What Ocean State Media does

Ocean State Media is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public media organization headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, that operates as the state's joint NPR and PBS licensee. The organization was formed in October 2025 through the rebranding of Rhode Island PBS and The Public's Radio following their merger, unifying television, radio, and digital operations under a single brand. It serves residents of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts through a multi-platform distribution architecture: broadcast television on WSBE (cable and over-the-air), statewide FM radio at 103.7 FM (consolidated in May 2026), live and on-demand streaming via watch.ripbs.org, podcasts, and member-only PBS Passport access. The organization distributes content via a global digital streaming footprint and syndication to nearly 300 television markets and Sirius XM's POTUS channel 124 nationally.

The core product portfolio includes local TV shows such as Rhode Island PBS Weekly (newsmagazine), ART inc. (arts and culture), Ocean State Sessions (music performances), One on One with Ian Donnis (political interviews), Generation Rising (youth programming), Our Town (community profiles), Maria's Portuguese Table (culinary/cultural), and the documentary docuseries Ocean State: Rhode Island's Wild Coast, plus children's programming (Pollywog Pond) produced with partners such as Whooplah LLC and Silent Flight Studios. Radio programming includes NPR news, local talk shows including A Lively Experiment, and original podcasts. Educational services cover early childhood Ready To Learn resources, adult basic education, and media literacy through PBS Student Reporting Labs.

The business model is member-supported public media: free content distribution funded by individual member donations, corporate sponsorship tiers, federal grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS Passport member subscriptions. Community engagement is a defining operating principle, with the 'Ocean State Media in Motion' initiative touring all 39 Rhode Island municipalities to gather civic input. The organization is led by President and CEO Pam Johnston (appointed July 2024, formerly of GBH and Frontline) and Steffon, Chief Revenue and Growth Officer. The 51-100 employee organization has accumulated a content library of approximately 3,979 items (2,653 articles, 484 authors, 6 podcasts, 57 TV shows) and has won 19 Emmy nominations in 2024, 18 Telly Awards in 2024, and 2 Edward R. Murrow Awards in 2025.

Name

Ocean State Media

Legal name

Ocean State Media

Website

https://oceanstatemedia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2025

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ocean State Media is a Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) public media organization operating WSBE-TV, statewide 103.7 FM radio, and digital streaming to deliver local news, public affairs, arts, and educational content to Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts audiences, funded by member donations, corporate sponsorships, and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Broadcasting Services

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

National Public Radio Networks & Member Stations (NPR-style) (MPABADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

National Public Television Networks & Member Stations (PBS-style) (MPABADAA), Public Media Digital Platforms & Streaming (Apps, On-demand, Podcasts) (MPABADAG), Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus) (MPAIAEAB)

Keywords

• Public media broadcasting
• Local journalism services
• Educational programming
• Community engagement
• Public radio

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Member Donations and Membership Program: Ocean State Media relies heavily on member support through donations and membership. The organization offers various member levels with benefits including PBS Passport access for extended on-demand programming.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: The organization generates revenue through corporate sponsorships, with various sponsorship tiers available for businesses.
3. Federal and Public Broadcasting Funding: As a public media organization, Ocean State Media receives funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and other federal sources. The organization has been impacted by federal funding cuts and has issued calls for community support.
4. PBS Passport: Member benefit that provides extended on-demand access to quality PBS programming. This is a subscription-based streaming service for members.
5. Events: The organization hosts events including Joe Bonamassa at the Cape Cod Melody Tent and various community events to engage audiences and generate support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Ocean State Media is a nonprofit public media organization that produces and distributes local news, public affairs, educational, arts, and cultural programming for Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts audiences. Its core offerings include broadcast television on WSBE (PBS), statewide FM radio at 103.7 FM (NPR), on-demand digital streaming via watch.ripbs.org, original local programming such as 'Rhode Island PBS Weekly' and 'Ocean State: Rhode Island's Wild Coast,' and the PBS Passport member benefit. Content is funded primarily through member donations, corporate sponsorships, and federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Product overview

Ocean State Media is a unified public media organization formed from the merger of Rhode Island PBS and The Public's Radio. The organization offers a multi-platform portfolio of television broadcasting (PBS), radio broadcasting (NPR via 103.7 FM), and digital content including newsletters, podcasts, and on-demand streaming. Key products include local TV shows such as 'One on One with Ian Donnis', 'Lively', 'ART inc.', 'Rhode Island PBS Weekly', 'Ocean State Sessions', and the documentary series 'Ocean State: Rhode Island's Wild Coast'. The organization provides educational services through partnerships with CPB and PBS, and offers membership benefits including PBS Passport for extended on-demand content access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• One on One with Ian Donnis: Interview program featuring political reporter Ian Donnis in conversation with guests.
• Lively
• The Daily Catch Newsletter
• Ocean State: Rhode Island's Wild Coast
• Biggest Little Desk

