Executive Compensation at PBS (2023)

PBS (Public Broadcasting System) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) television program distributer and broadcaster of educational television content through its 153 member public television licensees.

In 2023, PBS reported total revenue of $544 million (which is consistent with previous years). However, $165 million were non-cash contributions of donated broadcast rights which means total cash revenue was $379 million, most of which came from membership dues and contributions, gifts, and grants.

Total expenses were $542 million. However, $165 million were donated broadcast rights and $6 million was depreciation, meaning cash expenses were $371 million, with the largest expense ($97  million or 26% of cash revenue) being compensation for the 657 employees, who received an average compensation of $148,000.  However, only 313 employees (about 50%) received more than $100,000 in compensation.

The 15 most highly compensated employees were:

• $1,168,661:  Paula A Kerger, President and CEO
• $  779,625:  Jonathan Barzilay, COO
• $  631,581:  Ira Rubenstein, Chief Digital Officer
• $  578,736:  Katherine S Lauderdale, Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Secretary
• $  525,580:  Thomas E Tardivo, CFO, Treasurer
• $  511,891:  Rhonda D Holt, Chief Technology Officer
• $  488,535:  Syliva Bugg, Chief Prog Exec and GM
• $  466,711:  Jeremy Gaines, SVP, Corp Communications
• $  456,121:  Scott Nourse, SVP, Product and Innovation
• $  434,825:  Sara E Dewitt, SVP and GM, PBS Kids
• $  425,815:  James Dunford, SVP, Station Services (to 6/23)
• $  419,855:  Michael D Jacobson, SVP, HR
• $  396,240:  Cecilia B Loving, SVP, DEI
• $  364,132:  Amy Wigler, VP, Marketing
• $  282,595:  Mary Plantamura, Assistant Corp Secretary, Associate General Counsel

The 15 most highly compensated employees received $8 million in compensation.

8 of the 15 most highly compensated employees are female while 7 are male.

PBS provided tax indemnification and/or gross up payments. Specifically, PBS grossed up payments for certain taxable benefits provided to certain executives. No additional detail is provided.

The most highly compensated employee was Paul Kerger, the President and CEO who received $1.2 million in 2023.  The 10 most highly compensated employees received $17 million in compensation from 2018-2023 (note:   highly compensated employees in any of the years 2018-2022 but not in 2023 are not included):

Paula Kerger:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $7 million

• 2023:  $1,168,661
• 2022:  $1,143,633
• 2021:  $1,068,520
• 2020:  $1,311,343
• 2019:  $1,031,468
• 2018:  $1,014,416

Jonathan Barzilay:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $4 millón

• 2023:  $779,625
• 2022:  $758,497
• 2021:  $692,790
• 2020:  $694,757
• 2019:  $719,899
• 2018:  $639,095

Ira Rubenstein:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $3 million

• 2023:  $631,581
• 2022:  $536,736
• 2021:  $530,845
• 2020:  $529,736
• 2019:  $518,401
• 2018:  $511,802

Katherine Lauderdale:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $3 million

• 2023:  $578,736
• 2022:  $546,771
• 2021:  $515,952
• 2020:  $517,214
• 2019:  $503,690
• 2018:  $488,603

Thomas Tardivo:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $3 million

• 2023:  $525,580
• 2022:  $521,536
• 2021:  $493,917
• 2020:  $473,967
• 2019:  $450,691
• 2018:  $438,963

Rhonda Holt:  Total Compensation 2019-2023:  $2 million

• 2023:  $511,891
• 2022:  $443,314
• 2021:  $356,374
• 2020:  $335,050
• 2019:  $324,897

Sylvia Bugg:  Total Compensation 2021-2023:  $1 million

• 2023:  $488,535
• 2022:  $457,711
• 2021:  $273,057

Jeremy Gaines:  Total Compensation 2020-2023:  $2 million

• 2023:  $466,711
• 2022:  $456,021
• 2021:  $430,083
• 2020:  $411,200

Scott Nourse:  Total Compensation 2021-2023:  $1 million

• 2023:  $456,121
• 2022:  $437,873
• 2021:  $367,481

Sara Dewitt:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $1 million

• 2023:  $434,825
• 2022:  $368,847

49 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation. The five (5) most highly compensated were reported to be:

• $1,613,824:  Covington Burling, of Washington, DC for legal services
• $  700,000:  Attune Insights, of Pacific Palisades, CA for marketing services
• $  583,273:  Mitchell Silberberg Knupp, of LA, CA for legal services
• $  552,048:  Apex Systems, of Chicago, IL for contracting services
• $  510,500:  Invisible Hand, of Brooklyn, NY for marketing services

At year-end, PBS had nearly $412 million in net assets, or fund balances.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2022 for the year ending June 30, 2023), click here.