KAZA-TV

KAZA-TV is a full-service television station in Avalon, California, broadcasting locally 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) , 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. 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...
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