KDUB-TV

Being written

KDUB-TV. The founder and president of KDUB-TV was Gerald L. Green who died on June 2, 1993 in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to the station, Green was the general manager of CLEMENS MOTOR SALES. In 1982 he moved to Arizona where he operated a financial services business. (1)

KDUB-TV, owned by Dubuque Communication Corporation, was Dubuque's first television station. In October, 1969 the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a zoning reclassification for 3.2 acres of land west of Key West so that studios for the station could be constructed. Green announced plans for full-color telecasting of local and ABC-network programs on UHF-Channel 40 by January or February, 1970. (2)

The formation of the station caused many changes in local broadcasting. Dubuque TV-FM Cable Company gave the new station its channel 13 slot then held by WREX-TV from Rock Island. The cable company said the cable had 13 openings which were all being used, but KDUB-TV being a local station had to be accommodated. WREX-TV was moved to channel 4 where it shared a slot with Rock Island station WHBF-TV. Viewers not using cable could access KDUB-TV with an antenna. The effect of KDUB-TV on Cedar Rapids's station KCRG-TV, also an ABC affiliate was to be studied by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). KCRG was then the only station with ABC programming available through use of a translator in East Dubuque. Since KDUB-TV could offer local and ABC programming, the recommendation was expected that KCRG-TV be banned. (3) KDUB-TV alternated local features with ABC programs during its broadcast day.

The ban did take place, but in October 1971 KCRG petitioned the FCC to reactivate its UHF translator. KCRG officials cited as its reason was that KDUB-TV Channel 40 had cut its broadcast hours in half on September 22nd leaving many viewers in Dubuque without ABC programming. (4)

On November 1, 1971 KDUB-TV was named as one of five television stations involved in an FCC investigation of bribes offered to ABC to become an affiliate. (5) On January 15, 1973 FCC hearing examiner Frederick W. Denniston found no reason to charge KDUB-TV and approved its broadcasting license. This decision was appealed by the Broadcast Bureau of the FCC challenging 41 of 49 "findings of fact." This took the case to the FCC Review Board and then, if necessary to the federal courts. (6) On February 25, 1974 the Federal Communications Commission ruled that it would not review a decision of the FCC Board which meant that KDUB would receive its broadcasting license. (7)

Amid the legal difficulties Channel 40 announced in January, 1972 that it would be one of nine stations in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan to broadcast a 10-week extension course on drugs in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The course offered undergraduate or graduate credit to viewers who paid tuition and passed two objective examinations. (8)

KDUB challenged the license renewal of three Chicago stations owned by the American Broadcasting Company in 1973. The complaint alleged that ABC should have been more careful in hiring Thomas G. Sullivan, the former head of the network's affiliate relations. Sullivan had been convicted of taking bribes to grant network affiliations and was a witness against KDUB's license. The challenge did not outline the falsehoods Sullivan had included in his employment application or any complaints against the three Chicago stations. KDUB eventually dropped its license complaint against the stations in April, 1974. (9)

In January 1974 Dubuque Communications Corporation filed a protest with the FCC trying to block TH Inc. later WOODWARD COMMUNICATIONS, INC. from renewing its license for KDTH-AM and KFMD-FM. In its filing, the company alleged collusion between KDTH and the Telegraph Herald in its portrayal of KDUB-TV. (10)

During August, 1974 WQAD and its parent company negotiated for the possible purchase of KDUB. The company's stockholders finally rejected the idea. (11) On Monday, September 30, 1974 KDUB-TV ceased its broadcasting with the announcement that the community's financial support was not adequate to remain on the air. This touched off two petition drives to keep the station on the air. By Thursday, technicians from RCA Corp. were making an inventory of the nearly $1 million of unpaid-for equipment it was repossessing. (12) Two area colleges attempted to keep the equipment in Dubuque using it for an education station, but those ideas failed. LORAS COLLEGE considered outright ownership, partnership with a broadcaster with student labor in training, or taking advantage of its tax-exempt status. (13) These ideas proved unworkable. In early October, Dubuque Communication Corporation investors were informed that its debts were so large that liquidation of the company would probably leave them with nothing. (14)

