KATU (TV)

KATU (TV)
Callsign	KATU
City	Portland, Oregon
Branding	KATU ABC
Digital	24 (UHF)
Affiliations	American Broadcasting Company
Owner	E. W. Scripps Company
Licensee	Scripps Broadcasting Holdings LLC
Founded	1962
Airdate	March 15, 1962
Callsign meaning	Oregon (backronym)
Sister stations	KGW
Former channel numbers	VHF 2 (analog, 1962–2009)
Erp	1,000 kW
Haat	509 m
Facility id	34815

KATU (TV) is a television station licensed to Portland, Oregon, United States, broadcasting the American Broadcasting Company network. Owned by the E. W. Scripps Company, the station serves the Portland metropolitan area with local news, syndicated programming, and network shows. KATU operates alongside other Pacific Northwest media outlets and has been a significant broadcaster since its sign-on in 1962.

History

KATU launched on March 15, 1962, during a period of television expansion that included stations such as KOIN (TV), KGW (TV), and KPTV. Early ownership involved business entities linked to national media families active with the American Broadcasting Company affiliate network. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s KATU competed with regional broadcasters connected to companies like Gannett Company, Scripps-Howard, and station groups in the Pacific Northwest. The station navigated technical changes during the analog era, parallel to developments affecting Federal Communications Commission policy, regional transmitter upgrades on peaks such as Mount Scott (Oregon), and industrywide shifts tied to the advent of cable operators including TBS (TV network) and WGN America. In the 1980s and 1990s KATU expanded local news production and talent, interacting with national events like coverage patterns similar to those of NBC News, CBS News, and the Cable News Network. The 2000s digital transition, mandated by the Digital television transition in the United States, saw KATU move from analog VHF channel 2 to digital allocations and participate in multicast services used by contemporary broadcasters such as MeTV affiliates. Corporate consolidation trends involving companies like The E. W. Scripps Company and regulatory considerations from the Department of Justice (United States) shaped later ownership and operational strategies.

Programming

KATU airs programming from the American Broadcasting Company including national series produced by studios such as Warner Bros. Television, Disney Television Studios, and 20th Television. Syndicated offerings have included programs distributed by companies like Hearst Communications, Nexstar Media Group, and former distributors from the King World Productions era. Daytime lineups have featured lifestyle and talk fare comparable to shows on ABC Daytime, while late-night scheduling aligns with inventory from national distributors including Debmar-Mercury and CBS Media Ventures. Sports coverage has connected the station to regional collegiate teams in conferences like the Pac-12 Conference and to national events organized by entities such as ESPN. Special programming has included election coverage tied to the Oregon Secretary of State cycles, local cultural specials referencing institutions like the Portland Art Museum, and public affairs segments involving partnerships with organizations similar to United Way affiliates.

News Operation

KATU's news operation produces morning, midday, evening, and late newscasts competing with KOIN (TV), KGW (TV), and national cable outlets like MSNBC. The station has deployed investigative teams modeled after national teams such as those at ABC News and has covered major regional stories including natural disasters in the Pacific Northwest, civic developments involving the Oregon Legislative Assembly, and high-profile trials in courts like the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Anchors and reporters have come from journalistic backgrounds tied to organizations such as The Oregonian, Associated Press, and local radio stations like KXL (AM). Technological investments included early adoption of HD newscasts and mobile reporting units analogous to those used by networks such as FOX Broadcasting Company affiliates.

Technical Information

KATU broadcasts digitally on UHF channel 24 with PSIP virtual channel 2, in compliance with Federal Communications Commission allocations established during the Digital television transition in the United States. Transmitter facilities are sited on high terrain used by other broadcasters, comparable to installations on Mount Scott (Oregon). The station has multiplexed subchannels historically carrying multicast networks such as MeTV, This TV, and other diginets provided by companies like Weigel Broadcasting and Tegna Inc. KATU has navigated spectrum repack processes administered by the Federal Communications Commission and coordinated with regional licensees like KOPB-TV and cable providers such as Comcast and Spectrum (company) for carriage agreements under retransmission consent frameworks.

Notable On-Air Staff

Prominent on-air personalities who have worked at the station include anchors, meteorologists, and reporters with profiles similar to colleagues at National Weather Service-familiar meteorologists, former national correspondents from ABC News, and investigative journalists who later moved to outlets such as CNN and NBC News. Notable alumni have pursued careers at networks and organizations like Fox News Channel, CBS News, and major newspapers including The New York Times and Los Angeles Times. The station's talent roster has featured professionals awarded by groups such as the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Associated Press.

Community Involvement and Awards

KATU engages in community initiatives, public service campaigns, and charitable partnerships with organizations such as United Way, regional health systems like Oregon Health & Science University, and cultural institutions including the Portland Center Stage. The station has received recognition from industry bodies including the Emmy Awards (National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences) regional chapters, the Associated Press broadcast awards, and civic commendations from entities such as the City of Portland. Community-focused projects have addressed issues relevant to local constituencies, coordinating with nonprofits and municipal agencies akin to collaborations seen between broadcasters and groups like American Red Cross regional chapters.

Category:Television stations in Oregon Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates