KWQC debuted on the air as WOC-TV on October 31, 1949. B. J. Palmer, founder of the Palmer College of Chiropractic (located just across the street from the station's studios), and WOC radio co-founded the station (1420 AM and 103.7 FM, now WLLR-FM). WOC was also a sister station to WHO-AM/FM/TV in Des Moines. The WOC calls were said to stand for "Wonders of Chiropractic," however the Palmer family never accepted the word in literature or otherwise. WOC-TV was Iowa's and the Quad Cities' first television station, providing programs from all four networks at the time: (NBC, CBS, ABC and DuMont). However, because to WOC radio's lengthy association with the network, it has always been a key NBC affiliate. WOC-TV, which was originally on channel 5, was relocated to channel 6 in 1952 due to interference with Iowa State University's WOI-TV in Ames. From 1964 until 1974, WOC-inaugural TV's programming included the daily Show Boat children's show presented by Cap'n Ernie.