Statement from Patricia Harrison on the Death of Public Broadcasting Pioneer Ron Hull

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 20, 2023) – Patricia Harrison, President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), released the following statement today regarding the death of public broadcasting pioneer Ron Hull at age 92.

“Ron was a legend in public broadcasting and a leader involved in the creation of Nebraska Educational Television in the 1950s. A student of history and supporter of the arts, he brought the work of Mari Sandoz and Nebraska Poet Laureate John Neihardt, two renowned chroniclers of Native American culture and history, to public television. Through NET he also celebrated the work and legacy of Willa Cather.

“As CPB’s second Program Fund director, Ron initiated the creation of PBS’s signature history series, "American Experience," and secured funding for Ken Burns to produce his landmark documentary “The Civil War.” Ron also supported the vision and work of the Native American Public Broadcasting Consortium, which became Vision Maker Media, and the other members of what is now known as the National Multicultural Alliance.

“May his memory be a blessing to his family and to all who knew him.”

About CPB
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,500 locally managed and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television and related online services. For more information, visit cpb.org, follow us on Twitter @CPBmedia, Facebook and LinkedIn and subscribe for other updates.