PBS SoCal plans to hire, may open L.A. office

KOCE president and CEO Mel Rogers still can't quite believe that his little Orange County station that nearly went off the air a few years ago has suddenly become the public broadcasting powerhouse of Southern California. (Neither can many of us, Mel.) From Michael Schneider at Franklin Avenue, soon to join TV Guide as west coast bureau honcho:

KOCE, now rebranded "PBS SoCal," just moved into larger Costa Mesa facilities, but is also looking at ways to create a physical presence in Los Angeles.

"We do need boots on the ground," he said.

KOCE is also looking to expand its staff, which currently numbers only around 40.

"We're never going to be as large (as KCET is), but we’re going to have to be at least 70 to 80 people," he said.

Hiring, baby.