The University of Houston is merging Channel 8 and local National Public Radio affiliate KUHF into one unified organization, to be called Houston Public Media, CultureMap has learned. Staff members at both Channel 8 and KUHF were told of the move in a meeting today.

A national search is to begin in the spring for a CEO of the new TV-radio organization, believed to be one of the first of its kind. The collaboration is tied to the University of Houston's continuing effort to secure state-recognized Tier One status — with the novelty of the merger expected to bring the school prestige and a higher profile.

Under the merger, Houston's public television station and its NPR station will be run by one CEO under one organization.

"The University of Houston plans to undertake a national search for a media executive to help develop and implement the eventual merger of its television and radio stations," University of Houston executive director of media relations Richard Bonnin said in a statement when asked for comment by CultureMap.

"The projected merger will allow the university to better serve the community by using these valuable resources more effectively."