FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PBS NORTH CAROLINA NAMES CHRIS PANDICH AS ITS CHIEF BROADCAST ENGINEER

Pandich will oversee the network’s broadcast engineering team, including field operations, studio engineering, emergency services, new technologies and FCC compliance.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 3/19/2025 — PBS North Carolina announces the appointment of Chris Pandich as its Chief Broadcast Engineer after a national search. In this role, Pandich will oversee the statewide network’s broadcast engineering team, including field operations, studio engineering, emergency services and FCC compliance. He will also serve as project manager on technical upgrades for all broadcast technology-related installations. 

“Since joining PBS North Carolina in 2016, Chris Pandich has shown a tremendous dedication to excellence and a deep commitment to the communities we serve,” said David Crabtree, PBS North Carolina’s CEO. “His engineering expertise and leadership talents are without compare. Mere weeks after becoming our Interim Chief Broadcast Engineer in 2024, Chris helped lead field operations during Hurricane Helene and the weeks that followed. During that challenging time, PBS North Carolina never lost its broadcast signal nor its ability to support emergency communications. We’re very fortunate to have Chris help lead in our network’s mission to keep North Carolinians informed, safe and connected.” 

Pandich takes on this role during a critical time for PBS North Carolina and the state. In addition to leading the network’s ongoing efforts to support emergency communications across North Carolina, his team is focused on harnessing the power of ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV, a cutting-edge television broadcast technology, to help deliver educational content to students without broadband access and enhance first-responder communications. In 2023, PBS North Carolina and partners Triveni Digital and Device Solutions Inc. were recognized with a Technology Innovation Award from the National Association of Broadcasters for agroundbreaking ATSC 3.0 solution that would allow first responders to deliver a massive volume of data quickly to many receivers at the same time, allowing them to reach the public faster during an emergency. 

“I’m honored to step into the role of Chief Broadcast Engineer at PBS North Carolina,” said Chris Pandich. “Our network is at the forefront of broadcasting and emergency communications, and we’ll continue to innovate and expand our services to communities across North Carolina. We not only deliver free educational and cultural content to all North Carolinians but also play a critical role in supporting public safety and emergency communications. I look forward to building on PBS North Carolina’s legacy of excellence while advancing new technologies to improve educational outreach and public safety across the state.” 

Prior to serving as Interim Chief Broadcast Engineer, Pandich served as Director of Engineering Services, Media Management Engineer and Studio Engineer at PBS North Carolina. He joined the organization in 2016 after holding various broadcast operations and technical roles at Time Warner Cable News/News 14 Carolina (now Spectrum News) and Univision. He holds a B.S. in Television and Radio from Ithaca College, New York. 

The role of Chief Broadcast Engineer is responsible for approximately $7 million of PBS North Carolina’s $26.5 million budget and more than $60 million of state assets. PBS North Carolina’s Broadcast Division operates more than 60 sites for transmitters, microwave sites, translators and production facilities throughout the state. As Chief Broadcast Engineer, Pandich is responsible for compliance with all FCC, FAA insurance and accounting rules and regulations. This position regularly interfaces with other broadcasters and many state and federal agencies. 

David Crabtree added, “Chris and his team rose to the challenge of maintaining our complex technical infrastructure during Hurricane Helene. We feel confident that we’ve found the right person to help expand the network’s role in public broadcasting, emergency management and digital learning in North Carolina.” 

About PBS North Carolina

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

-PBS NC-

Media Contact 
Allyson Meade, Marketing & Communications 
PBS North Carolina 
press@pbsnc.org