Alaska broadcasting outlets could merge

ANCHORAGE - The state's largest public broadcasting outlets are considering an idea to merge their operations.

Steve Lindbeck - president and general manager of Alaska Public Telecommunications Inc. - says the idea would address both a tough economic climate and a change in the way consumers get information.

He says the general managers of APTI - which runs the Alaska Public Radio Network, KAKM-TV and KSKA-FM in Anchorage - and of KUAC in Fairbanks and KTOO in Juneau have been working with Livingston Associates, a national firm that specializes in public broadcasting.

Lindbeck says the next step is to develop a plan for how unification would relate to staffing levels, budget and location of headquarters.

He says if it's a go, unification could start as early as next July.