WQED
WQED Multimedia is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) public media organization operating as western Pennsylvania's PBS affiliate, delivering over-the-air broadcast television, classical FM radio, and the WQED+ streaming service to community viewers, members, and corporate underwriters.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1954
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What WQED does
WQED Multimedia is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public media organization headquartered at 4802 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, operating as the PBS affiliate for western Pennsylvania and the surrounding southwestern Pennsylvania market. Founded in 1954 as America's first community-supported television station and historically the home of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, WQED runs a multi-platform media operation that includes over-the-air broadcast on five sub-channels (WQED-TV 13.1, Create 13.2, World 13.3, Showcase 13.4, PBS KIDS 13.5), WQED-FM 89.3 classical radio, and the WQED+ streaming app distributed across Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, iOS, Android, LG, and Samsung devices. The organization also produces a substantial slate of local original programming (Steel Links, Cartoon Academy, Pittsburgh Eats, Conversations with Coach Cowher, The Rick Sebak Collection, Voice of the Arts podcast) and operates educational initiatives including PBS LearningMedia, Ready to Learn, Smart Schools, and Writers Contest.
WQED's revenue model is community-supported rather than market-based, drawing on individual member donations, sustaining monthly gifts, corporate underwriting, educational grants, and (until July 2025) federal Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding. Membership and streaming tiers are tiered: WQED+ streaming access is $5/month or $60/year, with broader donation tiers spanning $10-$100 per month and $75-$1,000 one-time, plus a Leadership Circle level. Corporate sponsors include UPMC, the Regional Allegheny District, and Comfort Keepers, which underwrite specific programming such as Conversations with Coach Cowher and community documentary screenings. The station maintains active distribution relationships with cable and satellite providers (Xfinity, Verizon, DirecTV, DISH, Armstrong, Charter Spectrum, Frontier) and third-party streaming platforms (Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, PBS App), in addition to its direct over-the-air and app-based distribution.
Following the elimination of $1.8 million in annual federal CPB funding in July 2025, WQED conducted a workforce reduction of 19 employees primarily in Marketing, Membership, and Production, temporarily paused its internship program, and shifted to fractional, remote, and project-based staffing, while beginning selective rehiring in 2026. The organization had been debt-free for eight years prior to the funding loss. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors chaired by Jonathan Rosenson, with Jason Jedlinski serving as President and CEO and Sonya Dietz as Chief of Staff. The organization has 101-250 employees and serves a general public / community viewer customer base across western Pennsylvania.
WQED firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WQED
- Legal name
- WQED Multimedia
- Website
- https://wqed.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1954
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- WQED Multimedia is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) public media organization operating as western Pennsylvania's PBS affiliate, delivering over-the-air broadcast television, classical FM radio, and the WQED+ streaming service to community viewers, members, and corporate underwriters.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WQED industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Broadcasting Services
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning) (MPABADAH), Public Broadcasting Content Distribution & Interconnection (Sat/IP feeds) (MPABADAI), Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus) (MPAIAEAB), Radio Network Distribution & Programming Services (Syndicators, Format Providers) (MPAIAEAH)
Keywords
Where WQED is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
WQED business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership and Individual Donations: WQED relies heavily on member contributions through monthly sustaining donations and one-time gifts. Donation tiers range from $10-$100/month or $75-$1,000 one-time, with sustaining membership options.
- Corporate Underwriting: Corporate sponsors underwrite programming and operations. Sponsors include organizations like Regional Allegheny District (RAD), UPMC (supporting Conversations with Coach Cowher), and others.
- Lost Federal Funding: Federal funding of $1.8 million annually was eliminated in July 2025. CPB funding that previously covered music licenses and other operational costs was lost.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | WQED+ Streaming Access |
| Subscription | Monthly | Leadership Circle Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
WQED product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WQED Multimedia is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit public broadcasting organization operating WQED-TV (a multi-channel PBS affiliate broadcast on channel 13.1 with subchannels Create 13.2, World 13.3, Showcase 13.4, and PBS KIDS 13.5), WQED-FM 89.3 classical music radio, and the WQED+ member streaming platform. It distributes PBS national programming alongside locally produced original content, classical music broadcasts of the Pittsburgh Symphony and Opera, and educational programs for the western Pennsylvania community.
Product overview
WQED Multimedia operates as a multi-platform public media organization offering television broadcast channels, classical radio programming, and streaming services. The core offerings include WQED-TV (main channel 13.1), five television sub-channels (Create 13.2, World 13.3, Showcase 13.4, PBS KIDS 13.5), WQED-FM 89.3 classical radio, and WQED+ streaming platform. WQED+ provides on-demand access to PBS national programming and WQED local originals including The Rick Sebak Collection, Conversations with Coach Cowher, Steel Links, Cartoon Academy, Showdown, Pittsburgh Eats, and WQED Sessions. The organization also maintains robust educational initiatives through PBS LearningMedia, Ready to Learn, iQ Smartparent, Writers Contest, and Design Lives Here programs. Educational programming spans the PBS catalog including NOVA, Antiques Roadshow, Grantchester, and Call the Midwife, alongside locally-produced content.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WQED+: Modern streaming app providing on-demand access to PBS favorites and Pittsburgh originals for members.
