Jump to content

WDAF-TV

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from WDAF Tower)
This article is about the TV station in Kansas City, Missouri. For its sister station in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, see KDAF.

WDAF-TV
Channels
BrandingFox 4 Kansas City
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
October 16, 1949 (75 years ago) (1949-10-16)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 4 (VHF, 1949–2009)
Call sign meaning
Derived from WDAF radio
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID11291
ERP1,000 kW
HAAT347 m (1,138 ft)
Transmitter coordinates39°4′21″N 94°35′46″W / 39.07250°N 94.59611°W / 39.07250; -94.59611
Links
Public license information
Websitefox4kc.com

WDAF-TV (channel 4) is a television station in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, affiliated with the Fox network. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, the station maintains studios and transmitter facilities on Summit Street in the Signal Hill section of Kansas City, Missouri.

WDAF-TV is Kansas City's oldest operating TV station, beginning broadcasts in October 1949, and was the only station in the city for three and a half years. It, alongside with WDAF radio (610 AM), was an NBC affiliate owned by The Kansas City Star newspaper. Under The Star, the station developed its news department with national coverage of the Great Flood of 1951 and aired a series of popular local programs. After the newspaper was investigated for monopolistic practices in advertising sales, it signed a consent decree in 1957 and sold the WDAF stations to National Theatres the next year. Under National and subsequent owner Transcontinent Television Corporation, WDAF-TV largely coasted on the news image it had crafted and enjoyed a slight edge in local ratings.

Taft Broadcasting acquired WDAF radio and television in 1964 as part of its purchase of most of Transcontinent. Under Taft, the station's news ratings suffered as cost-cutting and corporate mandates produced a revolving door of on-air personnel; one bright spot was the early evening news, which WDAF led in the 1970s and early 1980s. Between 1980 and 1992, the station was the local broadcaster of Kansas City Royals baseball games. Ratings took a dive in the years after Taft Broadcasting was purchased in 1987 and reorganized as Great American Broadcasting Company, with the station posting multi-year lows in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

New World Communications acquired WDAF-TV and three other Great American stations in 1994, then switched the affiliations of WDAF-TV and 11 other stations to Fox. The station's weekday news output more than doubled to accommodate extended news coverage throughout the day, including in morning news, which became a station strength. Fox parent News Corporation bought the New World Fox affiliates, including WDAF-TV, in 1996; channel 4 remained third in local news through this period. WDAF was sold to Local TV LLC in 2007, Tribune Media in 2013, and Nexstar in 2019, becoming more competitive with second- and first-place ratings finishes in news.

Early years

[edit]

Construction and launch

[edit]

On December 12, 1947, The Kansas City Star Company, the parent of The Kansas City Star newspaper as well as Kansas City radio station WDAF (610 AM), applied to build a television station on channel 4.[2] One account stated that the newspaper's board of directors was deadlocked on whether to apply for a TV station. Publisher Roy A. Roberts cast the deciding vote in favor of the application, believing that television might "contribute to the good of our community".[3] The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the application on January 30, 1948.[2] Though the permit was obtained in January 1948, The Star did not announce its plans for WDAF-TV until later. By the end of 1948, it had purchased land at 31st and Summit streets in Kansas City, Missouri, for a facility to house WDAF television (and eventually radio) and poured the bases for a 724-foot (221 m) tower to broadcast WDAF-TV on the same site. Employees trained in television at WNBT in New York, and TV cameras and other equipment were on order.[4] The last section of the tower was put into place on May 23,[5] and the first test pattern broadcasts were made on the evening of August 20. Despite no prior warning, it received phone calls commenting on the reception, including from as far away as Omaha.[6] The Star held a three-day television expo in the Memorial Auditorium from September 11–13, demonstrating the new medium, and began regular broadcasts of the test pattern at that time.[7]

The first program aired on WDAF-TV was not regularly scheduled. It was the September 29 testimonial dinner for William M. Boyle, live from the Arena in the Municipal Auditorium, an event at which president Harry S. Truman spoke and which five local radio stations covered.[8] The first night of regular viewing on WDAF-TV was October 16, 1949, when channel 4 presented a four-hour schedule including a dedication, a live telecast from the American Royal, films of the station's construction, local news (a telegraph tape moved in front of the camera to display the news[9]), and a salute to WDAF-TV by Arthur Godfrey.[10] Program manager Bill Bates estimated that 7,000 sets were in use to watch WDAF-TV's inaugural broadcast and that 100,000 people watched that first night.[11][12] Though WDAF-TV was the first modern station on the air, it was predated by the experimental W9XAL, which operated in the 1930s.[13]

WDAF-TV was a primary affiliate of NBC, but as the only television station in Kansas City, it held program agreements with the other major networks: CBS, ABC, and the DuMont Television Network (from May 1950).[14][15] All network programs the station aired in its first year of operation were kinescopes—filmed recordings off the television monitor of the original broadcast—before network coaxial cable service reached Kansas City beginning September 30, 1950. With the advent of live service for network entertainment and sports programming, the station nearly doubled its weekly output from 32–35 hours to 57–60 hours.[16] In February 1951, WDAF-TV carried the Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta fight live on the air. The telecast, sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and aired over CBS, was a milestone, as neither WDAF-TV, WDAF radio, nor The Star had ever accepted advertising from liquor companies.[17]

