AMIA 2024

This session examines the 16mm film collections of KUHT (Houston, TX, first aired May 25, 1953) and WKAR (East Lansing, MI, first aired January 15, 1954), two of the earliest public educational TV stations in the U.S. We will explore the historical context behind their establishment following the FCC’s freeze on new broadcast licenses, highlighting their mission to provide educational and cultural programming. The session reviews their diverse content, from academic subjects to cultural programming, showcasing innovative educational broadcasting approaches. We will also discuss the technical choices between filmed productions and kinescope recordings and their implications for preservation. Finally, we will share strategies for digitizing these collections, including securing funding and overcoming obstacles to ensure these historical materials are accessible to modern audiences.