VPR and Vermont PBS will merge | Vermont Business Magazine

Submitted by tim on Wed, 09/09/2020 - 09:33

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the boards of Vermont PBS and Vermont Public Radio unanimously voted to join together to create a new public media organization, to better serve the community.

The new organization will be led by Scott Finn, current president and CEO of VPR. Steve Ferreira, acting Vermont PBS CEO, will serve as COO.

VPR and Vermont PBS have recently collaborated on several projects, including polling, candidate debates and VPR now broadcasts Vermont PBS' "Vermont This Week."

According to the chairs of the two organizations, Nicole Ravlin for VPR and Marguerite Dibble for VTPBS, the organizations have been collaborating for several years and have been informally talking about merging for the last couple and about a year ago started talking seriously about a merger.

VPR CEO Scott Finn said they and other media partners will continue collaborating, but no current programming or staff will be cut.

VPR has about 60 employees and VTPBS has about 43. VPR has revenues of $9.4 million and VTPBS has $7.8 million. Their combined assets will be nearly $100 million (see overviews below).

At this point, Finn said, they have not worked out the facilities.

VPR has its recently updated, environmentally sustainable studio on Troy Avenue in Colchester. VTPBS still has its studio around the corner at Fort Ethan Allen, but has moved its offices to downown Winooski. Finn said besides the logistics of merging radio and TV, COVID has meant that many staff are still working remotely.

Financial stability was brought up several times during a late afternoon Zoom press conference on Tuesday. The questions of "why aren't they one organization" has been asked many times over the years. In other markets the public radio and television are under one roof. Now they finally will be here.

The merger requires FCC approval, which the organizations anticipate will not be an issue. They anticipate closing on the merger next spring.

“It’s never been more important to strengthen public media and build deeper connections within our community,” said Marguerite Dibble, chair of the Vermont PBS Board. “After many successful collaborations, we’ve recognized that these two organizations share a mission and vision to connect Vermonters. By teaming up, we will be better positioned to serve the community.”

“The media landscape is rapidly changing, and the needs of our audiences are evolving,” said Charlie Browne, VPR’s board chair. “Together, our talents and complementary offerings will provide our audience with the ability to experience education, news, culture, the arts, and local content in a variety of formats, to meet their individual needs.”

Nicole Junas Ravlin will serve as the chair of the new board of directors, and Marguerite Dibble will serve as vice chair. The new board will consist of existing VPR and Vermont PBS directors.

Today’s announcement is the first step in building a new, combined public media organization for Vermont. The new organization’s anticipated launch date is July 1, 2021, and is contingent upon regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission and IRS recognition of tax-exempt status.

Over the next several months, VPR and Vermont PBS will work together to develop an integration plan. Both entities, along with their respective boards, will continue to exist independently throughout the integration period.

“The staff and supporters of both organizations will play an integral role in shaping the new organization,” said Finn. “Over the next few months, we’ll be reaching out across our listening and viewing areas, to connect with the community as we make plans for the future.”

Existing viewers and listeners will continue to see and hear all the programming they love, Finn said. By integrating, VPR and Vermont PBS will be able to expand their programming to offer audiences deeper, richer experiences.

“The talent at these two organizations is tremendous,” said Finn. “Their experience, passion, and collective commitment to serving the community inspires me. By coming together, we’ll have the ability to do even more - tell more stories, enhance promotion of art and culture, share educational resources, and connect neighbors. There’s so much opportunity. This is an exciting moment for all of us.”

“Vermont PBS and VPR are institutions,” said Ravlin, who will lead the new board of directors. “Amid so much change in the world, public media, and the service it provides to Vermont and its communities, is more important than ever. By coming together we can ensure our mission strengthens and grows for generations to come.”

VPR

Overview

Vermont Public Radio (VPR) is Vermont’s only statewide public radio network. A listener-supported, nonprofit organization since 1977, VPR provides an essential and trusted independent voice for news, information, music and cultural exploration. It operates a 27-station radio network serving all of Vermont, parts of surrounding states and Quebec, Canada. Reaching more than 200,000 listeners each week, VPR and its two programming services—VPR News and VPR Classical—produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. A complete list of stations, programs and services can be found at VPR.org.

Mission
VPR is an essential and trusted independent voice for news, information, music and cultural exploration for the people of our region.

Vision

Exploring the whole Vermont story, together.

VPR News
VPR News has an independent, nonpartisan newsroom that provides award-winning local news via broadcast, digital audio and online, as well as essential conversations about current events and issues on Vermont Edition. VPR News also carries popular national programs such as NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, along with Fresh Air, Marketplace, The Moth Radio Hour, and Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me.

