More RI Media Consolidation — RIPBS and Public's Radio Merge

More RI Media Consolidation — RIPBS and Public's Radio Merge

Rhode Island’s public television and radio station announced they are merging. It is the latest media consolidation to hit the region.

The merger requires federal and state regulatory approval.

“We have believed for quite some time that our amazing organizations will be stronger and achieve even greater impact together,” said Dave Laverty, chair of the Rhode Island PBS Foundation Board. “By combining resources and talent, we can build on our respective traditions of trust and integrity to meet audiences where they are, across platforms, to deliver rich programming that is meaningful, accessible, and inclusive. By working together, we will create an opportunity to bring a more powerful and necessary public media voice to serve our community.”

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“This is a tremendously exciting moment for our organizations and for the audiences we serve. Together, with our partners in public television, we will bring the incredible work of our teams into more homes and communities, and in new and different ways,” said Elizabeth Delude-Dix, chair of board of directors of The Public’s Radio, formerly known as Rhode Island Public Radio. “As a unified public media organization, we anticipate building new relationships and fostering deep partnerships while opening our audience’s eyes and ears to new experiences in the arts, sciences, humanities, and politics. A vibrant public media can create a stronger civic life and, together, we can better deliver on our missions.”

At the national level, public radio has faced significant layoffs.

NPR's chief executive, John Lansing, announced the network would lay off roughly 10% of its current workforce – at least 100 people – and eliminate most vacant positions. In September, Lansing announced he was leaving the company.

What isn’t disclosed is who will be in charge and who may go.

According to recently filed tax documents, both Torey Malatia — the head of The Public’s Radio, and David W. Piccerelli —president of Rhode Island PBS receive compensation packages of more than $200,000.

Two weeks ago, the Woonsocket Call and Pawtucket Times announced they were merging into one newspaper.