This is a powerful television station located in the heart of Los Angeles. It’s not just another channel, but the flagship station of the Fox network on the entire West Coast. KTTV station plays an important role in the media landscape of the region. You can learn more about the history of this television station and its journey to becoming a flagship from la-future.
History of the television station
The history of KTTV began in 1947. At that time, the Times Mirror Company (which operated from 1884 to 2000), the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, received a license and permission to build the station. It was one of five licenses simultaneously granted by the Federal Communications Commission. The licenses were given to those who were interested in expanding commercial television in Los Angeles.
In 1948, CBS acquired a 49% stake in the television station. This partnership was due to the need for financial support. In addition, it allowed the completion of construction, and KTTV became the Los Angeles affiliate of the CBS television network.
KTTV (Channel 11) officially began operations on January 1, 1949. The first broadcast was the famous Tournament of Roses Parade. The parade begins at 8:00 AM and features flower-covered floats, marching bands, and equestrian units. The parade is followed by one of the main bowl games in college football, the “Rose Bowl.” Since then, the channel has broadcast this event every year until 1995.
It is worth noting that since its founding, KTTV has stood for Times Television in honor of the television station’s first owner.
Independence
This stage of the television station’s development began in 1951 and ended in 1986. In 1950, KTTV became an affiliate of the DuMont network. In 1954, this company moved its programs to KHJ-TV, Channel 9, after which KTTV became independent.
According to Federal Communications Commission rules, one owner was prohibited from owning two television stations in a single market. That is why CBS was forced to sell its share. The sole owner of KTTV then became the publisher of The Los Angeles Times (previously referred to as Times Mirror Company).
In the late 1950s, KTTV became known for broadcasting Los Angeles Dodgers baseball games. This significantly increased the popularity of the television station. It later gained the status of a regional “superstation,” and its programs became available throughout the Western United States via cable networks.
In 1963, Times Mirror Company sold all its radio stations to Metromedia. Thanks to this deal, the company gained control of two radio stations: KLAC (AM) and KLAC-FM (later known as KMET). Despite these events, the KTTV television station was able to maintain positive signals. In 1966, ownership of the KLAC-FM station was transferred to KMET.
Modern history
In 1986, News Corporation acquired KTTV. The station became the flagship channel for the new Fox Television Stations network on the West Coast. The television station was of strategic importance to the media mogul. It is also important to note that KTTV shares its studios at the Fox Television Center in West Los Angeles with its sister channel KCOP-TV (Channel 13), which is part of the MyNetworkTV network. The shared location allows both stations to work together effectively. The channel’s transmitter is located on top of Mount Wilson. This allows the television station to provide a powerful signal, a wide broadcast radius, and cover a large audience in Los Angeles and its surroundings.
70 years
In 2017, the 70th anniversary of KTTV’s broadcast was celebrated. To honor this, FOX 11 Los Angeles prepared 70 vivid stories, calling it “KTTV 70.” The program included the most significant events; let’s recall five of them.
- The Rose Parade has already been mentioned, but this event is special because it was the first. It was from this event that the television station officially began its work. After this event, KTTV came to be seen by others as a key player in the Los Angeles media market.
- In 1955, KTTV was the official television partner for the opening ceremony of Disneyland. The event was broadcast to 90 million viewers. Many difficulties arose on this day, such as fake tickets and some chaos. Despite this, KTTV witnessed the birth of one of Southern California’s important landmarks.
- The next story we want to highlight concerns The Beatles’ press conference in Los Angeles in 1966, which took place in the Capitol Records building. KTTV not only covered the celebrities’ visit but also filmed an important moment. Journalists once again raised the topic of John Lennon’s scandalous statement that the band was more popular than Jesus. The footage from this story conveys the tension and fatigue of the participants. This event influenced the final decision to stop the band’s tours.
- The historic visit of Pope John Paul II in 1987. KTTV broadcast live all 10 public events, including a mass at Dodger Stadium. This visit brought together citizens who, despite their faith, wanted to see the famous person.
- The arrival of the space shuttle “Endeavour” in 2012 to Los Angeles. KTTV captured its spectacular flight over the city, and then the incredibly slow, two-day journey through the streets of Los Angeles to the Museum of Science. This event also brought together citizens who came to see the shuttle and at the same time support the engineers who were managing its transportation. The era of space flight was ending, and a new mission for the shuttle as a museum exhibit was beginning.
You can find out about other significant events in the broadcast.
KTTV’s Star Anchor
George Putnam was a news anchor and at the same time KTTV’s biggest star in the 1950s and 1960s. He was a rare television correspondent who was allowed to offer commentary and even endorse candidates. One of his catchphrases was: “One reporter’s opinion.” This later became a common practice in many cable news broadcasts.
George Putnam was a staunch conservative who claimed to be a Democrat. He often expressed his love for Roosevelt. Many sources noted that George Putnam’s powerful speech later inspired Ted Knight to create the pompous journalist character in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
“Good Day, Los Angeles” program
The history of KTTV is an inseparable part of television in California. I want to conclude the story with this morning television news and entertainment program. It has been broadcasting on KTTV since June 18, 1993. In mid-2012, the show underwent serious cast changes. This also includes the dismissal of Lucy Dorothy, whose contract was not renewed after 17 years of diligent work. The program airs every weekday morning from 4:00 AM to 11:00 AM. It includes news and information about traffic, weather, and entertainment segments, such as celebrity interviews. The program offers viewers weekly segments on finance, health, nutrition, and technology.
Starting in 2020, the television station began using the “Fox 11 Los Angeles” logo. This logo combines the network name, channel number, and geographical location. This makes it easy for viewers to identify the station as part of a nationwide network, but with a Los Angeles accent.
Thus, the history of KTTV from its founding to its status as a flagship Fox channel is interesting and fascinating.
