Vermont Radio: Non-Coms To Merge

Vermont's biggest and wealthiest nonprofit media organizations are merging. Officials at Vermont Public Radio and Vermont PBS say the goal is to provide stronger public service programming through a combined radio, TV, digital news and entertainment network.

The boards of the two nonprofits voted Wednesday to formally ratify the deal, reports VPR.

Marguerite Dibble, the chair of the Vermont PBS board, said after about a year of intensive study, board members saw the potential of working together as one media organization.

The merger requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission, and the recognition of tax-exempt status from the IRS. The anticipated launch date is July 2021.

If approved, the deal would create a statewide news and public affairs service with extremely deep pockets. According to public tax filings, Vermont Public Television, based in Winooski, has assets of $61 million. The organization sold one of its broadcast spectrums for $56 million in 2017. VPR, based in Colchester, has $30 million in assets, including property and equipment.