“KCET” is infinitely no extra. Properly, kind of. The Los Angeles-based public broadcaster nonetheless exists, and “KCET” stays its authorized name letters. However efficient Tuesday, Feb. 6, the station will begin branding itself on air as “PBS SoCal Plus.” That brings it additional according to its sister station PBS SoCal (KOCE-TV), with which it merged in 2018.
Past that, the programming combine gained’t change, however there will probably be additional program sharing behind each retailers underneath the unified model. Based on the general public broadcaster, the model unification is supposed to cease any confusion which will nonetheless exist between PBS SoCal and KCET now that they’re operated underneath one roof. The 2 stations have already merged their two web sites into one, underneath the PBS SoCal identify — and now they are going to function in tandem underneath that one identify all over the place else too.
Dan Ferguson, PBS SoCal’s senior VP of selling and communication, mentioned the identify change was made after they mentioned viewers analysis supported the consolidation.
“Whereas conventional, over-the-air, broadcast programming and scheduling efforts will proceed to be as very important as ever to our group’s success, the brand new branding effort acknowledges the present media panorama and PBS SoCal’s dedication to on-demand and digital-first content material for each regional and nationwide audiences,” Ferguson mentioned. “This transformation ensures we’re following what the neighborhood has requested and aligns the native flagship group with the trusted values and model power related to the PBS identify.”
KCET was initially Los Angeles’ major PBS station, however dropped its relationship with the general public broadcasting service on the finish of 2010 resulting from a dispute over its dues. KCET then went unbiased, whereas KOCE — initially based mostly in Orange County (the place its metropolis of origination is Huntington Seaside) — grew to become the market’s new major PBS station and rebranded as “PBS SoCal.”
“PBS SoCal and KCET merged in 2018, and since then, we have now grown into a robust public media entity serving Southern California that displays the variety of our area and gives a full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS packages,” mentioned PBS SoCal prexy/CEO Andrew Russell. “Whereas the printed channel identify could also be altering, the packages that viewers love on KCET— “Artbound,” “Misplaced LA,” “Father Brown,” “Should See Motion pictures” and extra — will stay accessible on the channel and throughout all of our platforms. Our honored custom, constructed by KCET, of manufacturing authentic, considerate and provoking content material across the arts, native tradition, atmosphere, information and public affairs stays core to our deep dedication of serving our neighborhood with high-quality public media.”
Viewers will now solely see the decision letters “KCET” throughout hourly FCC-manded authorized I.D. callouts (form of like “KOCE” on PBS SoCal). Over the air, KCET stays on Channel 28, whereas KOCE is on Channel 50.
In business broadcast TV, duopolies throughout the nation have additionally began branding their secondary stations with a “Plus” tag and de-emphasizing these stations’ name letters — notably within the Fox Tv Stations group. In Los Angeles, Fox has began referring to KCOP-TV (Channel 13) as “Fox 11 Plus,” paired with KTTV “Fox 11.” In San Francisco, Fox-owned KTVU is paired with one other station dubbed “KTVU Plus” (precise name letters: KICU). And in Minneapolis, KMSP “Fox 9” is paired with sister station “Fox 9 Plus” (WFTC-TV).