The Great Flood of 1951 devastated the Kansas City area, and WDAF-TV provided ample coverage and public service during the incident. The station covered the flooding in its nightly weathercast by Shelby Storck and Heart of America Newsreel, aired live flood coverage by placing a camera on the studio roof and zooming in on damage, and commissioned an aircraft to shoot aerial footage.[18] WDAF's flood footage was aired nationally by CBS.[19] News director Randall Jessee, who held that position for WDAF radio and television,[20] was cited in hindsight as a calming influence[21] and earned the moniker "Mr. Television" locally.[9] The station's first mobile outside broadcasting van was a converted Packard hearse; its successor, nicknamed "Cosa Nostra", once turned up at a bank robbery before police.[3]

An exterior view of a two-story modernist structure with landscaping out front. The building is a buff color with an offset maroon-clad box. On top of the box are large silver letters on two lines, "W D A F" and "W D A F - T V".
A circa-1960s view of the WDAF studios as they appeared after the 1952 expansion

In 1952, the studios at 31st and Summit[a] were expanded from 7,000 to 28,000 square feet (650 to 2,600 m2), enabling WDAF radio to be co-located with channel 4. The enlarged facility boasted four TV studios, a kitchen for use in home programming, and facilities to originate network programming if necessary.[23] The kitchen was used by a new women's program, Kitchen Klub with Bette Hayes, which by November 1952 was airing every weekday.[24] It broadened from a cooking program to include in-studio interviews and was renamed The Bette Hayes Show, remaining on the air until its host departed in 1970.[25] Other local programs of the 1950s included the children's show Dr. Inventor and the teen dance program TV Teen Town.[26]

New competition

[edit]

WDAF-TV obtained its construction permit in January 1948, before the FCC that October imposed a freeze on new TV station grants to sort out possible changes to television broadcast standards.[27] This freeze lasted until 1952,[28] setting the stage for four competitors on three channels to enter the Kansas City television market within a four-month span in 1953. First to do so was an ultra high frequency (UHF) station, KCTY (channel 25), on June 6.[29] It originally was affiliated with CBS, ABC, and DuMont.[30] The former two networks each relocated to new very high frequency (VHF) stations that started shortly thereafter. On August 2, the time-share operation of KMBC-TV and WHB-TV on channel 9 launched as a CBS affiliate;[31] ABC got its new affiliate on September 27, when KCMO-TV began on channel 5.[32]

In addition to three new TV stations, WDAF-TV faced two other challenges in 1953. In January, the United States Department of Justice called for the revocation of the licenses of WDAF radio and television and filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against The Kansas City Star Company. Charging the firm with "monopolizing the dissemination of news and advertising in Kansas City", the department alleged that advertisers not using The Star or its sister, the morning Kansas City Times, were shut out of advertising on TV. It also questioned the use of discounts for cross-media buys of WDAF radio and the newspapers in the 1930s.[33] On May 22, an announcer's strike put WDAF radio and television off the air as technicians refused to cross AFTRA picket lines.[34] The strike lasted 28 days, until June 19,[35] leaving Kansas City with no television at all for two weeks (until KCTY began).[29]

The criminal portion of the anti-trust case proceeded to trial in January 1955,[36] and The Star and its advertising director were found guilty of monopoly charges. The civil portion was settled by way of a consent decree approved on November 15, 1957. In addition to restrictions on the operations of The Star and Kansas City Times, it required the WDAF stations to be divested.[37] Several buyers had already negotiated with the newspaper company, including Time Inc., Cox Broadcasting, and J. H. Whitney & Company. To comply with the terms of the consent decree, on November 26, The Kansas City Star Company sold the WDAF stations to National Theatres, a movie theater chain with 320 cinemas, for $7.6 million. The Los Angeles–based company had ties to Kansas City, as its president, Elmer C. Rhoden, had previously been the head of Fox Midwest Theatres and still had a home there. The WDAF stations marked the expansion of National into broadcasting.[38] The FCC approved of the sale in April 1958, and National assumed ownership in late May.[39] Walt Bodine succeeded Randall Jessee as news director;[40] he remained associated with the WDAF stations until 1965.[41]

National merged with National Telefilm Associates and changed its name to National Theatres and Television in 1959,[42] and shortly after, the company began selling off business divisions. NTA had owned KMSP-TV in Minneapolis, which was sold off in 1959 along with several money-losing movie houses.[43] National Theatres and Television sold the WDAF stations in 1960 to Transcontintent Television Corporation for $9.75 million.[44] An FM radio station, WDAF-FM 102.1, was added to the operation in March 1961.[45] Under Transcontinent ownership, WDAF-TV continued to be, by a slim margin, the leading station in Kansas City. In a 1963 column in Variety, Les Brown noted that while the three major stations (WDAF, KCMO, KMBC) were in a "Mexican standoff" in prime time, WDAF had the slight edge in news but was "still rid[ing] on the news momentum of when it was owned by The Kansas City Star".[46]

Taft/Great American ownership

[edit]

In 1963, Transcontinent agreed with Cincinnati-based Taft Broadcasting to sell the WDAF stations as well as WGR radio and television in Buffalo, New York, and WNEP-TV in Scranton, Pennsylvania, bringing it to the limit of seven television stations. The transaction was part of the largest set of sales in broadcasting history to that time, totaling more than $38.5 million for three buyers to acquire nearly all of the firm's radio and TV stations.[47][48] After receiving FCC approval, the deal was finalized on April 1, 1964.[49] In 1967, the existing tower on Signal Hill was replaced with a new, 1,164-foot (355 m) mast designed to house a new Kansas City independent station, KBMA-TV (channel 41),[50] which began broadcasting in 1970.[51]

