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Categories: HistoryQZVX.COM

Limited Broadcast Choices In The 1950s. Yes, there was a KOMO-FM.

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As TV was just being introduced to the Seattle area, a typical broadcast day for KING TV 5, in 1949, started at 5pm and ended after the News Reel which usually closed the schedule out at 10:30pm most evenings.

[1952] Seattle FM stations would broadcast for only a few hours each day. There were a limited number of FM radios being purchased [sort of like HD radio theses days]:
KIRO FM 2pm – 10:15pm
KOMO FM 6am to Noon
KING FM 2:45pm – 10pm
KISW FM 3pm – 10pm

[1953] The Seattle Radio Dial included stations:

1050 KRKL [religious]
1150 KRSC [Music, religion, International programming]
1200 KLAN [Music, news and a daily Swap & Shop program]

[1956] Chuck Braas and Bob Salter deejayed Saturdays on 950 KJR, followed by a program called “Candlelight Serenade” at 6pm, Dance Party at 9pm and Party Line at 11pm.
Sundays were wall to wall religious programming on 950.
Platters and chatter each weekday, with Dick Stokke, Chuck Bras, and Bob Salter. Candlelight Serenade every evening at 6pm, and Dance Party at 9pm

KISW FM [at the time owned by E.W. Lippincott] played a mix of “Fine music”, Chamber music, Concert Hall and studio concerts. Music choice included some jazz programming on Saturday night. KISW closed each broadcast day with The Lord’s Prayer.

KUOW, broadcasting at 90.5 FM, carried University of Washington sports broadcasts on weekdays and Saturdays, in addition to Classical music, International music programming, educational/community focused features and some dramatic presentations.

A daily feature on 1300 KOL was DOG FINDER at 4:55 each afternoon.


A lot of people argue, “There has never been a KOMO-FM!” Well, there was for a few years. 98.9 KOMO. Fisher eventually gave up on FM, donating that equipment to the University of Washington for use at KUOW. This clipping from November 1952.

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Jason Remington

Admin/Editor | Airchecks KTOY (WA) | KVAC (WA) | KDFL (WA) | KONP (WA) | KBAM (WA) | KJUN (WA) | KRPM (WA) | KAMT (WA) | KASY (WA) | KBRD (WA) | KTAC (WA) | KMTT (WA) | KOOL (AZ)

View Comments

  • June 25, 2020 at QZVX

    Dick Ellingson says:

    Then: limited choice, but we always found something good to watch or listen to.
    Now: unlimited choice, but . . . .

    Reply

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