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KOCE's First Broadcast

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First Day of KOCE Broadcast

In 1972, KOCE began its broadcast with an episode of The Electric Company. The photo above was taken just before we went on the air. It's pretty incredible that the past 50 years all started with this moment.
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This article was updated Jan. 20, 2023.

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The Magic of Bill Alexander

On Making a Happy Splash

How Bill Alexander (a.k.a. "The Happy Painter") brought "The Magic of Oil Painting" to KOCE's audiences.
Morgan and Rita sitting at restaurant table

Our Very First Broadcast

Here’s a blast from the past: the logs from our very first day on the air, including our first show (an episode of "The Electric Company").
Todd Markell on set at KOCE

Come Sail Away With Us!

Upon KOCE's 50th anniversary, here's a vintage video of a classic pledge break from the late 1990s.