KVOS-TV (1953-2012)

[toonces2u]

As much as I hate to praise ClearChannel for much of anything, I thought that they years they owned the station brought it some of it's better branding and positioning, aiming it at Vancouver and getting it better syndicated programming (and would assume the ad dollars the came with it). After CC sold it, that seemed to me the beginning of the downhill slide....

Although MeTV is awesome (it's pretty much how TV Land used to before Viacom screwed it up, along with every other cable channel abandoning their "core programming" to go after a wide audience), it's just another digital network that would usually be on a sub channel--but just happens to be the primary. It was clear that by sticking MeTV as their primary affiliation, the post-CC owners were just biding their time for the right offer to come along, and picking up a few local bucks from the Casino and Dentists/Attorneys of Bellingham to keep their losses to a minimum.

James

You are right about TV Land getting screwed up. I find it odd that for the last 20 years TV Land has abandoned all the classic TV shows they once aired to air crappy newer shows, the worst being Extreme Home Makeover!. They've replace everything thing except friggin Bonanza and Gunsmoke. Those two stupid shows have never been off that channel. Adding insult to injury, they air them in a  six hour block everyday!

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

The whole TVLand topic had me fuming at Viacom.  They had great imaging, promos, shows, etc. and a non-stop campaign to "call your cable operator and get us on their system".  I even subscribed to some stupid expensive Comcast (redundant) package just to get it.  As soon as they reached "critical mass" they went back to low end demographic appeal taking the stuff-off's from "Nick At Nite" that would appeal to under-40's.  Felt like that was their plan...use the mass-appeal (but agency unfriendly) shows to build groundswell to cable systems and then do a "Lucy Football" on us.  Antenna, ThisTV, RTV, MeTV (two of which are same operator) have all done a great job of filling-in-the gaps and since most of these air on the .2's I don't think there will be pressure to change the demographic targets.  And they air the shows as-produced, unlike Viacum/TVLand which quickly started butchering the hell out of the shows to fit more ads and promos.

[oldiesfan6479]

KIRO 7 had been real angry with KVOS with duplication of CBS programming, and the
CRTC wanted more Canadian-only programming.

While I can imagine KIRO-TV pressuring CBS on the affiliation (with some overlapping
coverage areas), what does a Canadian agency (CRTC) have to do with what's on KVOS-TV?
The KVOS COL and stick site are both in the U.S.

[Dan]

what does a Canadian agency (CRTC) have to do with what's on KVOS-TV?

Nothing directly Oldies Fan, but back then the CRTC came up with a regulation that stated Canadian cable systems could only carry one TV station per U.S. network. Up until that point KIRO 7 and KVOS 12 (both CBS) were available on cable systems throughout southwestern B.C. The cable companies opted to keep KIRO which meant if KVOS wanted to remain on the cable systems up here they would have to dump their CBS affiliation and become independent. There was no restriction on the number of independent U.S. signals cable systems were allowed to carry. Because KVOS's main target audience was Metro-Vancouver they basically had no choice.

 

[Bongwater]

KVOS also had a brief '80s Global/CityTV affiliation for CanCon programming. (CKVU was an independent) The CRTC allowed this, but frowned on the idea of using an American station as an affiliate of a Canadian TV network for broadcasting back into Canada.

KVOS has always been a headache for the CRTC because Vancouver through the '70s and '80s had few TV stations, CKVU was staunchly independent and KVOS was viewed begrudgingly as a necessary evil. As nice as KVOS has been to the Vancouver market, KVOS has always seemed to be treated as a bratty stepchild by the CRTC.

As more Vancouver TV stations signed on the air in the '90s and 2000's, the tough love ended and KVOS was pretty much "kicked out of the nest". KVOS was shoved further down most Canadian cable grids and the newer Vancouver/Victoria stations took Channel 12 and the valued lower channel slots. The Canadian ad money also began drying up......

HOW KVOS survived for so long at the rate everything was unraveling for them since 1980 is amazing. I hoped the MeTV affiliation would give KVOS a new lease on life (and to some degree, it has.)

But the fates have spoken......     

Even though it will probably NEVER happen, I think it would be a nice gesture to restore the KVOS call letters back to AM 790 (KGMI) once KVOS-TV leaves the air. They ARE a part of Bellingham media history.

(KVOS changed to KGMI in 1962 after the sale of KVOS-TV)   

[Dan]

Even though it will probably NEVER happen, I think it would be a nice gesture to restore the KVOS call letters back to AM 790 (KGMI) once KVOS-TV leaves the air. They ARE a part of Bellingham media history.

What a great idea Bongwater! The KGMI calls are a variation derived from "International Good Music" which reflected the automated EZL format KGMI had back in the day. KVOS would definitely be more suited to todays News-Talk format.

Now to find out if Saga Communications even gives a damn about call letters. Better act on it soon before some Ethnic broadcaster (ie-Voice Of Saigon) grabs them for a 500 watt AM daytimer in Southern California.

[dialspinner]

If you ever visit the Saga studios on Yew Street in Bellingham, you will notice they have the original front door from KVOs 790 in their reception area. It is now the doorway into
the news room.

Also in the lobby area is an old board (I believe it's a Sparta) plus other equipment and memorabilia from KGMI, KPUG, KISM and KAFE is a glass display case. Full marks to these guys for hanging on to some history and sharing it with visitors to the station(s).

Bringing the old call letters back would be nice for radio freaks, but it's been 50 plus years. Anyone who really remembered KVOS 790 and actually listened would be almost 70 or older now.

Someone on another board suggested the CKMO calls should return to 1410 in Vancouver. Again, why?

Anyone want KAFE to revert to KERI FM?

[Bongwater]

I'm kinda for bringing back KXRX too.....

......Or they can move the KVOS calls to KBAI 930.......

[searadiofreak]

Was in Seattle this past weekend.  Loved watching KVOS on Comcast prime-time with MTM and Bob Newhart.  I hope they keep the "Me" format going. 

[Bongwater]

Was in Seattle this past weekend.  Loved watching KVOS on Comcast prime-time with MTM and Bob Newhart.  I hope they keep the "Me" format going. 

It's a hell of a format....for TV. To get rid of KVOS is just wrong. Who DOESN'T LOVE good Classic TV? ESPECIALLY if it's free over the airwaves?....

My OWN kids (all born after 2000) LOVE The Brady Bunch every weekend....just like I did every weekday afternoon when I was a kid.....Mike Brady taught me a lot.....I'm nice, but FIRM. This is why they think HE reminds them of ME.

Even though his character and my real-life persona have a few unique differences. Not everything was solved in 30 minutes. But it's a good illustration. If even that. Of how a dad SHOULD be.

But how will my girls (and especially ME) cope when they HAVE to wear big bell bottoms and Afro wigs to impress the boys when they become teenagers?

Luckily. neither one of them is named "Marcia".........