WGBH announces plans to acquire GlobalPost

BOSTON, Mass. (September 24, 2015) — Boston public media producer WGBH has finalized plans to acquire GlobalPost, the award-winning native digital news website (globalpost.com) focused on world news coverage. GlobalPost’s reporting capacity will be integrated into Public Radio International (PRI) and its global news platforms and operations. PRI, an affiliated company of WGBH, produces and distributes content for radio, podcast, web and mobile platforms.

“The need for trusted, thoughtful and expansive journalism has never been greater, and this is another manifestation of WGBH’s commitment to broadening and deepening public media’s international reporting resources,” said Jon Abbott, President and CEO of WGBH. “We are excited to invest in PRI’s leadership and strength in global news and innovation to expand our service to the public.”

Alisa Miller, President and CEO of PRI said, “PRI and GlobalPost joining forces will create one of the most influential, in-depth digital global news platforms. We’ll expand our reporting about pivotal global topics and offer more insights on PRI’s The World and PRI.org. Expect to see new GlobalPost/PRI initiatives as part of our radio, podcast, video and text offerings that inform, delight and engage millions of people, especially millennials, who care deeply about the future of our world.”

GlobalPost was launched in 2009 as an independent, mission-based news media company with reporters around the world able to provide accurate, impartial information about international events.  Philip S. Balboni, Founder, President and CEO of GlobalPost said, “As a leader in international journalism, GlobalPost’s values and mission are perfectly aligned with WGBH and PRI. We are united in the belief that America needs more, better and deeper international reporting, something to which PRI has been devoted for over 30 years. We look forward to reaching new heights of international reporting excellence and digital innovation.” Following the acquisition, which is expected to be completed in November, Balboni will serve as a strategic advisor to PRI.

Since 1983, PRI has given voice to people around the globe and served as a trusted source of information, insights and cultural experiences essential to living in our interconnected world.  PRI will bring GlobalPost’s reporters, digital team and globalpost.com into its award-winning international news operations comprised of PRI’s The World®, produced with WGBH and BBC World Service; its rapidly growing digital news platform PRI.org that reaches significant levels of millennials; and its expanding podcast portfolio. GlobalPost reporters will provide insights, analysis and reflections on the stories behind the news, offered as dispatches from a changing world.

Over the past six years, GlobalPost has built a worldwide audience and has won major awards in American journalism including the Peabody, Murrow, Polk, both the Overseas and the National Press Club Awards, and the Robert F. Kennedy Award.

About WGBH
WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Frontline, Nova, American Experience, and more than a dozen other prime-time, lifestyle, and children's series. WGBH also is a major supplier of programming for public radio, with Public Radio International (PRI) as an affiliated company. As a leader in educational multimedia for the classroom, WGBH supplies content to PBS LearningMedia, a national broadband service for teachers and students. WGBH also is a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to those with hearing or visual impairments. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors. More info at wgbh.org. 

About Public Radio International®
PRI is creating a more informed, empathetic, and connected world by creating multi-platform storytelling and journalism content that empowers people to benefit their lives and the world. PRI’s award winning content reaches more than 18 million people each month, through nearly 900 public radio stations nationwide and PRI.org, and millions more through podcasts and social media. Since relaunching PRI.org in 2013, monthly digital readership has grown by 600%, to over 3 million people. An affiliated company of WGBH, PRI produces PRI’s The World®, The Takeaway (a co-production with WNYC), and Studio 360. It offers in-depth reporting on topics including gender equity, international security and American identity and immigration. It represents public radio programs including Science Friday, q from the CBC and The Tavis Smiley Show.  Major philanthropic supporters include The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Ford Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation, The John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation, and the Annenberg Foundation.

Contacts:
WGBH – Jeanne Hopkins; 617 300 4363

PRI – Julia Yager; 612 330 9231

GlobalPost – Rick Byrne; 617 854 3184