This just in…

Summers are, in theory, quiet times. And, more often than not, busy, busy, busy:

WGBH in Boston, top Public TV program producer, acquires Public Radio International (PRI) in Minneapolis, major distributor of Public radio programs.

What does it all mean?

As Boston’s primary public radio service, WBUR’s General Manager Charlie Kravetz said, (producers of the PRI distributed program, “Here & Now,”) “We will take our time to examine the meaning of this ownership change.”

One would wonder what the now retired President & Co-Founder of Minnesota Public Radio and founder 28 years ago of PRI (to distribute A Prairie Home Companion – NPR wasn’t interested) Bill Kling is thinking of this deal. For us in classical music radio-land, what will now happen to the nationally syndicated classical music service, Classical 24 (C24), co-owned by MPR and PRI? Wrinkles. Staus quo for the near term, then what?

These are interesting times. When you consider that “public radio” is really only an adolescent when it comes to other media, is it any wonder that the pressures of reinventing radio as a public service model, coupled with an aging pool of early contributors, a heavily politicized environment, rapidly evolving media landscape, difficult economic times…well, it’s only natural to have seismic shifts. Let the fun begin.

Onward!

For more:

http://www.boston.com/businessupdates/2012/07/26/wgbh-strikes-deal-buy-public-radio-international/Ce2ha6Pi2CshaLdK4keAsL/story.html 

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/public-radio-international-and-wgbh-boston-join-forces-2012-07-26

 

About Jack Allen

Jack Allen is a self-proclaimed dreamer, raconteur, rapscallion and radio guy. He got his start in radio, a second career, in 1992 at WMRA in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The broadcasting ethers have carried him through stints in St. Paul and Austin. He can now be found leading the team at All Classical Public Media, KQAC in Portland, Oregon.

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2 thoughts on “This just in…”

  1. If this is really true: “PRI will continue to operate independently as a tax-exempt non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Minneapolis, with its distinct mission and nationally recognized board of directors, continuing to directly raise funds for its own programs, projects and operations,” then how will that affect this new relationship with WGBH?

    Reply

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