KCET
A Los Angeles public television station and secondary PBS member operated by Public Media Group of Southern California.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
KCET is a noncommercial educational television station serving Los Angeles and the wider Southern California region. The station broadcasts on channel 28 and is operated by Public Media Group of Southern California alongside KOCE-TV, the primary PBS member station for the Los Angeles market. KCET shares the group’s principal facilities at The Pointe in Burbank, while its transmitter is located on Mount Wilson in the San Gabriel Mountains. Since February 2024, the station has been branded PBS SoCal Plus. The station was established by Community Television of Southern California and began broadcasting on September 28, 1964, initially as an affiliate of National Educational Television. Its launch followed an earlier but short-lived educational television experiment on channel 28: the University of Southern California’s KTHE, which operated for approximately nine months in 1953 and 1954. KCET received early financial support from Los Angeles commercial broadcasters, the Ford Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. It initially broadcast a limited weekday schedule in black and white, but gradually developed into a major producer and distributor of educational, cultural, documentary, public-affairs, and children’s programming. KCET became a charter PBS member when PBS began operating in 1970. For much of the following four decades it served as Southern California’s flagship PBS station and was frequently among the service’s most-watched member stations. It also produced programs for national distribution, including public-affairs and educational projects focused on California communities. In 1971, the station moved into a former film-studio property in East Hollywood, later known as the Weingart Educational Telecommunications Center. That site became an important production and technical base for the station. The most consequential break in KCET’s history came from a financial and governance dispute with PBS. Rising PBS membership payments, declining traditional funding, and restrictions on how certain production grants could be used led KCET to conclude that it could not maintain its primary PBS affiliation. The station left PBS on January 1, 2011, becoming an independent public television broadcaster. KOCE-TV assumed the role of the Los Angeles market’s primary PBS station. KCET subsequently experienced substantial declines in ratings and viewer contributions, sold its Hollywood property, and moved to Burbank in 2012. During its independent period, KCET expanded its digital and multimedia strategy. It carried specialized services and regional channels, partnered with production organizations, and in 2012 merged with Link Media, the nonprofit operator of Link TV. The resulting KCETLink organization combined local broadcast production with international and satellite-distributed programming. In 2018, KCETLink Media Group merged with the KOCE-TV Foundation. The combined organization adopted the name Public Media Group of Southern California, while KOCE remained the primary PBS station and KCET became a secondary PBS member. KCET formally rejoined PBS in 2019. KCET’s current role combines local public-service broadcasting with PBS programming and regional production. Its programming has included documentaries, arts and culture, history, news and public affairs, environmental coverage, children’s education, lifestyle programming, and Spanish-language material. Its digital services have changed repeatedly in response to changes in public television distribution, including the former KCET Kids & Family, KCETLink, V-me, NHK World, World, and other multicast services. The PBS SoCal Plus identity emphasizes its relationship with the broader Southern California public-media group while retaining KCET’s historic call sign and local brand equity.
History
Educational television in Southern California preceded KCET by more than a decade. The University of Southern California operated KTHE on channel 28 beginning in September 1953, but the station stopped broadcasting after roughly nine months when its principal funder concluded that the project was too costly. A later effort by Community Television of Southern California successfully established KCET, which began broadcasting on September 28, 1964, as a National Educational Television affiliate. KCET’s launch was supported by a combination of local and national philanthropy. Four Los Angeles commercial stations contributed to the effort, while the Ford Foundation and the federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare also provided assistance. The station initially operated a modest weekday schedule and broadcast in black and white. Its early identity centered on education and cultural programming rather than commercial entertainment. One of its early color productions was a film biography of artist and philosopher John Burton, which helped earn the station its first Los Angeles-area Emmy recognition. KCET also produced documentary work, including coverage of the 1967 Paris Air Show. The station originally operated from a former broadcasting facility on North Vine Street in Hollywood. In 1971, it acquired a former Monogram Pictures property in East Hollywood with assistance from philanthropic foundations. The site was renamed the Weingart Educational Telecommunications Center and became KCET’s main home for master control, production, engineering, editing, news, public affairs, and emerging new-media operations. KCET also explored acquiring