Programs/Content

With credits gone, NPR’s off-mike staffers get silent treatment

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NPR ended the practice Aug. 30 of crediting the off-mike staff behind the scenes of its newsmagazines, citing evidence that the lists of names cue listeners to tune away. The network had been considering the change for some time, said Margaret Low Smith, senior v.p. of news. In addition, credits could not accommodate all staffers, so those named “ended up being a select slice of people,” Smith said. And stations aren’t always consistent in crediting their own staffs during the newsmagazines.

Quick Takes

WTJX in Virgin Islands hires controversial former government official

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Marc Biggs, a former U.S. Virgin Islands official convicted of accepting bribes in exchange for government contracts, went to work this week as facilities coordinator for WTJX, the PBS member station in St. Croix, reports the Virgin Islands Daily News. Biggs was property and procurement commissioner for the island territory when he was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison in 2008. He is currently on home confinement as his sentence comes to an end. “I know his hiring might be a little controversial,” said Osbert Potter, station c.e.o., “but we’re an equal employment opportunity entity.

People

Board selects Sukhdeo to run WPBT in Miami

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Dolores Sukhdeo is the new president and chief executive officer of WPBT-TV in Miami, the station’s board announced Tuesday. She replaces Rick Schneider, who takes over this month as executive vice president and chief operating officer of WETA in Arlington, Va. Sukhdeo joined the station in 1998 as v.p. for facilities services and was promoted to c.o.o. in 2003. She began her television career in 1990 in the international newsgathering division of Disney/ABC News. She also serves as president-elect of the board of the International Women’s Forum of South Florida and is chair of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Board’s Nonprofit Business Committee.

People

Seiken, PBS Digital head, will exit pubcaster for London-based post next month

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Jason Seiken, PBS’s innovative head of digital media who exhorted stations to embrace a more videocentric future, will leave the public broadcaster in October to take over as chief content officer and editor-in-chief at the Telegraph Media Group in London. PBS President Paula Kerger told public television executives in an email today that Seiken has done “a truly extraordinary job” over his nearly seven years at PBS. Under his leadership, PBS launched local-national digital initiatives, including the COVE video site and Bento website toolbox for stations. It also pioneered the Webby Award–winning PBS Digital Studios and pushed PBS.org and PBSKids.org to large increases in traffic. Kerger added that “on a personal level, I know that this move makes the most sense for Jason and his family, as they have been interested in moving back to London for some time.”

People

Analyst starts new firm, renames another

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Public radio analyst John Sutton has established a new research firm and changed the name of his 16-year-old consulting company. Sutton announced Sept. 5 that Maryland-based John Sutton & Associates, launched in 1997, is now Sutton & Lee LLC. The name reflects increased responsibilities for Sonja Lee, who will run the business and provide most on-site services for clients. Sutton & Lee advises stations on growing audience and membership revenue.

Quick Takes

Tomczyk heading both WTVP and Illinois Public Media

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Chet Tomczyk, president of WTVP in Peoria, Ill., is now serving double-duty as interim general manager of Illinois Public Media in Urbana, reports the Peoria Journal Star. Tomczyk, who has been with WTVP for 19 years, began managing WILL as of Sept. 3, stepping in for previous station chief Mark Leonard, now head of Nebraska Educational Telecommunications in Lincoln. “This collaboration offers an unprecedented opportunity for two neighboring public broadcasting entities to jointly increase their relevance and value to the many communities they serve,” Tomczyk said in the announcement. “WILL and WTVP have strong programming and community support, and will retain their independence,” said University of Illinois College of Media Dean Jan Slater.

Quick Takes

After 20 years, Latino USA grows to an hour

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Latino USA, the longest-running Latino-focused program on radio, expands to an hour beginning Friday. Incoming contributors include Al Madrigal, standup comedian, actor and correspondent on The Daily Show; Pilar Marrero, political reporter and immigration reporter for La Opiníon, a Spanish-language daily newspaper in Los Angeles; and Julia Preston, immigration reporter for the New York Times. New segments will provide advice, examine how the “Class of 2030” will impact the education system, chronicle personal stories of families separated by immigration problems, and explore Latino self-identity. The program is produced by the Futuro Media Group, an independent nonprofit media organization, and distributed by NPR. “For 20 years, Latino USA has reported on Latinos with an authentic voice,” said Maria Hinojosa, host and executive producer, in today’s announcement.