WCOS-TV
| Company type | Television station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Founded | May 1, 1953 in Columbia, South Carolina, United States |
| Defunct | January 21, 1956 |
| Fate | Ceased operations and transferred assets to WNOK-TV |
| Headquarters | Columbia , United States |
| Products | Television broadcasting |
| Owner | Radio Columbia |
WCOS-TV was a television station transmitting on ultra high frequency (UHF) channel 25 in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. As the inaugural TV broadcaster in South Carolina, it was owned by Radio Columbia, which also operated the WCOS radio outlets (1400 AM and 97.9 FM). The station aired from 1953 until 1956, when it ceased operations and transferred its assets to rival WNOK-TV (channel 67) due to the difficult financial conditions faced by UHF broadcasters.
History
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted construction permits for both WCOS-TV and WNOK-TV simultaneously in September 1952.[1] Broadcasting commenced on May 1, 1953, with studios housed in a Quonset hut and the transmitter situated near Two Notch Road.[2] The station operated at a modest effective radiated power of 15,700 watts, limited by transmitter availability. Early local programming featured daily sports updates and weather forecasts.
WCOS-TV served primarily as an affiliate of the ABC, while also airing selected NBC shows.[3] This NBC content was temporary since NBC Radio’s Columbia affiliate, WIS (560 AM), applied for the only preferred VHF channel allocation in central South Carolina—channel 10. After competing applications merged in February 1953, channel 10 launched as WIS-TV in November.[4][5] Meanwhile, WNOK-TV began broadcasting with CBS and DuMont programming in September; DuMont later transitioned to channel 25 by 1955.
Prior to the implementation of the All-Channel Receiver Act, the presence of a VHF broadcaster severely limited WCOS-TV’s competitive position despite not being Columbia’s sole UHF station. In January 1956, WNOK-TV acquired most assets of WCOS-TV excluding its physical facilities, resulting in WCOS-TV discontinuing broadcasts on January 21; however, the WCOS radio stations continued operation.[6] The closure was attributed to financial nonviability by Television Digest.[7] The Quonset hut was repurposed into a recording studio for radio commercials and jingles; notably, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs recorded "Stay" there in 1959.[8]
Subsequently, First Carolina Corporation acquired the Shakespeare Road site to establish a new channel 25 outlet in 1961 under the call letters WCCA-TV.[9] Presently operating as WOLO-TV, this station has claimed WCOS-TV’s heritage since at least 1986.[10] Nonetheless, FCC documentation for WOLO does not acknowledge any connection to WCOS-TV.
References
- ↑ "New FCC Speed-Up Effort: Post-Thaw Authorizations Hit 60" (PDF). Broadcasting. September 22, 1952. p. 65.
- ↑ "First South Carolina TV Station Goes on Air Today". The State. May 1, 1953. p. 2-E.
- ↑ "First S. C. TV Station Begins Tests". Asheville Citizen. Associated Press. April 24, 1953. p. 17.
- ↑ "Rivals Merge; TV License Is Granted Here". The State. February 13, 1953. p. 11-B.
- ↑ "WIS Television to Start at 1:25 This Afternoon". The State. November 7, 1953. p. B-1.
- ↑ "WCOS-TV Sold; Leaves Air Saturday". The State. January 18, 1956. p. 1.
- ↑ "Three new VHF starters..." (PDF). Television Digest. January 21, 1956. p. 8.
- ↑ DeYoung, Bill (2018). "Oh Won't You Stay". Phil Gernhard, Record Man. University Press of Florida. ISBN 978-0813056777.
- ↑ "WCCA-TV Goes on Air in October: New Installation Nears Completion". The State. September 2, 1961. p. 10-B.
- ↑ "South Carolina's First TV Channel". The State: Columbia's Bicentennial. May 9, 1986. p. 54.