Edward “Ted” Koplar, a longtime friend of Nine PBS and a board member since 2008, passed away April 4, 2021. He was 77.
Koplar served on the Nine PBS Board of Directors as vice chair from 2009–2011 and presided as chair in 2012. He had been an emeritus member since 2017. While on the board, he was instrumental in the success of the first public capital campaign and the design and completion of the Public Media Commons. He was an advocate for our Stay Tuned public affairs series, American Graduate, Arts Are Alive programming, and the 2012 Homeland: Immigration in America special.
Koplar was a television pioneer and entrepreneur, making his mark in broadcasting, video production, and real estate. As president and chief executive officer of Koplar Communications International, he grew KPLR-TV into one of the most successful independent television stations in the country.