Stanley E. Hubbard

Stanley E. Hubbard, founder of Hubbard Broadcasting, one of the most successful and innovative companies in the history of the industry, was a true pioneer. He signed on his first station, WAMD Minneapolis, in 1923. It was the first station ever put on the air with the intention of surviving solely from advertising sales, and the first ever to air a 15-minute daily newscast. He founded KSTP Saint Paul/ Minneapolis, one of the country’s most powerful stations, in 1928. Thanks to a deal he made with the Saint Paul Orpheum Theater, KSTP was the first station to put stars like Eddie Cantor, the Marx Brothers, and Jack Benny on the air. In 1938 he bought the first television camera RCA ever sold, and began closed circuit television productions. The television station he founded, KSTP TV, began regular broadcasting in April 1948, the northwest’s first television station, and the first to bring local news coverage to television. It was the nation’s first NBC TV affiliate and became the nation’s first all-color TV station. For his many achievements, the Minnesota Broadcasters Association honored him with its first ever Pioneer Broadcaster award in 1970.

Mr. Hubbard passed away, at the age of 95, on December 27, 1992.