Rhode Island’s Two Public Radio Broadcasters Plan to Merge

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In case you missed it, Rhode Island PBS and the Public’s Radio announced Thursday their plans to unite and form a public media organization focused on producing high-quality content that “sparks public discourse and contributes to lifelong learning” in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

“It’s definitely a merger of equals,” said David Piccerelli, president of Rhode Island PBS, in a statement on their website.  “I think collectively we all feel that we’re much stronger together as a team than trying to work independently with similar missions.”

While it’s not quite yet a done deal — the Federal Communications Commission and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office need to sign off — the Public Radio’s president, chief executive officer and general manager, Tony Malatia, is confident the regulatory approval is going well and will be finalized by the spring of 2024. The proposed new media entity also has yet to be given a name.

The two Emmy- and Telly Award-winning organizations have nearly 100 employees between them, and Piccerelli is hopeful to bring more aboard following the merger’s completion. The new organization will be housed in the current Rhode Island PBS building in Providence.

Piccerelli believes joining forces will more than double the impact of the two institutions.

“Public media’s increasingly looked at as sort of the last but best hope for trusted, important conversation, information, discussion, debate, the sorts of things that really keep civic life alive. And we’re inspired by that.”

He also maintains that the decision was not made for financial reasons.

“This was not a financial decision for either one of us,” Piccerelli said. “I mean we’re two both very strong organizations financially. This is purely about being stronger together and better serving the Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts community.”

To learn more about the planned merger, visit ripbs.org/tpr-merger.