Products and services

• TV Broadcasting (PBS/WSBE) Free over-the-air and cable broadcast television service on WSBE delivering local Rhode Island programming, national PBS content, and educational shows to audiences across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
• Radio Broadcasting (NPR/103.7 FM) Public radio broadcasting service via statewide 103.7 FM frequency and online streaming, featuring NPR news, local programming, and podcasts for Rhode Island audiences.
• PBS Passport Membership Subscription-based on-demand streaming service providing PBS members with extended access to PBS programming and exclusive content via PBS apps and website.
• Education Services Educational programming services including early childhood learning resources (Ready To Learn), adult basic education, media literacy programming, and school closing notifications for Rhode Island schools, educators, and students.
• The Daily Catch Newsletter Daily email newsletter featuring local Rhode Island news, digital content, and news resources delivered to subscribers via Constant Contact.
• TGIF Political Newsletter Weekly political newsletter by political reporter Ian Donnis summarizing Rhode Island politics and government news, delivered every Friday via Constant Contact.
• Ocean State: Rhode Island's Wild Coast Docuseries Documentary docuseries exploring Rhode Island's coastal ecosystems, marine life, and conservation efforts, produced in partnership with Silent Flight Studios and Mystic Aquarium.
• Rhode Island PBS Weekly Weekly newsmagazine covering local Rhode Island news, politics, and community affairs, recognized with Boston/New England Emmy Awards.
• Story in the Public Square Weekly public affairs show featuring interviews with distinguished guests discussing storytelling and civic engagement, produced in partnership with the Pell Center at Salve Regina University and distributed nationally.
• Independent Producers Program Program supporting independent producers to create and distribute original content through Ocean State Media's broadcast television, radio, and digital streaming platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 300 television markets reached nationally by 'Story in the Public Square'
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2024Rhode Island PBS partnered with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS to extend the impact of Ready To Learn-funded early childhood educational resources. This partnership focuses on expanding access to high-quality early learning content for children and families in Rhode Island.
• Pell Center at Salve Regina UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Pell Center at Salve Regina University is a key strategic partner for 'Story in the Public Square,' a weekly public affairs series that has aired on Rhode Island PBS since 2016. The show, co-executive produced by Pell Center's Jim Ludes, reaches audiences in nearly 300 television markets nationally and on Sirius XM's POTUS channel. Executive producers Jim Ludes and G. Wayne Miller initially presented the concept as a conference before finding media collaborators.
• Sirius XMcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSirius XM serves as a national radio distribution partner for 'Story in the Public Square.' The audio version of the program airs on the POTUS channel (channel 124), reaching Sirius XM subscribers nationwide who tune in for political news and public affairs content.
• PBS Student Reporting LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with PBS Student Reporting Labs to engage young people in media creation. Ocean State Media staff conducted media-making workshops with students at the Boys & Girls Club of Warwick, helping teens create short videos about issues facing their community.
• Johnson & Wales UniversityminorOthersEducational institution partner listed among supporters and sponsors of Ocean State Media
• University of Rhode Island (URI) Business SchoolminorOthersUniversity partner listed among supporters and sponsors of Ocean State Media, specifically the graduate DBA program
• Mystic AquariumminorOthersPartner for marine wildlife rescue coverage in 'Ocean State: Rhode Island's Wild Coast' documentary series. Mystic Aquarium's Sarah Callan leads rescue programs that were featured in the documentary.
• Block Island Maritime InstituteminorOthersLocal partner collaborating with Mystic Aquarium on seal rescue efforts featured in the 'Ocean State: Rhode Island's Wild Coast' documentary series.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• KQED: San Francisco Bay Area's primary public broadcaster (PBS + NPR). Comparable as a unified public media organization producing award-winning local journalism and multi-platform content, though at materially larger scale than Ocean State Media.
• WBUR (Boston University Radio): Major NPR member station in Boston with significantly larger scale and a strong regional/national news footprint. Comparable in public radio business model and New England audience overlap, though materially larger and university-affiliated.
• WETA: Greater Washington PBS station and a major national PBS producer. Comparable as a public broadcasting operator with PBS programming capabilities, though at a much larger scale and in a more competitive media market.
• WNYC (New York Public Radio): New York's flagship public radio station, one of the largest in the U.S. Comparable as a leading NPR member station with a member-supported model, though at substantially greater scale, audience, and revenue.
• Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB): Oregon's public broadcasting network (PBS + NPR). Comparable as a state-level public broadcaster with similar mission, funding structure, and content mix, though with a larger geographic service area and audience base.

Direct peers

• Vermont Public: Vermont's combined PBS and NPR organization. Direct peer as a small-state New England public broadcaster that also went through a TV+radio unification, mirroring Ocean State Media's merged platform model.
• GBH (WGBH): Boston-based public broadcaster that operates PBS and NPR member stations across New England. It is a direct peer: same PBS/NPR affiliate model, same multi-platform distribution, and CEO Pam Johnston came directly from GBH. Highly comparable in mission, funding mix, and operational structure.
• Maine Public: Maine's public broadcasting network (PBS + NPR). Highly comparable as another small New England state public broadcaster with multi-platform distribution, similar member/sponsorship/CPB revenue mix, and similar rural + urban service footprint.
• New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR): New Hampshire's primary NPR member station with local news focus. Comparable as a small New England public radio organization with similar donor-supported model and limited geographic reach.
• Connecticut Public: Connecticut's joint PBS and NPR affiliate (formerly CPTV and WNPR). Direct comparable as a small New England state-level joint public media organization serving a similar population profile and relying on the same member donation + CPB funding model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OSMediaRI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@oceanstatemediari
• Facebookfacebook.com/OceanStateMediaRI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oceanstatemedia
• Instagraminstagram.com/ocean.state.media
• TikToktiktok.com/@oceanstatemedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ocean State Media