KERA Reduces Staff and Ends Think TV

General, News Releases April 20, 2011 222

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2011

KERA announced today that it has eliminated the positions of six employees and is ending, on April 22, the television production of Think that airs three Fridays a month at 7 p.m. on KERA TV.

Think with Krys Boyd continues to air on KERA FM, Monday through Thursday, from noon to 2 p.m.

Mary Anne Alhadeff, President and CEO said, “In looking ahead to our Fiscal Year 2012 which begins July 1st, we must fund the organization’s program priorities for the coming year, and balance those plans with continuing uncertain economic times and careful consideration of a potential reduction in federal funding for public broadcasting. The organization has had a balanced budget for six consecutive years, and it is important that continues.”

The organization’s annual operating budget is largely funded through private sources. Eighty-nine percent of operating revenue comes from contributions by members, business support and grants made by foundations. Federal funding, administered through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in support of KERA TV and Radio, comprises eleven percent (or $1.8 million) of the operating budget.

Congress recently kept Fiscal Year 2011 funding for public broadcasting largely intact through September 2011. However, Congress has yet to begin working on the details for Fiscal Year 2012 that begins October 1^st.

“The position reductions and the ending of Think TV are part of an ongoing management process to remain fiscally responsible and to move the organization forward in an ever-changing media landscape,” said Ms. Alhadeff. “Public broadcasting continues to provide programming not seen or heard anywhere else. We are always mindful of using our resources to achieve the greatest possible public service impact now and for the future.”

North Texas Public Broadcasting is a not-for-profit public broadcasting educational organization that provides broadcast and online content through KERA TV, KERA WORLD, KERA FM and KXT 91.7, and the websites kera.org, kxt.org and artandseek.org.