KCETLink Announces Reorganization Following Merger
Reconfigured organization capitalizes on potential of
newly merged entity while enabling growth in new media landscape.
BURBANK, CA--April 19, 2013--KCETLink, the newly formed national independent public media organization, announced today it
has reorganized the company to maximize operational and financial efficiencies
following its merger, and align itself with digital innovation in the rapidly
changing media landscape.
KCET and Bay area-based Link Media merged four months
ago, and since then, KCETLink management has examined every aspect of the
consolidated organization and reconfigured the workforce for sustainable growth
and optimal financial health. As a
result, 22 full time positions will be eliminated.
In addition, while continuing to embrace traditional
television, KCETLink will focus on
"transmedia" programming opportunities that provide audiences access to content
on web and mobile devices, and also develop new mobile device apps and digital
media tools.
"These are challenging and transformational times that
require us to make difficult financial and operational decisions for the
continued health of the organization in order to create a public media
organization that can grow in the 21st Century," said Al Jerome,
KCETLink's Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, we have to factor digital
innovation into every decision moving forward, which has required us to design
a new paradigm that operates multiple platforms simultaneously and continues to
offer engaging new productions to our viewers."
As a leading public media organization, KCETLink will continue to offer enlightening, thought-provoking content about issues in
local communities in Southern California and nationally while providing a
cultural link to a world that's more connected than ever before.
Already, KCETLink is at various stages with several
innovative projects that align with this new digital media trajectory. KCET's critically acclaimed digital first
series, "Artbound," "Ballot Brief" and
"Departures" --along with several new productions currently in
development--will continue to evolve and grow under this new directive.
Additional transmedia projects in the pipeline include
the recently released Link TV World News mobile app; "Stand Up
Planet!" a multi-platform comedy/reality series focused on issues of
global development which is currently in production in India and South Africa;
as well as newly acquired films "Shadows of Liberty" and "The Power
of Two" that are both heavily supported by digital engagement and available on
multiple screens.
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ABOUT KCETLink
KCETLink is a national independent public transmedia
organization formed by the merger between KCET and Link Media. A viewer-supported 501(c)(3) organization,
its content is distributed nationally via satellite on DirecTV and DISH, in
Southern and Central California via broadcast, as well as through various
digital delivery systems. KCET and Link TV are services of KCETLink. For additional information
about KCETLink productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and
community events, please visit kcet.org or linktv.org.