NEWSReport No. MM-95-11      MASS MEDIA ACTION            February 16, 1995

        FCC RENEWS THE LICENSE OF STATION WTGS-TV, HARDEEVILLE, SC,
     FOR A SHORT TERM, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS; ISSUES NAL FOR $27,500 
                            FOR EEO VIOLATIONS
     
     The Commission has granted the renewal application filed by Hilton Head Television,
Inc. for Station WTGS(TV), Hardeeville, SC, for a short-term, subject to reporting conditions,
and issued Hilton Head Television a notice of apparent liability (NAL) for a forfeiture in the
amount of $27,500 for violation of the Commission's EEO rule.  

     In a petition to deny the renewal application, the NAACP alleged that Hilton Head
Television employed few minorities during the license term and  failed to pursue affirmative
action efforts.  The NAACP requested that the FCC investigate the licensee's EEO performance,
designate the application for hearing, and deny the application to renew the license for
WTGS(TV).  Subsequent to filing the petition, the NAACP and Hilton Head Television filed a
Joint Request for Approval of Settlement Agreement, dismissal of the petition to deny and grant
of the licensee's renewal application.

     The Commission approved the settlement agreement between Hilton Head Television and
the NAACP and dismissed the NAACP's petition to deny.  After reviewing the record, the
Commission found that no hearing was warranted and that renewal of the license of WTGS-TV
was appropriate.  However, the Commission granted the renewal for a short term subject to
reporting conditions and issued an NAL for $27,500 based on the licensees's recruitment and
hiring performance with respect to minorities.  The Commission's review indicated that Hilton
Head Television failed to recruit Blacks for a number of its vacancies; failed to contact minority-
specific sources for any vacancy; and failed to maintain adequate records for meaningful self-
assessment.

     Action by the Commission February 3, 1995, by Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC
95-44).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Barrett, Ness, and Chong.

                                   -FCC-

     News Media contact: Patricia A. Chew at (202) 418-0500.
     Mass Media Bureau contact: Hope Cooper at (202) 632-7069.