ARLINGTON, VA/BOSTON, MA, September 20, 2007 - Today, PBS and WGBH Boston announced a partnership to unite their respective video distribution businesses and other selected activities into a single joint distribution service. The combination of these efforts will broaden the library of programs available to consumers of public television content, and position the combined organization to capitalize on emerging media opportunities.
This partnership, which will be managed by both PBS and WGBH executives, engages in the distribution of video and download-to-own/rent content licensing of programs in the international marketplace, and related activities including commercial broadband Web sites launched for syndication.
Andrea Downing, Vice President, PBS Home Entertainment and Partnerships, said, "This is an extraordinary opportunity to combine efforts within public television to better serve the public and the producing community. Our new partnership will provide broader, more efficient distribution options for public television producers, film-makers, programmers and viewers."
David Bernstein, Vice President, WGBH Enterprises, added, "By combining the scale and expertise of two successful distributors, we will be positioned to capitalize on public television's investment in programming, and increase our capacity and library available for future, alternative distribution methods."
Programming and content decisions will continue to be made solely by the production and broadcast departments of PBS and WGBH respectively. There will be no changes in the commissioning process. Funds generated through this partnership will be directed towards public television programming and services.
About PBS
PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise that serves the nation's 355 public noncommercial television stations, reaching nearly 73 million people each week. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is the leading provider of educational materials for preK-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of educational services for adult learners. PBS's premier kids' TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (pbskids.org), continue to be one of parents' and teachers' most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the most visited dot-org Web sites on the Internet. PBS is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
About WGBH
WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcasting producer, the source of fully one-third of PBS's prime-time lineup, along with some of public television's best-known lifestyle shows and children's programs and many public radio favorites. Its production menu is diverse, including Nova, Frontline, American Experience, Antiques Roadshow, Masterpiece Theatre, Arthur, and Curious George on PBS and The World and Sound & Spirit on public radio. WGBH is the number one producer of Web sites on pbs.org, one of the most trafficked dot-org Web sites in the world. WGBH is a pioneer in educational multimedia and in technologies and services that make media accessible to the 36 million Americans who rely on captioning or video descriptions. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards, even two Oscars. In 2002, WGBH was honored with a special institutional Peabody Award for 50 years of excellence. For more information visit www.wgbh.org.
-PBS-
CONTACT:
Jennifer Daddura, jedaddura@pbs.org 703.739.5223
Lucy Sholley, Lucy_sholley@wgbh.org, 617.300.5459
www.PBS.ORG/PRESSROOM