The WNET Group
The WNET Group is a New York-based nonprofit public media company that operates THIRTEEN, WLIW, NJ PBS, and WLIW-FM, producing award-winning PBS programming across broadcast, streaming, podcasts, and digital platforms for more than five million monthly viewers in the New York tri-state area and nationwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1962
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The WNET Group does
The WNET Group (legally WNET, Educational Broadcasting Corporation) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public media company founded in 1962 and headquartered in New York City, operating America's flagship PBS station THIRTEEN alongside WLIW, NJ PBS, WLIW-FM (Long Island's only NPR station), and the digital-first ALL ARTS and NJ Spotlight News brands. Through roughly 251-500 employees, the company produces and distributes award-winning arts, culture, education, news, and documentary programming, including signature series such as Nature, American Masters, Great Performances, Secrets of the Dead, Cyberchase, Mission US, and Amanpour and Company, reaching more than five million viewers per month across broadcast, streaming (PBS App, Passport), FAST channels, podcasts, social media, and third-party MVPDs such as YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV.
The technical platform combines FCC-licensed broadcast television and radio stations with a digital distribution layer spanning PBS.org, station websites, mobile applications (THIRTEEN Explore), FAST channels such as PBS Nature, podcast distribution via Apple Podcasts, and social channels. Distribution architecture is multi-platform by design, with carriage agreements across Optimum, Spectrum, Comcast, Verizon Fios, and Astound/RCN. Production capabilities are anchored in long-running series with deep back-catalog IP and augmented through partnerships with PBS Digital Studios, Atlas Obscura, Newsday TV Group, Japan International Broadcasting (NHK WORLD-JAPAN), and CNN.
The business model is donation- and membership-driven. Nearly two-thirds of revenue comes from individuals, corporations, and foundations; additional support flows from federal, state, and local government funding (including the Corporation for Public Broadcasting), corporate underwriting and sponsorships, and licensing. Membership tiers begin with general member support and scale through WNET Fund support at $2,500+, project support and directed giving at $25,000+, planned giving, and corporate membership programs. Free accessible content is the explicit value exchange for donor support, with PBS Passport providing extended on-demand streaming access as a member benefit.
The WNET Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The WNET Group
- Legal name
- WNET (Educational Broadcasting Corporation)
- Website
- https://wnet.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1962
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- The WNET Group is a New York-based nonprofit public media company that operates THIRTEEN, WLIW, NJ PBS, and WLIW-FM, producing award-winning PBS programming across broadcast, streaming, podcasts, and digital platforms for more than five million monthly viewers in the New York tri-state area and nationwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The WNET Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- National Public Television Networks & Member Stations (PBS-style) (MPABADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- National Public Radio Networks & Member Stations (NPR-style) (MPABADAB), News OTT & Live News Streaming Channels (MPABAHAK)
Keywords
Where The WNET Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The WNET Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations and Membership: Primary funding source receiving nearly two-thirds of revenue from individuals through membership programs, major gifts, planned giving, and direct donations
- Corporate Sponsorships and Underwriting: Corporate partners sponsor programs and receive brand exposure across broadcast and digital platforms
- Foundation Grants: Support from foundations including major donors and the Digital Transformation Fund supporters
- Government Funding: Federal, state, and local government support for public media operations
- Corporate Membership: Annual contributions from corporate members providing exposure, employee perks, private screenings, and volunteer opportunities
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | General Membership Support |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project Support / Directed Giving ($25,000+) |
| Other | Annual | WNET Fund Support ($2,500+) |
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels6 records
The WNET Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The WNET Group is a nonprofit public media organization that produces and distributes award-winning television, radio, and digital content through its flagship PBS station THIRTEEN, sister stations WLIW and NJ PBS, and NPR station WLIW-FM. Its portfolio includes nationally distributed series such as Nature, American Masters, Great Performances, Cyberchase, and Amanpour and Company, supplemented by FAST channels, podcasts, mobile apps, and the Passport member streaming benefit. Funding comes primarily from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and government support.
Product overview
The WNET Group is a multi-platform public media company operating as a unified portfolio of interconnected broadcast, digital, and educational properties. The core consists of broadcast television stations THIRTEEN (flagship PBS station), WLIW (PBS affiliate with British programming), and NJ PBS, complemented by WLIW-FM (Long Island's NPR station), ALL ARTS (arts media), and NJ Spotlight News. Programming is distributed across multiple channels including THIRTEEN PBS KIDS, WLIW Create, THIRTEEN WORLD, FNX, and PBS Nature (FAST channel), with digital reach extended through YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. The Group produces award-winning documentary series including American Masters, Great Performances, Nature, and Secrets of the Dead; children's educational programming such as Cyberchase and Mission US; and news/public affairs content through Amanpour and Company, GZERO World, and local news programs. Digital offerings include podcasts (WNET Up Next, The Sweaty Penguin, Attribution), streaming via Passport membership benefit, and educational resources. Content is also distributed via PBS.org, mobile apps (THIRTEEN Explore, NJ PBS, ALL ARTS), and the PBS App across iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Nature: One of the most watched documentary film series on public television, delivering original natural history films. Has produced over 800+ episodes with 21 Emmy Awards and 3 Peabody Awards.
- American Masters
- Great Performances
- Cyberchase
- Amanpour and Company
- NJ Spotlight News
- Mission US
- Secrets of the Dead
Products and services
- THIRTEEN America's flagship PBS station and most-watched public television channel, serving the New York City tri-state area with PBS programming and locally produced content.
- WLIW21 PBS affiliate station specializing in British and British Commonwealth television favorites, offering at-home learning broadcasts including Let's Learn NYC! and NJTV Learning Live.
