KETX (TV)
| Company type | Television broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Defunct | 1954 |
| Headquarters | Tyler, Texas , United States |
Key people | Jacob A. Newborn (owner) |
| Products | Television broadcasting |
KETX (channel 19) was a television broadcaster based in Tyler, Texas that operated from September 1953 until October 1954. It holds the distinction of being the inaugural television outlet in East Texas as well as the state's pioneering UHF station. Nevertheless, a combination of technical difficulties, financial hardships, and competition from the VHF station KLTV ultimately resulted in its shutdown.
History
In November 1952, Jacob A. Newborn submitted an application for the license to operate channel 19 in Tyler. He was already the proprietor of KBMT in Beaumont and possessed a construction permit for a station in Gadsden, Alabama. His development plans included establishing studios both in Tyler and Longview, Texas, along with a larger facility adjacent to the transmitter site near Gladewater. Construction activities commenced in July 1953 with the delivery of the transmitter and antenna; the building housing both transmitter and studios was quickly completed.
Broadcasting began on September 19, 1953, initially at reduced power levels. As Tyler’s first television station, KETX secured affiliations with all major networks but operated without network interconnection due to the market's limited size. By January 3, 1954, it was airing filmed programs from CBS, alongside content from NBC and DuMont, thus increasing its broadcast schedule.
Although KETX operated at full power and carried network programming, it encountered significant challenges. On March 24, 1954, broadcasts were suspended temporarily due to equipment malfunctions and financial difficulties. Shortly thereafter, several legal actions were initiated against the station, including a $1,700 promissory note dispute, a $344,000 lawsuit filed by transmitter manufacturer General Electric, and an $11,000 involuntary bankruptcy petition from contractors.
The station's financial condition deteriorated further following the introduction of VHF competitor KLTV. Recognizing the competitive disadvantage, Newborn ceased KETX operations on October 23, less than two weeks after KLTV began broadcasting on October 14. Subsequently, he sought to relocate the channel 9 allocation from Lufkin to Tyler; however, the FCC rejected this proposal in November and reaffirmed the permit held by Forest Capital Broadcasting Company for KTRE.
KETX never recommenced transmission. Newborn continued to face mounting financial obligations; in February 1955 film distributors initiated lawsuits seeking nearly $6,000 for unpaid rentals. He declared voluntary bankruptcy in March 1955, reporting assets valued at $23,000 against liabilities totaling $164,000.