an existing commercial VHF station, including a possible purchase of KTLA, but it could not raise sufficient funds to complete such a transaction. When PBS launched in October 1970, KCET became a charter member. Over the next four decades it developed into Southern California’s flagship PBS outlet and one of the service’s most prominent member stations by audience. It distributed national PBS programming while producing local and regional material for viewers in Los Angeles and for public television stations elsewhere. Its work covered education, children’s media, history, arts, science, public affairs, and Southern California community life. KCET expanded beyond its main broadcast signal as digital television developed. It launched regional services for the Coachella Valley and Orange County, carried specialized services such as World and V-me, and developed children’s and cultural multicast offerings. In the mid-1990s it also entered educational retail through the KCET Store of Knowledge, a partnership that operated until 2001. A major financial dispute with PBS changed the station’s trajectory. KCET produced preschool programs including A Place of Our Own and Los Niños en Su Casa with support from BP, First 5 California, and another donor. Although the grants were restricted to production and outreach, PBS counted them in the formula used to calculate KCET’s membership payments. At the same time, other sources of station funding were weakening. KCET argued that the restricted grants should not increase its PBS dues, but PBS declined to make an exception. The parties also disagreed over whether KCET could become a secondary affiliate with lower payments. On January 1, 2011, KCET left PBS and became an independent public television station. KOCE-TV became the Los Angeles area’s primary PBS member. KCET reorganized its multicast services, experimented with themed programming, and sought new production and distribution partnerships. However, the loss of PBS affiliation was followed by sharp declines in audience measures and viewer contributions. The station sold its Hollywood property in 2011 and moved to a new facility at The Pointe in Burbank in 2012. KCET pursued a broader multimedia strategy during its independent period. In 2012 it merged with Link Media, the nonprofit operator of Link TV, to form KCETLink. The arrangement added international and satellite distribution to KCET’s regional broadcast operations and brought Link TV content to a KCET digital subchannel. In 2015, Michael Riley became chief executive of KCETLink after previously working at ABC Family. The organization continued changing its digital services, including replacements involving KCET Kids & Family, Link TV, NHK World, V-me, and KCETLink+. In 2018, KCETLink Media Group and the KOCE-TV Foundation announced a merger. The transaction closed later that year, creating Public Media Group of Southern California. KOCE retained primary PBS status, while KCET became a secondary station in the combined organization. KCET formally rejoined PBS in October 2019. The group consolidated major operations in Burbank, while retaining additional facilities associated with KOCE. In 2024, PBS SoCal announced that KCET would be rebranded PBS SoCal Plus. The station remains an active public television service, combining local production and community programming with PBS distribution.
- 2024
Adopts PBS SoCal Plus branding
[1]PBS SoCal announces a new brand identity for KCET.
- 2019
Rejoins PBS
[1]KCET resumes PBS membership as a secondary station.
- 2018
Combines with KOCE-TV Foundation
[1]The merger creates Public Media Group of Southern California.
- 2012
Relocates to Burbank
[1]After selling its Hollywood property, KCET moves its main operations to The Pointe in Burbank.
- 2012
Merges with Link Media
[1]KCET and Link Media form the nonprofit KCETLink organization.
- 2011
Leaves PBS
[1]KCET becomes an independent public television station after ending its primary PBS affiliation.
- 2006
Expands digital regional services
[1]KCET launches a digital service serving the Coachella Valley and develops further regional and multicast offerings.
- 1994
Launches KCET Store of Knowledge
[1]KCET and commercial partners open an educational retail venture in Glendale.
- 1971
Moves into East Hollywood studio property
[1]KCET acquires and renovates a former Monogram Pictures site, later known as the Weingart Educational Telecommunications Center.
- 1970
Becomes a charter PBS member
[1]KCET joins PBS when the national public television service begins operations.
Products and positioning
Noncommercial public television focused on education, culture, local storytelling, public affairs, and community service in Southern California.
Public television station · 1964
KCET broadcast channel 28
KCET’s principal over-the-air service in Los Angeles. It carries PBS programming as a secondary member station, along with locally produced documentaries, public-affairs programs, cultural content, educational material, and community-oriented programming.
Preschool educational programming · 2004
A Place of Our Own
A KCET preschool education project developed with public and private support. The program addressed early-childhood learning and was paired with outreach activity; it received major public television recognition and was distributed nationally.
Spanish-language preschool programming · 2004
Los Niños en Su Casa
A Spanish-language counterpart to KCET’s preschool initiative, designed for young children and families and accompanied by educational outreach. The project extended KCET’s service to Spanish-speaking audiences in Southern California.
