Paula Kerger on Moving PBS Into the Future

PBS CEO Paula Kerger details the digital transformation of PBS, the continuing importance of public access media, and the power of PBS Kids.

Episode 29 of the Leadership Next podcast, hosted by Fortune, titled "Paula Kerger on Moving PBS Into the Future" was published on September 19, 2023 and runs 32 minutes.

September 19, 2023 ·32m · Leadership Next

Summary

Paula Kerger has been the CEO of PBS for 18 years, making her the longest-serving CEO in the broadcaster's history. Kerger oversees 330 member stations across the country and led the transformation of PBS from a broadcaster to a multiplatform digital media organization that boasts a slate of podcasts, a YouTube channel, and programming on streaming services like Amazon Prime and Hulu. According to the company, PBS reaches 42 million adults through linear television each month and another 15 million through streaming platforms, with another 56 million people viewing PBS content on social media. In this episode of Leadership Next, hosts Alan Murray and Michal Lev-Ram sit down with Kerger to talk about why public access media is still relevant in an increasingly digital, and increasingly divided, world. Kerger shares more specific details about the opportunities and challenges of PBS' digital transformation and what leadership lessons she learned in the process. Kerger also discusses PBS' commitment to climate and civic programming, the enduring power of PBS Kids, how PBS is affected by the ongoing SAG and WGA strikes and the politics of PBS' funding. Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Episode Description