Frank Azevedo, an almond and grape grower, had wanted to own a TV station since 1965 and got his chance with the low-power KAZV-LP.[1] The station went on the air in July[1] or November 1996[2] and aired mostly classic TV shows and movies. By 1997, it aired about 30 hours a week of local programming, with most of the rest coming from America One. Among the local programs was a newscast, read by Azevedo and mostly consisting of content gleaned from newspapers and press releases.[1] Its viewership was limited by not being on local cable systems.[1]
In 1999, the station received hate mail—a latter denouncing the "intermixture of the races". J. Denise Fontaine, the only Black host, read and ripped up the letter on her show, Our Part of the Valley.[3]
After eight years of trying, KAZV got Comcast to add it to its digital cable lineup in 2005. By this time, it had added Urban America Television programming to its lineup.[4]
On July 12, 2006, the station filed an application to flash-cut to digital operations, at only 500 watts. KAZV-LP's license was canceled by the Federal Communications Commission on September 8, 2014.
References
^ abcdCabanatuan, Michael (April 20, 1997). "Station seeking TV home". The Modesto Bee. Modesto, California. pp. B-1, B-2. Retrieved May 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Vintage viewing". Merced Sun-Star. Merced, California. December 4, 1996. p. C6. Retrieved May 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^Holland, John (September 17, 2005). "Cable system to carry KAZV-TV". The Modesto Bee. Modesto, California. p. B-3. Retrieved May 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
