Public Television Stations to Consolidate Broadcasting Operations

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has awarded a $7 million grant to the Digital Convergence Alliance (DCA), comprising 11 public television stations that serve communities in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Illinois, to combine their operations into a single master control location.

Specifically, CPB’s grant will allow the DCA to establish a Network Operating Center, resulting in lower direct costs and a projected savings of more than $20 million over 10 years. The members of the Digital Convergence Alliance currently include: WJCT (Jacksonville, Fla.); WFSU (Tallahassee, Fla.); WEDU (Tampa, Fla.); WUCF (Orlando, Fla.); WBCC (Cocoa Beach, Fla.); WFSG (Panama City, Fla.); WPBT (Miami, Fla.); WPBA (Atlanta, Ga.); WTTW (Chicago, Ill.); WILL (Urbana, Ill.); and KERA (Dallas, Texas). The DCA selected Jacksonville, Florida, as the location for the Network Operating Center and contracted with JCT Services, Inc. to manage the operation.