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Declaring independenceBakersfield will have a new television station Sunday when KDOB-TV Channel 45 goes on air as the county’s first independent broadcaster.Besides being the fourth TV station to enter this market in nearly 30 years, KDOB will sign on at noon with the distinction of being the only locally owned and operated station in Kern County.But the journey from concept to completion hasn’t been swift or easy for station owner Dorothy Owens. Though the broadcasting license itself was free, the process of getting it has been time-consuming and costly.In May 1965, six applicants began competing for the Federal Communications Commission license to operate a fourth TV station in Bakersfield. During the course of a year, two competitors dropped out of the bidding and, in November 1986, Owens reportedly paid the four remaining bidders $642,500 to drop their offers.Even the station’s format was questionable at first. Originally Owens had toyed with the idea of making the station a Spanish-language channel, beforeUCH OF THE concern concerning the emergence of KDOB-TV Channel 45, Bakersfield’s fourth television station, centers around the prospect of the new independent taking a bite out of the advertising revenues of other local broadcasters.In spite of such fears, KDOB’s owner and operator, Dorothy Owens, says there is “plenty of room in this town for another station.”Wayne Lansche, general manager of KBAK-TV Channel 29 agrees, with some reservations.“This is an unusual market,” he said. “I’m not quite sure how they plan to promote themselves or what they’re going to do to attract an audience. It’ll take one rating period before we’ll know anything. However a good independent will only help this market (keep viewers tuned to local stations).”KGET-TV Channel 17’s General Manager Ray Watson offered virtually the same opinion.“While it will be nice to have an independent in this area, Bakersfield isn’t quite ready to support another station,” Watson said. “And I really doubtPlease turn to TV / F10This Sunday, Dorothy Owens goes on air with KDOB-TV, Channel 45deciding on a family oriented format.KDOB, which will be broadcasting mostly syndicated children’s shows, sporting events and vintage movies, is being promoted as a family entertainment station that will offer TV viewers an alternative to local network programming.Owens said the station will have a style similar to that of KMPH-TV Channel 26, a successful independent that broadcasts syndicated shows in the Visalia-Fresno area.“Well have a lot of kid’s shows, like 'Double Dare’ and ‘Duck Tales,’ as well as some oldies like ‘The Andy Griffith Show,’ shesaid. “And well be carrying all the Lakers’ road games.”Despite the fact there is widespread agreement an independent television station is needed in this market to serve the needs of non-cable subscribers who lack programming variety, some people within thein-Please turn to KDOB / F10New station takes to airKDOB vies for ad dollarBy CONNIE SWARTCalifornian staff writerBy CONNIE SWARTCalifornian staff writer
Newspaper Details
Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield, California, US
Fri, Dec 16, 1988
Page 66
Full Page
Clipped by
Sammi B.
NA 15 Apr 2024
Other Publications Near Bakersfield, California
The Berkshire County Eagle
Southern Californian and Kern Weekly Courier
The Weekly Californian
Kern County Californian
Daily Californian