After the purchase, Taft led a round of cost-cutting measures that slimmed down the news department.[3] In 1972, the radio news department, which had continued to share resources with television, was separated.[52] The next year, the television news director resigned after being forced to implement budget cuts of 5 to 8 percent;[53] The Star/Times television critic Joyce Wagner described WDAF radio and television as having a "revolving door policy" due to constant corporate cuts, noting, "In the last six years, WDAF has lost enough personnel to fully staff at least three television and radio stations."[54] By 1976, channel 4's late newscast was in a distant third-place position against its competitors.[55] In response, the station rebranded its newscasts Action News and hired two new on-air personalities, including Stacy Smith, who had previously anchored in Louisville, Kentucky.[56] Smith remained WDAF-TV's main male anchor until he departed in 1983 for KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh; he was replaced by Phil Witt,[57] Witt, who had joined WDAF in 1979 as a weekend anchor and reporter, remained in that position for the next 34 years.[58][59][60][61]

In 1980, WDAF-TV replaced KBMA-TV as the television home of Kansas City Royals baseball under a five-year contract; the team sought the move because WDAF's signal went further than KBMA's.[62] Under the deal, WDAF presented between 40 and 47 Royals games a year.[63] The relationship between WDAF and the Royals was renewed for another three years, covering 1985 through 1987,[64] followed by a five-year renewal covering 1988 through 1992 with an increase to 51 games per year.[65]

Taft in 1982 bought WDAF-TV a satellite uplink which was used for baseball and by the news department,[66] and the station's news staff grew from 24 to 39 full-time employees, with Royals games providing a platform to promote the late newscast.[67] During this time, WDAF-TV was separately home to a regional news bureau for the short-lived Satellite News Channel cable service.[68] While the station's late news continued to rank third, WDAF-TV came on stronger in the early evening newscasts, particularly the 5 p.m. slot where it had been first to establish a news presence,[69][70] and in 1985 it registered two consecutive ratings surveys in which it led at 5, 6, and 10 p.m.[70]

On October 12, 1987, an investment group led by Carl Lindner Jr. completed a hostile takeover of Taft Broadcasting from the Taft family, which had owned the company;[71] the Taft Broadcasting name remained with the Taft family, and the reorganized firm became Great American Broadcasting Company.[72] While, under FCC rules of the time, the transaction required Great American to divest itself of either its radio stations or its TV station in the Kansas City and Cincinnati markets where it had grandfathered operations, the company received a permanent waiver in 1989 to maintain its AM-FM-TV operations in each city.[73] After the change, the station debuted a morning newscast in 1988,[74] but WDAF-TV's evening news ratings slumped. In November 1989, it posted its lowest audience shares at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. of the entire decade, while KMBC-TV had become the new number-one with decade-long highs.[75] The Royals departed after the 1992 season for independent station KSMO-TV (channel 62), which offered the opportunity to telecast more games; the 65 games a season to be carried by KSMO was more than WDAF-TV had ever offered in its 13-year tenure as the team's TV broadcaster.[76] In its last year, WDAF-TV had especially strained to juggle the Royals and NBC programming: Johnny Carson's final nights of The Tonight Show and several NBA playoff games in 1992 were seen on a tape-delayed basis to accommodate baseball telecasts.[77]

Harris Faulkner joined the WDAF-TV staff as a reporter in February 1992.[78] Months later, as part of a reshuffling of the station's anchor lineup, she added anchoring duties for the 6 p.m. newscast alongside Phil Witt,[79] and when Witt's co-anchor on the other newscasts departed, Faulkner replaced her.[80] The station also expanded its news department in the early 1990s. It was the first station in the market to begin weekend morning newscasts, doing so in 1992.[81] WDAF-TV leased a helicopter in 1993, becoming the first TV station in town to do so and breaking a years-long gentlemen's agreement among the major stations in Kansas City to prevent the stations from competing with helicopters.[82] KCTV responded by leasing a helicopter of its own.[83]

The 1987 Taft buyout saddled Great American with a substantial debt load it could no longer service,[84] and other subsidiaries of Great American Communications Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1993, a move that did not affect the television and radio holdings.[85] After emerging from bankruptcy, Great American Broadcasting (renamed Citicasters soon after[86]) put four of its stations (including WDAF-TV) up for sale, seeking to raise money to pay down debt and fund more acquisitions in radio.[87]

Becoming a Fox affiliate

[edit]

Sale to New World Communications and the Fox affiliation switch

[edit]
Main article: 1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment

WDAF-TV and the other three Great American stations were sold to New World Communications on May 5, 1994, for $350 million in cash and $10 million in share warrants;[88] Great American retained WDAF and KYYS.[89] This was one of several transactions made by New World owner Ronald Perelman since his takeover of SCI Television in February 1993,[90] as New World purchased four stations from Argyle Television Holdings for $717 million three days earlier.[91]

On May 23, 1994, WDAF-TV was identified as one of twelve present or future New World stations that would switch network affiliations to Fox; WDAF was the lone NBC affiliate affected.[92][93] Fox parent News Corporation purchased a 20 percent equity stake in New World as part of the agreement, which came after the network outbid CBS for partial rights to the National Football League and sought to upgrade their affiliate base.[94] KCTV re-signed with CBS and KMBC re-signed with ABC via larger deals by their corporate parents;[95] KCTV owner Meredith Corporation stood ready to flip the station to NBC if CBS bypassed its Phoenix TV station, KPHO-TV, in a market where CBS was the displaced network.[96] Outgoing Fox affiliate KSHB-TV, one of three Scripps-Howard stations that lost Fox with the New World deal, signed with NBC in late July 1994.[97]

