PBS SoCal Moves Broadcast Operations to Los Angeles, and Taps Centralcast for High Tech Master Control Hub

Move Expands Capacity, Updates Equipment, and Reduces Operating Costs

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Oct 26, 2016, 01:59 ET

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PBS SoCal KOCE, the home to PBS for Greater Los Angeles and Southern California, announced its broadcast operations will move from Golden West College in Huntington Beach to Los Angeles in mid-November. The station's new high-tech master control systems and signal transmission line will move to a shared site in the Sawtelle district of L.A., and Centralcast LLC – a centralized master control facility for public television stations – will be the broadcast hub. The move expands PBS SoCal's broadcast capabilities, improves reliability with new critical recovery resources and system redundancies, and reduces operating costs while adding station capacity.

PBS SoCal President and CEO Andrew Russell said the master control switch reflects PBS SoCal's continued upgrades and expansions since it became the primary PBS station for the region. "Nearly six years ago, KOCE became PBS SoCal and stepped into the role as the primary PBS station when KCET left PBS. Over that time, we've accomplished a great deal, thanks in large part to the support of our viewers – who contribute more than 50% of our annual operating budget," said Russell. "This move expands our footprint across the region and strengthens our operations. It also reflects our commitment to being good stewards of public funds, because it makes our operations more effective and efficient. "

Centralcast LLC in Syracuse, NY provides automation services, content recording, storage, synchronization of traffic data, signal monitoring, and a consolidated traffic system providing instant access to programming for public television stations around the country. The move to Centralcast LLC provides PBS SoCal an instant upgrade of costly equipment that depreciates quickly and must be updated often. PBS SoCal will now have access to cutting edge technology, as well the latest broadcast standards and practices. The operations will include satellite equipment, the Centralcast LLC equipment and space for the station's microwave dish, giving line-of-sight microwave signal transmission to Mt. Wilson.

PBS SoCal KOCE is the highest-rated public television station in Greater Los Angeles, and the third most-watched PBS station in the country. The organization's 2015-2016 fiscal year – which ended June 30 – was its best fundraising year ever, and the organization has seen a remarkable 304% increase in membership since it became the primary PBS station for the region in 2011. The organization now operates out of regional offices in Century City, Costa Mesa and downtown Los Angeles – empowering its mobile workforce to work seamlessly across the vast region.

About PBS SoCal KOCE
PBS SoCal is the home to PBS for Greater Los Angeles and Southern California. We deliver the full schedule of PBS programs, plus content that is for, about and by the people of Southern California. Our content is available free through three broadcast channels, at pbssocal.org, on our mobile apps, and via connected TV services. And provide the community with early education resources and cultural and educational experiences through partnerships, events and grassroots outreach. PBS SoCal has offices in Century City, Costa Mesa, and Los Angeles. Connect with us at pbssocal.org and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

About Centralcast LLC
Centralcast LLC, the nation's leading centralcasting provider to PBS stations in the country, is providing a groundbreaking model for public broadcasting and the first collaboration of its kind within the PBS system. Through the Joint Master Control Center, housed at WCNY Public Media's new Broadcast and Education Center in Syracuse, NY, Centralcast LLC provides broadcast automation services, content recording, and multiple quality control checkpoints for 24 public broadcasting stations in New York and New Jersey as well as PBS member stations in, Hawaii, Philadelphia, Connecticut, Washington State, Utah, North Carolina, Indiana, and many other stations across the county including CREATE NATIONAL, reaching nearly 40 percent of the nation's PBS viewers. Centralcast LLC is proud that it is built and operated for public television stations by public television stations. For more information, go to www.centralcast.org.