WGBH International, PBS Strike Joint Distribution Partnership

BOSTON/ARLINGTON,
September 18: WGBH International and PBS have teamed up to unite their
respective international television syndication and distribution activities
into a single distribution service.

This partnership will
broaden the library of programs and films available to international
broadcasters and video buyers and will provide a more streamlined,
single-source location of PBS content to international program buyers. The
international distribution partnership is part of a larger alliance being
formed between PBS and WGBH Boston to unite their
respective video distribution businesses and other selected activities
into a single joint distribution service both domestically and internationally.

The WGBH
International catalogue currently contains more than 500 hours of recently
produced documentary, lifestyle and children’s programming from award-winning
producers including Frontline, NOVA,
American Experience and
Ken Burns, whose latest film The War will premiere on PBS in September. WGBH International
also represents a broad range of the best independent producers from around the
world. Further details of the programs that will be added to the catalogue will
be announced at a later date.

WGBH
International will continue to use its current moniker and branding strategies
until details of the partnership are finalized. Programming and content
commissioning and decisions will continue to be made by the respective
production and broadcast departments of PBS and WGBH. The commissioning process
will remain the same and funds
generated through this partnership will be directed towards U.S. public
television programming and services.

Tom Koch, the director of
WGBH International, said: “This is a red letter day for everyone who values PBS
and WGBH programming. Following on
WGBH International’s merger last year with CS Associates, this new combination
with PBS will provide even better service, and programming options, to
international buyers, producers and filmmakers.”

Andrea Downing, the VP of
PBS home entertainment and partnerships, added: “This is an extraordinary
opportunity to combine efforts within public television to better serve the
public and the producing community. Our new partnership will provide broader,
more efficient distribution options for public television producers,
filmmakers, programmers and viewers.”