ALEXANDRIA, VA - February 23, 2000 - A production executive with experience in children's and family programming on both broadcast and cable television, Patricia Nugent, has been selected as head of children's programming for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The announcement was made today by John Wilson, senior vice president, PBS programming.
Ms. Nugent will oversee the selection and execution of educational and entertaining programs for the award-winning PBS KIDS Ready to Learn Service. She will manage PBS's new and ongoing children's series, working with producers, co-production partners and distributors throughout development, production, post-production and broadcast. She will begin her new duties in April. She replaces Alice Cahn, now group president of film, television and video for the Children's Television Workshop.
Ms. Nugent has more than 12 years experience in the field of children's and family programming, including developing and producing television series, specials and home videos. She joins PBS from Cosby where she is co-producer for the Carsey-Werner production. Previously, she was director of production for Jim Henson Productions (US), overseeing the development and production of New York-based projects. She has worked for ABC, CBS, Fox Kids, Nickelodeon and Buena Vista Home Video on a range of projects featuring animation, live-action, puppets, and full-body characters.
"Pat Nugent brings to PBS a distinguished record of accomplishment in children's television production," said Mr.Wilson. "She has the creativity and commitment to excellence which is our signature. We're delighted to have Pat lead the charge as we take PBS KIDS into the 21st century."
"I've been involved in children's programming for a good part of my career," said Ms. Nugent. "I couldn't be happier about bringing that expertise to the most respected and valued home of quality kids' television."
Ms. Nugent holds a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University and a master's degree from New York University. Her affiliations include the Black Filmmaker Foundation and the New York Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
The premier destination for children's entertainment and education, PBS KIDS provides a non-violent, noncommercial daily schedule that kids love and parent trust. PBS KIDS extends far beyond the TV screen to the Web (pbskids.org), home videos, educational outreach materials, and the new PBS KIDS Channel. The PBS KIDS Ready to Learn Service leverages the television programs with workshops in local communities to help adults boost children's reading and social skills. Available to 99 percent of American homes with televisions and to an increasing number of digital multimedia households, PBS serves nearly 100 million people each week.
Photos: PBS.org/pressroom/2000/winspring/nugent.html
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