The Griffin roots go back more than 100 years and the business can be traced back to radio in the 1930s, but television changed everything when KWTV signed on December 20, 1953.
From those pioneering roots, Griffin Media outreach has grown and led to numerous “firsts.” These include:
Not one to rest on their laurels, Griffin Media continues to innovate and lead while drawing on the lessons of the past.
John Taylor Griffin starts Griffin Grocery Company in McAlester
Griffin Grocery starts manufacturing food products
The company moved to Muskogee
Griffin Radio signs on in Oklahoma City and Tulsa - KOMA and KTUL
Griffin Waffle Syrup debuts (you know you love it!)
Griffin Television's KWTV (News 9) signs on in Oklahoma City
News 9 begins broadcasting from the world's tallest tower - 1,572 feet
Griffin exits radio business to concentrate on television
News 9 installs the first weather radar at a television station in the country
On-air premiere of first color radar in Oklahoma on News 9
News 9 starts using a helicopter for news gathering; the first in Oklahoma
News 9 installs the first commercial use Doppler radar in the country; first live broadcast of a tornado
News 9 issues the first radar driven advance warning of a tornado in the nation
News 9 debuts the first television satellite truck in the Southwest. John Toole Griffin passes away; Martha Watson Griffin becomes Chairwoman
David and John Griffin begin leading the company
John Griffin becomes president of Griffin Foods and David Griffin becomes president of Griffin Television
News Now 53 (News Nine NOW), a partnership with Cox, is started in Oklahoma City
Griffin Communications purchases News On 6
Griffin created NewsOK.com with The Oklahoman
News Now 53/News On 6 Now expands into Tulsa
Purchased KQCW (KWBT) in Tulsa
Griffin sold its stake in NewsOK and started News9.com
Broke ground on the Griffin Communications Media Center
Purchased KSBI in Oklahoma City
Purchased KSBI in Oklahoma City
Created Griffin Outdoor
Formed Griffin Investments
Purchased Stokely Billboards in Tulsa
Purchased Scripps Radio in Tulsa - KHTT, KVOO, KXBL, & KRQV
Griffin Communications became known as Griffin Media