The date of the switch was announced on August 10, 1994, to be September 12, three days after New World's purchase of WDAF was slated to close and initiating a month of programming changes between the stations.[98] Fox Kids, which WDAF declined to carry, went from KSHB to KSMO-TV.[99] WDAF and KSHB quickly began rapid expansions of their news departments, with WDAF adding 21 hours of local news weekly—particularly in the morning and early evening—and hiring an additional 35 staffers, while KSHB readied production of early-evening newscasts.[100] WDAF's 45-year relationship with NBC ended with the switch, but its existing "Newschannel 4" branding was retained.[101]

Though its weekday news output expanded from three hours a day to seven, including a three-hour morning newscast and a 9 p.m. news hour,[102] WDAF-TV fared poorly in news ratings following the switch to Fox. While its morning newscast held steady in audience share, its 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts each declined, especially the 10 p.m. news, which went from having NBC programming as a lead-in to having the 9 p.m. news as a lead-in and lost half its audience year-over-year. Barry Garron, the television critic for The Kansas City Star, described the switch from a three-way to a two-way news ratings race as "the first significant change in Kansas City ratings patterns for news in at least 15 years".[103] This situation was unchanged a year later: WDAF-TV was second in mornings, but it finished third, only ahead of the new NBC affiliate KSHB-TV, in evening news.[104] An attempt to create a competitor to the national network newscasts by relaunching the 5:30 p.m. half hour as Your World Tonight with Phil Witt lasted a year before being discontinued.[105][106] The morning news expanded to a 5:30 a.m. start in 1995.[107]

Fox ownership

[edit]

News Corp. agreed to purchase New World Communications in a $2.5 billion deal announced on July 17, 1996, with WDAF-TV joining Fox's owned-station division; talks between the two companies had stalled earlier in the year but restarted when Perelman pursued a deal for King World.[108][109][110] On January 26, 1997, four days after the deal was finalized and coinciding with Fox's telecast of Super Bowl XXXI, WDAF-TV rebranded as "Fox 4".[111] Later that year, WDAF-TV became the preseason television home of Kansas City Chiefs football, replacing KMBC-TV[112] and starting a relationship that lasted six seasons before the Chiefs moved preseason games to KCTV beginning in 2003.[113]

The station's evening newscasts continued to rate in third place during Fox's ownership; Faulkner departed in 2000 for KSTP-TV in St. Paul, Minnesota.[114] The morning news moved to a 5 a.m. start in 2002, bringing the station up to eight hours of weekday newscasts.[115] By 2005, WDAF was third at 5 and 10 p.m. but fourth at 6 p.m., though its morning newscast continued to lead the local ratings.[116]

WDAF was one of four stations Fox Television Stations was rumored to divest on June 29, 2001, in order to free up additional ownership cap space as part of Fox's purchase of the Chris-Craft Television group.[117] Black business executive Luther Gatling made an offer to purchase the stations from News Corp., who confirmed the offer but denied any negotiations ever took place.[118] The need for Fox to divest WDAF and the other stations was obviated after the FCC was mandated by a court ruling to increase the national ownership cap from 35 percent to 39 percent.[119]

Local TV, Tribune and Nexstar ownership

[edit]

On December 22, 2007, Fox sold WDAF-TV and seven other stations to Local TV LLC for $1.1 billion;[120] the stations were divested so News Corp. could raise additional capital for its $5 billion purchase of Dow Jones & Company.[121] Local TV incurred up to $400 million in debt purchasing the stations and faced bankruptcy threats with the onset of the Great Recession; by February 2009, all WDAF staff were furloughed for two weeks, the station's helicopter was grounded, the entire freelance budget was eliminated, and Phil Witt anchored evening newscasts solo.[122][123] The Tribune Company purchased Local TV on July 1, 2013, for $2.75 billion.[124][125]

During this time period, WDAF slowly improved its ratings standing in a competitive market. While the morning news race had grown tighter between WDAF and KMBC, the station was second in early evening news and third in late news by 2010.[126] The 9 p.m. newscast was outrating competing newscasts from KCTV (on KSMO-TV) and KMBC-TV (on KCWE).[127] The morning news was expanded from four hours to five and a half with the addition of a 9 a.m. hour and a 4:30 a.m. half-hour in 2011.[128][129] By 2013, WDAF had moved up to first in early evening news, even though KMBC had surpassed channel 4 in mornings.[130]

Sinclair Broadcast Group announced a $3.9 billion purchase of Tribune Broadcasting on May 8, 2017.[131] Tribune terminated the merger on August 9, 2018,[132][133] following a rejection of the deal by FCC chairman Ajit Pai.[134] Following the Sinclair-Tribune merger collapse, Tribune agreed to be purchased by Nexstar Media Group on December 3, 2018, for $6.4 billion.[135] By 2020, WDAF was the leading station in mornings again and either second in households or in first place among viewers 25–54 in late evening news.[136] In 2022, a 4 p.m. weekday news hour was introduced.[137]

Notable former on-air staff

[edit]

Technical information

[edit]

Subchannels

[edit]

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WDAF-TV[153]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
4.1 720p 16:9 WDAF-DT Fox
4.2 480i ANT TV Antenna TV
4.3 Rewind Rewind TV
4.4 TBD TBD
38.3 480i 16:9 Mystery Court TV (KMCI-TV)
38.4 HSN HSN (KMCI-TV)
  Broadcast on behalf of another station

Analog-to-digital conversion

[edit]

