Tavis Smiley Partners With WNET in New York

With KCET unexpectedly leaving the PBS umbrella, Tavis Smiley suddenly found himself without a PBS affiliate partner for his nightly half-hour program, “The Tavis Smiley Show.” He no longer has that problem. And he’s not partnering with whom you would think. Even though Orange County’s PBS affiliate KOCE has now become PBS SoCal, and will broadcast Smiley’s show locally, the station will not be Smiley’s production partner. That distinction, it was announced today, will be held by WNET in New York.

All indications are Smiley is staying put in Los Angeles. For now. But could this be the beginning of a transition to the east coast?

Smiley’s people couldn’t say. But FBLA is in the process of arranging a word with the man himself. Stay tuned.

Previously on FBLA: Tavis Smiley Moves to Orange County, Not Happy About It