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KCRA 3 Station History
KCRA 3 began broadcasting in the Sacramento area on September 3, 1955 from a remodeled dairy truck barn on the north side of Sacramento. By September 22, 1955, KCRA 3 began broadcasting at a full 100,000 watts from the 573-foot antenna, which was located right next to the station. At that time, the antenna was the tallest structure in Sacramento; even surpassing the height of the State Capital located nine blocks away. KCRA 3 has remained Northern California's news leader, out-distancing all other local television stations often times with twice as many viewers as its nearest competitor.KCRA 3 has been an NBC affiliate since its debut in 1955. Shortly after the station began broadcasting, the importance of news in the lives of Northern California viewers became clear. The station's commitment and dedication to responsible reporting became embodied in the slogan, "Where the News Comes First." This station brand has been executed by the KCRA 3 News team since 1957 and continues to be the station's core foundation in covering national, regional and local news, weather and sports today.KCRA 3 has been the market and often industry leader in its use of the latest technology and equipment for bringing the latest news and information to local viewers. In 1963, KCRA 3 convinced two other television stations in Sacramento to build, what was at the time, the world's tallest candelabra antenna (1,549 feet high) at Walnut Grove, California. This gave KCRA 3 the power to reach out to thirty counties with a cleaner, sharper image than previous technology had allowed.KCRA 3 was the first television station in the Sacramento Valley capable of color transmission and use of videotape, and in 1965, KCRA 3 was the first television station in Northern California to use color news film. In 1975, KCRA 3 was the first to cover live news using remote cameras called LiveCamera 3. KCRA 3 was the first station in Northern California to use a helicopter in 1979 when LiveCopter 3 made its debut during the KCRA 3 newscasts. In 1986, KCRA 3 added a satellite truck, LiveSatellite 3, to its arsenal which allows the station to cover news in Sacramento’s outlying areas.In order to better cover regional news, KCRA 3 opened local news bureaus in Stockton in September 1976; in Modesto in 1978 and in San Francisco in 1979. These news bureaus continue to give KCRA 3 the ability to cover news throughout Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto.KCRA 3 developed and produced the first magazine show in the entire country called "The 7:30 Show." In addition, the first Doppler radar, the first 24-hour news, and the first to broadcast digital HDTV are also among the impressive list of firsts in the Sacramento area from KCRA 3.Knowing how important weather information is to Sacramento area viewers, KCRA 3 made a commitment to provide important weather information fast. In 1992, Doppler radar technology came to KCRA 3, showing viewers where it was raining and the projected path of storms. Since then, the KCRA 3 Weather Plus Meteorologists use technology like Live Pinpoint Doppler 3, the SkyCam 3 Network, StormTracker 3, FutureCast 3, the KCRA 3 Severe Weather Center, the KCRA 3 Weather Plus Air Quality Index, and KCRA 3 Weather Plus Pollen Count to provide the most accurate weather forecast in the Sacramento area.In 1992, the KCRA 3 News Team received the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for Over-All-Excellence, a national award given by Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA). In 1998, the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of NATAS (The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) awarded the KCRA 3 News Team an Emmy for best "Breaking News" regarding coverage of northern California's January 1997 flood. In 2002, the KCRA 3 News Team was again recognized with the RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award.In 2003, Dave Walker and Lois Hart were inducted into the Television Academy’s Silver Circle Class of 2003. The Academy’s Silver Circle honors those who have worked at least 25 years in the television industry and have made significant contributions to the profession. In 2005, "KCRA 3 Common Ground," earned four Emmy nominations, winning an Emmy for this half-hour public affairs program. The show was also honored with a Unity Award in Media.In 1973, KCRA 3 took the initiative to begin producing distinct Public Affairs programs. These programs were devoted to raising an awareness of culture, accomplishment and need in the diverse ethnic communities living in Northern California."To Be Somebody" premiered in 1973, and responded to the issues of the African American community. "To Be Somebody" has been presented with an award from Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists, two separate special achievement awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, and a joint resolution from the California Senate and Assembly."De Colores" premiered in 1974, and responded to the issues of the Hispanic-American community. It has received honors from the Society of Professional Journalists for outstanding documentaries. "De Colores" also presented an original Christmas Tele-play called "Teatro Campesino.""Perceptions" premiered in 1979, and responded to the issues of the Asian-American community and has received four Emmy awards for its excellent reporting."KCRA 3 Common Ground" began in 2003 and continues to bring viewers a personal look at the issues, differences, and accomplishments that affect minorities in