KDTN Channel 2 Collection
Scope and Content
This collection contains documents and records, charts, clippings, correspondence and ephemera that were created by members of Denton Channel 2 Foundation, Inc. and North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. The KDTN Channel 2 Collection is housed in two manuscript boxes, one half-manuscript box and two oversize folders totaling 1.2 linear ft.
The collection was donated in good condition with no overall arrangement and was thus arranged chronologically. The archivist identified two distinct series with the first being the Internal Documents Series. This series contains documents for the application for funding and construction of a station as well as a later financial analysis.
The second series is the Litigation Series which contains briefs, exhibits and other legal documents pertaining to the litigation between Denton Channel 2 Foundation, Inc., the Federal Communication Commissions and competing corporate entities.
Dates
- 1977 - 2013
- Majority of material found within 1977 - 1984
Creator
- North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. (Creator, Organization)
Language of Materials
Collection is in english.
Access Restrictions
Materials in this collection are open for research.
Literary Rights Statement
Permission to publish material from this collection in any form, current or future, must be obtained from the Special Collections Department of the Denton Public Library.
Historical Sketch
In 1952 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued its Sixth Report and Order which established 242 channels for noncommercial educational use. One of these was assigned to the City of Denton as Very High Frequency (VHF) Channel 2. During twenty-five years of non-use there were several attempts to apply for reallocation with the FCC, but all were denied. President of North Texas State University (NTSU), J.C. Matthews stated that a station was never established because of the prohibitive cost.
In 1977 KERA filed an application to operate the Channel 2 frequency and ultimately build a transmitter outside of Denton city limits. The Presidents of both Denton universities, Mary Evelyn Huey (Texas Women's University) and C.C. Nolen (NTSU) as well as the superintendent of Denton Independent School District, Robert McGee opposed the application seeking extra time to secure funds for construction. Several local civic and business leaders raised money to support the station, among them Newton Rayzor, Roy Appleton, Frank Martino, Bill Utter Sr., W.C. Orr and several others.
A prolonged legal battle for a construction permit, exacerbated by a change in the suitability for a transmitter location due to aviation clearances, eventually ended in 1984 with an agreement between KERA and the Denton Channel 2 Foundation, Inc. North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. (NTPB) was created and bylaws instituted that guaranteed a percentage of board seats to citizens of Denton. Also as part of the agreement, the board of NTPB contributed to a studio facility on the University of North Texas (UNT) campus and agreed to run a number of UNT produced shows. The station first signed on the air in 1988.
In 2003 the NTPB Board of Directors sold the Channel 2 license to Daystar with amended bylaws protecting the positions of Board members appointed by the City of Denton.
- Source
- Felber, Mark D. Channel 2, Denton, Texas: A Retrospective, thesis, August 1978; Denton, Texas. (digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc504575/: accessed February 14, 2019), University of North Texas Libraries, Digital Library, digital.library.unt.edu.
- Source
- KDTN Channel 2 Collection, Denton, Texas Collection, Special Collections, Denton Public Library.
Extent
1.2 Linear Feet (Two manuscript boxes, one half manuscript box, one oversize folder (22¾ x 31) and one oversize folder (19 x 25).)
Abstract
KERA Dallas/Fort Worth expressed interest in establishing another educational television station in 1977 using Denton's designated Channel 2 frequency. After a prolonged period of litigation to determine licensing and obtain a construction permit, a settlement agreement was reached with KERA in 1984. North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. was formed with the merging of the Denton Channel 2 Foundation, Inc. and KERA. This collections contains internal documents of the Denton Channel 2 Foundation, Inc. and North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. as well as legal papers for the final determination of the use of the frequency.
Series Description
The KDTN Channel 2 Collection is arranged in two series:
Series I. Internal Documents
0.7 Linear ft. (one manuscript box and ten folders), 1977-2013.
Arranged chronologically.
Series II. Litigation
0.5 Linear ft. (one half-manuscript box and two folders), 1982-1984.
Arranged chronologically.
Provenance Statement
The KDTN Channel 2 Collection was donated to Special Collections, Denton Public Library by Douglas J. Chadwick on behalf of members of the Board of Directors of North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. on 2018-04-20.
Note to Researcher
The materials in this collection are in good condition. Metal fasteners were removed to prolong the life of materials. Aviation charts and clippings are housed separately in oversize boxes. Personal email addresses found on the Business Analysis located in Series I, Box 2, Folder 7 have been redacted for privacy, but the names of recipients remain visible. Transmitter Tower Brochures, Series I, Box 2, Folder 5, were found with correspondence about transmitter placement located in the same series and box, Folder 4.
Materials Removed List
0.3 linear ft. of duplicate materials and superfluous folders and bindings were de-accessioned and will be returned to the donor or destroyed upon donor's request.
- Denton Channel 2 Foundation, Inc. Subject Source: Local sources
- Denton, Texas Collection Subject Source: Local sources
- Educational television stations Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- KERA Dallas/Ft. Worth (Television station) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Television frequency allocation Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Creator
- North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. (Creator, Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the KDTN Channel 2 Collection, 1977-2009
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Matthew Davis
- Date
- 2019-02-19
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English (eng)
- Edition statement
- First revision by Matthew Davis. 2019-02-14.
Repository Details
Part of the Denton, Texas Collection Repository
Emily Fowler Central Library
502 Oakland St.
Denton TX 76201 USA
940-349-8782
matthew.davis@cityofdenton.com