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The Television Merger and Consolidation Program is available to stations receiving a television Community Service Grant (CSG) that have entered into a comprehensive operating agreement (Operating Agreement) with one or more other television CSG recipients, which will result in a number of advantages, including one or more of the following:

1. To the extent possible, ensuring everyone that currently receives over-the-air public television service today will continue to receive over-the-air public television service.
2. Facilitates stations working together to implement an approach they have not previously undertaken to share operations increasing the efficient and effective use of their resources.

This program was created pursuant to a resolution of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s (CPB) Board of Directors in May 2009 authorizing CPB to assist stations at risk of closing which provide the only public television service in their coverage area, and to assist stations that undertake efforts to more efficiently and effectively use their resources collaboratively.

Accordingly, this program provides television CSG recipients participating in an Operating Agreement the opportunity to apply for funding from either the Universal Service Program (Universal Service Program), or the Operational Efficiency Program (OE Program), depending on the results and impact of their Operating Agreement. Stations may only receive funding from one of these programs each year the program is in effect.

Stations receiving funding through the Universal Service or OE Programs are also subject to the provisions set forth in the FY2014 Television Community Service Grant General Provisions and Eligibility Criteria (CSG Program), unless otherwise provided herein. The definition of terms used in this program shall be the same as those used in the CSG Program, which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event the CSG Program is revised at any time during the term covering an award under this program, said award shall be subject to the changed CSG Program provisions.

I. Universal Service Program

In order to obtain funding under the Universal Service Program at least one of the applicants in the collaboration must provide the only public television service to 80 percent or more of its signal coverage area and must also be at risk of imminent closure or loss of its CSG for failure to meet minimum NFFS (Universal Service Station).

Each group of stations (participating in an Operating Agreement) is eligible for up to 25 percent of the FY2013 CSG of the Universal Service Station, not to exceed $3 million in funding annually through the Universal Service Program. Funding provided must be divided equally among the participating stations (if a new entity is created, then the new entity will receive the entire funding). It is within CPB’s sole discretion to determine the amount of funding to set aside for the Universal Service Program, and to award to requesting stations.

II. OE Program

Each group of stations (participating in an Operating Agreement) may apply for funding equal to 25 percent of each station’s FY2013 CSG. However, the total amount of funding payable to any group may not exceed $1.5 million. Each funding award must be divided equally among the participating stations (if a new entity is created, then the new entity will receive the entire funding). It is within CPB’s sole discretion to determine the amount of funding set aside for the OE Program, and to award to requesting stations.

Application Submission

Application deadline is July 1, 2013. Email the completed application materials to TVMerger@cpb.org or mail completed application to:

Corporation for Public Broadcasting
401 Ninth Street NW
Washington, DC 20004-2129
Attention: Djinni Field, Project Officer

 

For questions or concerns, please email TVMerger@cpb.org or call 1-866-635-4747.