The public television station operated by San Diego State University, KPBS, has withdrawn from the competition to take over KOCE-TV/50.

KOCE, Orange County's PBS station, is on the auction block.

In a letter to supporters, KPBS station manager Doug Myrland said bidding for KOCE would likely reach a level in which the San Diego station could not compete.

Coast Community College District, which owns KOCE, has solicited bids to sell the station's license.

The district is trying to overcome operating deficits and the cost of converting the station to a digital signal. The district board is scheduled to consider the sale again at its Aug. 20 meeting.