The station signed on July 8, 1954 as an independent station and was originally owned by Milt and Hinlein. In 1955, KDRO-AM-TV was sold to Deare Publications. In 1957, Hinlein sold one half interest of KDRO-TV to several station employees. In 1958, KDRO became an ABC affiliate. However, ABC refused to give a network feed to channel 6 to protect the rights of KMBC-TV (channel 9) in Kansas City.
1958–1959[]
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KMOS-TV[]
1959–1961[]
In 1959, KMBC's then-owners, the Cook Paint and Varnish Company purchased KDRO and became a full-satellite of KMBC. The station was renamed to KMOS-TV. In 1960, Cook Paint sold its stations, including KMOS-TV to Metropolitan Broadcasting (later known as Metromedia). Metropolitan later sold channel 6 to the Jefferson City News Tribune, owner of CBS affiliate KRCG (channel 13) that same year.
1961–1978[]
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In 1961, KMOS became a CBS affiliate but continued to air ABC on a secondary basis until 1971. In 1966, KMOS-TV and KRCG were sold to Kansas City Southern Industries. In 1978, Kansas City Southern donated KMOS-TV to Central Missouri State University (currently known as University of Central Missouri). The station went silent on August 15 of that same year and was off-air for 16 months to recieve a technical overhaul.
1979–1991[]
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The station returned to the air on December 22, 1979 as a PBS station. Previously, cable providers piped KETC (channel 9) from St. Louis, KCPT (channel 19) from Kansas City or PBS' national feed.