PPL Corporation and PBS39, the greater Lehigh Valley’s trusted source for quality television and educational services, announced that PPL will be the naming rights sponsor of the television station’s public media center.

Under the seven-year agreement, the building will be called the PPL Public Media Center. The announcement was made jointly by William H. Spence, chairman, president and CEO of PPL Corporation, and Timothy S. Fallon, CEO of PBS39, at a press conference Oct. 1.

The 29,288-square-foot center was constructed in 2011 on the redeveloped Bethlehem plant of the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation. It features a 125-seat television studio where local on-air programs like FOCUS and Behind the Guitar are recorded and live community discussions are held.

“We’re proud to support PBS39 and the role the station plays in educating the communities we serve, developing programming for citizens from childhood to adulthood,” Spence said.

Funds garnered from the naming rights sponsorship will help PBS39 expand core initiatives that include:

increasing commitment and capacity to create local productions and documentaries;

expanding educational programs and the level of involvement with partner school districts;

beginning new partnerships with education-serving organizations; and

providing digital communication skills for local students.

“With the support of PPL, we can enhance our role as a community convener and further our mission to educate, entertain, and inspire the public,” Fallon said.

“Partnerships like this one have the power to affect positive change in our community’s development and education. The future looks bright for PBS39 and PPL,” said Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez.