Back In Time: “Oklahoma’s Television Pioneers” premiere screening and panel discussion
June 23, 1 p.m.–3 p.m.
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On Monday, June 23, from 1 to 3 p.m., the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) and the Oklahoma History Center Museum (OHCM) will host the free premiere screening of an OETA Back in Time series episode titled “Oklahoma’s Television Pioneers.” The event will be held in the Chesapeake Event Center and Gallery at the Oklahoma History Center.
Back in Time is OETA’s award-winning documentary series that delves into significant people, events, and stories that have shaped Oklahoma’s history. The next episode focuses on those who helped launch television stations in Oklahoma and the groundbreaking work that followed.
It all started with a big wooden box and a tiny screen. In homes across Oklahoma, the soft glow of television became a nightly ritual. As if by magic, the void gave way to something extraordinary: faces flickered to life, stories unfolded, and a whole new world emerged in black and white. For many, it was more than entertainment, it was a front-row seat to a new frontier. From the grainy haze of early broadcasts came a revolution that would transform living rooms into theaters, newsrooms, and windows to the world.
But the real magic happened inside the studios. With little more than creativity and grit, local stations filled the airwaves with original programming that captured the imagination of a growing audience. Long before 24-hour cable networks and streaming services, television was built by passionate storytellers who wore many hats… anchors, writers, directors, set builders, and sometimes all at once.
Weather forecasters braved chalkboards and paper maps, while local sports and breaking news brought neighbors closer together. Audiences weren’t just watching, they were connecting, laughing, learning, and dreaming. Decades later, the memories remain vivid for those who helped shape the early years of broadcast television.
The newest episode of Back in Time features rare archival footage, heartfelt interviews, and a treasure trove of nostalgia to tell the story of those who lit the spark and turned static into a symphony.
There will be a panel discussion after the screening. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed during the program do not necessarily represent those of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
“Weather girl” Lola Hall tracks weather temperatures for Oklahoma and the weather nationwide on a large chalkboard-style glass board for viewers of Channel 9 in the fifties (23027.2, Lola Hall Collection, OHS).