In June, 1975 KDUB-TV asked the FCC for permission to remain off the air for another three months while it attempted to get is financial condition corrected. When the station went off the air in September, 1974 it had been granted an Authorization to Remain Silent from the FCC. This had been extended once before. Representatives of KDUB were at the time in negotiations with William Dyke, a political figure in Wisconsin, who was interested in acquiring the license. (15)

Several stockholders of Channel 40 began efforts in January 1976 to put the station back on the air. Local businesses were approached about investing in a reorganized station operation as an affiliate of the American Broadcasting Company. The station would used miniaturized broadcasting equipment from a downtown studio. (16) In March the station was purchased by Lloyd Hearing Aid Corporation of Rockford for $35,000. The station wold have the same full-color capacity, same KDUB call letters broadcast on the same UHF channel 40, be an affiliate of the American Broadcasting Company, cover the same area and use the telephone number. In June the station had begun installing studio equipment at its rented space on the ninth floor of the DUBUQUE BUILDING and positioned its transmitter equipment at its southwest Wisconsin tower. (17)

KDUB_TV returned to the air on September 12 1976. The first program opened with the ringing of the TOWN CLOCK, film of the studio being constructed, an introduction of employees and dignitaries, and 15 minutes of clips from the bicentennial musical production "Get The Lead Out." At 7:00 p.m. the station switched to ABC programming with local news presented at 10:00 p.m. (18)

The 1977 through 1993 Dubuque City Directory listed 930 Cycare Plaza. In early 1994 KDUB-TV announced that it would be broadcasting from TOWN CLOCK PLAZA. The station purchased the building that had been previously owned by Square Meals restaurant. (19)

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Source:

1. Webber, Steve. "Colorful KDUB-TV Founder Dies in Arizona at 65," Telegraph Herald, June 5, 1993, p. 3A

2. TC Station's Zoning Gets County Okay," Telegraph-Herald, October 29, 1969, p. 4

3. Walters, Steve. "KDUB-TV Going On Airwaves Sunday," Telegraph Herald, May 28, 1970, p. 11

4. "KCRG-TV Seeks Service Here," Telegraph Herald, October 26, 1971, p. 10

5. Miller, Jim. "Link KDUB-TV to FCC Bribe Probe," Telegraph Herald, November 3, 1971, p. 1

6. "Decision Okaying KDUB License is Appealed," Telegraph Herald, March 7, 1973, p. 14

7. FCC Approval for KDUB License," Telegraph Herald, February 28, 1974, p. 1

8. "KDUB to Televise Course on Drugs," Telegraph Herald, January 16, 1972, p. 5

9. "KDUB Drops Chicago Action," Telegraph Herald, April 17, 1974, p. 13

10. Webber

11. McCormick, John. "Rescue Bid for Local T. V. Falters," Telegraph Herald October 11, 1974, p. 1

12. "Petitions Urge Community Support to Help KDUB-TV Go Back on Air," Telegraph Herald, October 3, 1974, p. 9

13. "Loras Exploring KDUB Revival," Telegraph Herald, October 6, 1974, p. 1

14. "KDUB Investors Discuss Debts," Telegraph Herald, October 8, 1974, p. 6

15. "Channel 40 Bid Made; Delay Sought," Telegraph Herald, June 30, 1975, p. 4

16. "Money Sought to Put KDUB-TV Back on the Air," Telegraph Herald, January 28, 1976, p. 7

17. Brimeyer, Jack. "KDUB-TV on Air in July?" Telegraph HeraldItalic text, June 20, 1976, p. 1

18. "KDUB-TV on the Air," Telegraph Herald, September 12, 1976, p. 20

19. Bergstrom, Kathy. "KDUB-TV to Move to New Broadcast Site," Telegraph Herald, August 28, 1993, p. 3A