KRLA (1110 AM, Pasadena, CA) faced significant licensing issues in the 1960s due to a prolonged dispute with the Federal Communications Commission. The station, then owned by Donald R. Cooke and Robert Cooke through their entity Eleven-Ten Broadcasting, had its license revoked in 1962 but continued operations under interim authority while appealing the decision. The core reasons for the FCC’s action were:
Donal
Fraudulent Billing Practices: The FCC found evidence that KRLA engaged in deceptive billing, specifically “double billing,” where advertisers were overcharged or charged for commercials that did not air as promised. This stemmed from an investigation into the station’s practices under its prior ownership and management.
Misrepresentation to the FCC: The FCC alleged that the station’s owners provided false information during investigations, including discrepancies in programming logs and financial records. This included issues tied to a 1958–1959 contest (“The Big 64”) where the station was accused of misleading listeners about prize distributions.
Ownership and Control Violations: The FCC scrutinized the transfer of control from Pacific Coast Broadcasting (the original owners) to the Cooke brothers. There were concerns about unauthorized control shifts and whether the new owners met character qualifications for holding a broadcast license.
The revocation followed a comparative hearing process where a rival applicant, Oak Knoll Broadcasting (backed by the Pasadena Presbyterian Church), challenged KRLA’s license renewal. The FCC initially favored Oak Knoll in 1962, citing KRLA’s misconduct. However, KRLA appealed, and legal battles extended into 1964. During this period, the station operated under a temporary license.
In the Spring of 1964, Goodson-Todman Productions competed for the purchse of KRLA/Pasadena, along with companies such as:
California Regional Broadcasters- Wesley Dumm/owner of KXA/Seattle, 23.33% interest.
Crown City Broadcasting- a group of investors including soap opera actor MacDonald Carey;
Pasadena Community Station- Nat King Cole having 5% interest.
Radio Southern California, Horace Heidt 100%. Horace Heidt (May 21, 1901 – December 1, 1986) was a prominent American pianist, big band leader, and entertainer whose career spanned vaudeville, radio, television, and live performances from the 1920s through the 1950s. Known for his upbeat, family-friendly shows and innovative broadcasts, he became one of the most successful bandleaders of the Big Band Era, producing over 50 hit records between 1937 and 1945.
Voice of Pasadena- Carl Haverlin (1.35 %), past president of Broadcast Music Inc., and Calvin J. Smith (2.7 %), president of KFAC Los Angeles.
Western Broadcasting Corp- Bob Hope 25%, licensee of KOA- AM -FM -TV Denver and KOAA -TV
Pueblo, Colo., and Mid -Ocean Broadcasting, applicant for new AM in San Juan, P. R.; Art Linkletter 5%.
In 1964, the U.S. Court of Appeals overturned the FCC’s decision, criticizing the agency’s handling of the case and its failure to adequately consider KRLA’s programming merits and public support. The court remanded the case, and KRLA retained its license under new ownership conditions, with Bob Hope and associates taking control by the late 1960s/early 1970s. The FCC’s actions were partly influenced by political pressure and public outcry, as KRLA’s popular Top 40 format had a significant listener base.
Also see: KRLA Radio history website.