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TV: KGAN-TV (formerly WMT-TV), Cedar Rapids _______________________________________________________ |
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KGAN-TV signed on the broadcast airwaves as WMT-TV September 30, 1953, using every kilowatt of the 100,000 authorized by the FCC. WMT-TV was the first station in the U.S. licensed by the FCC to begin broadcasting at full power, and was also the first station to be granted a split market status.
In addition, WMT-TV was one of the first stations in the nation to show "radar weather" during their weathercasts. Conrad Johnson brought a radar unit across the street from Collins Radio. Channel Two was also the first station in the Cedar Rapids/Waterloo/Dubuque market to begin broadcasting a live color signal during the 6 p.m. newscast on April 12, 1967. (A video clip of that historical broadcast can be viewed in the video clips section below.)
The station began broadcasting from a 702-foot tower, located at Broadcast Park, a 7-acre site carved out of a corn field on the northeast side of Cedar Rapids. (Since then, a larger 1,450-foot tower was constructed near Walker, Iowa. The original tower continues to send out the WMT-FM signal and relays TV microwave signals.)
Channel Two also generated many live programs during its early days of broadcasting. Viewer favorites include "The Marshall Jay Show," "Home Fare," "The Dr. Max Show," "Modern Woman," and "Exercise With Marlyce"
Ownership has changed over the years. The WMT Stations were sold July 16, 1968 to WAVE, Inc.; on October 16, 1981 to Guy Gannett Publishing Company (which resulted in the changing of WMT-TV's call letters); and finally to Sinclair Communications on July 1, 1999. (from KGAN.com)
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PHOTOS Click on a photo to enlarge the image.
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VIDEO CLIPS
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