Gray Television's recent action of ceasing KTVF's local news broadcast has left a significant void in Interior Alaska. This decision brings to light the changing dynamics of the broadcasting industry and the importance of local news.

Gray's Move Shakes Fairbanks' News Landscape

Gray Television's Action and Its Consequences

Gray Television's recent move to end KTVF's local news broadcast is a blow to viewers across much of Interior Alaska. It marks the end of decades of award-winning news programming that had been a staple for the community. This decision shows how an outside company, thousands of miles away, can seemingly turn its back on a local market. Fairbanks is not to be underestimated; it is a vibrant community with a need for local news.The airwaves are a publicly owned asset, and broadcasters have a responsibility to meet regulatory standards. A broadcast license gives the holder the right to use a particular frequency, but it comes with the obligation to serve the "public interest, convenience and necessity." When a licensee violates these terms, the FCC can revoke the license. However, it seems that times have changed, and the consequences for violating these standards may no longer be as severe.Back in the day, broadcasters took their public-interest responsibility seriously. They created programming of particular interest to their community, such as local news. For example, Hank Hove used to host a show in March or early April featuring a local tax specialist answering viewer questions. This kind of programming exemplified operating in the public interest. But now, it seems that community opinion may not matter as much to the FCC or the broadcaster.

The Importance of Local News at KTVF

For Hank Hove, KTVF's local news programming was crucial for the station's long-term viability. Even when network ratings were down, KTVF maintained a competitive edge over several decades due to its continuous investment in local news. Hank would bring back new gadgets from industry tradeshows to enhance KTVF's news production.On-air talent was also key at KTVF. Many successful anchors and reporters started their careers in Fairbanks and some even stayed. Ann Secrest and Mike Shultz were top-notch talents. In the early days, Hank even took turns at the anchor desk before KTVF had teleprompters. He managed to memorize copy on deadline quite well, considering it wasn't his regular function.It is hard to understand how a licensee can drop local news programming in favor of a less relevant substitute while still claiming to meet the FCC's public-interest standard. Gray Television's decision clearly shows that they don't care about Fairbanks. If this pull-the-plug strategy is successful, it raises questions about the future of local news in other cities like Anchorage.Hank Hove's son Brian is a UAF business graduate and a 44-year resident of Alaska. He and his wife Marilyn currently live in Anchorage but hope to return to Fairbanks one day.