Attorney General Neronha Deems Rhode Island PBS – The Public’s Radio Merger Application Complete

Published on Wednesday, February 07, 2024

Today, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has deemed the application for the proposed merger of Rhode Island PBS Foundation and The Public’s Radio complete.

Consistent with the process set forth by the Public Radio Conversions Act, the Attorney General has now released the application to the public, with redactions for confidential commercial information of the parties, as provided for under the law. The application is available to view here.

The application was submitted by the Rhode Island PBS Foundation and The Public’s Radio on November 16, 2023. At the Attorney General’s request, the parties to the merger supplemented their application with additional materials on January 12, 2024. By deeming the parties’ application complete, the Office of the Attorney General now has 180 days to review, and determine whether to approve, the proposed merger.

Public comments will be taken into consideration as the Office completes its review of the application. A public meeting will be held on the proposed merger transaction, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Office of the Attorney General at 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903 to discuss the proposed merger. The meeting will provide options for the public to join in-person or virtually.

Additionally, the Attorney General will accept written comments from the public through February 29, 2024, directed to the following address:

Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General

Consumer and Economic Justice Unit

Re: RIPBS/TPR Merger

150 South Main Street

Providence, RI 02903

consumers@riag.ri.gov

Following the public meeting and receipt of written comments, the Office of the Attorney General will continue its review, which must be complete by August 5, 2024, under the Public Radio Conversions Act.