Washington, DC and Arlington, VA, May 13, 2010 -- The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS today announced the establishment of a Diversity and Innovation Fund of $20 million to be spent over two years to support the PBS' National Program Service (NPS).
The Diversity and Innovation Fund aims to broaden the NPS audience by attracting younger, more racially and ethnically diverse viewers and content creators. It seeks to expand its current audience through the increased use of content and topics created by a wide-ranging group of producers and through the use of new and emerging technologies.
"CPB is committed to promoting greater innovation and diversity in public media," said Pat Harrison, president and CEO of CPB. "Through the Diversity and Innovation Fund, CPB and PBS will invest in the development of content that will serve the needs and interests of the citizens of our increasingly diverse nation across a variety of platforms."
Recognizing that innovation is central to the goal of reaching and engaging younger and more diverse audiences, the fund will encourage the use of technology in the planning, production and distribution of the content. Resources for these projects will be allocated across four content areas: television-centered, multi-platform content; digital initiatives; education initiatives and gaming.
"Public media strives to reflect America's diversity and spirit," said PBS President and CEO Paula A. Kerger. "The Diversity and Innovation Fund will help PBS and its member stations further our mission to bring new voices, perspectives, and partners into public media. We're proud to collaborate with CPB in this effort."
Most of the projects from this fund will be chosen through requests for proposals (RFPs), with CPB and PBS working together during the selection process. Detailed guidelines for the fund will be posted on the CPB and PBS websites in June. The first RFP will be issued June 15th.
About CPB
CPB, a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,100 locally-owned and -operated public television and radio stations nationwide, and is the largest single source of funding for research, technology, and program development for public radio, television, and related online services. Please visit www.cpb.org for more information.
About PBS
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans - from every walk of life - the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches more than 118 million people through television and nearly 21 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and its Web site, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.
CONTACTS:
Louise Filkins, CPB, 202-879-9759; lfilkins@cpb.org
Jan McNamara, PBS, 703-739-5028; jmcnamara@pbs.org
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