WDAF-TV began providing a digital signal on March 25, 2002.[154] The service was initially broadcast at low power from a lower-mounted antenna on the Signal Hill tower[155] until a new, high-power digital transmission facility was completed in 2005.[156] The station shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 4, on June 12, 2009, the national digital television transition date;[157] WDAF continued to transmit its digital signal on its pre-transition UHF channel 34, using virtual channel 4.[158]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ This area was not known as Signal Hill until the station coined the moniker in 1958.[22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WDAF-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ a b "History Cards for WDAF-TV". Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ a b c Barnhart, Aaron (October 16, 1999). "Fifty years ago tonight, WDAF flickered to life in Kansas City". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. pp. C-1, C-2. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Video Is Nearer: Transmission for Kansas City and Near-By Areas May Begin Late in 1949". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. January 2, 1949. pp. 1D, 2D. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "KCMO Tower, 450 Feet: FM Antenna Is To Rise at 131 East Thirty-First". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. June 5, 1949. p. 12D. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Video Start Set: WDAF-TV Station Will Begin Commercial Programming Here October 16". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. August 23, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Kaycee Tele to Start Rolling Oct. 16; WDAF-TV Setup to Cost $1,300,000". Variety. September 7, 1949. pp. 27, 40. ProQuest 1285977964.
  8. ^ "Boyle Dinner the First Program Telecast Here". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. September 29, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b Wagner, Joyce (October 20, 1974). "Television And Toothpaste Have Traversed Good and Bad Times". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. pp. 8G, 9G, 15G. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "TV On Tonight: Regular Programming on The Star's Station Will Begin at 6 o'Clock". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. October 16, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Video Curtain Goes Up: An Audience Estimated at 100,000 Sees the First Regularly-Scheduled Programs". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. October 17, 1949. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Moore, Bill (September 18, 2005). "Television comes to KC". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  13. ^ Wylie, John M. II (September 14, 1980). "100 Years of communications". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. pp. Centennial 40, 41, 42. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "CBS-TV Adds Two: Network Total Now 45". Broadcasting. August 8, 1949. p. 42. ProQuest 1014908474.
  15. ^ "DuMont Adds Two". Broadcasting. May 15, 1950. p. 64. ProQuest 1401178539.
  16. ^ "Co-ax Link to Give Kaycee Hypo, With Operations Doubled on WDAF-TV". September 20, 1950. p. 34. ProQuest 1286070969.
  17. ^ "WDAF Ban on Beer Acct. Off With Fight TV: Chi Robinson Bout Scalps Pic Houses, Phonevision Tests". The Billboard. February 24, 1951. pp. 4, 44. ProQuest 1039959134.
  18. ^ "Radio and TV Aid: Regular Radio Programs Also Give Way to Special Broadcasts Over WDAF". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. July 13, 1951. p. 3. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Flood Film: WDAF Host to Hill Groups". Broadcasting. August 13, 1951. p. 95. ProQuest 1285681831.
  20. ^ "Randall Jessee Is Dead; Collapsed at Meeting". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. October 6, 1976. p. 3A. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Wickman, G. Fred (October 6, 1976). "Friends' Recollections: Randall Jessee Made the Most of Life". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. pp. 1A, 14A. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "TV Mail Bag". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. October 12, 1958. p. 15F. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Radio-TV Center Ready: Construction of Expanded New Home for WDAF and WDAF-TV at Thirty-First and Summit Has Been Finished". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. June 15, 1952. pp. 1D, 2D. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Ozzie and Harriet Program To Join WDAF-TV List Today". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. November 23, 1952. p. 2E. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Koppe, George; Goller, Howard S.; Dvorak, John A.; Swanson, Stevenson O. (July 8, 1978). "Whatever Happened To...: Slower Pace Just Fine for Bette Hayes". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 2B. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ Wagner, Joyce (October 19, 1969). "The Medium Came to Kansas City 20 Years Ago and Has Cast Hypnotic Spell Ever Since". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. pp. 8F, 9F, 12F. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ Crater, Rufus (October 4, 1948). "Television Freeze: FCC Action Halted Pending Definite Policy". Broadcasting. pp. 22A, 57. ProQuest 1040475180.
  28. ^ "Thaw July 1: 617 VHFs, 1436 UHFs in 1291 Markets; Educators Win". Broadcasting. April 15, 1952. pp. 23, 67–68. ProQuest 1285696665.
  29. ^ a b "KCTY Makes Its Debut: New TV Station Goes On Air With Motion Picture". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. June 7, 1953. p. 2A. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "New Channel In June: KCTY Will Begin Telecasts, It Is Announced". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. April 24, 1953. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "New TV Station on Air: Programming Is Begun by KMBC-TV and WHB-TV". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. August 3, 1953. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "KCMO's TV Is on Air Today". St. Joseph News-Press. St. Joseph, Missouri. September 27, 1953. p. 36. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "WDAF On Grid: Justice Asks Revocation". Broadcasting. January 12, 1953. pp. 23, 89. ProQuest 1285689768.
  34. ^ "Strike Halts TV, Radio Programs 'For Time Being': Technicians Refuse to Pass Pickets in Announcer Walkout". The Lexington Advertiser-News. Lexington, Missouri. United Press. May 22, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "TV Strike Is Settled". St. Joseph News-Press. St. Joseph, Missouri. United Press. June 19, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "No Roberts Case: At U. S. Request, Court Dismisses Criminal Indictment Against President of The Star". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. January 14, 1955. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Kansas City Star Settles Monopoly Suit: Agrees to Sell Radio, TV Stations". Chicago Daily Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. Associated Press. November 16, 1957. p. 1:16. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Theatre Chain Buys WDAF-AM-TV". Broadcasting. December 2, 1957. p. 62. ProQuest 1285746984.
