Los Angeles' KCET will end affiliation with PBS

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

Los Angeles PBS station KCET says it's leaving the Public Broadcasting System and going independent because of a dispute over fees and programming.

In a statement Friday, KCET President Al Jerome said the station had been in discussions with PBS for several years about the need for reduced fees and more flexibility in its schedule.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/10/08/entertainment/e150554D28.DTL&tsp=1

[SoCalDem]

1. It's kind of sucked for years now, anyway

I prefer KVCR.

[Codeine]

2. KVCR radio is nearly the only station I listen to. nt

[SoCalDem]

3. I also like channel 58 (forget the call-letters)

KCET rested on its laurels for far too long, and their programming was not "all that"..

Their foray into independent-ism will probably fail too.

[itsrobert]

6. Also Channel 50 KOCE

n/t

[tularetom]

4. What's going to happen to Huell Howser?

He's ultra dorky but for some reason those shows are a hoot.

I'd hate to think he might go off the air.

[itsrobert]

5. Commercials for his time?

maybe?

[alp227]

7. So does that mean that Tavis Smiley will be off the air? KCET produces his PBS show.

The only other PBS member station in the main LA area is KLCS, according to Wikipedia. Wonder what KCET will broadcast this time?

[KingFlorez]

8. I doubt going independent will result in any success

Independent stations have been dropping off for over a decade now.

[KamaAina]

11. It certainly hasn't for the Bay Area's KCSM

which dropped PBS last year, and is now trying to raise a million bucks by the end of the year in order to stay afloat.

On the other hand, if they were to hook up with KCET, creating a mini-network that would reach over 22 million people, that is, three-quarters of all Californians and about 8 percent of the country... that's so crazy it just might work!!

[regnaD kciN]

9. I don't know much about L.A. programming anymore...

Does this mean Los Angeles will be without a PBS affiliate? Not good news -- for both the city and the future of non-commercial broadcasting.

[itsrobert]

10. In the LA DMA they have 24 (inland empire), 50 (Orange County), 58 (LA)

So they are still covered. The question is will PBS demand more money from the others to make up for losing KCET.