KCETLink Media Group (KCET), a national independent broadcast and digital network, and PBS SoCal (KOCE), the flagship PBS organization for Southern California, have announced an agreement to merge the two companies, , the companies said.
The merger of equals creates a center for public media innovation and creativity that serves the more than 18 million people living in the Southern California region. The name of the new organization will be announced with the closing of the merger, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2018.
Establishing a powerful PBS flagship organization on the West Coast, the historic union of these two storied institutions creates the opportunity to produce more original programs for multiple channels and platforms that address the diverse community in Southern California and the nation, and innovate new community engagement experiences that educate, inform, entertain, and empower.
The new organization will continue to operate from KCET´s and PBS SoCal´s existing Southern California locations in Burbank, Costa Mesa and Los Angeles. There will be no immediate changes to broadcast operations or program schedules on any of the stations´ channels during the merger transition period.
KCETLink Media Group is a national independent, nonprofit, digital and broadcast network that provides high-quality, culturally diverse programming designed to engage the public in innovative, entertaining and transformative ways. A viewer-supported 501(c)(3) organization, KCETLink is committed to independent perspectives, smart global entertainment, local communities, and opportunities for engagement and social action.
PBS SoCal KOCE is the flagship PBS station for 18 million diverse people across Southern California. As a member-supported non-profit organization, our mission is to deliver content and experiences that inspire, inform and entertain — over the air, online, in the community and in the classroom.
Related Articles