• by Wayne Friedman , April 2, 2009

PBS' "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" has added a much-need major corporate sponsor to its ranks: Intel Corp.

Intel joins the show's other major sponsors, Chevron and Grant Thornton. The nine-month sponsorship will start on April 1.

The news show had some major funding problems last year -- still reeling from the departure of Archer Daniels Midland, which ended its 14-year sponsorship of the 'NewsHour' in summer 2007.

Reportedly, that sponsorship brought anywhere between $4 million and $7 million a year. The program's yearly budget is around $26 million to $28 million.

In January, Pacific Life Insurance Company also ended its sponsorship.

As part of the deal, Intel will fund a series of mini-documentaries focusing on innovation in the economy -- segments that will air in 2009 on the broadcast and online platforms of the "NewsHour." However, Intel will provide no editorial support.

Other funding for 'NewsHour' comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, as well as foundations, including the Atlantic Philanthropies, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the National Science Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

In addition, the 'NewsHour' will partner with Intel and the Aspen Institute, sponsoring a series of "salon dinners" in Washington, D.C., focused on the economy innovations.