CPB grants $2.9M to American Public Television for distributing local programs nationwide

CPB announced a $2.9 million grant Monday to American Public Television to help local public television stations complete, distribute and promote locally produced content for national audiences.

APT will use the grant as a dedicated pool of funding to provide finishing funds and editorial support for station-produced programs that have “strong potential for broader distribution,” according to a news release. “The initiative will ensure that locally-rooted stories—often constrained by financial and distribution barriers—can reach viewers nationwide through broadcast via APT’s Exchange service” and via streaming and social media platforms, the release said.

“As some of the last locally owned and operated media organizations in their communities, public television stations are uniquely positioned to tell authentic stories,” said Kathryn Washington, SVP of television content for CPB, in the release. “By investing in locally produced stories and helping them reach national audiences, CPB is building on the foundational connections that stations have with their communities and ensuring that unique and distinct regional stories are shared across the country.”

APT will seek to partner with stations that have not historically collaborated on national programming, the release said.

“This new grant builds on APT’s founding mission, the exchange of locally produced programs, while addressing today’s realities by helping stations overcome the final barriers to national distribution,” said APT CEO Jim Dunford. “APT is committed to the success of station producers and content creators by offering them the support and professional growth opportunities they need to complete their projects and distribute them broadly to reach a wider range of audiences.”

APT anticipates funding at least 35 projects over three years. The initiative will also provide professional guidance to stations with limited production or distribution capacity.

CPB has continued to award grants to stations, nonprofit organizations and system initiatives in recent months following the rescission of its federal funding. It is preparing to shut down this month.