View source for KOLR

{{short description|TV station in Springfield, Missouri}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign               = KOLR
| city                   =
| logo                   = KOLR logo.svg
| logo_alt               = Gray wide letters KOLR above a teal, somewhat futuristic 10 with squarish sides. The CBS eye in gray overlaps the 0 in the lower right with a white cutout.
| logo_size              = 175px
| logo_caption           =
| branding               = KOLR 10; ''KOLR 10 News'' (pronounced as "Color 10")
| digital                = 10 ([[VHF]])
| virtual                = 10
| subchannels            =
| translators            =
| affiliations           = {{ubl|'''10.1:''' [[CBS]]|''for others, see {{Section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner                  = [[Mission Broadcasting, Inc.]]
| licensee               =
| operator               = [[Nexstar Media Group]] via [[local marketing agreement|LMA]]
| location               = [[Springfield, Missouri]]
| country                = United States
| airdate                = {{start date and age|1953|3|15|p=y}}
| last_airdate           =
| callsign_meaning       = Pronounced "color" as in [[color television]]
| sister_stations        = [[KOZL-TV]], [[KRBK]]
| former_callsigns       = {{ubl|KTTS-TV (1953–1971)|KOLR (1971–1976)|KOLR-TV (1976–1985) }}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 10 (VHF, 1953–2009)|'''Digital:''' 52 ([[UHF]], 1999–2009)}}
| former_affiliations    = [[DuMont Television Network|DuMont]] (1953–1955)
| erp                    = 26 [[kW]]
| haat                   = {{convert|631|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id            = 28496
| coordinates            = {{coord|37|13|9.4|N|92|56|57.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority    = [[FCC]]
| website                = {{URL|https://www.ozarksfirst.com/}}
}}
'''KOLR''' (channel 10) is a [[television station]] in [[Springfield, Missouri]], United States, affiliated with [[CBS]]. It is owned by [[Mission Broadcasting]], which maintains a [[local marketing agreement]] (LMA) with [[Nexstar Media Group]], owner of [[MyNetworkTV]] affiliate [[KOZL-TV]] (channel 27) and [[Osage Beach]]–licensed [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[KRBK]] (channel 49), for the provision of certain services. The stations share studios on East Division Street in Springfield, while KOLR's transmitter is located on Switchgrass Road, north of [[Fordland]].
KOLR is the third-oldest television station in Missouri and the oldest outside [[St. Louis]] and [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]]. It began broadcasting on March 15, 1953, as KTTS-TV, the television extension of [[KSGF (AM)|KTTS radio]], and has been Springfield's CBS affiliate since its inception. The station changed its call sign from KTTS-TV to KOLR in 1971, in preparation for a sale of the radio portion of the business. Independent Broadcasting Company, the original and local owners, sold KOLR in 1999 to VHR Broadcasting, which entered into an agreement with channel 27 to combine facilities and sales staffs, among other resources. Nexstar became the operator in 2003 when it bought channel 27's owner, Quorum Broadcasting; simultaneously, Mission acquired KOLR. The station has long been a distant second-place finisher to [[KYTV (TV station)|KYTV]] in local news ratings in the market.
