PBS SoCal Rebrands KCET Broadcast Channel as ‘PBS SoCal Plus’

Carly Thomas
·2 min read

KCET and local Southern California PBS stations are set to be consolidated into one name: PBS SoCal.

Though the Los Angeles-based public broadcaster KCET will still exist, it will be referred to as “PBS SoCal Plus,” so that both PBS flagship broadcast stations will be under one unified brand starting Feb. 6.

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The broadcaster noted that KCET programming will not change.

“PBS SoCal and KCET merged in 2018, and since then, we have grown into a strong public media entity serving Southern California that reflects the diversity of our region and provides a full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS programs,” PBS SoCal president and CEO Andrew Russell said in a statement. “While the broadcast channel name may be changing, the programs that viewers love on KCET — Artbound, Lost LA, Father Brown, Must See Movies and more — will remain available on the channel and across all of our platforms.”

He continued, “Our honored tradition, built by KCET, of producing original, thoughtful and inspiring content around the arts, local culture, environment, news and public affairs remains core to our deep commitment of serving our community with high-quality public media.”

Viewers’ favorite programs will also be available to stream on one website, pbssocal.org. Local viewers will still be able to watch KCET (now “PBS SoCal Plus”) programming on 28.1 while PBS SoCal viewers will continue on 50.1. Cable and satellite carriers will host “PBS SoCal Plus” content on the same channels previously carrying KCET, as well.

Audiences will now only see the call letters of KCET during FCC-mandated station identifier breaks.

Dan Ferguson, PBS SoCal senior vp of marketing and communications, added, “This change ensures we are following what the community has requested and aligns the local flagship organization with the trusted values and brand strength associated with the PBS name.”

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