Drewry Communications: A History of Broadcasting in Texas and Oklahoma
The legacy of Drewry Communications is a testament to the growth of regional media in the American Southwest. Founded by Ransom H. Drewry, the company evolved from a single radio station in Oklahoma into a significant broadcasting entity spanning multiple states and platforms, navigating the complexities of the media landscape from the 1940s through the mid-2010s.
The Early Years: Radio and Television Foundations
The company's origins date back to 1941, when Ransom H. Drewry established radio station KSWO (1380 AM) in Lawton, Oklahoma. Expanding his reach, Drewry launched a second station, KRHD (1350 AM), in Duncan in 1947. The call letters for KRHD were derived from Drewry's own initials.
In 1953, Drewry transitioned into television. Alongside partners J.R. Montgomery, T.R. Warkentin, Robert P. Scott, and G.G. Downing, he founded KSWO-TV (channel 7) in Lawton. Serving as the city's ABC affiliate, the station officially signed on the air on March 8, 1953.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Expansion and Diversification
Following the death of Ransom H. Drewry, his sons, Robert and Bill Drewry, assumed leadership and aggressively expanded the company's footprint across northern Texas. A pivotal move occurred in 1976 when Drewry, partnering with Ray Herndon (the majority owner of KMID-TV), acquired the CBS affiliate KFDA-TV (channel 10) in Amarillo via Amarillo Telecasters.
The 1990s and early 2000s saw a wave of strategic acquisitions, including:
- KTPX-TV (now KWES-TV) and satellite KWAB-TV in 1991.
- KXXV-TV in Waco in 1994.
- K60EE (now KTLE-LD) in Odessa in 2001.
- KSCM-LP in Bryan in 2006.
- KEYU in Amarillo in 2009.
While the company focused heavily on television, its relationship with radio fluctuated. In 1998, Drewry sold KSWO radio, KRHD, and KRHD-FM to Monroe-Stephens Broadcasting. However, the company returned to the radio sector in 2002 with the purchase of KTXC (104.7 FM) in Lamesa, Texas, and later acquired KRGN (102.9 FM) in 2014, rebranding it as the Spanish-language station KEYU-FM.
Market Volatility and Strategic Partnerships
The late 2000s brought significant financial challenges and shifts in ownership strategy. On July 1, 2008, Drewry Communications announced a deal to sell its eleven television stations to the Dallas-based London Broadcasting Company for $115 million. Although the FCC approved the transaction, the deal was terminated in January 2009 due to market uncertainties caused by the Great Recession.
To optimize operations, Drewry Communications entered a joint sales and shared services agreement with Hoak Media, the owner of KAUZ-TV, on July 31, 2009. Under this arrangement, KSWO-TV provided advertising and promotional services for KAUZ, though both stations maintained separate news operations and studio facilities in Lawton and Wichita Falls.
The Raycom Media Acquisition
The final chapter of Drewry Communications as an independent entity began on August 10, 2015, when Raycom Media announced the purchase of the company for $160 million. This acquisition included eleven television stations as well as KTXC and KEYU-FM, marking Raycom's return to radio ownership for the first time since 2000.
As part of the transition, American Spirit Media purchased KAUZ-TV from Hoak Media. To comply with FCC regulations, the joint sales agreement between KSWO and KAUZ was terminated upon the sale's closure on December 1, 2015, although the stations continued to be jointly operated.
Key Facts
- Founder: Ransom H. Drewry (established KSWO in 1941).
- First TV Station: KSWO-TV, launched March 8, 1953.
- Major Sale: Acquired by Raycom Media in 2015 for $160 million.
- Failed Merger: A $115 million deal with London Broadcasting Company collapsed in 2009 due to the Great Recession.
- Regional Reach: Operated stations across Oklahoma and northern Texas, including Amarillo, Waco, and Midland.
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Company Founding | KSWO radio established in Lawton, OK. |
| 1953 | TV Entry | KSWO-TV (ABC affiliate) signs on. |
| 1976 | Amarillo Expansion | Acquisition of KFDA-TV. |
| 2009 | Strategic Alliance | Shared services agreement with KAUZ-TV. |
| 2015 | Final Acquisition | Sold to Raycom Media for $160 million. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Drewry Communications?
Ransom H. Drewry founded the company, starting with the launch of radio station KSWO in Lawton, Oklahoma, in 1941.
Why did the 2008 sale to London Broadcasting Company fail?
Although the FCC approved the $115 million deal, London Broadcasting filed a notice of non-consummation in January 2009 because of market uncertainties resulting from the Great Recession.
What was the relationship between KSWO-TV and KAUZ-TV?
The two stations entered a joint sales and shared services agreement in 2009, where KSWO-TV handled advertising and promotion for KAUZ, while both maintained separate news and studio operations.
How much was Drewry Communications sold for in 2015?
Raycom Media purchased Drewry Communications for $160 million, a deal that included eleven television stations and two radio stations.
Which radio stations did the company own at the time of the Raycom sale?
At the time of the sale in 2015, the company owned KTXC (104.7 FM) in Lamesa and KEYU-FM (102.9 FM) in Amarillo.