Introduction to Oklahoma News Media
Oklahoma is a state in South-Central united states that was officially annexed to the union on November 16th, 1907, as the 46th state. As of 2019, with a population of 3,956,971, Oklahoma is the 28th-most populous of the 50 United States and the 44th-largest media market in the United States.
Before being annexed to the union, Oklahoma was a part of the Indian Territory & Oklahoma territory. Owing to this, a lot of Oklahoma’s history is rooted in the Indian Territory. The same is the case with the history of the press in Oklahoma, and it can be traced back to the Union Mission in the Indian Territory in the late 1830s.
History of Press in Oklahoma
The first printed materials to be circulated in Oklahoma were in 1834, when Oklahoma was still a part of the Indian Territory. They were pamphlets in various Indian languages printed from the press in Georgia & Tennessee and transported to the Indian Territory for circulation.
First Press in Oklahoma
The first press in Oklahoma was established by the Union Mission in Indian Territory in 1835. It was established by Rev. Samuel A. Worcester to print religious pamphlets to be circulated among the Indian tribes.
Worcester later moved the press to Park Hill in Cherokee Nation in 1837 and began circulating pamphlets & religious publications in Cherokee, Choctaw, and Muskogee languages.
Second Press in Oklahoma & The First Newspaper
Following the establishment of Union Mission press in 1835, Baptist Mission Church quickly established a second press in Cherokee Nation by the early 1840s.
In fact, the Baptist Mission Church can be credited with establishing the first Sunday school in the Indian Territory, a school for training the ministers, Christian workers, home builders, and a paper for informing, indoctrinating and inspiring the people.
The Cherokee Messenger was the first paper to be published in the Oklahoma territory, and it was published from the Baptist Press. The paper first hit the newsstands in 1844.
The Second Newspaper in Oklahoma – The Cherokee Advocate
Within a month after The Cherokee Messenger entered circulation, the second newspaper, The Cherokee Advocate, entered circulation. The paper first hit the newsstands on September 26th, 1844, and it was published in both English & Cherokee.
Unlike the early newspapers, The Cherokee Advocate was quick to gain popularity and readers. The paper remained in circulation until 1906.
Other Early Newspapers in Oklahoma
The success of The Cherokee Advocate, The Cherokee Messenger, did pave the way for many new newspapers in the region.
Choctaw Telegraph was one such newspaper to be published in the Choctaw Nation near the end of 1848. The paper was short lived and was withdrawn from circulation by the end of 1849. It was revived in 1870 and remained in circulation until 1907.
Choctaw Intelligencer was another newspaper to be published in the Choctaw Nation. The paper was printed from the press in Deatsville, and it first hit the newsstands in May 1850.
As of 2020, there are more than 240 newspapers and news websites in Oklahoma. This article will look at some of the top newspapers & news websites in Oklahoma and discuss some interesting facts about them.
Looking for information on top newspapers & news websites in America? Visit the article written by our US media experts.
The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman is a daily newspaper in Oklahoma owned by Gannet. Founded in 1889, the paper is the state’s most trusted source for news and is the largest newspaper in Oklahoma.
History
The paper was founded in 1889 as The Daily Oklahoman by Sam Small. Within a few years after launch, the paper was acquired by The Oklahoma Publishing Company in 1903. Over the years, the paper has undergone a series of mergers, acquisitions, and name changes until it was renamed to The Oklahoman.
What do they publish?
Apart from the newspaper’s printed edition, they also host an online news website with dedicated sections for news, weather, headlines, opinion, business, sports, life, and more. While most contents on the website are available for free to users, access to e-edition is restricted to paid subscribers.
News 9
News 9 is a VHF television station in Oklahoma owned by Griffin Communications. The channel first went on air on December 20th, 1953.
News Operation
As of 2020, News 9 broadcasts 39½ hours of locally produced newscasts with 6 hours on weekdays and 9.5 hours on weekends. Apart from these, the channel also airs local weather updates and weather warnings.
News 9 also hosts an online news website that is frequently updated with the latest news & updates. There are dedicated sections on the website for various news, sports, video, contests, careers, and more.
Tulsa World
Tulsa World is a daily newspaper in Oklahoma owned by Lee Enterprises. Founded in the year 1905, the paper presently caters to Tulsa’s city and north-eastern and eastern portions of Oklahoma.
History
As said earlier, the paper first hit the newsstands in the year 1905. It was published by Republican activist James F. McCoy and Kansas journalist J.R. Brady. Over the years, Tulsa World has played an instrumental role in the socio-political scene of Oklahoma.
What do they publish?
