WQED Forward

The elimination of federal funding for public media will change the national television programs WQED can license from PBS. But this is not the end of our story. It’s a new chapter for WQED, and a return to our roots. We remain fiercely committed to educating and inspiring learners of all ages with free, accessible, trusted content.

Every day, we showcase the stories and voices that make our communities unique, strengthening our connections to each other and deepening our pride in the place we call home.

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We’re working to make WQED the “go-to” community resource: meaningfully connecting both neighbors and neighborhoods through shared experiences.
We’re reimagining the content and services we offer people in Pittsburgh and across southwestern Pennsylvania.
We’re working to become more relevant to more people across the many communities we serve.

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WQED history city declaration signage

WQED-TV began broadcasting in 1954, becoming America’s first community-sponsored television station – a forerunner to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Seventy years later, we’re called to build on the legacy of our founders’ pioneering educational experiment and redefine how public media serves our communities.

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WQED is more than a broadcaster.

Expect to see WQED “show up” in ways that don’t look like a television or radio station. We’re fortunate to be able to add new initiatives—community events and screenings, new digital series, online educational resources, and much more—while continuing to provide the high-quality television and radio programs you count on.

Our Education team serves as community connector, bringing together public schools, libraries, and community organizations to provide a true learning ecosystem that supports educators, students, and families.

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“As we experiment with new content, services and funding models, WQED will stay true to our roots and play to our strengths. Platforms and story formats will change, but we remain committed to creating compelling content and experiences that drive engagement, elevate public discourse, and stimulate big ideas. We will emerge stronger, more independent, and even better aligned with this region—but we cannot do it without you!”

— Jason Jedlinski, President & CEO

We’ve identified four strategic priorities:

We will:

Ensure that all audiences see themselves reflected in our content
Improve the diversity of WQED’s staff, boards, programs, hosts, etc.
Amplify efforts helping marginalized people
Focus on serving communities struggling with economic mobility

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We will:

Expand partnerships and engagement with local educational, cultural and health-focused organizations
Ensure our programs support key community needs, without duplicating efforts
Proactively connect with Pittsburgh expats and boomerangs, suburban families, and other growth cohorts
Identify ways to work with social influencers and other digital audience drivers

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We will:

Reorient our teams to move faster and focus on community outcomes
Experiment with new ways WQED can “show up” beyond one-way broadcasts
Test new funding models while growing corporate/foundation support
Recruit diverse hosts/personalities as part of successful planning

We will:

Develop new funding streams to focus on expanding original local programming, offerings and services that enrich our connection with the community and create meaningful experiences for our members.
Change our mindset from creating content for audiences to creating with our communities

Photo montage with children playing, Rick Sebak, and Chris Fennimore

WQED will continue offering the programs you love, while also experimenting with new products and services — inspiring more of our neighbors to understand, appreciate and work to improve the world beyond their immediate experience.

“Public television has a responsibility to reveal how we are different and what we have in common: to celebrate our diversity and our cooperation. It must continue to try to clarify the world not only by showing us what is, but also by creating a context for understanding.”

— Fred Rogers, celebrating WQED’s 25th Anniversary, 1979

1. Reflect our communities’ diversity

2. Meaningfully engage more neighbors

3. Test new programs designed to increase WQED's impact

4. Plan to independently fund local initiatives

WQED will continue offering the programs you love, while also experimenting with new products and services — inspiring more of our neighbors to understand, appreciate and work to improve the world beyond their immediate experience.