Neal Shapiro to retire as president and CEO of The WNET Group

Neal Shapiro, president and CEO of The WNET Group in the US, will retire from his role at the end of his contract later this year.

Neal Shapiro

The WNET Group described Shapiro’s tenure as “transformative” and said the leadership transition will take place by the end of 2026, with the board initiating a “comprehensive” search for a successor. It is set to announce further details in the coming months.

Shapiro’s decision to step down, made in consultation with the board of trustees, follows nearly two decades of leadership.

Shapiro will remain as CEO until a successor has been identified. Following a transition period, he will then move into a new role as president emeritus to continue supporting WNET’s fundraising priorities and organisational objectives.

The WNET Group is the community-supported home of channels including Thirteen, WLIW, PBS KIDS, WLIW World and Create as well as free, ad-supported streaming TV channel PBS Nature.

Its productions include signature PBS series Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, and Amanpour & Company, plus news programmes like NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi.

“Leading WNET has been the privilege of my professional career,” said Shapiro. “After careful consideration, I believe this is the right time to pass the torch to new leadership who will build on our momentum and guide WNET through its next chapter. I’m enormously proud of what our team has accomplished together, and I’m confident WNET’s future is bright.”

“We are deeply grateful for Neal’s exceptional leadership,” said James A Attwood Jr, chair of WNET’s board of trustees.

“His vision, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our mission have elevated public media and strengthened our service to millions of viewers. While we will miss his leadership, we celebrate his remarkable legacy and the profound impact he has had on our organisation.”

“In this next chapter, WNET remains committed to operating in alignment with our mission, even amid a complex industry environment. We look forward to finding a leader who will build on Neal’s legacy with the same commitment to excellence and innovation.”