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, Tulsa World hosts an online news website with dedicated sections for news, obituaries, opinions, sports, entertainment, and more. The paper also publishes an e-edition that can only be accessed by paid subscribers from the website.
News on 6
News on 6 is a television station in Tulsa, Oklahoma, owned by Griffin Communications. The station first went on air in 1949 and had over the years, became a prominent TV channel in Oklahoma.
News Operation
Compared to the other TV stations in Oklahoma, News on 6 airs more news contents on the channel. As of 2020, they air 48½ hours of locally produced newscasts each week with 8 hours on weekdays and 8.5 hours on weekends combined.
Apart from the TV station, news on 6 also airs an online news portal with dedicated sections for various news, sports, video, contests, careers, and more.
The Express-Star
The Express star is a weekly newspaper in Oklahoma owned by Community Newspaper Holdings inc. The paper was established in 1892 and had since been catering to its readers in Grady County.
What do they publish?
The Express star publishes the printed edition of the newspaper on Thursdays, and it is delivered by mail subscription. They also host an online news website which the readers can access for free. Unlike the weekly newspaper, the paper is frequently with the latest news & updates, and there are dedicated sections on the website for news, sports, entertainment, and local news.
The paper also publishes an e-edition, the access to which is restricted to paid subscribers.
Koco News 5
Koco News 5 is the newscast broadcasted on the KOCO TV channel in Oklahoma. The channel first went on air in 1954, and on July 2nd of the same year, they began their channel operations.
History
The channel began by airing 30 minutes of locally produced news content daily in 1954. By 1958 the channel had increased its news broadcasts to more than 2 hours a week. As of 2020, the channel airs about 34 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (5 hours on weekdays and 4.5 hours each on weekends).
What do they publish?
Apart from the daily newscast, the channel also airs an online news website with dedicated sections for local news, weather updates, traffic updates, headlines, and more.
Tulsa News
Tulsa News is an online news portal owned by the KTUL TV station. The website covers all facets of news & updates from in and around Oklahoma and has dedicated sections for news, weather updates, national & international news, and more. Readers can also access the live channel from the website.
Other than the news website, KTUL also airs 30 hours of locally produced newscasts each week.
KXII News 12
KXII News 12 is a local TV channel in Oklahoma & Texas covering news and updates from Sherman and Denison in Texas, Ada, Ardmore, and Durant in Oklahoma, and their surrounding areas.
Apart from the TV channel, KXII News 12 also owns an online news portal with a dedicated section for news, weather, sports, community news, classifieds, and more. Readers can also choose to access Live TV from the website.
The Oklahoma Daily
The Oklahoma Daily is an independent newspaper published by the students of the University of Oklahoma. Founded in the year 1917, the paper covers news and updates concerning the university.
Other than the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online website covering news, sports, culture, and more. The paper also has an active presence on Facebook & Twitter.
Norman Transcript
The Norman Transcript is a daily newspaper in Oklahoma serving the Cleveland and McClain counties. The paper was established in 1889 and had since been covering news & updates from Cleveland and McClain counties.
The paper also publishes an e-edition that can be accessed by paid subscribers from the paper’s official website.
Stillwater News Press
Stillwater News Press is a 3-day morning newspaper in Stillwater, Oklahoma, owned by CNHI. Both the paper and its online edition caters to its readers in Stillwater, Payne County communities of Cushing, Glencoe, Perkins, Ripley, and Yale & Noble County communities of Morrison and Perry; Pawnee in Pawnee County; and Coyle in Logan County.
Stillwater News Press Android App
The Journal Record
The Journal Record is a daily newspaper in Oklahoma owned by Gannet. Founded in the year 1937, the paper covers business & legal news from Oklahoma. The paper also hosts an online news portal covering the latest news & headlines, updates on markets, updates on latest events & trade shows, and more.
Tahlequah Daily Press
The Tahlequah Daily Press is an award-winning newspaper in Oklahoma owned by Community Newspaper Holdings. Founded in the year 1963 as The Pictorial Press, the paper covers all the news from Tahlequah and Cherokee County.
The paper also hosts an online news portal catering to the readers’ in-depth coverage, headlines, & latest news on local events, obituaries, sports, community & more.
The Tahlequah Daily Press Online
The Tahlequah Daily Press ePaper
The Tahlequah Daily Press Android App
The Tahlequah Daily Press iOS App
Muskogee Phoenix
Muskogee Phoenix is a daily newspaper in Oklahoma catering to the inhabitants of north-eastern Oklahoma. It is interesting to note that the paper first hit the newsstands in 1888 when Oklahoma was still a territory.
As of 2020, the paper publishes a daily printed edition and an e-edition apart from hosting an online news portal.