the Sacramento area.No other community volunteer organization in the Sacramento area has been as long serving nor as effective as the KCRA 3 consumer assistance program "Call 3." Starting in 1973, Call 3 continues to "help consumers help themselves" through a team of experienced and dedicated volunteers. Viewers call the Call 3 Volunteers to find answers to consumer, government, health and money questions. "Call 3" also fuels investigative leads for "KCRA 3 Investigates" and has helped thousands of people find solutions to improve their way of life.In early 2005, KCRA 3 began the "Call 3 Call-In," an all-day, on-air commitment to one topic of concern to many viewers in the Sacramento area. One day each month beginning at 5am and continuing until 7pm, KCRA 3 opens the Call 3 phone lines for viewers to call in and ask their questions about topics like taxes, neighborhood issues and credit. KCRA 3 then connects them with the proper experts and authorities, who are actually live in the Call 3 Call-In Center. The Call 3 Call In updates viewers with answers to their questions throughout the day and KCRA 3 follows up with some of the questions and produces more Call 3 stories in the weeks to follow.Continuing to introduce innovative programs like "Call 3 Call-In" demonstrates the station’s dedication to continuing its long tradition of educating, informing, and protecting the KCRA 3 viewers in the Sacramento area.In November 1973, KCRA 3 aired an innovative magazine-style program called "The 7:30 Show". In June 1976, the name of the show changed to "Weeknight". This program was a first in many ways. A local news organization produced it and many KCRA 3 reporters contributed to the original show content. It aired five days a week, in addition to the station's news shows. It was a 30 minute show, unlike many stations, which aired two to three minutes of feature material within their newscasts. The show was soon copied by individuals who inaugurated their own 'magazine' format program called "Evening Magazine" and syndicated it nationally.On September 29, 1982, KCRA 3 ventured into talk show territory with a program called "Finnerty & Company". It was renamed "Look Who's Talking" in September 1983. The show incorporated studio guests, studio audience and questions, and telephone calls from viewers.On January 26, 1987, KCRA 3 developed "TV Lite," an afternoon news-talk-magazine show that involved studio guests, studio audience, and took a more humorous approach. In the summer of 1988, the NBC network ran a program called "Modern Medical Breakthroughs", a program that KCRA 3 conceived and produced through it Kelly News and Entertainment division. On April 2, 1989, “The West" premiered on KCRA 3. This venture was developed as a weekend show and successfully syndicated nationally by Kelly News and Entertainment. A year later "In America" (the east coast version of "The West") joined the national syndication scene.During the 2004 Olympic Summer Games, KCRA 3 produced a half-hour Olympic special “KCRA 3 Reports: Athens 2004” that was broadcast at 7:30pm just before the NBC Olympic coverage started at 8pm. This special gave local viewers a flavor of the games with KCRA 3 Reports Anchor Deidre Fitzpatrick giving special reports live from the Olympic Games. For the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, other NBC television stations will adopt this program concept that KCRA 3 started two years ago and present their own half hour specials in their markets before the NBC coverage begins. It’s another programming innovation from KCRA 3.In December of 1994, KCRA 3 entered into a local marketing agreement (LMA) with television station KSCH, Channel 58, which had then just become affiliated with the UPN network. In February 1995, the call letters were changed to KQCA and the station took on an entirely new identity as Q58. In January 1998, KQCA switched network affiliations and became an affiliate of the WB network. Committed to high quality entertainment as well as local news and information, KQCA continued to grow in viewer loyalty. On January 31, 2000, the first television duopoly in the Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto market was formed when Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. announced it had completed its acquisition of KQCA. Originally, KCRA 3 was co-owned by Ewing C. Kelly, who also established and owned KCRA AM-FM radio stations. The Hansen Family, brothers C. Vernon, Gerald and Kenneth, who owned Crystal Cream and Butter Company, were joint partners with Ewing. After the death of Ewing C. Kelly in 1960, KCRA Inc. (parent of the television station) was re-organized and Ewing's two sons, Robert E. and Jon S., became President and Executive Vice President, respectively. The Hansens remained as co-owners with 50 percent of KCRA Inc. The license was transferred to the Kelly Broadcasting Company on June 11, 1962, when Jon, Robert, and their mother, Nina bought the Hansen half of the station. On January 5, 1999, KCRA 3 officially became the property of Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., later Hearst Television, Inc.Hearst Television, Inc., owns 25 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The company's television stations reach approximately 18 percent of U.S. TV households, making it one of the largest U.S. television station groups. The company owns 10 NBC affiliates, including KCRA 3 and is the second-largest NBC affiliate owner. Hearst also is a leader in the convergence of local broadcast television and the Internet through its partnership with Internet Broadcasting.
