A California appeals court has reversed the sale of Orange County's PBS television station to a foundation to keep it out of the hands of televangelists.

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Presiding Judge David Sill called the deal "the rankest sort of favoritism." In his opinion, he said the Coast Community College District must sell KOCE-TV to the highest bidder or not sell it at all, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The KOCE-TV Foundation offered $32 million for the station, with $8 million payable immediately and the rest in installments over 30 years. The foundation is funded by Peter Ueberroth, the former baseball commissioner, and other area business leaders.

Daystar Television Network, a major Christian broadcaster, raised its bid to $40 million cash, the day after the bidding closed. Daystar had earlier offered $25.1 million.

The foundation has been operating the station for several months. The appellate ruling reverses a lower court's decision.