KITV yanking
‘Private Ryan’
The television station joins
other ABC affiliates in not
airing the movie to avoid
arousing the FCC
Honolulu ABC-TV affiliate KITV will not show the movie "Saving Private Ryan" tonight, breaking from network programming.
KITV is among several ABC affiliates across the country that have declined to rebroadcast the World War II film on Veterans Day, citing concerns over possible regulatory sanctions from the Federal Communications Commission.
The movie "possesses significant artistic, social and historical value and its presentation on Veterans Day at a time when our nation is at war, is a fitting tribute to the courage and honor of those who so bravely serve and have served in the defense of our nation's freedoms," Mike Rosenberg, KITV president and general manager, said in an internal memo obtained by the Star-Bulletin.
"Unfortunately, it also contains 47 uses of the F-word and graphic violence, which, based on recent FCC rulings are difficult to justify airing in the 'safe harbor' time period," from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The station has aired the movie twice before, unedited from its original form under an agreement with filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Rosenberg said yesterday he could not recall receiving any complaints after the broadcasts.
However, many stations are fearful for their broadcast licenses after the FCC proposed a $550 million fine against Viacom-owned CBS stations for the 2004 Superbowl half-time incident in which Janet Jackson's breast was bared.
The commission once ruled that singer Bono's utterance of the F-word during an awards program was not offensive. The commission later reversed its ruling amid pressure from several watchdog groups, deeming any use of the word offensive.
ABC told affiliates it would cover any fines levied by the FCC, but it is other sanctions, such as license challenges, that worry affiliates.
"I'm not making a judgment about the FCC's ruling," Rosenberg said. "I'm just saying that until we get clarity, it would be irresponsible for us to risk fines and license challenges."
There was no consideration of any adverse reaction from advertisers, Rosenberg said. "The issue is community standards and I have a fiduciary responsibility to protect our license."
Rosenberg, corporate managers and legal advisers questioned the network's thought process in scheduling the movie, given the regulatory environment.
KRCR, an ABC affiliate in Redding, Calif., is going ahead with the movie. "It's a deeply patriotic picture," said News Director Gary Gunter. "If anything came of it, I'll be astounded." KRCR is owned by Kansas-based Bluestone Television Inc.
KITV is owned by New York-based Hearst-Argyle Television Inc., which asked ABC if it could air the movie after 10 p.m., "but to our disappointment and regret, ABC has denied our request," the memo said.
Similar requests were made by other companies that own ABC affiliate stations, such as Atlanta-based Cox Television, New York-based Capital Communications Inc., and Illinois-based Tribune Broadcasting Corp.
In place of "Saving Private Ryan," KITV will air "Far and Away," a 1992 picture starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
