extensive telecourse programs that Coast Community College students
can get an associate's degree simply by watching the station.
Whether KOCE has a responsibility to serve its viewers will be a
consideration, Rogers said.
"Does the responsibility end at the board, or does the
responsibility extend to the viewing area of television that they
own?" Rogers asked. "This is Orange County's only TV station that
pays attention to it."
The idea of selling KOCE doesn't sit well with Patterson. He hopes
that it will remain an educational station in Huntington Beach.
"For 30 years, it's been a PBS educational TV station. It's
performed educational services and it's provided local news," he
said. "My preference is not to sell it."
But since the market seems to be its fate, Patterson said he
favors a joint proposal by KCET and the KOCE-TV Foundation. The
foundation raises $4.5 to $5 million per year.
"It would save the day if that were chosen," Rogers said.
Whoever buys the station will assume all costs, including current
debts, operating expenses and the station's license. The Federal
Communications Commission, which will have to approve the license
transfer, will only approve a sale to a nonprofit entity that plans
to operate the station for educational purposes, said Erin Cohn,
district director of public affairs.
When KOCE flipped the switch for the first time on Nov. 20, 1972,
it became the first PBS station in Orange County, and the 231st in
the nation. Based on the campus of Golden West College, it broadcasts
24 hours a day and reaches 4.5 million viewers.
Public comments are welcome at the next meeting, scheduled to be
held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 20 at the district offices in Costa Mesa. The
final decision will be made by the board of trustees and approved by
the Federal Communications Commission.
