KCET ANNOUNCES MOVE TO THE POINTE IN BURBANK

Burbank, CA - April 13, 2012 - KCET, the nation's largest independent television station serving Southern and Central California, has announced that on Monday, April 16, 2012, the company will begin operations at The Pointe in Burbank, the Worthe Real Estate Group property which houses the station's new state of the art offices and studios. KCET, which already began broadcasting from the site Wednesday, completed the move on time and on budget.

"We will always remember our rich history of pioneering productions and special events on the Sunset lot, but we're eager to begin a different chapter and offer viewers more exciting stories about issues that affect their communities," said Al Jerome, President and Chief Executive Officer for KCET.  "As part of phase two of our transition to independence, the move solidifies our commitment to continue to serve as the primary public media voice in our region and give our viewers a fresh take on local news and information."

KCET occupies two floors (approximately 55,000 square feet) in the brand new LEED GOLD certified facility with an open, expansive floor plan featuring 10-foot floor to ceiling vision glass panoramic views of the city and mountains.

The Pointe (www.thepointeburbank.com) complex boasts three acres of picturesque plaza landscaping with lush greenery, walkways and benches. The building is centrally located along studio row in Burbank, across the street from NBC and adjacent to Disney, Warner Bros. and ABC studios with immediate access to three major Southern California freeways: 101, 134 and 5. 

Some of the tenants in the building include: Warner Bros., Fidelity Investments, DC Comics and Outlook Amusements.

KCET will have access to the latest technologies, all new equipment and resources for optimal broadcast transmission and production efficiency. One of its two production studios will be equipped with three robotic cameras and a green screen virtual reality set (the same technology which now fuels major motion pictures). Green screen backgrounds and backdrops will replace the need to build large, expensive sets for each KCET production. The new technology, energy efficiency and consolidation of space allow KCET to realize significant annual savings.

Led by Gordon Bell, KCET's Senior Vice President of Operations and Engineering, the move and relocation planning and logistics was a Herculean undertaking that spanned more than 12 months. 

Prior to the move, the two floors occupied by KCET at The Pointe were completely bare and had to be constructed into office and production space. Downtown Los Angeles-based architecture firm, Gensler designed the new studios and facility interiors. Contractors, electricians and technicians worked for months to complete the task on time and on budget.

 

About KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET currently produces the Emmy®, duPont-Columbia and Peabody Award-winning SoCal Connected, a hard-hitting prime-time weekly television news program that examines the issues and people of Southern California. Throughout its 48-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, Web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org.

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