Idaho Public TV To Close Cda Office Two Will Lose Jobs Locally As Network Anticipates Cuts In Federal Funds

Idaho Public Television will close its Coeur d’Alene office as part of statewide cutbacks.

Last week, IPTV managers learned their network would get $700,000 less in federal funding over the next four years. It also lost more than $100,000 in state funding this year, general manager Jerold Garber said.

“This was an absolutely hellish exercise to go through,” he said Tuesday of the decision to lay off 10 people and reduce programs produced in Idaho.

“What we did was try to preserve the greatest good for the greatest number.”

The Coeur d’Alene office, opened about three years ago, employs a full-time public relations employee and part-time assistant. They’ll lose their jobs in July, although broadcasting from the Coeur d’Alene transmitter will continue.

No one will have to wave goodbye to Big Bird on “Sesame Street,” however.

In fact, Garber said, most viewers won’t notice the difference in programming. The most-watched programs are nationally produced, and purchased as a package deal with donated money.

Viewers who will notice the difference are the relative handful who follow shows such as “Idaho Reports.” That is a daily half-hour program that covers the Legislature.

It’s expensive to produce and will be dramatically cut back, Garber said.

In addition, IPTV will discontinue “Portraits of Idaho,” “Child Care Almanac,” coverage of University of Idaho Vandal games, and the Learning Link computer service.

“Outdoor Idaho” and “Dialogue” will continue.

Public television has 67 full-time and 47 part-time employees in Boise, Pocatello, Moscow and Coeur d’Alene.

, DataTimes