System/Policy
CPB grant supports increased security for NPR staff in Ukraine
|
NPR began rotating hosts and other staffers from its newsmagazines and international desk through Ukraine in January.
System/Policy
Board of regents approves Iowa Public Radio ownership transfer
|
“It’s extraordinarily complex, but we’re finally getting there,” said Michael Richards, board president.
Programs/Content
More than just ‘the song and dance app’: Public media stations leverage new audiences on TikTok
|
Stations are using TikTok to connect with local audiences and expand their reach to younger viewers.
Diversity in Public Media
Reset of DEI work at WNET quiets discord but hasn’t healed all rifts
|
The end of an employee council focused on DEI issues has lessened friction within the station. But former members say areas such as pay transparency haven’t been addressed.
Programs/Content
CPB grant kickstarts second ‘1A’ collaborative project
|
“We’re trying to get inside the minds of most Americans in terms of how they now view the systems that return a democratically elected government.”
Diversity in Public Media
Stations encounter burnout, frustration in ‘long game’ of advancing DEI goals
|
Stations that signed on to the Public Media for All campaign have made progress in DEI work, but not without tackling internal challenges.
People
Comings and goings: SVP leaving CPB for university role, deputy general counsel leaves NPR …
|
Stephanie Aaronson will be deputy VP of communications and mass media for George Mason University.
Tech
Public TV asks FCC for flexibility in preserving multicast channels amid ATSC 3.0 transition
|
An FCC loophole is causing problems for stations that want to join marketwide launches of the new broadcast technology.
System/Policy
WLRN friends group reaches agreement with school district to manage station
|
Friends of WLRN believes it “will be able to grow WLRN’s audience and community impact as well as increasing financial support from the community.”
System/Policy
University licensee to vote on proposed ownership transfer for Iowa Public Radio
|
A vote of approval by the Iowa Board of Regents would be the first step in a plan for IPR to operate independently.
Programs/Content
The creators of ‘Ear Hustle’: ‘We were just trying to tell stories’
|
The creators of the award-winning podcast about prison life discuss the show’s future and how they wrote their new book, “This Is Ear Hustle.”
People
Betsy Schwien named GM of Smoky Hills PBS
|
Schwien joined Smoky Hills PBS last year and is the station’s third GM in two years.
Obituaries
Victor Holliday, longtime producer of on-air fundraising for NPR, dies at 61
|
“When Victor walked into the room, the whole room just lit up.”
People
Ray Timothy to retire as CEO of Utah Education and Telehealth Network
|
Timothy has led the organization since 2012.
Tech
WNET Group unveils plan to launch New York City’s first ATSC 3.0 service
|
“As viewers and set manufacturers and datacasting companies see this moving into the largest television market in the country … that’s going to make people pay more attention to the NextGen transition,” said Bob Feinberg, VP of business development.
System/Policy
Pennsylvania governor’s budget proposes restored funding for public TV
|
The state zeroed out funding last year for Pennsylvania PBS, a group of seven stations.
People
Comings and goings: NPR names new VP, KUT hires director of programming and audience …
|
Selyn Hong joined NPR in 2020 after working for several law firms.
People
Judith Smelser takes permanent role as WMFE GM
|
Smelser has served as interim GM since September.
Programs/Content
Library of Congress acquisition will preserve Kitchen Sisters’ decades of documenting in sound
|
The collection of audio and other materials amassed by Nikki Silva and Davia Nelson represents one of the largest acquisitions in the history of the library’s American Folklife Center.