Channel will feature public television's top documentary, public affairs and nonfiction programming; plus many stations will feature local productions focusing on key issues; Flexible programming and vast broadcast library will offer in-depth coverage of important news events
August 6, 2007; Boston, MA - PBS WORLD, a new channel featuring documentary, public affairs, and news programming from public television's award-winning signature series and acclaimed independent filmmakers, will make its national debut on Wednesday, August 15. Produced and distributed by PBS, WGBH Boston and Thirteen/WNET, in association with American Public Television (APT) and the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA), PBS WORLD will launch on 55 stations, representing 24 licensees, across the country, reaching more than 27% of U.S. households. In most markets, PBS WORLD programming will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"The launch of this new service provides an exciting opportunity for PBS and its stations to deliver more of the non-fiction programming that our audiences tell us they want," says Paula Kerger, president of PBS. "We believe that PBS WORLD will prove an indispensable destination for people who crave in-depth information about the world."
Programming on PBS WORLD will include popular and critically acclaimed series like AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, FRONTLINE, HISTORY DETECTIVES, NATURE, THE NEWSHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER, NOVA, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS, and THE TAVIS SMILEY SHOW. Television events like Ken Burns' THE WAR will be offered in addition to a variety of appropriately themed independent films and programs. Whenever possible, current events will dictate programming, making PBS WORLD a valuable resource for viewers looking for in-depth reporting on the important happenings of our time. PBS WORLD could also be an essential local resource, as each day's schedule allows for several hours of member station news and public affairs programs. In addition, stations will be able to brand the channel with their own call letters, continuing the recognition that public television is one of the last places where local programming may be found.
"More than any other television audience, public television viewers take an interest in the world," says William F. Baker, chief executive of educational broadcasting, Thirteen/WNET. "This channel was designed for them."
Major markets signed on for the launch of PBS WORLD include New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC, Cleveland, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Milwaukee. Many other stations across the country are expected to offer the new channel in coming months.
"PBS WORLD offers an incredible wealth of programming in one place, exploring and explaining both the world outside our doors and the world at large," says Jon Abbott, chief operating officer of WGBH. 'This new national channel offers more choice, more convenience, and more opportunity to invite new audiences to public television."
About PBS
PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and reaches more than 73 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS' premier kids' TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (www.pbskids.org), continue to be parents' and teachers' most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.
About WGBH
WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcasting producer, the source of fully one-third of PBS's prime-time lineup, along with some of public television's best-known lifestyle shows and children's programs and many public radio favorites. Its production menu is diverse, including NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, MASTERPIECE THEATRE, ARTHUR, and POSTCARDS FROM BUSTER on PBS and "The World" and "Sound & Spirit" on public radio. WGBH is the number one producer of Web sites on pbs.org, one of the most trafficked dot-org Web sites in the world. WGBH is a pioneer in educational multimedia and in technologies and services that make media accessible to the 36 million Americans who rely on captioning or video descriptions. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards, even two Oscars. In 2002, WGBH was honored with a special institutional Peabody Award for 50 years of excellence. For more information visit www.wgbh.org.
About Thirteen/WNET New York
Thirteen/WNET New York is one of the key program providers for public television, bringing such acclaimed series as NATURE, GREAT PERFORMANCES, AMERICAN MASTERS, CHARLIE ROSE, RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY, WIDE ANGLE, SECRETS OF THE DEAD, NOW with David Brancaccio, and CYBERCHASE , as well as the work of Bill Moyers, to audiences nationwide. As the flagship public broadcaster in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut metro area, Thirteen reaches millions of viewers each week, airing the best of American public television along with its own local productions such as The Ethnic Heritage Specials, The Thirteen Walking Tours, New York Voices, and Reel New York. Thirteen extends the impact of its television productions through educational and community outreach projects, including the Celebration of Teaching and Learning, as well as Web sites and other digital media platforms. More information can be found at: www.thirteen.org.
About American Public Television
For 46 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation's public television stations. APT distributes more than 300 new program titles per year and has 10,000 hours of programming in its library. It is responsible for many public television milestones including the first HD series and the 2006 launch of the Create channel featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming. APT is known for its leadership in identifying innovative, worthwhile and viewer-friendly programming. It has established a tradition of providing public television stations with program choices that strengthen and customize their schedules with prominent documentaries, dramatic series, how-to programs, travel and lifestyle series as well as classic movies. For more information about APT's programs and services, visit APTonline.org.
About NETA
The National Educational Telecommunications Association is a professional association that serves public television licensees and educational entities in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. We serve by connecting people and ideas, by providing quality programming, educational resources, professional development, management support, and national representation.
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CONTACT: Chris Kelly, Fifth House Public Relations, 617/532-0574; ckelly@fifthhousepr.com
Carrie Johnson, PBS, 703/739-5129; cjohnson@pbs.org