  39. ^ "Finalize WDAF Switch To National Theatres". Variety. June 4, 1958. p. 44. ProQuest 1032385937.
  40. ^ "Bodine Newschief at WDAF". Variety. April 23, 1958. p. 20. ProQuest 1014807973.
  41. ^ "Bodine Switches K.C. Kilocycles". Variety. March 17, 1965. p. 54. ProQuest 1032441127.
  42. ^ "National Theatres Expansion In TV Now Includes Name". The Hollywood Reporter. July 14, 1959. pp. 1, 8. ProQuest 2338307948.
  43. ^ "NT&T Net For Year $1,497,117; Rise Due To Sale Of TV Station, Theatres". The Hollywood Reporter. January 15, 1960. pp. 1, 3. ProQuest 2338255386.
  44. ^ "NT&T Sells K.C. Stations (AM-TV) For $9,750,000". Variety. April 27, 1960. p. 24. ProQuest 962695418.
  45. ^ "WDAF-FM To Bow Today: First Program at 12:30 o'Clock—Duplicates AM Schedule". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. March 5, 1961. p. 5E. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ Brown, Les (March 20, 1963). "Kansas City TV: A Mex Standoff". Variety. p. 39. ProQuest 1017101686.
  47. ^ "$40 Million for Transcontinent". Broadcasting. April 15, 1963. pp. 27–29. ProQuest 1014471871.
  48. ^ "Transcontinent Sale in FCC Hands: Practically all of holdings go for $38.5 million". Broadcasting. September 23, 1963. p. 74-B. ProQuest 1014475273.
  49. ^ "Taft's $33,000,000 Buy of 3 TV Stations Makes It Sole Chain at Max. Strength". Variety. April 8, 1964. p. 35. ProQuest 962670221.
  50. ^ "O.K. to TV Tower For Two Stations: Board Approves Site for WDAF and Proposed KMBA [sic] UHF Facility". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. August 16, 1967. p. 3. Retrieved February 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ Wagner, Joyce (August 13, 1970). "Sixth TV Station KBMA, Channel 41, On Air Here in Fall". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 1, 2. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "WDAF-AM-FM Going Separate from TV on News; Tap Gray". Variety. July 12, 1972. p. 49. ProQuest 1014868225.
  53. ^ "TVer Cuts Budget, News Chief Quits". Variety. November 14, 1973. p. 29. ProQuest 1032476593.
  54. ^ Wagner, Joyce (September 27, 1974). "John Masterman Joins WDAF Firing List". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 19C. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ^ Wagner, Joyce (May 9, 1976). "Viewers Outspoken About Local News". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 4F. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ^ Wagner, Joyce (April 11, 1977). "On the TV Scene: WDAF-TV Begins Slick News Show". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 23. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ^ "Stacy Smith leaves WDAF for Pittsburgh". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. June 10, 1983. p. 2B. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. ^ "FOX 4 news anchor Phil Witt announces retirement". WDAF-TV. Tribune Broadcasting. March 24, 2017. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  59. ^ Porter, Toriani (March 24, 2017). "Fox 4's Phil Witt announces retirement after nearly four decades at station". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  60. ^ Hoffman, Alex (June 2017). "A Farewell to Phil Witt". 435 Magazine. Godengo. Archived from the original on June 18, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  61. ^ "For once, we'd like to see a 65-year old TV anchorwoman". The Kansas City Star. June 10, 2017. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  62. ^ Jordan, Gerald B. (May 31, 1979). "KBMA Smarting Over Royals Loss". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 38. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  63. ^ Jordan, Gerald B. (December 19, 1979). "TV Team Set—Now for the Royals". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 16C. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  64. ^ "Royals extend TV pact with WDAF". The Salina Journal. Salina, Kansas. Associated Press. June 14, 1984. p. 15. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  65. ^ Covitz, Randy (December 21, 1988). "Royals' fans should like new TV pact". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 1B. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  66. ^ Nicely, Steve (January 5, 1982). "WDAF-TV leaps into cable news business". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B-4. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  67. ^ Jordan, Gerald B. (December 19, 1982). "Local TV news programs ready to butt heads for top ratings". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 3E. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  68. ^ Jordan, Gerald B. (July 25, 1982). "The world in 18 minutes: Cable TV and the networks are ready to set off a 'news explosion'". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 3E. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  69. ^ "Channel 5 has first 10 p.m. newscast to attract 40 percent of audience". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. March 31, 1981. p. 13. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  70. ^ a b Quinn, John W. (September 4, 1985). "WDAF Leads Kansas City Pack Across Board With Local News". Variety. ProQuest 1438420728.
  71. ^ Gibeau, Richard (September 28, 1987). "Taft's breakup begins: Approval by 2 percent will OK sale". The Cincinnati Post. Cincinnati, Ohio. pp. 6C, 7C. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  72. ^ Newberry, Jon (February 1, 1988). "Taft's legacy lives on: But new owner continues cutbacks". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. p. C-1, C-3. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  73. ^ Jessell, Harry A. (August 14, 1989). "Great American gets permanent FCC waiver". Broadcasting. p. 59. ProQuest 1016929951.
  74. ^ Garron, Barry (March 2, 1988). "Channel 4 also to add a.m. news". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 2C. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  75. ^ Garron, Barry (December 19, 1989). "Ratings conflicting but good at Channel 9". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 2C. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  76. ^ Covitz, Randy (January 10, 1993). "Executive turns sports into beacon for Channel 62". The Kansas City Star. p. C-2. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  77. ^ Covitz, Randy (January 10, 1993). "Royals' shift follows industry trends". The Kansas City Star. p. C-2. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  78. ^ Garron, Barry (February 15, 1992). "KFKF's radio coup won't serve public". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. E-2. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  79. ^ "Reporter is named Channel 4 anchor: Harris Faulkner, who is new to town, paired with Phil Witt at 6". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. June 8, 1992. p. D-2. