(DURHAM, March 25, 2009) – New Hampshire Public Television President and CEO Peter A. Frid today announced a major organizational restructuring. Five full-time positions will be lost from NHPTV’s production, technology and development departments. Additionally, several vacant positions will not be filled, and hourly employees will be reduced as part of the station’s comprehensive plan to reduce expenditures. These changes are necessary to enable the station to continue to provide programming and community and educational services that fulfill its public service mission to New Hampshire and the region. “The severe national economic downturn has affected NHPTV, just as it has other non-profits and businesses around the region. While we have decreased expenditures in all areas in an effort to reduce our budget deficit, we regret that those efforts were not sufficient to balance our budget,” Frid said. “We have seen a significant drop in fundraising revenue in individual giving, corporate underwriting and foundation grants. Reducing staff was our last resort.”NHPTV remains committed to producing quality local programs that focus on the state and region’s unique people, places, politics and culture. NHPTV will maintain its local focus with NH Outlook, a weekly public affairs program, and its other award-winning productions such as Windows to the Wild, Granite State Challenge, and NH Crossroads Classics. NHPTV is New Hampshire’s only statewide locally owned and operated television station and PBS member station. In February NHPTV successfully made the transition from analog to digital broadcasting, which will enable it to offer diverse programming and data delivery services. “NHPTV will continue to be good stewards of its funds. We are confident that NHPTV will be able to continue to meet New Hampshire’s need for quality television programs, educational services, community engagement partnerships and technical services,” Frid said.
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