Happy 20th, KETK/56

[easttxtv]

On this date 20 years ago, after many false starts and other assorted issues, a signal finally beamed out from Jacksonville by way of Mount Selman, during the NBC primetime schedule. TV-56 News would follow, with John Gilbert and Nancy Davis. TV Guide had actually been listing KETK for a few weeks prior to the actual premiere date, probably from a previous tentative on-air date that didn't actually work out at the time (I have at least a couple of those old TV Guides). This would mark the first time the East Texas market had a separately-NBC affiliate, and it would be the first time that longtime Tyler station KLTV would be left with just 1 network to air. Jacksonville also became one of the smallest cities in the country to be home to a national affiliate TV station. That wouldn't last, unfortunately; by 1991, KETK had moved to a prominent spot in Tyler that was previously the home of a men's clothing store. It was really neat in the late-1980s to drive through the north side of Jacksonville and see something that would put the town on the broadcast map that most towns that size or bigger would wholeheartedly embrace. The local reaction was mixed. No matter, from that moment on, viewers there and the rest of the area wouldn't have to point antennas to distant markets to get 'must see TV' (even if the current schedule isn't as must-see as before), and would finally have another local TV choice with a *good* signal. Through varying competition for entertainment and news, an initial bankruptcy, a damaging tornado, and many staff/ownership/management changes (including the station's first GM becoming the GM of a competitor), KETK/56 has survived (if not thrived).

Cheers and Happy 20th anniversary!

 

[snoman]

And, the company that owns them is in bankruptcy again. I know people that work there now that haven't had a raise in three years. They're operating too many stations, in such a small market. It's clever ownership agreement that is all too familiar.

They have survived despite barely cracking a dent into KLTV's ratings. They did a lot of underhanded things over the years. I just wonder what their future is in the market. I think if they had a better owner (like Raycom with KLTV), they would have more of a chance. Both KLTV and KYTX are outpromoting and outperforming them.

Being a former KLTV employee, I am loyal to my former collegues, but Happy Anniversary KETK. Let's hope your next twenty years, will be smoother and less controversial.

 

[newsmark]

I'm also a former KLTV employee. 7 already outperformed its market size because of cable penetration of stations from DFW, Shreveport and Houston.

Competition was good for 7. When KLMG/51 first came on the air with news at 5 and 10, 7 finally started doing a real newscast at 5 p.m. (Not knocking "The 5 p.m. Show," but I think it would have been better as "The 9 a.m. Show.")

KLMG's competition didn't last long. Then KETK came along with a fairly strong news team. (People in the market still refer to "Region 56," even though that slogan was retired a decade ago.) 7 had the advantage, but still stepped up their game.

 

[Horns]

I'm a former KETK employee from 1993-1995. It was a tough two years in my life. The station did have an outstanding news product from time to time, but always seemed to shoot itself in the foot. Although I liked living in Tyler, my time at 56 wasn't good professionally. Happy Birthday, "Region 56 News".