KCET-TV sells studio to Church of Scientology‎

It’s official: KCET-TV announced Monday that it has sold its production facility to the Church of Scientology for an undisclosed amount.

According to a statement from its president, Al Jerome, KCET will remain in operation in the Los Angeles area and is in discussions with several unidentified production facilities.

The financially strapped public channel is quite familiar with starting anew. Early this year, it cut ties with PBS and has struggled to rebuild viewership. 

KCET will remain at its current location at 4401 W. Sunset Blvd. for up to a year before relocating.

The studio's new owners, meanwhile, are more than pleased with the new digs. In a statement from the Church of Scientology, Tommy Davis noted, "At nearly 5 acres, this studio includes two sound stages, extensive post production resources and state-of-the-art TV, satellite and Internet broadcasting capabilities. It is a perfect fit, in both size and location, for the expansion of the Church of Scientology's production of religious and social betterment audiovisual properties, and we welcomed the unexpected opportunity to acquire it."

The statement continued: "This new studio enables the Church to establish one of the most advanced centers used by religious broadcasters with the ability to harness 21st century  broadcast technology and production power to deliver its message to the largest international audience possible."

Read more about it at our sister blog Money & Company.

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KCET-TV is looking to sell its historic home to the Church of Scientology

-- Yvonne Villarreal 

Photo: KCET will remain in the Sunset Boulevard studio for up to a year before moving to a new facility. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Raul Garces]

From everything I can gather about the Scientologists and their dedication to rehabbing properties throughout the world, the community should be welcoming the new owners with open arms. They do a fantastic job in taking old buildings, building them back to their original splendor, and using them conscientiously for the community. This fits in nicely with all the other work that's been done to Hollywood, much of it also by the church. I look foward to seeing what they have planned next.

[Rocky M.]

Fascinating to see the Scientology religion growing when supposedly religion is in decline. Would be interesting to see the LATimes do a story on/interviews with Scientologists to get to the heart of the matter at the parishioner level with them to see/learn why they are so passionate. Amazing stuff.

[Local resident]

There goes the neighborhood!

There are three schools and many families living in the Franklin Hills area. Bringing this "organization" to the neighborhood will be a blight upon what is an otherwise great place to live.

I'm all for religious freedoms -- but when many of our European allies recognize Scientology as a "cult," I'm very skeptical and wary of them moving their operations near our families.

[Flora Bornez]

It's so cool to see how the Church of Scientology is expanding! Taking a look at their facilities, i'm sure this one will be equally amazing.

[No.]

"They do a fantastic job in taking old buildings, building them back to their original splendor, and using them conscientiously for the community."

You mean to tell me that building on Fountain was always a frightening shade of blue?

Scientology has no greater interest for the community. I suggest all the brainwashed here go read the fabulous piece the New Yorker ran a few months ago detailing the manipulative ways of this so-called "church."

[Oops]

Looks like the comments on both stories have been overtaken by Scientology goons.

Sigh. No one in this town is safe!

[Jonathan Statham]

I hope they are moving to Sesame Street.

[Preston Clearwood]

Oh, come on, Local Resident, how bigoted is that?! This is California for crying out loud - we're the tolerant bunch! The Church of Scientology, like any religion, has had good days and bad days but there's not doubting the fact that they've done more good through socially conscious programs (i.e. Drug Abuse Prevention) than most charitable organizations. Give credit where credit is due. Buying the studios is going to have positive impact on you, especially if you are a local resident, and will benefit the community.

[Paleta Fresca]

Good for everyone all around I guess.

[Karl Kcilbok]

Pretty easy to tell who the Scientologists are in these comments. They do a nice job taking care of old buildings. Give anyone their revenue stream and non-profit status and they could do the same. Too bad there will be no tax revenue.

[ab]

Shame on Al Jerome for selling to the highest bidder of pre-packaged LIES!

[ladyla]

The part of the KCET announcement that was left out....

"With this sale, Al Jerome will continue KCET's rich tradition of taking in huge amounts of money only to hand out inflated titles and salaries to his executive staff (3 over $200K) and continue his reign as the highest paid executive in public media with a salary of over $400K. Of course he will also make sure that the remainder of the 100 staff members are making close to nothing and don't have health benefits. All of this while the Board of Directors sleeps ."

[Former KCET employee]

Well said ladyla. Jerome and all his friends who make up the executive staff are only in it for themselves. One has to wonder if they will be profiting from this transaction themselves. While I worked there I did not see a pay increase in years, while senior staff were handed raises and promotions like nobody's business.

[ObjectiveReporting]

"Pretty easy to tell who the Scientologists are in these comments. "

Yeah, and their all probably one person who sometimes posts as "Louanne".

[Dimitris]

Very nice to see Scientology growing despite the negative reviews, keep on going!

[Roberta Steinberg]

I sent some information regarding the criminal core of the 'Church" of Scientology to KCET about 11 months ago. They were sworn statements from people who claimed the so called "Church" was stalking them! (fairgaming in the venacular of Scientology!) and I never got a response....now I know why!