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  80. ^ "Harris Faulkner gets WDAF anchor spot". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. April 1, 1993. p. F-2. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  81. ^ Garron, Barry (July 7, 1992). "What's shaking out in TV land?". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. E-2. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  82. ^ Garron, Barry (August 22, 1993). "'Agreement' can't keep copters away from KC: TV news stations take to the skies in latest competition". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. pp. J-1, J-10. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  83. ^ Garron, Barry (October 14, 1993). "Local TV station whirlybirds slowly getting off the ground". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. F-10. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  84. ^ Rosenberg, Martin (November 11, 1993). "WDAF-TV parent company seeks bankruptcy protection". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B-2. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  85. ^ Henterly, Meghan (December 29, 1993). "GACC plan OK'd: Bankruptcy court signs off on reorganization". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. p. B5. Archived from the original on December 18, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  86. ^ "Broadcast company changes its name". Rocky Mount Telegram. Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Associated Press. June 9, 1994. p. 5A. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  87. ^ Carlile, William H. (May 5, 1994). "Parent firm selling Channel 10". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. p. E1, E3. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  88. ^ "Company News; Great American Selling Four Television Stations". The New York Times. May 6, 1994. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  89. ^ Garron, Barry (May 5, 1994). "Georgia company to acquire WDAF-TV, three other stations". The Kansas City Star. p. B-3. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  90. ^ Foisie, Geoffrey (February 22, 1993). "SCI-TV gets a makeover". Broadcasting. Vol. 123, no. 8. pp. 47–48. ProQuest 1016940173.
  91. ^ Foisie, Geoffrey (May 3, 1993). "Times Mirror sells stations, part 1". Broadcasting & Cable. Vol. 123, no. 18. p. 49. ProQuest 1014753472.
  92. ^ McTavish, Brian (May 24, 1994). "WDAF to leave NBC, join Fox". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. A-1, A-8. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  93. ^ Carter, Bill (May 24, 1994). "Fox Will Sign Up 12 New TV Stations; Takes 8 from CBS". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 25, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  94. ^ Dawidziak, Mark (May 24, 1994). "Channel 8 to drop CBS for Fox: 40-year affiliation ends in autumn as Fox owner pays $500 million to station's parent. WJW to regain NFL games, lose Letterman. Channels 19, 43 to fight for CBS". The Akron Beacon Journal. pp. A1, A8. Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  95. ^ Gaynor, Pamela (July 26, 1994). "ABC extends accord with WTAE". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C-7. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  96. ^ "CBS revs up for Detroit". Broadcasting & Cable. Vol. 124, no. 27. July 4, 1994. p. 13. ProQuest 1014745635.
  97. ^ Garron, Barry (July 25, 1994). "KSHB opting for NBC". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B-6. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  98. ^ Garron, Barry (August 11, 1994). "TV network shift set for Sept. 12". The Kansas City Star. p. C-1, C-3. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  99. ^ Garron, Barry (August 19, 1994). "TV stations' 'morph' puts end to shows". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. A-1, A-15. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  100. ^ Garron, Barry (August 21, 1994). "Network switch signals expansion in local TV news". The Kansas City Star. p. B-1, B-7. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  101. ^ Garron, Barry (August 21, 1994). "Network switch signals expansion in local TV news". The Kansas City Star. p. B-1, B-7. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  102. ^ "Panelists on the future of TV news". St. Louis Journalism Review. December 1, 1994. Gale A16350613.
  103. ^ Garron, Barry (December 7, 1994). "Territory of KC news now has a two-tier landscape". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. G-3. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  104. ^ Garron, Barry (December 7, 1995). "Reeling 'em in: Local newscasts turn to consumer and crime tips to lure viewers". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. F-7. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  105. ^ Garron, Barry (January 12, 1996). "Witt the big boys". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. E-4. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  106. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (January 4, 1997). "Channel 4 kills 'national' newscast, shuffles programs". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. E-5. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  107. ^ "Channel 5 hops on pre-dawn news wagon". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. August 29, 1995. p. E-5. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  108. ^ Lowry, Brian (July 18, 1996). "New World Vision : Murdoch's News Corp. to Buy Broadcast Group". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  109. ^ "THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Murdoch's News Corp. Buying New World". The New York Times. Reuters. July 18, 1996. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  110. ^ Feran, Tom (July 18, 1996). "Fox's owner buys WJW Channel 8". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. pp. 1A, 14A. Retrieved December 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  111. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (January 23, 1997). "WDAF to become 'Fox 4' in wake of network takeover". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. E6. Retrieved May 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  112. ^ Hearne, Christopher Jr. (August 7, 1997). "Chiefs call two TV signals for preseason schedule". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. E-2. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  113. ^ "KCTV will broadcast Chiefs preseason games". Kansas City Business Journal. October 1, 2002. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2002.
  114. ^ Davis Hudson, Eileen (February 7, 2000). "Kansas City". Mediaweek. pp. 18–22. ProQuest 213626692.
  115. ^ Davis Hudson, Eileen (February 4, 2002). "Kansas City". Mediaweek. pp. 14–19. ProQuest 213645846.
  116. ^ Davis Hudson, Eileen (January 3, 2005). "Kansas City". Mediaweek. pp. 17–20. ProQuest 213641239.
