CapRadio, KVIE settle radio tower dispute
Marissa Espiritu / CapRadio
CapRadio's studios in Sacramento, Calif.
CapRadio and public TV station KVIE announced Monday that they have settled a dispute over ownership of a radio tower.
The stations in Sacramento, Calif., said in a joint statement that they have “entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement” and will not disclose details about the settlement.
The dispute began after the board of the Capital Public Radio Endowment, which supports CapRadio, gifted the deed to the tower to KVIE in 2024. CapRadio’s main signal broadcasts from the tower.
Prior to gifting the deed, the endowment board said in a March 2024 letter to the president of California State University, Sacramento, that CapRadio and KVIE should merge. CSUS is CapRadio’s licensee. The merger never happened.
After the endowment gifted the tower to KVIE, CSUS argued that the endowment lacked authority to do so. KVIE disagreed and filed a lawsuit in October 2024 stating that the deed proved ownership of the tower and that it did not intend to bar CapRadio from using the facility.
KVIE also alleged that CapRadio had neglected to maintain the tower, which CapRadio denied. The TV station said it had “repeatedly invited” CapRadio to “enter into responsible financial commitments” to support the tower facility and to fix “deteriorating conditions.”
CapRadio countered with its own lawsuit a few days later, pointing to a 1990 lease that it said proved its ownership of the tower.
“With this resolution, the parties are pleased to move forward focused on their shared commitment to public broadcasting, and their dedication to delivering essential news, information and cultural services,” the Monday statement said.
