The Last Days of WCAN-TV 25 Milwaukee
This write-up from the January 22nd 1955 edition of TV Guide tells the sad story of one TV stations demise a mere 1 year and 6 months after the station signed on the air. At 11:25 P.M. Central Time on 6 September 1953, WCAN signed on and became the first UHF and second overall television station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The first broadcast consisted of workers being interviewed while they were installing the transmitter on the tower in inclement weather. That tower was built atop the Schroeder Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. WCAN was owned by Midwest Broadcasting, headed by Lou Poller; Poller had originally applied for channel 12, but fearing long FCC hearings, amended his application to channel 25. Midwest Broadcasting received a CP for channel 25 on February 4, 1953. Poller began to construct facilities at 723 N. 3rd St. He also signed an affiliation agreement with CBS. The station's official debut was on September 7, 1953. On March 9, 1954, Edward R. Murr...