KOBI-TV NBC5 was built and put on the air by William B. Smullin in 1953. Mr. Smullin built and put KOTI-TV NBC2 on the air in Klamath Falls in 1956. His daughter, Patricia C. Smullin, has succeeded him as KOBI-TV/NBC5 – KOTI-TV/NBC2’s President. They are the only locally owned TV stations in the Rogue Valley and Klamath Basin. Viewers in 9 counties in Oregon and California receive programming from KOBI-TV/NBC5 – KOTI-TV/NBC2. Both stations hold a number of television “firsts” in their over-50 year history. In Medford, KOBI was the first VHF television station in Oregon. It was the first TV station to offer local color programming, the first station to operate in stereo, the first station to employ electronic news gathering technology, and was the first station with statewide microwave news coverage. KOBI-TV/NBC5 – KOTI-TV/NBC2’s parent company is California Oregon Broadcasting Inc., located in Medford. COBi is the longest, continuously independent broadcast group in the West and one of the three oldest in the country. KOBI and KOTI are NBC Affiliates. Their number one interest is localism!
