KAZA-TV

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = KAZA-TV
city = Avalon, California
station_
station_slogan =
station_branding =
analog = 54 (UHF)
digital = 47 (UHF)
other_chs =
affiliations = Azteca America
network =
founded =
airdate = July 9, 2001
location = Los Angeles, California
callsign_meaning = AZteca America
former_callsigns =
former_channel_numbers =
owner = Pappas Telecasting Companies (75%) /
TV Azteca (25%)
licensee = Pappas Southern California License, LLC
sister_stations =
former_affiliations = Spanish music videos (2001)
effective_radiated_power = 2290 kW (analog)
350 kW (digital)
HAAT = 997 m (analog)
936.6 m (digital)
class =
facility_id = 29234
coordinates = coord|34|13|35.3|N|118|4|0.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000 (analog)
coord|34|13|35.6|N|118|3|59.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000 (digital)
homepage =

KAZA-TV is a full-service television station in Avalon, California, broadcasting locally in analog on UHF channel 54 and in digital on UHF channel 47 and serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area as an affiliate of Azteca América. Founded July 9, 2001, the station is jointly-owned by Pappas Telecasting of Visalia, California (which owns a 75% interest) and Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca (25% interest) [http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/09/24/daily.7/] , and is the flagship station of the Azteca América television network.

Petition to deny license

On November 30, 2006, NBC Universal (owners of rivals KVEA and KWHY) filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission to deny KAZA's license renewal, on basis that TV Azteca controlled 51.6% of the station (above the permitted 33% for foreign broadcasting groups) via loans and other interests. [http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6396183.html] [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117954917.html?categoryId=14&cs=1] According to the "Los Angeles Times", it is believed to be the first challenge to a license renewal sent to the FCC since 1979 (apparently forgetting some challenges to the RKO General licenses in the early 1980s).

According to the filing, as presented in the "Times" article (Dec. 1, 2006, page C1), NBCU accused TV Azteca of attempting to undermine its operations in Mexico. One example cited is the shutdown of production of a show on Telemundo, "Quinceañera". NBCU accused TV Azteca of hiring undercover police officers to enforce the shutdown; the show's production was moved to Miami, Florida as a result.

Two days later, Azteca fired back. Its chairman, Luis Echarte, said this when noting he insists the local marketing agreement is legitimate and that NBC Universal's allegations "ridiculous" [http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6396440.html?display=Breaking+News] :

“It’s obviously a ploy to damage our image, given our strong performance in the U.S.,” he says. “KAZA is owned by Pappas. We’ve been paying rent to Pappas to operate the station for three years.”

Technical information

KAZA-TV serves a 73-mile (117-km) radius from its transmitter, covering Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Its transmitter is located in Los Angeles, located atop Mount Wilson (see "Transmitter Coordinates" in infobox).

External links

*TVQ|KAZA-TV
*BIA|KAZA|TV|TV