The celebration will highlight KPRC’s 70 years in Houston on-air as well as on all digital platforms, including a special 70th anniversary section on Click2Houston.com. “As Houston’s first television station, we are proud to take a moment to look back on the trails we’ve blazed, celebrate the people who got us here, and set our sights on the future” said Jerry Martin, KPRC’s general manager.
On Jan. 1, KPRC, Houston’s NBC affiliate owned by Graham Media, celebrates its 70th anniversary as the city’s first television station.
The on-air celebration of its past, present and future will begin on Thursday, Dec. 20, and extend throughout the month of January.
The celebration will highlight KPRC’s 70 years in Houston on-air as well as on all digital platforms, including a special 70th anniversary section on Click2Houston.com.
On-air highlights include historic news stories, remembrances and some surprise guests from the past.
One of KPRC’s most historic firsts was working with NASA to broadcast Neil Armstrong becoming the first human to step on the moon during the Apollo 11 spaceflight on July 20, 1969.
Among the many firsts claimed by KPRC:
• The first Houston television station to hire female reporters.
• The first Houston television station to use weather radar.
• The first Houston television station to go “live” from the scene.
• The first Houston television station to hire African-American reporters.
• The first Houston television station to hire female sportscasters.
Originally signing on as KLEE-TV, the station’s call letters were changed to KPRC — Kotton Port Rail Center — a reference to a major portion of Houston’s business at the time.
Purchased by the Hobby family in 1950, KPRC went on to become the first television station in Houston to broadcast color pictures as part of the NBC television network in 1955.
“As Houston’s first television station, we are proud to take a moment to look back on the trails we’ve blazed, celebrate the people who got us here, and set our sights on the future” said Jerry Martin, KPRC’s general manager.
“We look forward to celebrating many more years of service to our Houston community.”
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