Enid News & Eagle
Enid News & Eagle is a significant source of news and marketing for Enid and the surrounding Territory in northwest Oklahoma. Founded in 1893 as a weekly newspaper, the paper has grown to become a leading & trusted source of news.
Shawnee News-Star
Shawnee News-Star is a daily newspaper in Oklahoma catering to its readers in Pottawatomie, Lincoln, and Seminole counties. As seen today, the paper was established in 1943 by the merger of the erstwhile newspapers Shawnee Evening Star and Shawnee Morning News.
The paper also has an active digital presence through an online news portal, social media pages, and mobile apps.
Claremore Daily Progress
Claremore Daily Progress is a daily newspaper in Oklahoma. Founded in the year 1909, the paper is one of the oldest continuously operated newspapers in Oklahoma. As of 2020, the paper is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. and caters to the communities in Rogers County.
The paper also maintains an online news website apart from publishing an e-edition.
Claremore Daily Progress Online
Claremore Daily Progress ePaper
Oklahoma Gazette
Oklahoma Gazette is a free alternative weekly newspaper in Oklahoma Tierra Media Group. Established in the year 1979, the paper is primarily distributed in Oklahoma City. Both the printed newspaper and its online website covers local and statewide news dealing with city government, education, politics, sustainability, food, restaurants, and more.
The O’Colly
The O’Colly is a student-run newspaper in Oklahoma published by the students of Oklahoma State University. Founded in the year 1895, the paper has grown to become one of the top college newspapers in the country.
While the printed edition of the newspaper is published thrice a week inside the campus, its online website is frequently updated with the latest news & updates.
The Ada News
The Ada News is a daily newspaper in Ada, Oklahoma, owned by the Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. The paper first hit the newsstands in 1904 under the ownership of Carlton Weaver & Company.
As of 2020, the paper also hosts an online news website and publishes an e-edition.
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise is a daily newspaper in Oklahoma owned and published By Gannet. Both the paper & its online website serves as the premier source for local news, events, and business information for Bartlesville.
Apart from a strong presence on the web, the paper also has an active presence on Facebook & Twitter.
Examiner-Enterprise Android App
Guthrie News
Guthrie News is an online news portal covering all facets of news & information on Guthrie city, Oklahoma. The website has dedicated sections for in-depth news coverage, community, crime, sports, and more.
Apart from a strong presence on the web, the paper also has an active presence on Facebook & Twitter.
The Lawton Constitution
The Lawton Constitution is a daily newspaper in Lawton, Oklahoma, owned by Southern Newspapers. Founded in the year 1904, the paper has remained under the ownership of Shepler’s family until 2018.
Both the newspaper & its printed edition covers all facets of news & information from Southwest Oklahoma.
The Lawton Constitution Online
The Lawton Constitution ePaper
Sooner Catholic
Sonner Catholic is the official newspaper for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The paper is primarily focused on serving the faithful in central and western Oklahoma by providing the information needed to live as missionary disciples.
The paper is circulated among the members of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City for free.
Muskogee Phoenix
Muskogee Phoenix is a daily newspaper in Oklahoma owned by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. Founded in the year 1888, the paper currently has a circulation in several counties of north-eastern Oklahoma.
Apart from the daily printed edition, the paper also hosts an online news website with dedicated sections for local events, celebrations, obituaries, and more.
The Daily Ardmoreite
As the name suggests, The Daily Ardmoreite is a daily newspaper published in Oklahoma. Founded in the year 1893, the paper covers all facets of news & updates from in and around Oklahoma.
Apart from a strong presence on the web, the paper also has an active social media presence.
The Daily Ardmoreite Android App
Duncan Barrier
Duncan barrier is a daily newspaper in Oklahoma, published in Duncan. Founded in the year 1892, the paper is Stephens County’s Only Daily Newspaper.
As of 2020, the paper publishes a daily printed edition and an e-edition apart from hosting an online news portal.
Conclusion
The newspapers & news websites listed in this article are the major ones published & circualted in the state. Out of all the papers in circulation, Oklahoman is the largest newspaper, and Gage is the smallest paper in circulation.
Like the other states in the US, the circulation of newspapers in Oklahoma is on a rapid decline. It was estimated that the newspapers in Oklahoma saw a drop of 42.3% in daily circulation and a 34.8% drop in Sunday circulation from 2007 to the end of 2012.
This decline in circulation directly impacted the revenue from sales & advertisements. Owing to the fall in revenue, newspapers such as The Edmond Sun were forced to merge with others.
The industry, which was already limping, took another blow when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the US. With the pandemic, advertising revenue of newspapers almost hit zero, which has forced many newspapers either to merge or to wind up their operations.
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