KVVN was founded by George B. Bailey and Greater Bay Area Broadcasters, which featured programming from the Mutual Broadcasting System and eventually bought Royal Bear Broadcasters for $182,000.
Founded by George B. Bailey and Greater Bay Area Broadcasters, the station obtained its first construction permit on March 8, 1963, and signed on as KGBA on December 15, 1963. KGBA featured programming from the Mutual Broadcasting System and weekly programs in German and Italian. Following a $182,000 sale of the station to Royal Bear Broadcasters in the previous month, KGBA became KGNU on October 1, 1965. 
