In the early 1980s, residents were introduced to a bold new form of local media: OKTV-31, the county’s first — and only — low-power television (LPTV) station.
Launched by Okanogan Television, Inc., the station would serve as a local hub for news, entertainment and community events, offering programming that reflected the unique character of the region.
While OKTV became a significant milestone as the first LPTV station in Washington, the station’s short-lived journey was filled with both optimism and obstacles that ultimately led to its closure in 1990.
The story of OKTV is one of community ambition, technological challenges, and the difficulties of being the first small, independent TV station in Washington state.
The idea for OKTV was born in 1982 when Patrick J. Graham, publisher of the Statesman Examiner, attended the LPTV WEST conference in Washington, D.C. At the event, he was inspired by the potential of low-power television.
In a retrospective written for the September 1986 issue of “Lo-Power Community TV,” a low power TV trades publication, Graham reflected, “You don’t have to know how to raise children to have children.” That analogy summarized his own entry into the television business.
Although he confessed, he didn’t “know a megawatt from a megahertz,” Graham was captivated by the possibility of bringing locally produced television to Okanogan County, and he committed to learning the business as he went along.
In February 1984, Okanogan Television, Inc. was awarded its construction permit for channel 31. The broadcast site was located on Omak Mountain, an elevated location more than 6,000 feet above sea level.
Graham, along with John P. Andrist and his father, John E. Andrist, who was co-owner of “The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle,” established the station.
Graham served as president of the new venture, while the Andrists took on leadership roles with John P. Andrist managing the station full-time.
From the outset, OKTV was envisioned as a community-driven station that would blend local content with syndicated programming. The station’s facilities were located on Okoma Drive in south Omak, sharing space with The Chronicle print shop.
The team behind OKTV invested heavily in modern equipment, spending more than $130,000 on broadcast technology to ensure the station could produce high-quality content. The station was ready to go, but the path ahead was anything but easy.
By October1984, the station was broadcasting test signals in preparation for its official programming launch on Oct. 17.
According to an article published in the Oct. 3, 1984, edition of The Chronicle, the programming lineup was designed to be a mix of local shows and syndicated content, including five to six hours of prime-time programming from KCWT in Wenatchee.
(KCWT-27 in Wenatchee went on air as an independent TV station on June 29, 1984, offering a mix of syndicated content and local newscasts. In 1986, KCWT became a satellite station for KAYU in Spokane and adopted the Fox affiliation. After dropping Fox in 1989, KCWT became independent again, airing content from Channel America. In 1991, the station switched to religious programming under Trinity Broadcasting Network, and its newsroom closed. In 1993, a transmitter malfunction forced KCWT off the air, and it ceased operations. Another low-power TV station, KWCC was launched in the mid-'90s by Apple Valley TV. It was acquired by LocalTel in 2015 and re-branded as "NCW Life." In October 2024 it was purchased by The Wenatchee World.)
This arrangement was considered groundbreaking.
As John P. Andrist explained to the newspaper, “I don’t know of any low-power television station that has been able to work out a deal like we have with KCWT... They are real concerned about keeping us autonomous.”
OKTV would broadcast regional news segments from KCWT but also maintain its independence by producing original content like “Okanogan Country Magazine,” a local news show, and “Valley Views,” a commentary program.
The station’s programming covered a wide range of community interests. From telecourses provided by Wenatchee Valley College to high school sports, channel 31 became a reflection of Okanogan County life.
However, despite the station’s promising start, the financial reality of running a low-power television station in a rural area soon became apparent. OKTV struggled to gain viewers, largely because it wasn’t yet available on the local cable system. As Graham recounted in “Lo-Power Community TV,” negotiations with the cable system dragged on for months, leaving OKTV reliant on over-the-air transmission, which had a limited reach in a region unfamiliar with UHF (ultra-high frequency) channels. While OKTV initially secured $20,000 in “Charter” advertising contracts, many advertisers became disillusioned with the station’s limited viewership and chose not to renew. As a result, much of the station’s early revenue was exhausted before they had a solid audience base.
It wasn’t until April 1985, after months of negotiations, that OKTV was finally added to the local cable system. The station began broadcasting not only in Omak and Okanogan but also to neighboring towns to the north, such as Tonasket and Oroville. Things appeared to be turning around for OKTV, as it extended its reach along the Okanogan Valley. With the help of a small but dedicated staff, including two full-time and two part-time employees, the station produced a variety of local programming that resonated with viewers.
Yet, the financial strain continued to weigh on the operation. Despite efforts to cut costs and streamline production, OKTV faced mounting expenses. By the summer of 1986, Graham reported that the station had managed to break even, but profits remained elusive. “It’s been a long uphill trip to regain the money spent on the Omak station,” Graham wrote, emphasizing the station’s ongoing financial challenges.
Ultimately, the financial pressures proved insurmountable. On Nov. 21, 1990, The Chronicle reported that OKTV had ceased operations, and the station’s transmission system was sold to KAYU (FOX affiliate) in Spokane.
According to The Chronicle article, John P. Andrist cited a lack of local advertising sales as the primary reason for the shutdown. Despite the community’s support and the station’s ambitious goals, OKTV was unable to sustain itself in the long term.
Although OKTV-31’s time on the air was brief, the station remains a significant chapter in Okanogan County’s media history. As Washington’s first low-power television station, it broke new ground and provided a platform for local voices and stories. OKTV’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with pioneering ventures but also highlights the community spirit and ambition that made the station possible in the first place.♦
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