KOMO - KJR 72 Years Ago

[radiofan]

Joe's Vault: State of the art, 72 years ago

Story Updated: Mar 24, 2009 at 1:28 PM PDT
By Joe Wren
There wouldn't be a KOMO-TV without KOMO Radio. And without Fisher Flour Mills, there wouldn't be a KOMO Radio.

Today I reached way into the video vault and pulled out an old film that shows the workings of radio stations KOMO-KJR, both owned by Fisher. Back then, and up to the late 1970's, Fisher Communications was called Fisher's Blend Station, Inc., to reflect the company that started the radio station.

KOMO went on the air in 1926 - a great way to sell flour! This 1937 film was made to spotlight the workings of a modern radio station. And it was modern! In light of today's technology, this all looks very clunky and quaint. But it was most certainly cutting edge, and wondrous.

Fisher sold KJR in the 1940's and the call letters live on today.

You'll notice that the look and sound of the film is also quite stiff, but this medium had just started walking upright as well.

I've done a little editing for time, but you'll see how radio was presented in the "Golden Age," as well as some scenes of the Bon Marche (now Macy's), University of Washington crew, and Husky football.

Have fun stepping back in time…

Click here for the story and video: http://www.komonews.com/news/vault/41752307.html

[jon]

Fisher sold KJR in the 1940's and the call letters live on today.

Interesting story behind that piece of history.

After the Great North American Frequency Shuffle of 1941, KOMO ended up on 950 and KJR on 1000. 950 KHz was classified as a regional channel with a 5000 watt limit. But 1000 was a 1-B clear channel that only had to be shared at night with WCFL in Chicago, a smaller station in Oklahoma, a Canadian station in the Maritimes and a station in Mexico City. Clearly, a frequency suitable for 50,000 watts in Seattle.

In what was a rare move even in those days, KJR and KOMO swapped frequencies, to give KOMO 50,000 watts.

The irony, of course, was that KJR was undoubtedly making more money than KOMO during much of the '60s and '70s.

On the other hand, as a 50,000 watt ABC network affiliate, KOMO was a shoo-in for a TV license. Which ultimately netted them much more than KJR would ever see.