneville International. They moved to Broadcast House on Third Avenue. This is where KIRO-TV remains today.
During the 1970s KIRO-TV faced competition from Bellingham’s KVOS-TV. This station was also a CBS affiliate. Eventually KVOS shifted to independent programming. It’s now a Univision affiliate. KIRO-TV’s news programming grew consistently. The station was known for hiring women. They held important roles like assistant anchors and weather presenters. KIRO-TV focused on hard-hitting news and investigative reporting.
A dramatic shift occurred in 1994. CBS lost its Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate. This prompted a series of affiliation changes nationwide. KIRO-TV was sold to the Belo Corporation. It briefly became a UPN affiliate. To compensate for UPN’s lack of national news KIRO-TV expanded its local news to nearly 40 hours a week. Then in 1997 KIRO-TV returned to CBS through a complex three-way trade. Cox Enterprises took over ownership.
KIRO-TV’s legacy extends beyond its newscasts. The J. P. Patches Show was hugely popular. This children’s program ran for over two decades. Nightmare Theatre was a weekly horror movie show. This show featured the memorable host “The Count”. KIRO-TV also aired many local sports broadcasts. This included Seattle Seahawks games SuperSonics games and Mariners games. The station also broadcast the Seafair hydroplane races for many years.
KIRO-TV continues to be a cornerstone of Seattle’s media landscape. It provides a vital service. It keeps the community informed and entertained. From its original studios to its current home KIRO-TV’s story is integral to Seattle’s history. KIRO-TV’s contributions are many. It helped shape the city’s identity. Today KIRO-TV continues its mission. It informs entertains and connects the people of Seattle.