==History==
===Early years===
On July 25, 1952, the Independent Broadcasting Company, owners of Springfield radio stations [[KSGF (AM)|KTTS (1400 AM)]] and [[KTTS-FM]] 94.7, applied to the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) seeking permission to build a station on channel 10 in the city. Company president Jack Cooper submitted the application shortly after Springfield Television applied for channel 3.<ref name="Spri520725">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-ktts-compan/136383469/|date=July 25, 1952|page=1|title=KTTS Company Second Group To Seek TV Channel in City|newspaper=Springfield Leader and Press|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri -->With no other applications to consider, the FCC granted a [[construction permit]] to Independent Broadcasting on October 9; ownership promised that KTTS-TV would be on air within six to eight months.<ref name="Spri521009">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-hopes-to-be/136383490/|date=October 9, 1952|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-tv/136383510/ 4]|title=Hopes to Be on Air in 6–8 Months: Springfield's First TV Station Permit Granted to KTTS Firm|newspaper=Springfield Leader and Press|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The application was approved with such speed that ''The Spectator'' column in the ''Springfield News & Leader'' claimed KTTS was almost "caught with its video down", but plans quickly emerged. KTTS expanded its existing quarters in the Chamber of Commerce Building downtown, moving radio operations into the first floor while devoting the second floor to television.<ref name="Spri521214">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-the-spectat/136383539/|date=December 14, 1952|page=B6|title=The Spectator|newspaper=Springfield News and Leader|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun --> It signed affiliation agreements with [[CBS]] and the [[DuMont Television Network]].<ref name="Spri530123">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-columbia-d/136383563/|date=January 23, 1953|page=1|title=Columbia, Dumont Sign KTTS-TV|newspaper=Springfield Leader and Press|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The initial antenna setup was temporary, intended to be relocated to a higher tower at a later date.<ref name="Spri530215">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-springfield/136383355/|date=February 15, 1953|page=D1|first=Dale|last=Freeman|title=Springfield to Have Two Stations Going by Mid-Summer: A Report to You on Television|newspaper=Springfield News & Leader|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
Shortly after Independent Broadcasting won the permit for channel 10, Springfield Newspapers, headed by Lester Cox, won a permit for channel 3. This set off a pitched battle to bring television to southwest Missouri; according to local attorney Jon Hulston, both had hoped to start operations in time to air the [[1952 World Series]].<ref name="Spri980812">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-remembering/150687754/|title=Remembering the lean years|first=Lisa|last=Wingo|publisher=[[Springfield News-Leader]]|date=December 8, 1998|page=5B}}</ref> KTTS-TV began broadcasting on March 15, 1953, as the third television station in Missouri after [[WDAF-TV]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] and [[KSD-TV]] in [[St. Louis]].<ref name="Chil530316">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chillicothe-constitution-tribune-a-n/136406839/|date=March 16, 1953|page=8|agency=Associated Press|title=A New TV Station at Springfield Now On Air|newspaper=The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune|location=Chillicothe, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> While it missed its goal of airing the 1952 World Series, it was still able to sign on a week before Springfield Newspapers signed on channel 3 as [[KYTV (TV)|KYTV]].<ref name="Spri980812"/> All of its programs were filmed network shows until March 29, when news editor Don Meyer delivered the station's first local newscast.<ref name="Spri530330">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-first-live-t/136383791/|date=March 30, 1953|page=1|title=First Live Telecast Originated Here|newspaper=The Springfield News-Leader|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Shortly after going on the air, Independent Broadcasting announced it had purchased land on Division Street for a new building and {{convert|700|ft|m|adj=on}} tower to serve its television operation.<ref name="Spri531021">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-video-stati/136383610/|date=October 21, 1953|page=13|title=Video Station Plans Building: Construction Starts Within Next Year?|newspaper=Springfield Leader and Press|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> In 1956, the new tower on the site was completed and activated, boosting the station's power to the high-VHF maximum of 316,000 watts.