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The Tulsa DMA spans northeast Oklahoma and parts of Arkansas and Kansas, blending energy, aerospace, manufacturing, health care, tribal enterprises, and arts-driven revitalization. Media outlets highlight Tulsa’s innovation districts, Route 66 tourism, aviation and cybersecurity industries, and Muscogee and Cherokee Nation initiatives, while covering severe weather, broadband expansion, and infrastructure. Audiences rely on local broadcasts, public media, and digital-first outlets for coverage of politics, education, and community resilience.
Griffin Communications owns News On 6 (KOTV CBS) and Tulsa CW, while Scripps operates 2 Works for You (KJRH NBC). Cox Media Group runs FOX23 (KOKI) and My41 (KMYT), and Sinclair Broadcast Group owns KTUL (ABC). Public media offerings include OETA (PBS) and KWGS 89.5 (NPR) operated by the University of Tulsa, alongside community radio KOSU and rediscovered Black Wall Street Radio. The Tulsa World, Oklahoma Eagle, Tulsa People, and nonprofit News On 6 Investigates provide additional reporting with Oklahoma Watch and The Frontier on statewide accountability stories.
The Federal Communications Commission coordinates area signals to ensure robust Emergency Alert System performance during severe weather and tornado outbreaks. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, National Weather Service-Tulsa, and tribal emergency management agencies run annual drills with broadcasters for IPAWS, localized tornado warnings, and bilingual outreach to rural and immigrant communities.
News On 6, KJRH, KOKI, and KTUL stream newscasts, severe weather coverage, and investigative reports via station apps, Roku, and FAST channels. Oklahoma Watch, The Frontier, and VNN Tulsa deliver newsletters, podcasts, and data visualizations focused on civic issues. TulsaRemote.org, In Tulsa magazine, and emerging independent outlets use social media storytelling to highlight entrepreneurship, arts, and education opportunities.
Broadband initiatives launched by the Oklahoma Broadband Office and tribal nations expand fiber and fixed wireless across Tulsa, Broken Arrow, and rural counties. Smart city projects integrate real-time traffic, air quality, and flood data, supporting newsroom dashboards and community alert systems.
Energy firms, aerospace manufacturers, and tech entrepreneurs monitor morning newscasts, radio, and newsletters for economic data, policy updates, and workforce development. Newsrooms co-host conferences, virtual town halls, and data-driven explainers on innovation districts, Port of Catoosa commerce, and Tulsa Remote.
Connected TV usage enables viewers to blend local newscasts with streaming services; podcasts from Oklahoma Watch, News On 6, and VNN Tulsa attract audiences seeking deep coverage on education, justice reform, and civic engagement.
Tribal nations (Muscogee, Cherokee, Osage) use state and tribal media, radio, and community livestreams for announcements, cultural programming, and emergency alerts. Rural communities rely on AM/FM and OTA for weather, agriculture, and healthcare information, supplementing with SMS and social media alerts.
Faith organizations, nonprofits, and cultural coalitions livestream services, food drives, and council meetings to reach households with mobility or transportation challenges.
| Indicator | Latest Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| DMA population | approximately 1.35 million residents (2023) | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Television households | about 528,000 TV homes, rank 58 (2024-2025) | Nielsen DMA Rankings |
| Median household income | roughly $62,900 across Tulsa and Rogers counties (2022) | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Broadband availability | 95% of households with 100 Mbps access | Oklahoma Broadband Office |
| Port of Catoosa freight tonnage | 2.7 million tons shipped (2023) | Tulsa Port of Catoosa |
| Aerospace & defense employment | approximately 43,000 jobs | Tulsa Regional Chamber |
| Tulsa Remote participants | over 2,600 remote workers relocated since 2018 | Tulsa Remote |
The 2024 University of Oklahoma media trust poll reports 59% of northeast Oklahoma residents trust local news outlets for severe weather, economic, and civic coverage, compared with 27% for national media. Newsrooms publish transparency statements, data sources, and correction policies, and they host listening sessions with tribal governments, immigrant communities, and rural audiences.
Collaborations among News On 6 Investigates, The Frontier, Oklahoma Watch, and OETA produce bilingual explainers on housing, health care, criminal justice, and environmental issues, sharing datasets and videos across platforms.
Sports viewing centers on OU Sooners, OSU Cowboys, Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Tulsa Oilers, FC Tulsa, and minor league baseball. Outdoor, Route 66, cultural, and culinary coverage performs strongly on weekend newscasts, newsletters, and social media. Music festivals and arts events leverage station partnerships for live coverage.
Podcast and newsletter consumption is growing through The Frontier, Oklahoma Watch’s Long Story Short, Tulsa Remote updates, and entrepreneurial newsletters. Younger audiences engage with TikTok and Instagram creators covering Black Wall Street revitalization, food scenes, and creativity, while faith and civic groups livestream to reach homebound and rural households.