VPR Classical

VPR Classical is Vermont’s only classical music station. With local hosts throughout the day, live performances and regional event announcements, the station provides the timelessness of classical music with a unique and immediate local connection. The network features weekly concerts from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and from revered symphonies around the world, a weekly celebration of choral music on the VPR Choral Hour, Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin, and live performances by the Metropolitan Opera.

VPR Quick Facts

VPR has more than 200,000 listeners to its stations each week.*
More than 90,000 users stream VPR News or VPR Classical each week.
More than 75,000 unique users access VPR.org each week.
VPR has more than 200,000 weekly downloads of on-demand audio, including podcasts, newscasts, news stories and programs.
VPR has 13 full-power stations and 14 translators across the state.
Contributions from individuals, foundations and local businesses make up more than 90% of VPR’s overall budget.
VPR has approximately 28,000 contributing members.
VPR News has received more than 100 awards for its journalism, including the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in 2019.
Approximately 1.76 million people can tune in to a VPR station in their home.
VPR’s FY20 budget is $9.4 million (operating expenses)
VPR has 73 employees (59 full-time, 14 part-time)
Scott Finn has been president & CEO of VPR since May 2018. (Full bio)
VPR began broadcasting from the Windsor House in Windsor, Vt. on August 13, 1977. (Full history and timeline)

*(Source: Nielsen Audio Fall 2019 National Regional Database, Persons 12+ M-Su 6a-12m)

Vermont PBS

Overview

Vermont PBS is Vermont’s only statewide public television station, with viewership reaching into Quebec, New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Vermont PBS offers viewers a wide range of programs on news, history, science, arts and culture, entertainment, local content and trusted educational programs for children. Vermont PBS reaches a monthly audience of over 500,000 people and offers three additional channels, PBS KIDS, Vermont PBS PLUS, and Create TV, as well as online and mobile app viewing options. A complete list of programs is available at vermontpbs.org.

Mission: Vermont PBS connects neighbors through stories that change lives.

Vermont PBS
Vermont PBS is an independent source for award-winning local and national programs. Vermont PBS is a trusted and nonpartisan source for news and public affairs, with programs such as PBS NewsHour, Frontline and Washington Week, and locally, Vermont This Week. The station presents critically acclaimed national programs such as Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, Nature, NOVA, Great Performances and Daniel Tiger. Local productions include Emmy-award winners such as Mister Chris and Friends while Made Here presents locally made films.

PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children through curriculum-based entertainment. With a 360-degree approach towards learning and reaching children, PBS KIDS leverages the full spectrum of media and technology to build knowledge, critical thinking, imagination and curiosity. From well-known favorites such as Sesame Street and Daniel Tiger to new additions like Molly of Denali and Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, PBS KIDS brings families trusted educational programs for children.

Vermont PBS PLUS
Vermont PBS launched Vermont PBS PLUS in 2014 to bring viewers more programming from
local and regional producers as well as from the WorldChannel.

Vermont PBS Create TV
Presenting the best of public television's lifestyle programs, Create TV features viewer-favorite public television "do-it-yourself" series and specials on food, travel, arts and crafts, home and garden and other lifestyle interests. The programs seen on Create TV come from American Public Television, The National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Vermont PBS Quick Facts

Vermont PBS has an unduplicated monthly average of 186,000 U.S. and 360,000 Canadian viewers.*
Monthly pageviews: 160,000
Monthly app users: 1,200
Vermont PBS has on average 18,000 contributing members a year.
Vermont PBS first went on the air with Vermont Daily Almanac on October 16, 1967 as Vermont Educational Television. (Full history and timeline.)
Vermont PBS has eight transmitters across the state.
Vermont PBS has won 18 New England Emmy awards.
Approximately 3,000,000 people can receive Vermont PBS broadcasts.
Vermont PBS has 42 employees
Steve Ferriera has been acting CEO since July 1, 2020. (Full bio.)

*U.S. Viewers: Nielsen Monthly Reporting, Persons 2+, All Dayparts. Canada: Numeris Weekly Reporting, Persons 2+, All Dayparts.

About VPR

About Vermont PBS
Vermont PBS connects neighbors through stories that change lives. As Vermont’s only statewide independent TV station, Vermont PBS is a powerful catalyst that informs, educates and inspires. When you support Vermont PBS, you help all Vermonters learn, grow, and contribute to our great state and the world. Learn more at vermontpbs.org. Join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Source: Winooski and Colchester, Vt. (September 9, 2020)—VPR & Vermont PBS