21 Sep KAUT Freedom 43 Celebrates 35th Anniversary
Independent Station Founded By Gene Autry Growing In OKC
On September 24, 1980, history was made in Oklahoma City with the launch of KAUT, channel 43, now known as KAUT Freedom 43 TV. The local television station was founded by film and television legend Gene Autry, also known as the singing cowboy. To celebrate the milestone KAUT Freedom 43 TV will air promotional spots about the station, its history and new programming. There are also plans to do surprise giveaways in honor of KAUT’s 35th anniversary.
When it launched in 1980, KAUT was a public all-news format for the first part of the day and a subscription-based service station at night. Soon the station began airing Westerns featuring Gene Autry himself. Over time, the station carried country music shows, a local dance program featuring well-known local DJ Ronnie Kaye, and Oklahoma City’s favorite vampire Count Gregore hosted horror movies. “I can’t believe how time has just flown by. Hosting Count Gregore Horror Theater was fun. But I was also the sales manager at KAUT. I recall we also did a great job producing live television promotions and commercials,” said John Ferguson (aka Count Gregore).
“It is amazing to be celebrating the 35th anniversary of KAUT. The station has changed immensely over the years. We have a committed news staff that contributes to our successful morning newscast Rise & Shine as well as our early/late newscast at 9:00 pm. MASH remains a late night staple at 10:00 and 10:30 pm and comedies like The Middle and Everybody Loves Raymond are very popular,” said Wes Milbourn, President and General Manager of KFOR NewsChannel 4 and KAUT FREEDOM 43 TV.
The station also launched a new fall line-up this month with two new judge shows on weekday mornings, America’s Court with Judge Ross and Justice for Judge Mablean. Crime Watch Daily, which can be seen weekdays at 4:00 pm, features compelling crime related stories. Popular dramas such as Elementary, Person of Interest and Rookie Blue have joined Blue Bloods for a Sunday night drama block from 7:00 pm to midnight.
KAUT Freedom 43 is a strong, independent TV station previously affiliated with the United Paramount Network, Fox Network, My Network TV and PBS. In December of 2013, Tribune Media purchased KFOR NewsChannel 4 and KAUT Freedom 43 TV from Local TV LLC.
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About KAUT
KAUT Freedom 43, an independent station, is owned by Tribune Media Company (NYSE: TRCO) which is home to a diverse portfolio of television and digital properties driven by quality news, entertainment and sports programming. Tribune Media is comprised of Tribune Broadcasting’s 42 owned and operated local television stations reaching more than 50 million households, national entertainment network WGN America, available in approximately 71million households, Tribune Studios and Gracenote, one of the world’s leading sources of TV and music metadata powering electronic program guides in televisions, automobiles and mobile devices. Tribune Media also includes Chicago’s WGN-AM, the national multicast networks Antenna TV and THIS TV. Additionally, the company owns and manages a significant number of real estate properties across the U.S. and holds other strategic investments in media. For more information please visit www.tribunemedia.com.