Digital television · 2006
Digital multicast services
KCET has operated and carried a succession of specialized digital services, including regional channels, children’s programming, Link TV, V-me, World, MHz Worldview, NHK World, and KCETLink+. These services have changed as affiliations, networks, and distribution economics evolved.
Marketing campaigns
- 2004Preschool education and outreach initiative
California · United States
KCET developed A Place of Our Own and Los Niños en Su Casa with support from BP, First 5 California, and an additional donor. The initiative combined television production with community outreach and early-childhood education.
Outcome. The programs received Peabody and local Emmy recognition and were distributed nationally through public television.
Brand decisions
2024
Adopt PBS SoCal Plus brandOtherBackground
Public Media Group of Southern California sought to present KCET more clearly as part of the PBS SoCal regional portfolio.
Action taken
PBS SoCal announced that KCET would be rebranded PBS SoCal Plus.
Aftermath
The new identity positioned the channel as a complementary service within the group while preserving KCET’s broadcast operation.
2019
Return to PBS membershipStrategyBackground
The merger with the KOCE-TV Foundation created a structure in which KCET could return to PBS without displacing KOCE as the market’s primary station.
Action taken
KCET formally rejoined PBS as a secondary member.
Aftermath
The station resumed access to PBS membership while continuing its distinct KCET service and local identity.
2018
Merge with the KOCE-TV FoundationM&ABackground
The two Southern California public-media organizations pursued structural consolidation after KCET’s independent period.
Action taken
KCETLink Media Group merged with the KOCE-TV Foundation, forming Public Media Group of Southern California.
Aftermath
KOCE remained the primary PBS station, KCET became a secondary PBS member, and the organizations consolidated major operations in Burbank.
2012
Merge with Link MediaM&ABackground
KCET sought wider distribution and a broader multimedia presence during its independent period.
Action taken
KCET combined with Link Media, operator of Link TV, to create KCETLink.
Aftermath
The organization added Link TV distribution and content to KCET’s regional broadcast and production activities.
2011
Sell Hollywood studio property and relocateStrategyBackground
After leaving PBS, KCET faced weaker audience and contribution performance and sought a lower-cost operating structure.
Action taken
KCET sold its longtime Hollywood studios and moved to a new facility at The Pointe in Burbank.
Aftermath
The Burbank site became the station’s principal operating base and was later shared with KOCE and the combined public-media organization.
2010
End primary PBS affiliationStrategyBackground
KCET faced disputes with PBS over membership payments, grant treatment, programming, and the possibility of shifting to secondary-affiliate status.
Action taken
The station announced that it would leave PBS and operate independently beginning January 1, 2011.
Aftermath
KOCE-TV became the market’s primary PBS station, while KCET reorganized its programming and digital services. The station later reported significant declines in ratings and contributions.
- KOCE-TV — KOCE assumed the primary PBS role for the Los Angeles market.
Recent events
- 2024
KCET to be branded PBS SoCal Plus[1]
Other
PBS SoCal announced that KCET would adopt the PBS SoCal Plus brand, reinforcing the station’s place within the Southern California public-media system.
- 2019
KCET returns to PBS[1]
Other
KCET formally rejoined PBS as a secondary member station after operating independently for approximately eight years.
- 2018
KCETLink and KOCE-TV Foundation announce merger[1]
M&A
KCETLink Media Group and the KOCE-TV Foundation announced a combination that created the organization now known as Public Media Group of Southern California.
- 2012
KCETLink announces merger with Link Media[1]
M&A
KCET announced a merger with Link Media, operator of Link TV, creating a nonprofit multimedia organization combining local public television with satellite and digital distribution.
- 2011
FCC fines KCET over public-file access[1]
Regulation
The Federal Communications Commission imposed a $10,000 penalty after finding that KCET had failed to make its public inspection file available as required.
- 2011
KCET sells Hollywood studios and relocates to Burbank[1]
Other
Following its departure from PBS and a decline in ratings and contributions, KCET sold its longtime Hollywood studio property and subsequently moved its operations to The Pointe in Burbank.
- 2010
KCET announces departure from PBS[1]
Other
KCET announced that it would end its four-decade PBS affiliation after failing to resolve financial and programming disagreements with PBS.
Sources4 sources
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