GPR‑TV: Detroit’s First Black-Owned Television Station and Its 50-Year Legacy

In 1975, Detroit became home to a landmark moment in American media history with the launch of WGPR‑TV, the first television station in the United States owned and operated by African Americans. The station was founded by attorney, minister and entrepreneur Dr. William Venoid Banks, who saw a critical need for television that reflected Black voices, stories and perspectives at a time when mainstream media largely ignored them.

WGPR‑TV debuted on September 29, 1975, broadcasting on Channel 62 with a lineup that stood apart from other local stations. Rather than relying on programs supplied by national networks, WGPR produced the majority of its own content, much of it created by local Detroit writers, producers and performers. Shows like The Scene, a music and dance showcase, and Big City News, a community‑focused newscast, provided platforms for Black talent and stories that were rarely seen elsewhere. The station also embraced technological innovation, becoming one of the first in the Detroit market to broadcast 24 hours a day and to use portable video cameras for news gathering, giving it an edge in covering local events in real time.

Importantly, WGPR served as a training ground for Black broadcasters and media professionals, offering many young Detroiters their first opportunities to work both in front of and behind the camera. Alumni of the station went on to careers at major national networks, helping diversify American media.

After two decades of independent operation, WGPR‑TV was sold to CBS in 1995, ending its era as a Black‑owned station. However, its influence continues to be celebrated. The WGPR‑TV studios now house the William V. Banks Broadcast Museum and Media Center, preserving the station’s history and legacy for new generations. In 2025, Detroit marked the station’s 50th anniversary, honoring its pioneering role in diversifying television and empowering Black media voices.