<ref name="Spri560314">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-ktts-tv-boos/136407349/|date=March 14, 1956|page=5|title=KTTS-TV Boosts Power|newspaper=The Springfield News-Leader|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Plans for the new facility progressed after the Chamber of Commerce Building was sold to the [[Guaranty Federal Bancshares|Guaranty Savings and Loan Company]],<ref name="Unio560216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/union-labor-record-ktts-to-build-studio/136407109/|date=February 16, 1956|page=4|title=KTTS To Build Studio|newspaper=Union Labor Record|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> but work did not begin until May 1958,<ref name="Unio580522">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/union-labor-record-ktts-studio/136407639/|date=May 22, 1958|page=4|title=KTTS Studio|newspaper=Union Labor Record|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> and the new studio was occupied in 1959.<ref name="Spri610512">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-first-color/136407810/|date=May 12, 1961|page=1|title=First Color Program in Springfield Forced to Go on Air in Early Morning Hours: Interference Disrupts 5-Star Jubilee Plans|newspaper=Springfield Daily News|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
===Call sign change to KOLR===
In 1971, Independent Broadcasting agreed to sell the KTTS radio stations, which retained rights to the call sign, to Springfield Great Empire Broadcasting, an affiliate of [[KFTI|KFDI]] in [[Wichita, Kansas]].<ref name="Spri710610">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-to-wichita-g/136383903/|date=June 10, 1971|page=44|title=To Wichita Group: KTTS Radio Sale Revealed|newspaper=Springfield Daily News|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> It retained channel 10, which it renamed KOLR (for "color") on November 29, 1971.<ref name="Spri710921">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-kolr-initia/136384571/|date=September 21, 1971|page=13|title=KOLR Initials Asked for KTTS|newspaper=Springfield Leader and Press|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Spri711126">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-ktts-tv-now/136384514/|date=November 26, 1971|page=13|title=KTTS-TV Now KOLR|newspaper=Springfield Leader and Press|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> In 1972, the station applied to build a new, {{convert|2,000|ft|m|adj=on}} tower near [[Fordland]]. Station officials anticipated the new tower, which would be the tallest in the state and one of the tallest in the nation, would more than double KOLR's coverage, providing coverage as far east as [[Rolla, Missouri|Rolla]] and as far west as [[Joplin, Missouri|Joplin]].<ref name="Spri720906">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-near-fordla/136413663/|date=September 6, 1972|page=37|title=Near Fordland: Taller Tower Planned by 10|newspaper=Springfield Leader and Press|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The new mast went into service on October 10, 1973, adding 50,000 new viewers in portions of southwest Missouri and northwest [[Arkansas]].<ref name="Spri731009">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-kolr-switch/136383995/|date=October 9, 1973|page=7|title=KOLR Switches Wednesday: Taller TV Tower Adds to 10's Area|newspaper=Springfield Leader and Press|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --> However, it did little to improve KOLR's ratings in the market; in 1976, its newscasts had less than half as many viewers as their competition on long-dominant KYTV.<ref name="Spri770108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-channel-3-s/136414721/|date=January 8, 1977|page=View 10|first1=Paul|last1=Spinden|first2=Gary|last2=Baldwin|title=Channel 3 swamps survey with 9 of top 10 shows|newspaper=Saturday News and Leader|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
In 1993, KOLR beat KYTV head-to-head in the five-county Springfield metro area for the first time in 35 years. It led by three points at 6 p.m. in the Springfield metro, and 15 points at 10 p.m. While KYTV still held a modest eight-point lead at 6 p.m. in the full 33-county [[designated market area]], the two stations were tied at 10 p.m. By comparison, a decade earlier KOLR attracted barely a third of KYTV's news viewership in all timeslots. The news made the front page of the ''[[Springfield News-Leader]]''. <ref name="Spri930326">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-television/136414969/|date=March 26, 1993|page=1A|first=Ron|last=Sylvester|title=Television: KOLR wins in Nielsen battle|newspaper=The Springfield News-Leader|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Within three years, KYTV regained its customary commanding ratings lead at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., though KOLR held a narrow lead at 5 p.m.<ref name="Spri960625">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-ozarks-toda/136415016/|date=June 25, 1996|pages=6B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-television/136415020/ 10B]|first=Mark|last=Marymont|title='Ozarks Today,' CBS shine in area TV ratings|newspaper=The Springfield News-Leader|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
===VHR and Mission ownership===
