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KCET is announcing today a new partnership with Dominique Bigle, CEO of Eyetronics Media and Studios, to produce and air new local programs that will then be packaged domestically and globally. No details on the shows, but KCET says the station "plans to be in production with the first five series by the end of this year.... The new shows will celebrate the vibrancy of Southern California’s people, places, and culture, as well as its history. The initial slate includes programs that explore everything from the glitz of Hollywood entertainment and multi-cultural eateries to groundbreaking academic research and technological innovation." Eyetronics will put up as much as $50 million in the first five years, KCET says.
“These are programs ... that will resonate with the local community,” KCET president and CEO Al Jerome tells Variety's Jon Weisman. “Dominique is convinced there will be strong international appeal for this, and there historically has been." Bigle is a former Walt Disney Co. exec and son of Walt Disney Europe co-founded Armand Bigle, Variety says.