The Daily Journal covered Manatt’s representation of KCETLink Media Group, a national independent broadcast and digital network, in its merger with PBS SoCal (KOCE), the flagship Public Broadcasting Service organization for Southern California. Led by Manatt’s Gordon Bava, a partner in the firm’s corporate and finance practice, the team also included Michelle Cooke, co-chair of the firm’s intellectual property practice, and associate Edward Osher.
On April 25, the companies announced that the deal is a “merger of equals,” creating a public media entity that serves more than 18 million people in the Southern California region. This deal also establishes a PBS flagship organization on the West Coast. As a result of the merger, the combined organization will offer PBS programming provided by KOCE with the Emmy Award winning content producing capabilities of KCET.
A press release announcing the deal noted that the new organizations will continue to operate from KCET’s and PBS SoCal’s existing Southern California locations in Burbank, Costa Mesa and Los Angeles with no immediate changes to broadcast operations or program schedules during the transition.
In addition to the Daily Journal, The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline covered the merger.