KZJO Television: A History of Seattle's Channel 22
The story of channel 22 in Seattle is a complex journey of shifting identities, financial struggles, and corporate mergers. From its origins as a struggling independent UHF station to its current role as a Fox-owned outlet, the station has mirrored the broader evolution of the American television landscape.
The Early Struggle for Airwaves
The quest for channel 22 began in 1966 when King's Garden applied for the ultra high frequency (UHF)—a band of the radio spectrum above 300 MHz—permit. Although granted, the station was never built. By 1973, Maharishi International University sought the channel for educational and commercial use, but it wasn't until 1982 that the Seattle Broadcasting Corporation finally won the construction permit after a comparative hearing involving several applicants.
Launching on June 22, 1985, as KTZZ-TV, the station became Seattle's first full-service UHF station. Operating from studios on Dexter Avenue North and a tower on Capitol Hill, KTZZ differentiated itself from other independent stations by focusing on children's programming and classic TV shows rather than movies.
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Early Partnerships and Financial Hurdles
To boost its profile, KTZZ partnered with KIRO-TV in the mid-1980s to air Seattle SuperSonics basketball and Seattle Mariners baseball games. However, these deals were limited, as KIRO retained most of the advertising revenue. Financially, the station struggled; many viewers mistakenly believed they could not receive the UHF signal, and local productions like Seattle Bandstand failed due to low ratings.
By 1987, the station sold a 40% stake to US-TV Network, backed by Robert Dudley and Kevin Parry. Despite this cash infusion, the station continued to face payroll cuts and eventually entered involuntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1992, driven by debts from expensive syndicated programming.
The WB Era and Corporate Shifts
A turning point arrived on January 11, 1995, when KTZZ became an affiliate of the newly launched WB Television Network. This affiliation provided a more stable identity, though the station soon became a pawn in larger corporate maneuvers.
In 1998, the station was sold to Emmis Communications and then quickly traded to Tribune Broadcasting. Because FCC rules at the time prohibited owning more than one TV station in a single market, and Tribune also owned KCPQ, KTZZ was placed into a disposition trust. However, a 1999 FCC ruling legalizing television duopolies—the ownership of two stations in one market—allowed Tribune to purchase the station outright.
On April 26, 1999, the station rebranded as KTWB-TV, upgrading its transmitter and antenna to fix long-standing signal deficiencies in the Seattle area.
From MyNetworkTV to Joe TV
The television landscape shifted again in 2006 when The WB and UPN merged to form The CW. KTWB was left out of the merger and instead joined MyNetworkTV, changing its call sign to KMYQ and branding as "MyQ²".
In 2010, Tribune attempted a bold rebranding, renaming the station KZJO and launching the "Joe TV" brand. This identity was designed to be "grittier" and specifically targeted toward a younger male audience, moving away from the traditional MyNetworkTV focus.
The Path to Fox Ownership
The late 2010s saw a series of attempted acquisitions. A 2017 deal to sell Tribune Media to Sinclair Broadcast Group collapsed after the FCC rejected the proposed divestitures. Subsequently, Nexstar Media Group acquired Tribune in 2019.
Following the Nexstar merger, Fox Television Stations purchased both KCPQ and KZJO in a $350 million deal, completed on March 2, 2020. Fox's interest was largely driven by KCPQ's role as the broadcaster for Seattle Seahawks home games. On September 26, 2021, the "Joe TV" branding was retired, and the station was renamed Fox 13+.
Key Facts
- First Launch: June 22, 1985, as KTZZ-TV.
- First UHF Status: Seattle's first full-service UHF television station.
- Call Sign Evolution: KTZZ → KTWB → KMYQ → KZJO.
- Major Affiliations: The WB, MyNetworkTV, and currently Fox.
- Current Branding: Fox 13+.
- Final Acquisition: Purchased by Fox Television Stations in 2020.
| Call Sign | Primary Brand | Key Affiliation | Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTZZ-TV | KTZZ | Independent | 1985–1995 |
| KTWB-TV | The WB | The WB | 1999–2006 |
| KMYQ | MyQ² | MyNetworkTV | 2006–2010 |
| KZJO | Joe TV / Fox 13+ | MyNetworkTV / Fox | 2010–Present |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did KTZZ-TV struggle in its early years?
The station faced financial difficulties due to high costs for syndicated programming and a public perception that the UHF signal was unavailable, even for cable subscribers.
What was the significance of the 1999 FCC ruling for the station?
The FCC legalized television duopolies, which allowed Tribune Broadcasting to own both KCPQ and KTWB (channel 22) simultaneously in the Seattle market.
What was "Joe TV"?
Joe TV was a branding effort launched in 2010 to attract a younger male demographic through a grittier image and a specific mix of syndicated shows.
Who currently owns channel 22?
The station is currently owned by Fox Television Stations, which acquired it from Nexstar Media Group in 2020.
What is the current name of the station?
The station is currently branded as Fox 13+.