KCRA 3 began broadcasting in the Sacramento area on September 3, 1955 from a remodeled dairy truck barn on the north side of Sacramento. By September 22, 1955, KCRA 3 began broadcasting at a full 100,000 watts from the 573-foot antenna, which was located right next to the station. At that time, the antenna was the tallest structure in Sacramento; even surpassing the height of the State Capital located nine blocks away. KCRA 3 has remained Northern California's news leader, out-distancing all other local television stations often times with twice as many viewers as its nearest competitor.
KCRA 3 has been an NBC affiliate since its debut in 1955. Shortly after the station began broadcasting, the importance of news in the lives of Northern California viewers became clear. The station's commitment and dedication to responsible reporting became embodied in the slogan, "Where the News Comes First." This station brand has been executed by the KCRA 3 News team since 1957 and continues to be the station's core foundation in covering national, regional and local news, weather and sports today.
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KCRA 3 has been the market and often industry leader in its use of the latest technology and equipment for bringing the latest news and information to local viewers. In 1963, KCRA 3 convinced two other television stations in Sacramento to build, what was at the time, the world's tallest candelabra antenna (1,549 feet high) at Walnut Grove, California. This gave KCRA 3 the power to reach out to thirty counties with a cleaner, sharper image than previous technology had allowed.
KCRA 3 was the first television station in the Sacramento Valley capable of color transmission and use of videotape, and in 1965, KCRA 3 was the first television station in Northern California to use color news film. In 1975, KCRA 3 was the first to cover live news using remote cameras called LiveCamera 3. KCRA 3 was the first station in Northern California to use a helicopter in 1979 when LiveCopter 3 made its debut during the KCRA 3 newscasts. In 1986, KCRA 3 added a satellite truck, LiveSatellite 3, to its arsenal which allows the station to cover news in Sacramento’s outlying areas.
In order to better cover regional news, KCRA 3 opened local news bureaus in Stockton in September 1976; in Modesto in 1978 and in San Francisco in 1979. These news bureaus continue to give KCRA 3 the ability to cover news throughout Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto.
KCRA 3 developed and produced the first magazine show in the entire country called "The 7:30 Show." In addition, the first Doppler radar, the first 24-hour news, and the first to broadcast digital HDTV are also among the impressive list of firsts in the Sacramento area from KCRA 3.
Knowing how important weather information is to Sacramento area viewers, KCRA 3 made a commitment to provide important weather information fast. In 1992, Doppler radar technology came to KCRA 3, showing viewers where it was raining and the projected path of storms. Since then, the KCRA 3 Weather Plus Meteorologists use technology like Live Pinpoint Doppler 3, the SkyCam 3 Network, StormTracker 3, FutureCast 3, the KCRA 3 Severe Weather Center, the KCRA 3 Weather Plus Air Quality Index, and KCRA 3 Weather Plus Pollen Count to provide the most accurate weather forecast in the Sacramento area.
In 1992, the KCRA 3 News Team received the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for Over-All-Excellence, a national award given by Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA). In 1998, the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of NATAS (The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) awarded the KCRA 3 News Team an Emmy for best "Breaking News" regarding coverage of northern California's January 1997 flood. In 2002, the KCRA 3 News Team was again recognized with the RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award.
In 2003, Dave Walker and Lois Hart were inducted into the Television Academy’s Silver Circle Class of 2003. The Academy’s Silver Circle honors those who have worked at least 25 years in the television industry and have made significant contributions to the profession. In 2005, "KCRA 3 Common Ground," earned four Emmy nominations, winning an Emmy for this half-hour public affairs program. The show was also honored with a Unity Award in Media.
In 1973, KCRA 3 took the initiative to begin producing distinct Public Affairs programs. These programs were devoted to raising an awareness of culture, accomplishment and need in the diverse ethnic communities living in Northern California.
"To Be Somebody" premiered in 1973, and responded to the issues of the African American community. "To Be Somebody" has been presented with an award from Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists, two separate special achievement awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, and a joint resolution from the California Senate and Assembly.
"De Colores" premiered in 1974, and responded to the issues of the Hispanic-American community. It has received honors from the Society of Professional Journalists for outstanding documentaries. "De Colores" also presented an original Christmas Tele-play called "Teatro Campesino."
"Perceptions" premiered in 1979, and responded to the issues of the Asian-American community and has received four Emmy awards for its excellent reporting.
"KCRA 3 Common Ground" began in 2003 and continues to bring viewers a personal look at the issues, differences, and accomplishments that affect minorities in the Sacramento area.
