National Public Radio and WGBH/Boston are acquiring National Public Broadcasting, LLC (NPB). The groups made an offer which was accepted in principle by Williams Communications, Inc., majority owner of NPB. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of October.
NPB was originally founded in 1997 as National Public Television (NPTV) as a national sales organization positioning public broadcasting underwriting as an alternative to advertising on commercial television. In 1999, the company added public radio representation and changed its name to National Public Broadcasting (NPB).
Combining NPB with NPR's Corporate Sponsorship division and WGBH will form a new yet-to-be-named company to represent sponsorship across all media for public broadcasting. This new entity will become the largest and most comprehensive representative for national and local public radio, television and multimedia.
Robert Williams, who founded NPB with his partner Linda Williams and has served as its chief executive officer, will retain that role with the new company. Ken Stern, chief executive officer of NPR, will additionally assume the chairmanship of the board of this new entity; Jonathan Abbott, chief operating officer and president-elect of WGBH, will also serve on the new Board.
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