The Active Historian

Hey, friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I want to show you the newest historic marker that was unveiled in Oklahoma City! In June 2025, a new historic marker was celebrated at KFOR studios in OKC to commemorate their 75th anniversary. Let’s go see it!

Historic Marker

Oklahoma’s First Television Station Channel 4

“Engineering pioneers launched the first television broadcast in Oklahoma on June 6, 1949. Prior to the premiere of WKY-TV (Channel 4) on this date, citizens were limited to newspapers and radio to stay informed. Sporadic entertainment programming and news updates filled the early broadcast days on WKY-TV. Images were black-and-white until 1954, when Channel 4 became the first locally owned television station in the nation to transmit its own programs in color. At one time, the station broadcast more hours of color programming than all national networks combined. Channel 4 became known for innovation. In 1950, the station was the first in the nation to use a mobile unit to produce live broadcasts from the field. In 1952, the weather department issued what is now considered the first live on-air tornado warning. The station continued to break new ground in 1999 by transmitting Oklahoma’s first digital television signal. Channel 4 has operated under the call signs WKY-TV, KTVY, and KFOR. Since its inception, the station has been recognized nationally and honored for excellence in broadcasting.” 

Exhibition Celebrating 75 Years at the Oklahoma History Center

Panel transcription from the Oklahoma History Center Exhibition:

“Television arrived in Oklahoma City on November 9, 1939. Reporters and photographers met the RCA technicians responsible for assembly of the twenty-seven crates for the television demonstration. Yet, no one could have imagined it would be another nine years before the television screens would once again shine in Oklahoma City. WKY-TV then became the first station to air in Oklahoma and due to an FCC freeze, remained the only station in the Oklahoma City market for four years. In time, WKY-TV developed a reputation as an excellent television station, both in picture quality and programming. This was especially true at NBC News. It was not unusual to receive a phone call from NBC asking for WKY-TV to cover a story in the area for a live feed on the evening broadcast.”

To learn more about the history of KFOR, visit the exhibition to read the rest of the panels!

Make sure to swing through the other galleries in the Oklahoma History Center to learn more about media history throughout the state.

Concluding Thoughts

I had fun seeing this exhibition, old camera equipment, and tracking down OKC’s newest historic marker. I hope you’ll go check them out!

Happy Traveling, friend! I’ll talk to ya soon 🙂

Visit the Historic Marker

444 E Britton Rd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73114

TRAVEL TIP: The historic marker is located outside of the front door in-between two trees. I parked in the visitor parking area walked over to grab the photo!

Sources

Historic Marker

Panels in the 75th Anniversary Exhibition at the Oklahoma History Center

News stories from KFOR