  117. ^ "Fox sells WDAF, three other stations". Kansas City Business Journal. June 29, 2001. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  118. ^ McClellan, Steve (July 3, 2001). "Fox: Minority group sale not done". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  119. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (February 22, 2002). "Ruling could alter local TV landscape: Sales or swaps involving stations appear more likely". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. pp. C-1, C-8. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  120. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (December 23, 2007). "TV sale includes KC's 'Fox 4'". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B4. Retrieved February 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  121. ^ Schneider, Michael (June 14, 2007). "Fox drops TV stations for Dow bid". Variety. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  122. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (February 17, 2009). "TV, radio flounder in economy's storm as ad income slumps". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. pp. A1, A4. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  123. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (October 11, 2010). "Fox 4 enters HD era, finally". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. pp. C1–C2. Retrieved February 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  124. ^ Channick, Robert (July 1, 2013). "Acquisition to make Tribune Co. largest U.S. TV station operator". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  125. ^ "Tribune Closes Local TV Holdings Purchase". TVNewsCheck. December 27, 2013. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  126. ^ Bachman, Katy (June 28, 2010). "Market Profile: Kansas City". Mediaweek. p. 22. ProQuest 612718904.
  127. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (September 13, 2010). "KMBC changes weather channel, settles discrim lawsuit, adds 9 p.m. news". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
  128. ^ "FOX 4 News Introduces New 9 a.m. Show". WDAF-TV. Local TV. March 24, 2011. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011.
  129. ^ "Fox 4 is last in KC market to move to 4:30 am start". Bottom Line Communications. September 26, 2011. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011.
  130. ^ Malone, Michael (May 5, 2013). "Market Eye: A Sprint to the Finish Line". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  131. ^ "Sinclair snaps up 3 more Missouri stations as part of $3.9 billion Tribune purchase". Missouri Business Alert (featuring content from St. Louis Business Journal). Missouri School of Journalism. May 9, 2017.
  132. ^ Shields, Todd (July 16, 2018). "Sinclair and Tribune Fall as FCC Slams TV Station Sale Plan". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  133. ^ Lafayette, Jon (August 9, 2018). "Tribune Ends Deal with Sinclair, Files Breach of Contract Suit". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  134. ^ Neidig, Harper (July 16, 2018). "FCC chair rejects Sinclair-Tribune merger". The Hill. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  135. ^ White, Peter; Hayes, Dade (December 3, 2018). "Nexstar Confirms $4.1B Tribune Media Acquisition To Become Leading Local TV Station Owner". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  136. ^ Malone, Michael (November 16, 2020). "Standalone Station Is Chief in Kansas City". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  137. ^ "WDAF Kansas City Launches Hour-Long News At 4 P.M." TVNewsCheck. July 5, 2022. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  138. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (March 28, 1998). "Now, 'Voyager': Star Trek franchise returns, switches channels". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. E-4. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  139. ^ Eck, Kevin (November 10, 2022). "Former KC Anchor Mark Alford Wins Seat in Congress". TVSpy. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  140. ^ Scott, Laurie J. (July 3, 1994). "Do you remember?". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. Magazine 4. Retrieved January 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  141. ^ a b Landsberg, John (October 17, 2012). "WDAF-TV Celebrates its 63rd Anniversary". Bottom Line Communications. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  142. ^ "The Weather Man". Variety. March 25, 1953. p. 39. ProQuest 963286885.
  143. ^ "Kansas Citian joins WHO-TV news team". The Des Moines Register. Des Moines, Iowa. January 12, 1975. p. 6-TV. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  144. ^ Wagner, Joyce (February 2, 1977). "WDAF Shuffle Still Playing". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 9B. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  145. ^ "Bill Grigsby has a ball on The Scene At 10". The Kansas City Star (Advertisement). Kansas City, Missouri. September 11, 1970. p. 31. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  146. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (August 2, 1997). "Channel 4's investigative leader not one to beat around the bush". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. E-4. Retrieved February 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  147. ^ Cotts, Cynthia (November 28, 2000). "Does Fox Slant the News?". Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  148. ^ Cole, Maxine (March 8, 1998). "Talk Show Host Gayle King Focusing on Family Life Issues". The Daily Oklahoman. p. 9:TV This Week-Multimedia. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  149. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (April 12, 1997). "Kansans' Video Toaster keeps popping up on industry cool lists". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. E-4. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  150. ^ "Educational TV Station Names 3 More to Staff". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. September 3, 1954. p. 3A. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  151. ^ Bundy, June (December 7, 1959). "Vox Jox". Billboard. Vol. 71, no. 49. p. 31. ProQuest 1475615595.
  152. ^ Minch, John J. (July 18, 1965). "Hoolihan Offers Hope: Weather Shows Are 'Overcast'". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. 9F. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  153. ^ "RabbitEars TV Query for WDAF". RabbitEars. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  154. ^ "WDAF-DT". Television & Cable Factbook. Warren Communications News. 2006. p. A-1305.
  155. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (March 19, 2003). "Lost in the hi-def frontier: KC stations, viewers lag behind visual revolution". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. pp. F-1, F-7. Retrieved February 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  156. ^ "WDAF-TV Goes High Def". WDAF-TV: 60 Years of Working for You. February 10, 2009.
  157. ^ Barnhart, Aaron (June 11, 2009). "Are you ready to go digital?". The Kansas City Star. pp. A1, A14. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  158. ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. May 23, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WDAF-TV&oldid=1274233257"