readily available to local affiliates. KELO-TV made the decision to
move Captain 11 to 3:30pm due to these other programming
considerations.
The earlier time slot caused problems. Parents found it difficult to
get kids out of school and to the studios in time for the show. The
novelty of appearing on television was wearing off. To make matters
worse�broadcast television was facing increasing competition from
cable. More channels meant consumers had more viewing choices.
The number of visitors and viewers of the Captain 11 show began to
slowly erode as the years rolled on.
The declining ratings for Captain 11 forced KELO-TV�s hand in July
1989. Dedrick feared the worst when he was summoned to meet with
KELO executives, but was proud of his accomplishments. Captain 11
had survived 34 years and outlived every other locally produced kid�s
show in the country.
He was surprised to learn that KELO-TV still wasn�t ready to give up
the Captain. The show�s weekday run, however, was over. It had
been decided that Captain 11 would air only once a week. The show
would be taped during the week and broadcast on Saturday at noon.
Dedrick was relieved to learn Captain 11 would control time for
awhile longer. He wasn�t ready to return to the Outer Galaxies, yet.
Captain 11 celebrated his 40th anniversary on March 8, 1995. The
show was a star-studded extravaganza with V.I.P.'s congratulating
the Captain on his major milestone. Sadly, Dedrick�s professional
accomplishment was marred by personal tragedy. Dedrick�s younger
son, David Patrick, died the following day due to complications
from the AIDS virus. Dedrick would later dedicate Captain 11�s final
show to the loving memory of his son.
The �golden age� of KELO-TV came to an end on June 1, 1996. The
company which put KELO-TV on the air in 1953, Midcontinent
Broadcasting, sold the station to Young Broadcasting. Dedrick was
68 years old and had already been considering retirement.