The Cooper family, founding owners of KTTS radio in 1940 and majority owners of Independent Broadcasting, opted not to transfer the station to the next generation of their family because of the tax burden involved. In 1998, the Coopers agreed to sell to U.S. Broadcasting, one of four Midwestern companies that had sought to buy channel 10.<ref name="SpBJ980309">{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|205947778}}|date=March 9, 1998|title=Cooper family recalls history of KOLR-10|page=1|first=Karen E.|last=Culp|work=Springfield Business Journal}}</ref> U.S. Broadcasting changed its name to VHR Broadcasting; Victor Rumore became a member of the buying consortium, and the purchase price was reduced to $55.9 million.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Big Deals|first=Kristine|last=Lamm|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=July 27, 1998|page=47|id={{ProQuest|1014787531}} }}</ref> On February 18, 1999, the station assumed operational control for [[KOZL-TV|KDEB-TV]] (channel 27), then the area's [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate owned by Quorum Broadcasting, under paired [[Local marketing agreement|joint sales and shared services agreements]] that united the two stations' sales, production, and promotion units in KOLR's studio building.<ref>{{Cite news|page=1|date=March 1, 1999|title=Stations enter agreement|id={{ProQuest|205958673}}|first=Karen E.|last=Culp|work=Springfield Business Journal}}</ref> Coming into the agreement, KOLR was recognized as stronger in programming and KDEB in sales.<ref>{{Cite news|page=20|title=To compete with the big guys, KSPR gets small|first=Megan|last=Larson|date=May 17, 1999|id={{ProQuest|213655968}}|work=Mediaweek}}</ref> In 2003, VHR Broadcasting sold KOLR to [[Mission Broadcasting]];<ref name="Spri030604">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-new-owner-in/136384334/|date=June 4, 2003|page=22|title=New owner in forecast for KOLR 10|newspaper=The Springfield News-Leader|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> at the same time, [[Nexstar Broadcasting Group]] acquired KDEB.<ref name="Spri031125">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-kolr-anchor/136415067/|date=November 25, 2003|page=5B|first=Karen E.|last=Culp|title=KOLR anchor takes job in Tulsa|newspaper=The Springfield News-Leader|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --> KOLR has been digital-only since April 2009.<ref name="Spri090611">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-full-digital/136414657/|date=June 11, 2009|page=5A|first=Cliff|last=Sain|title=Full digital change hits Friday: Some locals report difficulties with converter boxes|newspaper=The Springfield News-Leader|location=Springfield, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
By 2009, KOLR and KYTV were much closer in total revenue. While KOLR attracted more viewers in prime time, it continued to heavily lag KYTV in ratings for its newscasts; its 10 p.m. newscast attracted barely half as many viewers as KYTV.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=December 12, 2009 |title=Market Eye: Life in TV Town |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-life-tv-town-42069 |access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref> The situation had not significantly changed by 2014, with KOLR's late newscast attracting only half the viewership of KYTV.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=July 21, 2014 |title=Market Eye: Springing New Shows On Viewers |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-springing-new-shows-viewers-132562 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613153336/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-springing-new-shows-viewers-132562 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Subchannels==
The station's signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of KOLR<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KOLR|website=[[RabbitEars]]|title=TV Query for KOLR|access-date=June 5, 2021|archive-date=June 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605104152/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KOLR|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | Channel
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 10.1
| [[1080i]] || rowspan="4"|[[16:9]] || KOLR-DT || [[CBS]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 10.2
| rowspan="3"|[[480i]] || Laff || [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 10.3
| Grit || [[Grit (TV network)|Grit]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 10.4
| DEFY || [[Defy (TV network)|Defy]]
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope="row" | [[KOZL-TV|27.2]]
| rowspan="3"|480i || rowspan="3"|16:9 || Mystery || [[Ion Mystery]] ([[KOZL-TV]])
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6;"
! scope="row" | [[KOZL-TV|27.3]]
| Bounce || [[Bounce TV]] ([[KOZL-TV]])
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6;"
! scope="row" | [[KOZL-TV|27.4]]
| Rewind || [[Rewind TV]] ([[KOZL-TV]])
|}
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://www.ozarksfirst.com/ Official website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140529200056/http://www.springfieldhistorymuseum.org/archives/index.php?Q=KTTS%2F KTTS-TV - Springfield History Museum]
{{Springfield MO TV}}
{{Missouri TV}}
{{Arkansas TV}}
{{NXST TV}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kolr}}
[[Category:1953 establishments in Missouri]]
[[Category:CBS affiliates]]
[[Category:Defy (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Laff (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Nexstar Media Group]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1953]]
[[Category:Television stations in Springfield, Missouri|OLR]]