Southern California Public Media Organizations KCETLink Media Group and PBS SoCal Finalize Merger Creating Stronger Flagship PBS Station for the Region
CONTACTS:
Ariel Carpenter for KCETLink Media Group
acarpenter@kcet.org or 747-201-5243
Jennifer Vides for PBS SoCal
jvides@pbssocal.org or 310-237-4516
www.kcet.org/public-media-group-of-southern-california
Los Angeles, October 1, 2018 – Today a new local, community-supported public media organization and flagship PBS station was formed with the close of the merger between KCETLink Media Group and PBS SoCal. The new community institution – PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – is led by public media pro Andrew Russell, and governed by a 32-member board of trustees chaired by 38-year Disney veteran Dick Cook.
PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA will tell stories that matter, creating original programs that reflect the diversity of the region and sharing the full schedule of PBS programs that viewers love and trust. Through three content channels – PBS SoCal, KCET and LINK TV – this dynamic library of programs will be available for streaming on any internet-connected screen, on seven Southern California broadcast channels, and on one national satellite channel. The organization will also continue its community engagement, early childhood education and social impact services.
“Our calling – to use the power of public media to support an informed and engaged community – is more important than ever. We can accomplish this more successfully together – and by harnessing the unique combination of talent, energy and technical know-how that makes Los Angeles the world’s storyteller,” said Andrew Russell, President and CEO of PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. “We want to build a center for public media innovation that creates and launches new ideas in content, digital distribution, community engagement and social impact.”
PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA will maintain its locations in Burbank, Costa Mesa and Los Angeles, and the PBS SoCal, KCET and LINK TV channels will continue to build from their current content and programming strategies. All donations will now support the work of the newly merged organization. Additional details will be made available as two organizations are integrated.
ABOUT PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA tells stories that matter. We create original programs that reflect the diversity of the region, and share the full schedule of PBS programs that viewers love and trust – delivering a public media service that educates, informs and empowers. Through three content channels – PBS SoCal, KCET and LINK TV – our library of programs is available for streaming on any internet-connected screen, seven Southern California broadcast channels, and one national satellite channel.
A donor-supported community institution, PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA hosts hundreds of in-person cultural events, screenings and community conversations to spark the sharing of diverse ideas and perspectives, and delivers real social impact through an Early Learning service that prepares our most vulnerable children for school, as well as other special public service initiatives. Find us at pbssocal.org, kcet.org and linktv.org.
