They were once rivals. Now, they are siblings under the PBS SoCal banner.
That partnership has led the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to select the noncommercial broadcast TV operation serving the Los Angeles market as the lead stations for a national public media civic content and engagement initiative.
Leading into 2026 and the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, this short-form, digital first initiative will collect and share the stories of Americans describing “the defining moment or experience that made them realize that they could make a difference through public service and community engagement.”
Taking the lead on the initiative is PBS SoCal, comprised of KCET-TV in L.A. and Orange County-licensed KOCE-TV.
As the selected lead operation, PBS SoCal will lead a pilot cohort of six public radio and public television stations to produce and distribute short-form, multimedia content prototypes, as well as work with an evaluation firm to develop, test, and evaluate the initiative over the next eight months.
With the intention to launch this initiative nationwide next year, PBS SoCal will be called on to help all public television and public radio stations create and distribute short-form, digital-first content that captures these stories and reach new audiences.
PBS SoCal President and CEO Andrew Russell commented, “PBS SoCal is honored for the opportunity to lead this vital and timely national public media initiative. Working with local public TV and radio stations across the country, we are excited to inspire individuals to participate in their communities, to amplify the voices of everyday heroes, and promote civic understanding across the nation.”
CPB is a founding member of More Perfect, a bipartisan partnership dedicated to renewing our democracy through civic engagement, and a partner of America250, which was established by Congress to inspire Americans to participate in the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
