FCC approves $21M sale of KITV and sister stations

The $21 million sale of Honolulu ABC-affiliate KITV and its neighbor island sister stations has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

A notice by the FCC issued Wednesday affirmed technicalities relating to the continued operation of KHVO-TV in Hilo and KMAU-TV in Wailuku as so-called satellite stations of KITV in Honolulu, and further granted the transfer of the stations’ broadcast licenses to KITV Inc., a newly formed unit of California-based SJL Broadcast Management Corp.

New York-based Hearst Television informed KITV employees on May 13 that it was selling its Hawaii broadcast facilities, with Hearst President Jordan Wertlieb telling staff members the buyers would honor all existing contracts.

A Hearst spokesman Wednesday deferred comment to buyer George Lilly, president, CEO and director of KITV Inc.

Given FCC approval, Lilly is hopeful the financial aspects of the deal will close Sept. 1, he said.

His management team likely will come to Hawaii “next month to meet with staff, and begin the process of how we’re going to go forward,” Lilly said.

“We’re serious about our commitment to the community, to programming and to people,” he said, “and if you don’t treat your people well, you’ll have a problem.”

Lilly also was head of Montecito Broadcast Group LLC, which owned KHON-TV for about 22 months between 2005 and 2007.

At the beginning of Montecito’s tumultuous stint as KHON’s owner, several people in management resigned from the station, though management transitions after station sales are common.