California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc.
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California Oregon Broadcasting Incorporated (or COBi for short) is a family-owned broadcast franchise based in Medford, Oregon. It was founded in 1953 by William B. Smullin and is the owner of KOBI-TV Channel 5M (now known as NBC 5) in Medford and KOTI-TV Channel 2K (NBC 2) in Klamath Falls, Oregon (now a repeater station for KOBI). Smullin is also credited for starting KRCR-TV Channel 7R (now News Channel 7) in Redding, California in 1956, a station which is now owned by Bluestone Television. This station is best known for its logo of an interstate highway sign that is still used today. It was also used by KRCR until 1995.
COBi is now run by Mr. Smullin's daughter, owner and president Patricia C. "Patsy" Smullin, and continues to be one of the only remaining family-owned television companies in the country. It is the longest, continuously independent broadcast group in the West and one of the three oldest in the country. Their number one interest is localism! Robert Wise, formerly general manager of KRCR, now serves as the company's vice president and general manager.
Viewers in 12 counties in Oregon and California receive programming from Channels 5 and 2. The stations hold a number of television "firsts" in their over 50 year history. KOBI was the first VHF television station in Oregon. It was the first TV station in Medford to offer local color programming, the first station to operate in stereo, the first Medford station to employ electronic news gathering technology, and was the first Medford station with statewide microwave news coverage.
Bill Smullin, who died in the early 1990's, is best known for a mission statement he shared during a rare television interview in 1983 as the company and the station celebrated their 30th anniversary (and it's still true today): "Maintenance-free television is so vitally important to the American people. It's vitally important for the simple reason that communications with the people helps preserve our national institutions and including the freedom which we enjoy under the United States of America flag."
COBi celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003 with a look back at its beginnings and where it is today. The stations (KOBI & KOTI) are affiliates of the NBC Television Network.
In addition, COBi also owns KLSR-TV (Fox) and KEVU-LP (My Network TV), both in Eugene, Oregon.