Products and services
- WQED-TV Main Channel (13.1) Pittsburgh's primary PBS affiliate broadcast television channel on 13.1 offering PBS national programming and WQED original local productions.
- WQED-FM 89.3 Classical Radio Classical music radio station featuring live broadcasts of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Opera performances, plus arts and culture news coverage for Pittsburgh and beyond.
- WQED+ Streaming Platform Member streaming benefit providing on-demand access to PBS favorites and local WQED original programming across AppleTV, Roku, FireTV, GoogleTV, iOS, Android, LG, and Samsung devices for $5/month or $60/year members.
- PBS KIDS Channel (13.5) 24/7 over-the-air children's educational programming channel available via broadcast and livestream with age-appropriate educational content for young viewers in the Pittsburgh market.
- World Channel (13.3) WQED's digital subchannel offering news, documentaries, and informational programming focused on stories that humanize complex issues.
- WQED Create (13.2) Lifestyle and how-to programming subchannel featuring cooking, home improvement, and travel content.
- Showcase (13.4) Entertainment programming subchannel featuring dramas, mysteries, and performing arts content.
- PBS LearningMedia Educational Platform WQED-branded educational content platform aligned with curriculum standards for classroom and home learning use by teachers, students, and parents.
Companies that use WQED
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
WQED technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
WQED partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Comfort KeepersminorCo-sponsor of the Caregiving documentary screening at Lindsay Theater in Pittsburgh, engaging their local community through a free public screening and panel discussion.
- PBScoreWQED is the Pittsburgh affiliate of PBS, distributing national PBS programming including dramas, documentaries, news, and children's content. The relationship provides access to PBS's extensive content library and national distribution network.
- UPMCminorCorporate sponsor supporting Conversations with Coach Cowher series, a local production featuring Pittsburgh icons.
- Regional Allegheny District (RAD)minorRegional sponsor displayed on WQED platform supporting arts and cultural programming in the Pittsburgh area.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WQED competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- KQED: KQED is the PBS/NPR member station serving the San Francisco Bay Area and is the closest direct peer to WQED: a large, multi-platform public broadcaster with television, radio, streaming, and educational programming funded through memberships, underwriting, and community support.
- WGBH (GBH): GBH (formerly WGBH) is the PBS member station for Boston and a major national content producer for PBS. Comparable to WQED as a community-supported public broadcaster operating TV, radio, and digital properties with strong educational programming.
- WNET Group: WNET is the PBS member station for the New York metro area and a top national PBS producer (e.g., Nature, Great Performances). Directly comparable to WQED as a large, multi-channel PBS affiliate with both local and national programming.
- WETA: WETA is the PBS member station serving the Washington, D.C. area, operating TV, classical radio (WETA 90.9), and streaming. Highly comparable to WQED's combined TV + classical FM + streaming model in a major metro market.
- WHYY: WHYY is the PBS/NPR member station for the Philadelphia region, operating television, radio, and digital platforms funded through memberships and underwriting. Comparable regional public broadcaster with a similar mid-size market footprint.
- WTTW: WTTW is the PBS member station for Chicago, producing significant local and national programming (e.g., Chicago Tonight). Comparable to WQED as a flagship PBS station combining broadcast, digital, and educational content.
Emerging players
- Minnesota Public Radio (APM): Minnesota Public Radio / American Public Media operates a large classical and news radio network plus digital. Comparable to WQED-FM 89.3 in operating a classical music radio station, though MPR is primarily radio rather than television.
- WNYC / New York Public Radio: WNYC is one of the largest public radio stations in the U.S. and operates classical and news formats plus podcasts. Partially comparable to WQED's classical radio and podcast operations (Voice of the Arts) within the public media ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- PBS (Public Broadcasting Service): PBS is the national network WQED affiliates with and provides programming, distribution, and the PBS App/Passport platform. Comparable as the upstream content and platform provider for WQED's broadcast and streaming offerings.
Others
- Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB): CPB is the former federal funding intermediary for U.S. public media. Relevant to WQED as the source of the $1.8M annual grant that was eliminated in July 2025, illustrating the public funding backbone of the public broadcasting ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WQED social profiles
Digital presenceWQED financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WQED leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
WQED funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WQED M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WQED
What does WQED do?
WQED Multimedia is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit public broadcasting organization operating WQED-TV (a multi-channel PBS affiliate broadcast on channel 13.1 with subchannels Create 13.2, World 13.3, Showcase 13.4, and PBS KIDS 13.5), WQED-FM 89.3 classical music radio, and the WQED+ member streaming platform. It distributes PBS national programming alongside locally produced original content, classical music broadcasts of the Pittsburgh Symphony and Opera, and educational programs for the western Pennsylvania community.
Is WQED a public or private company?
WQED is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was WQED founded?
WQED was founded in 1954. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is WQED based?
WQED is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does WQED make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership and Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Underwriting and lost Federal Funding.
Who are WQED's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are KQED, WGBH (GBH), WNET Group, WETA, WHYY and WTTW. Emerging players are Minnesota Public Radio (APM) and WNYC / New York Public Radio. PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) is listed as a broad incumbent. Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is listed as an others.
Does WQED have an API?
No public API is recorded for WQED.
What industry is WQED in?
WQED's product category is Public Broadcasting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABACAG, Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM), with a secondary code of MPABADAH, Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning). Its NAICS code is 516120 and its SIC code is 4833.