- WLIW-FM
- ALL ARTS
- NJ PBS / NJ Spotlight News
- Nature (PBS) One of the most watched documentary film series on public television, delivering original natural history films with over 800 honors including 21 Emmy Awards and 3 Peabody Awards across 50 years.
- American Masters Documentary series profiling prominent American artists and cultural figures across various disciplines.
- Great Performances
- Cyberchase PBS KIDS math-focused animated series teaching mathematical concepts through adventure and problem-solving for elementary students.
- Amanpour and Company
- THIRTEEN PBS KIDS
- WLIW Create
- THIRTEEN WORLD
- FNX
- Passport Streaming Service
- THIRTEEN Explore
- WNET Up Next Podcast
- PBS Nature FAST Channel Free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel bringing wildlife and natural history content from Nature to streaming audiences on LG Channel, Xumo, Plex, Local Now, The Grio, and Freevee.
- Mission US
- Cyber Sound Quest / Sonido Aventura Bilingual educational game based on the Cyberchase series, playable in English and Spanish with accessibility features, focused on noise pollution awareness.
- Crash Course: Botany Digital-first educational series on botany produced with PBS Digital Studios and Complexly, available on YouTube.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reaches more than five million viewers each month
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The WNET Group
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The WNET Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature3 records
The WNET Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Japan International Broadcasting (JIB)coreThe WNET Group and Japan International Broadcasting partnered to launch NHK WORLD-JAPAN in the New York Designated Market Area. Beginning April 1, 2026, the channel is available on WLIW digital channel 21.3 and across major cable providers including Optimum, Spectrum, Comcast, Verizon Fios, and Astound/RCN. The expansion continues a nearly decade-long relationship bringing Japanese cultural, lifestyle, and news programming to English-speaking viewers in the tri-state area.
- PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)coreWNET is an affiliate PBS station and a leading nonprofit public media producer for PBS, distributing content nationally through PBS's broadcast network and streaming platforms including Passport member benefit.
- CNNminorWNET developed key partnerships with CNN as part of its programming expansion under Neal Shapiro's leadership.
- NewsdayminorWNET developed key partnerships with Newsday as part of its local programming expansion. Four new series produced by Newsday TV Group launched on WLIW in late 2025.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
The WNET Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- WGBH Educational Foundation: Boston-based large-market PBS affiliate and major national producer (Frontline, NOVA, American Experience). Closest analog to WNET as a flagship-market PBS station producing premium documentary series with multi-platform distribution and donation-funded operations.
- WETA: Washington D.C. PBS member station producing PBS NewsHour and major performing-arts and documentary series. Comparable as a large-market PBS station running both television broadcast and multi-platform content distribution with donation-based funding.
- KQED: San Francisco Bay Area PBS member station operating television, radio (KQED Public Radio), and digital properties with a similar nonprofit, membership-funded structure and audience-development focus on local journalism and culture.
- WTTW / Window to the World Communications: Chicago PBS member station producing original local and national programming including documentaries and cultural series. Operates with comparable scale and governance as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public media organization.
- KCET / PBS SoCal: Los Angeles PBS station that split from the market and produces original programming. Comparable as a major-market public broadcaster with revenue dependence on donations, sponsorships, and government funding.
- WHYY: Philadelphia regional public media organization operating television and radio stations, producing news and cultural content. Comparable operating model with multi-platform distribution and donation-based funding.
Broad incumbents
- PBS (Public Broadcasting Service): National PBS network organization that curates and distributes member station content, including the PBS App and Passport member benefit. WNET is both an affiliate of and content supplier to PBS, making it a strategically important counterparty rather than pure peer.
- NPR (National Public Radio): National public radio network and primary distribution partner for WLIW-FM (WNET's NPR member station). Operates the national infrastructure for public radio and comparable donation/sponsorship-funded model.
- BBC Studios: BBC's commercial content and distribution arm producing and globally licensing BBC-branded programming. Provides a relevant international analog in public-service broadcasting content production and global content distribution strategy.
Regional players
- NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation): Japan's public broadcaster whose NHK WORLD-JAPAN channel WNET now distributes in the New York DMA via cable and digital subchannel. Comparable as an internationally recognized nonprofit public broadcaster with English-language international service.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The WNET Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe WNET Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
The WNET Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The WNET Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
The WNET Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries9 records
The WNET Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The WNET Group 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 The WNET Group
What does The WNET Group do?
The WNET Group is a nonprofit public media organization that produces and distributes award-winning television, radio, and digital content through its flagship PBS station THIRTEEN, sister stations WLIW and NJ PBS, and NPR station WLIW-FM. Its portfolio includes nationally distributed series such as Nature, American Masters, Great Performances, Cyberchase, and Amanpour and Company, supplemented by FAST channels, podcasts, mobile apps, and the Passport member streaming benefit. Funding comes primarily from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and government support.
Is The WNET Group a public or private company?
The WNET Group is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The WNET Group founded?
The WNET Group was founded in 1962. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is The WNET Group based?
The WNET Group is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does The WNET Group make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations and Membership is the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships and Underwriting, foundation Grants, government Funding and corporate Membership.
Who are The WNET Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are WGBH Educational Foundation, WETA, KQED, WTTW / Window to the World Communications, KCET / PBS SoCal and WHYY. Broad incumbents are PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), NPR (National Public Radio) and BBC Studios. NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is listed as a regional player.
Does The WNET Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The WNET Group.
What industry is The WNET Group in?
The WNET Group's product category is Public Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABADAA, National Public Television Networks & Member Stations (PBS-style), with a secondary code of MPABADAB, National Public Radio Networks & Member Stations (NPR-style). Its NAICS code is 516120 and its SIC code is 4833.