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PRESSROOM MATERIALS
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NCPB Press Kit
NCPB overview, history, division and management information
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Media Usage Policy
photo & document rights,
uses, permissions
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PRESS CONTACTS
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Scott Walton, Executive Director of Communications
415.553.2145
swalton@ncpb.com
Yoon Lee, Director of Media Relations & Promotions
415.553.3338
ylee@kqed.org
Meredith Gandy, Associate Publicist
415.553.2116
mgandy@kqed.org
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| KQED Corporate Entity is Named Northern California
Public Broadcasting |
All Ballot Questions Pass Overwhelmingly
October 26, 2006, San Francisco -- The
corporate umbrella organization resulting from the merger
of television stations KQED (San Francisco),
KTEH (San Jose), and KCAH (Monterey)
will be named Northern California Public Broadcasting
(NCPB). The name change was overwhelmingly approved
by the members of KQED who also voted on five other changes
to the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. The results
of the vote, which was conducted over the last three weeks,
were announced today. While each station will retain its
individual identity and call letters, NCPB will serve
as the corporate umbrella organization. In addition to
the three television stations, Northern California Public
Broadcasting will also operate digital channels for all
three stations, public radio stations KQED in San Francisco
and KQEI in Sacramento/North Highlands, as well as interactive
websites and educational networks for KQED, KTEH, and
KCAH. The name change will be effective immediately. With
this merger, NCPB is the most watched public television
broadcaster and the second most listened-to public radio
broadcaster in the country.
Nick Donatiello, Chair of the NCPB Board,
said, "We applaud the membership's decision to approve
the name change for the corporate umbrella organization
as well as the changes to the Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws that the Board recommended. This decision allows
us to dedicate more of our resources to programming and
other mission-centric efforts. It also puts the organization
in a position to respond quickly to opportunities and
challenges arising from today's rapidly-changing media
environment. I am grateful to the nearly thirty thousand
members who took the time to consider these matters and
vote in this process."
Approximately 190,000 members of KQED were asked to vote
on six types of articles and bylaws amendments during
a three week voting period that ended October 25. The
vote was the largest in KQED history both in terms of
the number of ballots cast and the proportion of the membership
that voted.
As part of this vote, members were asked to give up their
voting rights in the future in order to save money on
votes of this type and to allow the station to respond
more quickly to opportunities that might arise. That change
was approved by an overwhelming margin of more than two
to one.
All other amendments passed with more than 90% of voters
in favor of them. The changes included:
- Change the scope of the purpose of the organization
to account for new methods of media distribution.
This change will allow NCPB to explore new media distribution
sources and platforms beyond traditional television
and FM radio. Passage of this vote will enable more
exploration into these areas such as the Internet,
satellite radio, DVDs, podcasting, and other technology
and delivery options that might arise in the future.
- Provide for a limited extension of terms
for officers. This provision will allow board
officers' terms to be extended for a period of up
to three additional years, beyond their six-year term.
In an organization as complex as NCPB, board members
will be able to spend time serving on committees and
learning the organization before ascending to a leadership
role.
- Allow for a flexible board size.
The recent merger alerted the Board to the fact that
additional board members (for example, to represent
new constituencies, such as the KCAH broadcast area)
cannot be added in a merger or other situation without
asking existing board members to resign. This change
will allow more flexibility for these situations and
in the event that the terms of officers are extended
under the new provision.
- Eliminate member voting and certain other
rights. Members agreed to follow the model
of other leading non-profits and not participate in
future votes of this type. This also means that members
will no longer vote on candidates for the Board of
Directors. Members will continue to have review and
inspection rights held by the public, such as the
right to review financial reports and the FCC public
file but will no longer vote on changes to the Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws. NCPB will continue its
long-standing policy of having open board and committee
meetings, as well as continue to engage its members
and the public through Community Advisory Panels and
other community outreach programs.
- Allow for certain technical changes.
In keeping with California law, members agreed to
allow for certain technical changes like allowing
the Board of Directors to be notified about meetings
via email. The former Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation
did not expressly allow for these types of modern
conventions.
Northern California Public Broadcasting
operates KTEH Public Television (San
Jose), KCAH Public Television (Watsonville/Monterey),
KQED Public Television 9, one of the
nation's most-watched public television stations during
prime-time, and KQED's digital television channels, which
include KQED HD, KQED Encore, KQED World, KQED
Life and KQED Kids; KQED
Public Radio, one of the most-listened-to public
radio stations in the nation with an award-winning news
and public affairs program service (88.5 FM in San Francisco
and KQEI, 89.3 FM in Sacramento); KQED.org,
one of the most visited station sites in Public Broadcasting;
and KQED Education Network, which brings
the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students,
parents and media professionals through workshops, seminars
and resources.
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