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Public Broadcasting Systems Western Reserve and Ideastream Public Media have signed an agreement to merge to strengthen public media across northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania, the companies announced this week.
The companies said they plan to continue, without interruption, the programming, educational services, cultural content, local news coverage and community service provided across the stations. All staff from both organizations are being retained, with no layoffs planned.
Once the transaction is complete, the combined organization will operate as Ideastream Public Media. Kevin Martin will continue as president and CEO, and Natalie Pillsbury, president and CEO of PBS Western Reserve, will become chief content officer. A combined board, drawn from both organizations, will reflect the full range of communities they serve.
The federal government enacted major funding cuts to public media through a congressional package that trimmed $1.1 billion in advance appropriations and forced the closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.