Contact:
Mike Angelos
Vice President/Corporate Communications
Pappas Telecasting Companies
500 S. Chinowth Rd.
Visalia, CA  93277
(559) 733-7800
(559) 733-7878 fax 
MAngelos@pappastv.com
www.pappastv.com

- Veteran Television Executive to Oversee Company’s New Spanish-Language Network -

Los Angeles, California - - Pappas Telecasting Companies, the largest privately-held, commercial television broadcast group in the United States, today announced the promotion of Fernando Acosta to the position of Senior Vice President/TuVisión Stations Group, effective immediately.  He will be based at KAZA-TV in Los Angeles and will report to Harry J. Pappas, Chairman and CEO of Pappas Telecasting, and Dennis J. Davis, President and Chief Operating Officer of Pappas Telecasting.  Previously, Mr. Acosta served as Vice President of Pappas Telecasting’s Hispanic TV Stations Group.

Mr. Acosta will continue to serve as General Manager of Pappas’ full-power station in Los Angeles, KAZA-TV, and in his new position, he will also oversee all facets of TuVisión’s station operations, programming, and affiliate relations.  The TuVisión network had a soft launch July 1 on Pappas stations KAZH-TV/Houston, Texas, KTNC-TV/San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose and Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, KAZR/Reno, Nevada, KAZO/Omaha, Nebraska, and KAZJ/Sioux City, Iowa.  Over the next several months, the company expects to launch TuVisión programming on additional Pappas stations, bringing coverage to a total of nearly 40% of the U.S. Hispanic population.

In making the announcement, Mr. Pappas said, “Fernando has shown great leadership in his nearly five years with our company.  He is a highly-regarded professional in the Spanish-language television industry with the right combination of skills to lead our new venture.  We’re very happy to have him as part of our team.”

Mr. Davis added, “I have had the privilege of working with Fernando for the past five years, and I am proud of what he has accomplished and confident that he has the vision and leadership necessary to develop this new Spanish-language network.  He will be a strong addition to the leadership of our Hispanic broadcasting platform.”

Mr. Acosta commented, “I am extremely honored by the opportunity to lead the growth of this exciting new network we have been developing, TuVisión.  The TuVisión model has been proven in key markets such as Los Angeles and Miami.  This network has tremendous growth potential on a national platform, as well.  It is rewarding to be part of a company that continues to build and has shown such great commitment to the fast-growing U.S. Hispanic market.  The explosive increase of the Hispanic population puts Pappas Telecasting and TuVisión in an excellent position to take advantage of growth opportunities, and at the same time, be of great service to the Hispanic audience.”

Mr. Acosta joined Pappas in 2002 as General Manager of KAZA-TV/Los Angeles and Chief Operating Officer of KAZH and KTNC.  In 2004, he was given oversight of all of Pappas’ Spanish-language stations.  Before joining Pappas Telecasting, he was General Sales Manager for the Northern California Telemundo stations, including KSTS 48 (San Francisco-San Jose-Oakland) and KCU 15/KEW 23  (Monterey/Salinas).  Prior to that, he was Vice President/Sales & Marketing for KSCI-TV (Ch. 18-Los Angeles), and General Sales Manager for KSCI-TV, KIKU-TV (Ch. 20-Hawaii), and the International Channel cable network.  Mr. Acosta also served as Vice President/Sales for Quepasa.com, an online business targeting the U.S. Hispanic market.   Early in his broadcast career, Mr. Acosta held several sales and production positions with Telemundo and Univision.

About Pappas Telecasting and TuVisión

Pappas Telecasting Companies is the largest privately-held, commercial television broadcast group in the United States in terms of U.S. Household coverage as defined by Nielsen Media Research.  The company owns 27 stations, including market-leading FOX, The CW, ABC, CBS, TuVisión, and MyNetworkTV affiliates, and operates four other stations pursuant to local marketing agreements, in most regions of the United States.  TuVisión features proven programs that are first-run in Pappas markets, obtained from the best program providers in each genre, and are scheduled to offer an alternative to network fare.  TuVisión’s lineup includes Golden Era Mexican Cinema, novelas such as “Alma Gemela,” and “The Johnny Canales Show.”  According to statistics from Nielsen, Pappas Telecasting television stations serve more than 16% of all U.S. television households.  In addition, the company owns or operates television stations in markets reaching nearly 36% of U.S. Hispanic households and 38% of all U.S. Hispanic persons age 2+.  In total, Pappas owns or operates stations in 24 Designated Market Areas.