Programs/Content
Masterpiece’s ‘Tom Jones’ updates classic romp for unfamiliar audiences
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The four-hour adaptation, which debuts on PBS April 30, honors the 1749 book yet shows it through a modern lens.
Programs/Content
How ‘Marie Antoinette’ sought humanity, humility inside Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors
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The new show’s star says it’s “certainly no dusty period drama.”
System/Policy
PBS report shows increase in diversity among prime-time programs
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The fiscal year 2022 report is the second annual study from PBS highlighting its efforts to increase diversity, equity and inclusion.
Programs/Content
New Nashville Public Television show serves up food and live music to bridge political divides
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“Ear to the Common Ground” brings together musicians and their fans to discuss controversial issues, such as abortion and gun rights.
Programs/Content
PBS to launch multiplatform climate initiative in April
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“Chasing Carbon Zero,” which looks at goals to eliminate carbon pollution within the United States, is one of two “Nova” films that lead Climate Across America.
Programs/Content
PBS partners with Allen Media Group on free livestreams of local stations
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The livestreams will roll out over the next few months.
People
Comings and goings: New board leaders at NPR, promotions at PBS …
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Jeff Sine became NPR’s board chair, while Jennifer Ferro moved up to vice chair.
System/Policy
Pubcasters ask FCC for help with boosting cable, satellite carriage
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PBS and America’s Public Television Stations asked the commission to take on obstacles reducing access to public TV channels.
Programs/Content
New PBS series spotlights diversity of performing arts at Kennedy Center
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“The programs are not simple concerts,” says Matthew L. Winer, EP of “Next at the Kennedy Center.” “They are all contextualized with the importance and impact beyond just what is on the stage.”
System/Policy
PBS wrestles with ‘profound transformation’ into multiplatform organization
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Broadcast “is still important to people,” says PBS President Paula Kerger. “But it is no longer the principal driver of everything.”
Programs/Content
With ‘Great American Recipe,’ PBS showcases culinary traditions that bring people together
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“It’s not about winning or being competitive, it’s really just connecting through food and our culture,” says Emily Wilderman of WNIN in Evansville, Ind.
Programs/Content
Paula Kerger unveils performance series, highlights LBJ’s vision for public TV as a public-private partnership
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PBS’ president announced a fall debut for “Next at the Kennedy Center” during her executive session for TCA’s virtual press tour.
System/Policy
PBS board approves station dues increase for FY2023
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During a board meeting Thursday, PBS President Paula Kerger said the network is investing millions from designated net assets to offset cost increases linked to inflation.
Programs/Content
How regional centers, NSF funds are helping to diversify PBS Digital Studios content
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Under Maribel Lopez, who became head of PBSDS in December, the unit is branching out nationwide and developing STEM content aimed at women and people of color.
Programs/Content
Inaugural PBS diversity report highlights BIPOC contributions to programming
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The network said that in fiscal year 2021, 51% of its nationally programmed prime-time schedule “included diverse on-screen talent; was produced, written or directed by diverse makers; and/or explored diversity-related topics.”
Programs/Content
New season of ‘Sanditon’ will tone down the sex, feel ‘more classically Jane Austen’
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Criticism that the first season was racier than Austen would have intended “speaks to a difference between the British audience and the American audience,” said the show’s head writer Thursday during the Television Critics Association press tour.
Programs/Content
Security in covering right-wing rallies is a ‘constant issue,’ say ‘Frontline’ producers
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“The reporting I have been doing for the last five years involves interviewing people who are armed and oftentimes very not happy with the mainstream media, not happy with me,” ProPublica’s A.C. Thompson told TV critics.
Programs/Content
New PBS initiatives will support filmmakers of color, offer early-career mentoring
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“I think the most important aspect of all the conversations, particularly with diverse filmmakers, over this last year has been for us to listen and try to understand where there are barriers and how we can bring more work forward, how we can better support filmmakers no matter what stage of their professional career they are in,” said PBS President Paula Kerger.
Programs/Content
WETA to take control of ‘NewsHour Weekend’ with Geoff Bennett as host
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The weekday “NewsHour” and its weekend offshoot, which launched in 2013, will be consolidated under WETA in Washington, D.C., by next year.
Programs/Content
Upcoming shows refresh food and travel genres with multicultural focus
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“The Great American Recipe,” “America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston” and “American Historia” all bring new angles to familiar formulas.