What is PMI?
Public Media Infrastructure (PMI) is a new independent non-profit entity created by five organizations recognized as leaders and representatives of the diversity of the system: American Public Media Group (APMG), PRX, Station Resource Group (SRG), the National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB), and New York Public Radio (NYPR).
Each of these organizations already provides services that stations depend on today, including PRX’s Dovetail and Exchange; APMG’s NOC, backup satellite, and other multichannel operations; NFCB’s direct support to community and Tribal stations; SRG’s research and convenings; and NYPR’s national programs and distribution network. PMI brings these capacities together under one roof so that stations can count on reliable, universal, and affordable distribution and emergency alert services, while also benefiting from a coordinated roadmap for adoption, innovation, and sustainability.
PMI is not starting from scratch. We’re aligning systems that work today across the system, formalizing our collaboration, and ensuring stations have the infrastructural services they need today and tomorrow. Alongside their partnership in PMI, APMG, PRX, SRG, NFCB, and NYPR will continue to operate independently. PMI is made possible by a CPB grant of $57.9 million over five years.
What happens for my station on Day One?
For stations, Day One of PMI looks exactly like business as usual. The goal is to ensure complete continuity while PMI gets established. Satellite continuity and EAS will remain uninterrupted. File-based content will continue to be delivered through the Exchange, and sponsorship services will still run through Dovetail. For stations not using those systems, you will continue to use the same systems you are using today. Over time, you will have options to choose what you are doing today, or whether to migrate to the systems and services PMI will provide. All of these services will be monitored around the clock, with the same help desks and support channels you rely on today. Importantly, services will remain free or deeply discounted over the next few years, with the intention that stations will not face new costs as the transition occurs. There will be no disruption, no new contracts to sign, and no new systems to learn.
How will PMI be governed?
PMI is being established as an independent non-profit. Later this year, a board will be fully seated, including multiple station leaders representing a range of licensees. We’ll convene an advisory group of station leaders in early 2026 to provide additional input. PMI will manage infrastructure and services only, not editorial content. PMI will be fully independent and not directly tied or subordinate to a single organization.
Who is leading PMI?
By the end of calendar year 2025, PMI will have acting leadership in place to oversee daily operations and compliance. A search is underway for a permanent Executive Director, with the expectation that they’ll be in place in early 2026. Until then, PMI’s transition committee, consisting of the founding organizations’ leaders, will handle oversight and major decisions. SRG will play a unique role in the transition as fiscal agent for PMI, ensuring the funds will be used as intended, based on the grant proposal. This means that SRG will be the recipient of the CPB funds on behalf of PMI until later this calendar year.
Will my station see any changes in cost or payment?
Stations will have ample time to adopt new services without financial burden. After the grant term, any fees, if necessary, will be structured fairly, scaled to the size and budget of stations, and metered use will be taken into account as it is today. There will be no surprise costs and no immediate action needed from stations. Carriage fees are outside the scope of PMI.
Where will stations go for support?
Support will remain consistent and coordinated. PMI will unify the existing help desks of PRX, NFCB, and APMG into a coordinated support pathway. Clear documentation will be shared with stations so you know exactly which team is responsible for which service, and escalation procedures will be in place for 24/7 monitoring where required. Over time, PMI will propose opportunities to streamline these systems and provide a clearer, more efficient support structure for all services.
How will PRSS work with PMI?
We recognize and value the tremendous contribution that PRSS has made to public media since its inception, and are committed to working with our partners there to ensure a smooth continuity of service through the transition.
Do we continue to pay PRSS?
Yes, as we are in a “business as usual” state during the transition. You should continue to pay PRSS in the normal course of your business. PMI will provide additional information as we work through this transition with PRSS.
What is the timeline for when we can expect to see changes?
We are early in this transition and will communicate a more detailed timeline in the coming months. One of the first priorities is to hire PMI leadership, who will play a critical role in advancing more concrete plans over the next five years.
What new services will PMI provide?
Innovation will be phased in carefully, with station input along the way. Beginning in 2026, together with cohorts of partner stations, PMI will design and pilot new services, including Live over IP and audience analytics. PMI will also be working on a premium sponsorship exchange and analytics platform, with integrations to other national tools, giving every station the opportunity to adopt them at their own pace, and as they see fit.
How can stations help shape PMI?
Stations will be involved in PMI from the beginning. In addition to board and advisory representation, stations will be invited to RFP reviews, pilot cohorts, surveys, and convenings. We are committed to ensuring that smaller, rural, Tribal, and LPFM stations are prioritized in this process so that PMI serves the entire system equitably. Your input will not only be welcomed, but built into the way PMI makes decisions.
In summary: PMI’s role is to ensure that no matter the size, location, format or license type of your station, you will have reliable, affordable, and adaptable infrastructure. Continuity is assured, costs are covered during the grant term, and innovation will be built with your input every step of the way.