Dallas-Fort Worth residents are familiar with KXAS, or Channel 5, but they may not realize that it signed on the air in 1948 as WBAP-TV, the first television news station in Texas.  In fact, it pioneered many broadcast techniques in Texas and the Southwest, including the local newscast, professional weather reporting, all-color news film, and more.  Luckily, speaker Brian Hocker and some of his colleagues at the station were not only aware of the role of WBAP In television history, but wanted to preserve its past.  Through a partnership with the Portal to Texas History which is maintained by the University of North Texas Libraries, Hocker led the charge to save a basement full of invaluable film reels and news scripts so they could be digitized and made available online to the public.  Join us to learn the details of this important preservation success story!

Brian Hocker joined the broadcast industry in 1986, initially holding positions in audience research and advertising.  As Vice-President—Digital Media, Programming, and Research, Hocker is responsible for the purchase, scheduling and production of local and syndicated programs along with general station operations.  Has served in leadership roles in professional organizations such as the A.C. Nielsen Company’s National Policy Guidelines Committee, which advises on policies and practices for the television ratings industry, and the American Marketing Association’s DFW Chapter.  Locally, he volunteers on several community boards including the Cowtown Marathon, where he is the past chairman of the board of directors.

Admission is free and street parking is plentiful!