CA Public TV merger is a welcome move

KQED-KTEH MERGER IS A WELCOME MOVE
[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News, AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]
[Commentary] The board of San Jose public television station KTEH has made the wise, perhaps destined, decision to merge with San Francisco's KQED to create Northern California Public Broadcasting. In giving up local control, the station will gain more resources, which should result in more local programming -- a vital ingredient that's been missing for some time. KTEH, which will keep its call letters and its production facility in San Jose, can serve the South Bay better as a strong affiliate than as a weak independent station. With one-fifth the membership and one-sixth the budget and staff of KQED, KTEH hasn't fully tapped into the dynamism and wealth of Silicon Valley. Its loyal audience had to be satisfied with how-to shows and British comedies. Meanwhile, KTEH has been sitting on an undervalued asset: spectrum. There will be efficiencies in combining operations, but the big advantage will be in marketing one PBS affiliate for the region. KQED hasn't shopped much for members and donors in the South Bay, in deference to KTEH. Corporations and viewers in the valley that have balked at donating to what they considered a superfluous station might now contribute to a bigger operation that includes a Silicon Valley focus. The new organization fully intends to produce more local programs, says KTEH Chairman John Michael Sobrato.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/14557671.htm