Aug. 16, 2011, LOS ANGELES - KCET, the nation's largest independent public television station, serving Southern and Central California, and Dominique Bigle, CEO of  Eyetronics Media and Studios have announced an innovative partnership to produce and acquire original series that are thematically distinctive to Southern California.

The venture is to be funded by Eyetronics Media and Studios, which intends to provide up to $50 million in necessary financing to cover original productions, acquisitions and distribution during the initial partnership term of five years. KCET will produce and broadcast these series.  Eyetronics will package and distribute the content domestically and internationally across all media platforms. KCET has public television distribution rights domestically and in Canada.

KCET plans to be in production with the first five series by the end of this year, with more productions in development.

The new shows will celebrate the vibrancy of Southern California's people, places, and culture, as well as its history. The initial slate includes programs that explore everything from the glitz of Hollywood entertainment and multi-cultural eateries to groundbreaking academic research and technological innovation.  The new venture's programs will also utilize assets in Eyetronics' "Classic Cool Library," which includes more than 3,000 classic titles, rare footage, newsreels, cartoons, serials, documentaries, TV movies and series.

In explaining his interest in KCET, Mr. Bigle, an award-winning media executive, whose accomplishments span entertainment technology, television production and international distribution, said, "I am impressed with KCET's vision for being an independent public broadcaster, as well as its widely recognized tradition as a producer of distinguished television and online content.  KCET has the ability to function seamlessly as a producer, broadcaster and distributor in the nation's second largest marketplace and will provide unique, distinctive content that I am confident will be well-received internationally, as well as in the United States. I am looking forward to tapping into our combined strengths to share the dynamism of the region to worldwide audiences."

"Southern California is a special market, and it is our home. Over the years, we have spoken to generations of Angelenos with our programming," said Al Jerome, KCET's president and CEO. "We are eager to collaborate with Dominique and leverage his savvy for international distribution to deliver more exceptional shows and original documentaries with local/global appeal."

This new partnership will permit KCET to better serve Southern and Central California as a nonprofit public media organization and to enhance its operations as a donor-supported independent public television station offering timely, relevant content across all media platforms to inform, educate and engage the community.    

"While continuing to change and adapt in innovative ways, we remain committed to our core public media mission for delivering exceptional and distinctive programming that is meaningful to our viewers," Jerome added.

 For additional information on KCET and Eyetronics Media and Studios, please visit KCET's Press Room.