San Francisco ABC Station Airs Appeals to FCC Over License Review

San Francisco television station KGO-TV has started airing on-air messages asking viewers to contact the Federal Communications Commission and support renewal of its broadcast license. The messages state that the FCC is questioning the station's commitment to viewers and that no one supports the community like Channel 7. The station directs supporters to reach regulators by July 29.

The FCC ordered ABC in April to file early renewal applications for eight company-owned stations, including KGO-TV in San Francisco, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, and WABC-TV in New York. The agency said it is investigating possible violations of the Communications Act and agency rules, including prohibitions on unlawful discrimination.

ABC has responded that the order is unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional, and that regulators are targeting disfavored editorial voices. The dispute also involves a separate FCC proceeding on whether ABC's daytime talk show The View qualifies for a news-program exemption under federal equal-time rules.

The license dispute follows the recent departure of the station's longtime news director after nearly 15 years. Trade publication FTVLive reported that the executive and the station decided to move in different directions. Under federal law, the FCC can renew a station's license, impose conditions, or deny renewal after a hearing if it determines the broadcaster failed to serve the public interest.