KOCE puts together advisory board

KOCE-TV, the Orange County public television station whose fate and ownership is entangled in the courts, has announced the creation of an 11-member Community Advisory Board, which will oversee the station’s programming and ensure that it meets demographic needs.

Among the members of the board are Costa Mesa Assemblyman Van Tran, Coastline Community College President Ding-Jo Currie, UC Irvine Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Manuel Gomez, and Wing Lam, founder and owner of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos restaurants.

“KOCE’s Community Advisory Board is comprised of local leaders and viewers with diverse capabilities and roles within the community,” said KOCE President Mel Rogers in a news release.

“The board provides the public the unique opportunity to be heard on issues regarding station programming and the ability to make an impact on major policy decisions.”

KOCE, which the Coast Community College District sold in 2004 to the station’s own foundation, is in the midst of an extended legal battle. The Daystar Television Network, a nationwide Christian broadcaster, has claimed rightful ownership of the station, saying that the district slighted it during the bidding process.