WHAT: PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger will be in New Hampshire September 15th and 16th meeting with NHPTV supporters to discuss the changing media environment and the role of public broadcasting in education. Kerger directs the operations of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the nation’s largest noncommercial broadcasting service comprised of 348 independent stations. PBS serves nearly 90 million people each week. Ms. Kerger is available for either a personal or telephone interview during her visit to the Granite State. She is a knowledgeable and articulate advocate for public media, and has held several high-level positions within public broadcasting, most recently at WNET - Thirteen in NYC.NHPTV General Manager and CEO Peter Frid will also be available to discuss the impact of changes to the media environment on New Hampshire Public Television, the state's PBS member station. NHPTV reaches about 650,000 households each week, broadcasts more than 7,000 hours of programming a year, including award-winning locally produced television shows and acclaimed PBS series and specials, and offers specialized educational and community outreach services.WHEN: Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17, 2006WHERE: Manchester, NHBACKGROUND: PBS is recognized as a leader in offering educational content for children, coverage of the arts and in-depth public affairs programming, as well as history, nature, science and skills programming. Yet the roles of both public and commercial television and media have changed dramatically over the past decade, as viewers in a 350-plus channel world watch television differently and obtain their entertainment and news from an array of electronic sources. Significant changes in the media landscape include federal regulations that mandate a switch from analog to all digital transmissions by 2009; consumers who increasingly prefer viewing on-demand programming; and technology that enables consumers access to high-definition viewing, as well as programs and information via computer, RSS feeds, podcasting, and cell phone. Other challenges to all broadcasters are new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations that have had a chilling effect on content delivery.TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW: Grace Lessner, NHPTV Manager of Communications, (603) 868-4328; glessner@nhptv.org
About New Hampshire PBS: New Hampshire PBS inspires one million Granite Staters each month with engaging and trusted local and national programs and services on-air, online, via mobile, in classrooms and in communities. Beyond its award-winning television programs, New Hampshire PBS is a leader in education and community engagement. www.nhpbs.org
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