NHPTV ANNOUNCES NEW COLLABORATION WITH WGBH BOSTON

(DURHAM, August 9, 2012) – As part of its new status as an independent, community-licensed public broadcaster, this fall New Hampshire Public Television (NHPTV) is making changes to its broadcast schedule and administrative operations that will enable it to better serve its New Hampshire audience and communities. NHPTV is collaborating with WGBH Boston to further focus its resources on producing and presenting local and PBS television programs. The collaboration will provide operational economies, which are key to NHPTV’s continued success following the loss of its state funding and its transition from an entity of the University System of New Hampshire to an independent, community-licensed public media organization. Both NHPTV and WGBH will remain independently owned and operated stations. As part of the NHPTV–WGBH collaboration, NHPTV will contract for services in areas such as broadcast technologies, membership services and financial administration. Through digital technology, broadcast operations can be shared and combined to save money, which enables financial resources to be redirected to programming. New program schedules for NHPTV PRIME and NHPTV EXPLORE will roll out this fall. Beginning in October, NHPTV PRIME viewers will enjoy their favorite PBS programs such as Masterpiece, Nature, Antiques Roadshow, American Masters, Great Performances, PBS NewsHour, Sesame Street and Curious George at times that align with the national public broadcasting schedule. Local NHPTV program favorites such as Windows to the Wild, Roadside Stories, and Granite State Challenge will continue to be seen on NHPTV PRIME and NHPTV EXPLORE, also at new times. The program schedule for NHPTV EXPLORE will change in September. And, more viewers in New Hampshire will have access to the public media digital channels WORLD and CREATE. “NHPTV is pleased to be part of this ground-breaking collaboration with WGBH, and to streamline certain administrative and operational functions. The cost savings will enable us to focus our resources on local programs and services for our viewers and supporters,” noted Peter Frid, President and CEO of NHPTV. “NHPTV is a strong, valued and financially sound organization, and we’re excited about our future plans as we continue to serve our New Hampshire viewers and communities.” “WGBH and New Hampshire Public Television share a mission of serving audiences with quality educational programs,” said WGBH President and CEO Jonathan Abbott. “We are excited to collaborate in that mission in ways that will make the best use of our resources and new technologies to benefit our communities,” he said.

Pressroom Contact

Carla Gordon Russell
Director of Communications
crussell@nhpbs.org
(603) 868-4339