Local Public, a tech platform spun out by Seattle's Cascade PBS, is revolutionizing the way public media stations distribute their content. This innovative venture aims to empower local PBS stations across the nation by providing them with their own branded, station-curated streaming apps, along with essential tools for fundraising and audience engagement. By offering a tailored solution, Local Public challenges the dominance of one-size-fits-all national apps, fostering a more diverse and community-centric media landscape.
The initiative began as a response to the growing consolidation of media, where a shrinking number of corporations dictate what Americans consume. Local newsrooms, once vibrant hubs of community engagement, have been downsized, and centralized programming has taken hold. In this context, Local Public CEO Kevin Colligan argues that a startup-driven approach to public media's traditional community service is not only timely but also essential. By leveraging technology, Local Public enables stations to move swiftly, collaborate effectively, and reach audiences across various platforms.
One of the key strengths of Local Public lies in its centralized content management system. This system empowers stations to publish their own programming, create featured-content carousels, and access real-time viewer analytics. Additionally, stations can directly message members and prospective donors within the app, fostering a more interactive and personalized experience. The platform's support for PBS Passport and PBS Media Manager further enhances its functionality, ensuring a seamless integration with existing PBS systems.
The impact of Local Public is already evident, with 18 stations currently utilizing its services. Notable examples include Arizona PBS, Houston Public Media, OPB, Rocky Mountain PBS, and WETA. Sacramento's KVIE has relaunched its streaming app as KVIE Plus, offering free access to its full broadcast lineup alongside local programming and diverse content. Similarly, Denver's KRMA has also embraced the platform, relaunching its connected-TV app.
Local Public's pricing model is structured based on station size, with small stations (fewer than 15,000 members) paying an $8,000 onboarding fee and $60,000 annually. This tiered approach ensures that the platform remains accessible to stations of varying sizes, allowing them to leverage the benefits of a customized streaming solution.
In conclusion, Local Public's emergence as a standalone company represents a significant step towards democratizing public media distribution. By empowering local stations with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing media landscape, Local Public is not just building streaming apps; it's fostering a more vibrant, community-driven, and sustainable public media ecosystem.
