Trending
Kelly Hastings
Mill Hall
As a member of a group working to preserve public media for our region, I want to address some concerns that have been raised about the proposed partnership that would result in WHYY in Philadelphia acquiring our local WPSU stations.
The planned transfer of the WPSU broadcast license to WHYY is still happening. Pending the completion of the asset transfer and transitional services agreements, the broadcast license transfer requests of the FCC will be filed. Successful outcomes to all of these steps will trigger final closing of the acquisition.
WPSU's current licensee, Penn State, has chosen to focus its resources on its core educational mission. As such, the University has determined that WPSU's long-term sustainability and growth will be best supported by another non-commercial organization.
WHYY has the scale, expertise and financial infrastructure to strengthen WPSU while preserving its public service mission. The long-term vision for WPSU under WHYY is to build a financially sustainable, locally responsive, free public media service.
Members, and potential members can support WPSU by continuing (or starting) their membership and financial support. Sustained local support remains critical during the transition.
All contributions to WPSU stay with WPSU. Neither Penn State or WHYY receive any portion of contributions designated for WPSU. Those will continue to support WPSU's programming, operations and local service.
Also, existing WPSU endowments or restricted gifts will continue to be used in accordance with donor intent for WPSU.
This partnership has the potential to return tremendous benefits to our region as it strives to keep a strong, local, and free public media source viable.