Elizabeth Jensen of the New York Times writes Monday about Mykalai Kontilai and his backers, who purchased the PBS show “Nightly Business Report” earlier this year but have a controversial background.
Jensen writes, “Under Mr. Kontilai’s ownership, ‘Nightly Business Report’ has opened a San Jose, Calif., bureau in partnership with the public station there, KTEH, and added Rick Horrow, a sports business expert, to the lineup. Daily operations of the program are now being overseen by Mr. Ferrell, who on Nov. 10 was named executive vice president of operations and chief financial officer of NBR Worldwide.
“As for some of the other plans Mr. Kontilai mentioned, a spokeswoman for the Defense Department, Maj. Monica Bland, confirmed that Mr. Kontilai had proposed a program for returning veterans. But he was told that ‘in light of our comprehensive budget review efforts, O.S.D. was not starting any new programs,’ she said, referring to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
“Susie Gharib, an anchor of ‘Nightly Business,’ said she knew Mr. Kontilai socially before the purchase. She says he is ‘very inspirational’ and has ‘brought tremendous new energy to ‘Nightly Business Report.’ He’s also brought the spirit of entrepreneurship.’ Of the past accusations against him, she said: ‘I’m not looking at all backward. I don’t know anything about any of that. He’s very dedicated to the program; that’s what’s important to me.’
“Mr. Bogdan at Atalaya Capital said in an e-mail, ‘Mr. Kontilai’s NBR business plan, his overall business successes and the high respect he has with key leaders within the public television community, we believe, will ensure the success of the business.’ He added that the company considered his business troubles ‘irrelevant in these circumstances.'”
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