I am happy to report that the "13" on the abc13 KTRK studio tower is back on again after many, many years.
What can I say, I am a total sucker for TV studio tower decorations.
Used to love the KHOU call letters on the Allen Parkway studios tower. Didn't the station use to alter them at Christmas time to highlight the HO part to blink ho, ho, ho? Glad they could reuse those in the 5718 Westheimer location.
Wednesday night, KTRK employees had a celebration where station general manager Wendy Granato and Dave Ward flipped the lights on once again on live TV.
The station doesn't give an explanation on its website as to why the lights were off in the first place for I would believe more than a decade. From what I hear, when they turned them back on in the 2000s, there was some kind of interference by the lights. Can't have that at a TV station.
Most likely the new lights are LEDs and probably don't have the same issue. LED lights have been great for TV stations and video production in general! Smaller, less expensive to light a studio or location and certainly nowhere near as hot. Remember when TV lights might catch a gel on fire?
You know me, these days everything relates back to KLOL in some way for my documentary so donate today! From what I understand, the KLOL studio tower did not have any decorations.
UPDATE
Tim Hinson, who is the Vice President, Broadcast Technology/Chief Engineer for KTRK, reached out to me and said about the lights:
"They are indeed LED! The old neon signs burned out just over 20 years ago and just recently we went all LED with almost every interior and exterior light at the station. The timing worked out great to coincide with our 65th anniversary and it’s a great source of pride for those of us who work at ABC 13. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you Tim for the update!
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Dave Ward helps turn on ’13’ KTRK tower lights
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