CHAPTER 6 EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION
While Tulsa has been granted two educational channels--11 and 35--only oneis being utilized at the present time. Currently, northeastern Oklahomaeducational broadcasts are telecast from KOED-TV, Channel Eleven, Tulsa.
The first conference on Educational TV in the state of Oklahoma was heldon November 19, 1951. This conference directed the State Regents for HigherEducation to apply for the necessary educational television channels in Oklahoma.Accordingly, an application for a Construction Permit on Channel Thirteenin Oklahoma City was filed with the Commission on February 13,1953.1 Subsequently, Governor Johnston Murray, and the Oklahoma Legislature createdthe Oklahoma Educational Television Authority. Channel Thirteen was assignedby the Federal Communications Commission to the Authority on December 2,1953, with the call letters KETA. Immediately after the Oklahoma City station'sapproval, the Authority filed for another VHF allocation--Channel Elevenin Tulsa. The FCC approved a Construction Permit for Channel Eleven on July 21, 1954.The station was assigned the call letters KOED. Although permission had beengranted to construct the two educational stations, work was delayed becauseof lack of funds. In early 1956 facilities and cash were made available from private and publicsources which resulted in both ETV stations becoming operational. OklahomaCity publisher E. K. Gaylord contributed $50,000, the Oklahoma Legislatureappropriated $540,000, and the Radio Corporation of America donated $13,000worth of equipment.2 This was enough to get the KETA OklahomaCity station on the air in April of 1956. KOED in Tulsa had to wait somewhatlonger before joining her sister station on the airwaves. To augment the OETA, a Tulsa Educational TelevisionBoard was established by interested community leaders to assist in puttingthe Tulsa station on the air. Led by Tulsa lumberman Ira Crews, the TETBworked closely with Authority member Charles C. Mason, who, as superintendentof Tulsa public schools, was eager to see Channel Eleven become operable.The turning point for KOED came when KOTV offered to provide space on itstower for KOED's antenna and transmission lines. KOTV also donated one-halfof their transmitter building to the educational station.3 Since January 12, 1959, KOED-TV, Channel Eleven, has been in continuousoperation. The coverage area extends some 50 miles from the transmitter,which is located 4 miles north of Sand Springs on Big HeartMountain.4 At the present time, KOED receives the KETA signal on its microwave relayequipment, resulting in a simultaneous broadcast of the same material byboth stations. The two stations combine to provide 60 per cent of the state'spopulation with all possible types of educational televising, from filmsto lectures, being utilized. KOED programs more than 60 hours each week from August through May. JohnW. Dunn, Director of ETV, does not believe this amount will increase untilother requirements are met. Recently, the OETA applied to the FCC for anincrease in power which will permit transmission of color programs. Dunnis also enlisting the support of the community antenna systems of Oklahomato include ETV in their service to outlying communities. Dunn produces 85 per cent of KOED's programs locally with the help of threepart-time engineers. He anticipates color programming to begin prior to the1968 season. In line with this development, Dunn is hopeful of establishingproduction centers at Stillwater and Tulsa to take advantage of greaterprogramming opportunities. Dunn frankly would like te see more participationby the state's universities in educational television.5 At this writing, no person has expressed an interest in activating ChannelThirty-Five.6
FOOTNOTES
1Tulsa World, February 22, 1953
2Tulsa Tribune, April 22, 1957. 3Tulsa Tribune, July 3, 1956. 4Tulsa Tribune, January 12, 1959. 5 Letter from John W. Dunn, Director of ETV in Oklahoma, March7, 1967 6 Letter from Ben F. Waple, Secretary of the FCC, April 3, 1967.
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