public television

Public broadcasters are backing their commercial counterparts’ request that the FCC “clarify” or establish flexibility when it comes to multicast channels, both in ATSC 1.0 and using the new ATSC 3.0 broadcast transmission standard (branded NextGen TV).

New jobs posted to TVNewsCheck’s Media Job Center include an opening for a president and CEO of Nashville Public Television (WNPT).

The FCC has given permission for the license transfer, and the IRS has granted tax-exempt status, Vermont PBS and VPR announced. The television station and radio network will operate independently until July.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has named Kathryn Washington senior vice president, television content, effective Dec. 19. She had been VP, television content, overseeing national broadcast and digital content.

The long run of A Charlie Brown Christmas on over-the-air TV will continue, at least for this year. Apple — which earlier this year snapped up the rights to the classic holiday special, along with other parts of the Peanuts catalog — has cut a deal with PBS under which A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will air on the public broadcaster. The deal ensures that viewers without access to Apple’s TV+ streaming platform can still see the two specials.

PBS has promoted programming executive Sylvia Bugg to chief programming executive and general manager of general audience programming. In her new position, Bugg will oversee all non-children’s content and lead programming strategy across all broadcast and digital platforms. She will also be responsible for the acquisition and development of programming for PBS and its member stations, “with a particular focus on sharing important stories that reflect the diversity of our country,” according to PBS.

It created the blueprint for what TV has become. And, while networks and streaming services reap the benefits of PBS’s successes, it is still struggling to survive.

Over the past five decades, we have invited Monty Python, Julia Child, Barney, William F. Buckley Jr. and Carl Sagan into our living rooms. Sound eclectic? It’s called the Public Broadcasting Service.

More than three dozen employees at the WNET Group, the parent company of New York’s public television stations, have called for the resignation of the longtime chief executive, Neal Shapiro, saying he had not done enough to improve working conditions for employees, especially those of color.

PBS Hawai‘i CEO Leslie Wilcox announced that she will step down early next year. Wilcox is moving to San Antonio to be with an ailing family member. She’s been with the licensee of KHET and KMEB Honolulu since 2007.

Should public TV stations that use a portion of their spectrum to provide noncommercial data services have to pay fees for that service? That question is before the FCC in a rulemaking proceeding, with groups including PBS, America’s Public Television Stations and the Public Media Venture Group arguing that the fees are hindering development of ATSC 3.0 “broadcast internet” datacasting.

PBS has announced that viewers are now able to live-stream their local PBS stations for free over internet connected devices. As of now, 85 stations can be live streamed, with more expected to become available in the future. Streaming will be available on major web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge) as well as through the PBS Video Channel on Roku devices.

The Boston-based public broadcaster, which has long operated both a radio and TV station, announced Monday that it is dropping the “W” and rebranding simply as “GBH.” WGBH officials say the new name reflects their commitment to “digital-first content” of streaming, apps, podcasts, social media, educational curricula and virtual events since more than than half of its audience impressions come through digital platforms.

PBS shared its programming plans for the upcoming months as part of a virtual Television Critics Association presentation. Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO, noted that PBS turns 50 in October. She called it a “wrenching time” in our nation. “We are committed to leveraging the unique strengths of public television to enable meaningful change,” Kerger said.

Noncommercial stations continued on their path toward full funding-plus even as President Trump has tried to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

A House subcommittee has recommended $515 million for public broadcasting for fiscal year 2023, according to the America’s Public Television Stations, an increase of $50 million. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies has also recommended $20 million for the interconnection facilities that allow the stations to carry national programming.

Kitty Lensman, chief operating officer of  the Public Media Connect partnership that runs Cincinnati and Dayton public TV stations, will become president and general manager of WCET, WPTD and WPTO on July 1.

Teachers have begun recording classes at home, using whatever technology they can, for television in places including New Jersey, Nebraska and New Mexico, where officials have partnered with broadcasters to help students feel connected and to overcome hurdles with access to the technology needed for distance learning.

“People understand that things aren’t going to look as perfect, but what’s most important is the information,” said WNET New York President Neal Shapiro.

The moves are in response to the growing number of schools closed due to coronavirus concerns. “These are examples of what public television stations do best: educate our children and serve our communities,” said Patrick Butler, president and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations.