Harrisonburg Public Television to Join Forces with Richmond-based Commonwealth Public Broadcasting
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Combined entity means new public TV Channel in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville
The board of Shenandoah Valley Educational Television Corporation (SVETC) announced today that WVPT is consolidating its operations with
Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation (CPBC), which operates the Richmond-based public radio station and PBS-member stations
in Richmond and Charlottesville known as the Community Idea Stations.
Once the consolidation is complete next spring, the impact of the combined enterprise – which takes the CPBC name – is an additional channel
of programming in both Harrisonburg and Charlottesville. The channel will offer repeats later in the week of signature PBS programs such as
Masterpiece, NOVA and Nature, as well as documentaries not currently airing on the main PBS station, how-to and travel shows, special holiday
programs and more.
“This move marks an important milestone in the half-century history for public broadcasting in our region,” said Stephen Davis, SVETC board chair.
“While WVPT will maintain our integral relationship with the local community, we are now in a stronger position to not only meet the challenges that
public broadcasters throughout the country are confronting, but to help shape the dynamic future that is public media. Commonwealth Public
Broadcasting is a recognized leader throughout the country, and we are excited to align our future with theirs.”
The combined operation will be managed by Curtis Monk, President and CEO of CPBC. Tony Mancari, who was President, CEO, and General Manager
of WVPT-TV, will assume responsibility for a newly created asset-revenue business unit. No other staff changes are planned for the immediate future.
“We recognize that there is strength in numbers, and by combining forces with our friends at WVPT, we are enhancing our capacity to broaden our reach
and leverage the power of media to educate, entertain and inspire,” Monk said. “This move creates a formidable foundation on which to make an impact
within our broad community of viewers. We welcome WVPT to the Community Idea Stations family.”
Paula Kerger, President of PBS, gave her enthusiastic stamp of approval. “Congratulations to these two organizations for coming together for the greater
good of the communities they serve. I believe this partnership shows great promise and could serve as a model for other public media stations across the
country.”
Three members of the SVETC board – Tassie Pippert, Jim Krauss, and Stephen Davis – will join the CPBC board. All SVETC employees will join CPBC
once regulatory reviews are completed.
The transaction is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission. The parties expect to complete the consolidation in early 2018.
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