This month, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger returns to South Dakota to help with the official opening and ribbon-cutting for the SDPB Sioux Falls Studios. The new facility is a reporting and storytelling production center for original SDPB media content. It also serves as a public gathering space for program tapings, premieres, and musical and arts events.
Kerger was on-hand last October for the opening of the Black Hills Studio in Rapid City. Kerger commented, “This has been a profoundly interesting time to be in public broadcasting, to be in any media organization, because the world has changed a lot. I’ve been in this position for 12 years and when I first came, the idea of being able to watch television on your smart phone or your tablet...it’s just a sea change. We’ve spent a lot of time paying attention to making sure that we meet our viewers’ expectations.”
Kerger emphasizes the importance of staying the course of public media’s mission. “During the explosion of reality shows, it would have been tempting to dip our toe into that same work. We resisted those temptations and, in fact, doubled-down on what has always defined us. I think the results have been extraordinary. Our audience has grown over a period of time when most broadcasters have seen a decline in viewership. Our audiences are large, dedicated and discerning. They expect a focus on highest-quality and that is where we put all of our efforts.”Join Kerger and SDPB supporters as we celebrate public media’s continuing mission in South Dakota.
SDPB Sioux Falls Studios Ribbon Cutting & Open House
with PBS President & CEO Paula Kerger
Friday, Oct. 12, 11am - 2pm, Program at 11:30am
601 N. Phillips Ave., Sioux Falls
Free and open to the public.