No other community volunteer organization in the Sacramento area has been as long serving nor as effective as the KCRA 3 consumer assistance program "Call 3." Starting in 1973, Call 3 continues to "help consumers help themselves" through a team of experienced and dedicated volunteers. Viewers call the Call 3 Volunteers to find answers to consumer, government, health and money questions. "Call 3" also fuels investigative leads for "KCRA 3 Investigates" and has helped thousands of people find solutions to improve their way of life.
In early 2005, KCRA 3 began the "Call 3 Call-In," an all-day, on-air commitment to one topic of concern to many viewers in the Sacramento area. One day each month beginning at 5am and continuing until 7pm, KCRA 3 opens the Call 3 phone lines for viewers to call in and ask their questions about topics like taxes, neighborhood issues and credit. KCRA 3 then connects them with the proper experts and authorities, who are actually live in the Call 3 Call-In Center. The Call 3 Call In updates viewers with answers to their questions throughout the day and KCRA 3 follows up with some of the questions and produces more Call 3 stories in the weeks to follow.
Continuing to introduce innovative programs like "Call 3 Call-In" demonstrates the station’s dedication to continuing its long tradition of educating, informing, and protecting the KCRA 3 viewers in the Sacramento area.
In November 1973, KCRA 3 aired an innovative magazine-style program called "The 7:30 Show". In June 1976, the name of the show changed to "Weeknight". This program was a first in many ways. A local news organization produced it and many KCRA 3 reporters contributed to the original show content. It aired five days a week, in addition to the station's news shows. It was a 30 minute show, unlike many stations, which aired two to three minutes of feature material within their newscasts. The show was soon copied by individuals who inaugurated their own 'magazine' format program called "Evening Magazine" and syndicated it nationally.
On September 29, 1982, KCRA 3 ventured into talk show territory with a program called "Finnerty & Company". It was renamed "Look Who's Talking" in September 1983. The show incorporated studio guests, studio audience and questions, and telephone calls from viewers.
On January 26, 1987, KCRA 3 developed "TV Lite," an afternoon news-talk-magazine show that involved studio guests, studio audience, and took a more humorous approach. In the summer of 1988, the NBC network ran a program called "Modern Medical Breakthroughs", a program that KCRA 3 conceived and produced through it Kelly News and Entertainment division. On April 2, 1989, “The West" premiered on KCRA 3. This venture was developed as a weekend show and successfully syndicated nationally by Kelly News and Entertainment. A year later "In America" (the east coast version of "The West") joined the national syndication scene.
During the 2004 Olympic Summer Games, KCRA 3 produced a half-hour Olympic special “KCRA 3 Reports: Athens 2004” that was broadcast at 7:30pm just before the NBC Olympic coverage started at 8pm. This special gave local viewers a flavor of the games with KCRA 3 Reports Anchor Deidre Fitzpatrick giving special reports live from the Olympic Games. For the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, other NBC television stations will adopt this program concept that KCRA 3 started two years ago and present their own half hour specials in their markets before the NBC coverage begins. It’s another programming innovation from KCRA 3.
In December of 1994, KCRA 3 entered into a local marketing agreement (LMA) with television station KSCH, Channel 58, which had then just become affiliated with the UPN network. In February 1995, the call letters were changed to KQCA and the station took on an entirely new identity as Q58. In January 1998, KQCA switched network affiliations and became an affiliate of the WB network. Committed to high quality entertainment as well as local news and information, KQCA continued to grow in viewer loyalty. On January 31, 2000, the first television duopoly in the Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto market was formed when Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. announced it had completed its acquisition of KQCA.
Originally, KCRA 3 was co-owned by Ewing C. Kelly, who also established and owned KCRA AM-FM radio stations. The Hansen Family, brothers C. Vernon, Gerald and Kenneth, who owned Crystal Cream and Butter Company, were joint partners with Ewing. After the death of Ewing C. Kelly in 1960, KCRA Inc. (parent of the television station) was re-organized and Ewing's two sons, Robert E. and Jon S., became President and Executive Vice President, respectively. The Hansens remained as co-owners with 50 percent of KCRA Inc. The license was transferred to the Kelly Broadcasting Company on June 11, 1962, when Jon, Robert, and their mother, Nina bought the Hansen half of the station. On January 5, 1999, KCRA 3 officially became the property of Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., later Hearst Television, Inc.
Hearst Television, Inc., owns 25 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The company's television stations reach approximately 18 percent of U.S. TV households, making it one of the largest U.S. television station groups. The company owns 10 NBC affiliates, including KCRA 3 and is the second-largest NBC affiliate owner. Hearst also is a leader in the convergence of local broadcast television and the Internet through its partnership with Internet Broadcasting.
