From the President
WCNY LEADING CHANGE IN PUBLIC BROADCASTING!
It’s more relevant than ever.

The debate about whether public broadcasting has passed its prime has become an annual rite of spring.  It is already in full bloom this year, spurred on by the same old proposal from the Federal government to cut funding in half – despite relatively little federal   funding – $1 per person per year.  Add to this a New York Times article published in February that was composed by a cultural critic who posed the question:  Is PBS Still Necessary?  In the sea of options across the spectrum of media, some may feel perhaps the 40-year-old Public Broadcasting System (PBS) is a relic that will eventually fade to black. The fact is we do things differently than commercial television and radio.  And, WCNY, the local PBS affiliate, is leading the charge – helping to propel new ideas to transition an “aging system” to an “ageless service”.  It is our intent to make it a medium for all ages.  PBS does a superb job providing programs for the very young and for more mature viewers who want “intelligent reality TV”. Our vision is to maintain the quality programming now in place, and generate innovative programming and integrate new technologies to educate and entertain “the middle”.

Listening to our audience, we know that public broadcasting is more relevant today than ever before.  Perhaps, that is why our membership continues on an upward trajectory. You tell us, “PBS is a respite from all the trash television.”  “It doesn’t dumb down the news; it elevates the conversation.”  “Television watchers are overloaded with poor choices of programming filled with ‘baloney’. PBS has substance, not sound bites.” You tell us, “The conversations are longer and the issues are presented with clarity and impartiality.”  Network and cable channels do not fulfill your appetite for interesting dialogue or programs that take risks.  You tell us it is your “only choice” for programs with local content and topics that directly relate to our community. You also tell us how you can tune in any time and feel confident you will find family-friendly fare, educational and culturally-rich programs, or how-to shows where you “really learn to do projects the right way”.

PBS offers a balance of perspectives, giving equal voice to people on opposite ends of the continuum, including those who are moderately predisposed. Ken Burns’ production of “The War” drew the largest audience ever.
    
Locally, WCNY kept its promise to go “Pledge Free”, ending the PBS tradition of televised requests for funding.  While considered a major departure from the traditional PBS model, WCNY is now able to offer its viewers more than one hundred and fifty additional hours of uninterrupted programming.  Our talented team of skilled professionals fills those hours with enticing options including PBS favorites and original local programming, public affairs shows and documentaries.

As a public broadcasting “service”, WCNY continues to meet the interests and needs of Central New York while looking beyond our 19-county area to broadcast on a statewide basis.  As a result, WCNY led in the creation of PBS Interconnect that affords us the ability to air shows across New York.  The emergence of digital channels has also broadened the options we can make available to viewers and listeners.  WCNY will continue to broaden our services on the digital tier; and, we are preparing to launch our digital radio service throughout our CNY New York broadcast area.

So, to you our valuable members and viewers, I ask -- is PBS still relevant? The answer is emphatically … yes!

Robert J. Daino
President & CEO