Cowles Florida Broadcasting, Inc.
Federal Communications Commission
60 F.C.C.2d 372 (1976)
Cowles Broadcasting, the incumbent licensee of a Daytona Beach TV station, faced a competing license application from Central Florida Enterprises; a joint hearing examined Cowles's character (including mail fraud allegations against affiliated companies and an unauthorized studio move) alongside comparative factors between the two applicants, and the initial administrative law judge recommended granting Cowles's renewal and denying Central Florida's application.
Whether an incumbent's broadcast license should be renewed by the Federal Communications Commission when it has shown that it offers the best practicable service, is involved in the community, and has provided past superior service.