KVOS... A Unique Past...and Present!

Me-TV KVOS History:

….June 3, 1953.  A pioneer-spirited broadcaster named Rogan Jones launches KVOS TV and brings the miracle of television to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Billed as “Your Peace Arch Station, serving Northwest Washington and British Columbia”, the station’s inaugural broadcast was a BBC Kinescope of the Coronation ceremonies of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. With Western Canada having no stations on the air at that time the British government flew the films from London, England to Vancouver. The RCMP then escorted them to the border where Washington State Patrol took over and sped them to Jones waiting in Bellingham, arriving just in time for airing.

In 1954, placement of a powerful transmitter on Orcas Island boosted the signal and the station became a steadfast friend to viewers and advertisers throughout BC’s Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

In the ensuing years a host of program ‘legends’ debuted over KVOS TV airwaves including ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’, ‘60 minutes’ and ‘Red’s Classic Theatre‘ to name just a few. Baby boomers fondly recall ‘Frisky Frolics’ and ‘Funorama’ as a vibrant part of growing up in the region.

Unique in North America and recognizing the fact that most of its audience and advertising base resided in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, KVOS subsequently became the only station in America to incorporate in Canada. 

At 11:59am on Feb 17, 2009 the analog signal that had been transmitting uninterrupted for 55 years, 259 days faded to black. KVOS Digital has now replaced the analog signal promising another half century of broadcast excellence to one of the most dynamic regions in the world.

 In December 2010 KVOS extended their reach into the Seattle market increasing their overall reach by millions of potential viewers. 

On April 25th, 2011, KVOS launched as a MeTV Affiliate.  What is MeTV?  In a word it’s memorable.  MeTV is a collection of classic award winning programming that features some of the most beloved titles to ever grace the airwaves. KVOS TV really is “Memorable Entertainment Television”. 

In today’s 100+ channel universe, Me-TV KVOS continues to honor its rich tradition with a strong lineup of consistent entertainment favorites. 

Proving that truly great shows never lose their appeal, Me-TV-KVOS TV runs a stable weekly schedule of classics such as ‘Bonanza’, ‘Gunsmoke’, , ‘Perry Mason’, ‘Happy Days’, Cheers, I Love Lucy, All In The Family and ‘Matlock’, that continue to draw audiences of all ages.

For over 58 years KVOS TV has served and been a vital member of two magnificent communities, truly embodying the dual inscriptions on the Peace Arch monument that separates our two nations - "children of a common mother" and “brethren dwelling together in unity.”