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We did our thing on the state of affairs at independent KCET last week, as the former PBS station vacated its longtime Sunset Boulevard studios for Burbank. Here was mine, and Mark Lacter's. Now LA Times media writer Jim Rainey weighs in with a status report that includes assurances from KCET boss Al Jerome that everything will be OK. The most telling observation to me, though, comes from Jack Shakely, the former head of the California Community Foundation, traditionally an important benefactor of KCET.
There is no way, absolutely no way, that KCET can survive as a television station. They are like the book store that opens just when all other book stores are awash in red ink, a book store that cannot sell bestsellers, can't sell popular classics, sells books you've never heard of and then asks you to contribute to the book store anyway.
Tell us how you really feel, Jack.
Rainey's story has some numbers on the Burbank studio investment — reportedly $19 million in equipment and retrofitting, another $25 million over 11 years to lease two floors.
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