ST. LOUIS — 5 On Your Side first went on the air 74 years ago today, and we're celebrating!
It all started on Feb. 8, 1947.
It was known as KSD and became St. Louis' first television station.
There wasn't a big audience. There were only about four television sets in the entire viewing area.
Programming that first day consisted of news, interviews, dancing, and a sports show with Cardinals broadcasters Harry Caray and Gabby Street and a player named Joe Garagiola.
Sports filled a lot of programming time, but so did other shows created just for TV, including a cooking show.
A radio executive named George Burbach brought television to St. Louis, and the early reviews were good.
"I would like to talk to you about the good people of St. Louis and how it's getting along,” a reporter asks Burbach. “We seem to be doing a good job out there and are not getting many complaints,” replied Burbach.
In the early 1960s, Channel 5 became the first St. Louis television station to broadcast in color.
"Everybody wanted it,” said Cliff St. James, who played Corky the Clown on a famous KSDK children’s show.
“Of course, Channel Five was the leader in that respect. We got the first color cameras. But they certainly weren't going to put the first news program in color. They thought, what the heck anything goes in a clown show. We could be purple one day, and green the next, and apple colored the next. But while they were tweaking the technology, they were getting ready to get the big move into the news."
St. James passed away in 2016, at the age of 91.
Of course, the technology has changed dramatically over the years, from film, to video tape, to the digital newsgathering of today.
But what will never change is our commitment to bringing you all of the news from our community. From epic floods, like the one we saw in 1993, to a visit by a Pope.
From World Series celebrations, to a Super Bowl parade, and even a Stanley Cup.
Brought to you throughout the years by so many faces you know, and people who are just like you.
We wouldn't be able to do it without you, and in everything we do, serving you is at the heart of our mission.
So, happy 74 years of KSDK television, St. Louis!
Now, let's get started on bringing you your news for at least the next 74 years.