PPTN · 2017. 10. 24. · The PPT" Commission governs the network, and a current list of its...
Transcript of PPTN · 2017. 10. 24. · The PPT" Commission governs the network, and a current list of its...
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA H0U8B OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
• • ft
In rei Budget Request - 1983 - 1984 PPTN
Verbatim report of hearing held In Room 401, Main Capitol Building* Barriaburg, Pennsylvania, on Thursday,
February 24, 1983 3i30 P.M.
BON. MAX PIEVSKY, CHAIRMAN Bon. Kurt IwlXl, Vica-Chairman Bon. Joseph M. Hoeffel, III, Secretary Bon. H. William DeWeese, Chairman Subcommittee on Capital Budget Bon. James M. MoZntyre, Chairman Subcommittee Bealth and Welfare Bon. Ralph Pratt, Chairman Subcommittee on Bduoation
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Bon. Mary Ann Arty Bon. Joseph C. Manmiller Bon. Gibson Armstrong Bon. Richard A. McClatchy Bon. Thomas R. Caltagirone Bon. Gerald F. MoMonagle Bon. Italo 8. Cappabianoa Bon. George Miscevich Bon. Brian D. Clark Bon. Nicholas B. Moehlmann Bon. Roy w. Cornell Bon. Howard F. Mowery, Jr. Bon. Ronald R. Cowell Bon. Frank Pistella Bon. Alphonso Deal Bon. George F. Pott, Jr. Bon* Dwlght Evans Bon. Carmel Siriannl Bon. Stephen Freind Bon. Nilliam J. Stewart Bon* Allen Kukoviob Bon. Tod Stuban Bon. Joseph Levi, III Bon. Edward A. Wiggins Bon. Stephen B. Levin Bon. Peter R« Vroon
Reported byt Jerry Book
one Rwgirtwtl Proftnonal Reporter
135 S LanJic St***t {-fumnialrtown, l-'ennrqlvania 17036
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ALSO FMOTWi
Bdwerd Solan - Staff
Miohael Herahook - Executive Director
Al Pergoson - Staff
Leon Bndy * Staff
Lou Groesaan - Staff
£E& ££ Pago mmtammmm
Shel Slagal 35 President ft General Manager, WLVT-TV 41
Andrew Bradley, Chairman Budget c Financa Committee
Shal Parker, Ganaral Manager PPTN 33 37
Rick Jonas Assistant Ganaral Nanagar M m , Hershay 41
lira. Pose LeFever oiraotor of Pisoal Affalra
Larry Masaenger Oiraotor of Vaohnloal Operation*
Mrs* Joan Aoflaro Director of Community Salatlons
Philip T. Barmen^ Chairman Pennsylvania Public Television Network IPPWl )
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(The Prepared Statement of Philip X. Bttiuf Chairman
Pennsylvania Public Television Network is as follows)t
Statement submitted by Philip I, Barman* Chairman
Pennsylvania Publio Television Network (PPTN) for tho
Bousa Appropriations Committee Searing February 24, 1993 - 3i30 P.M.
"The Pannsylvania Publio Talavision Network
Commission was created in 1968 with the passage of
Aot 329. The act charges the Commission with making
public television available to all people in
Pennsylvania and encouraging the growth and development
of a dynamic, free, and effective program service.
The PPT" Commission governs the network, and a current
list of its members is enclosed. The Commission
performs statewide coordinating functions, including
the operation of the statewide network and its
operating center, and makes operating* equipment and
facilities, affirmative action training, and
programming grants to each of the seven stations. By
1969, network interconnection facilities were
operational, and the seven member stations were linked
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through a 1600-mile microwave system.
" D M seven independent noncxwnierolal stations are
located in the following communitiest Bethlehem,
Brie, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Pittston,
and University Park, laeh station has its own board
of diraotors and independently determines operational
and programming policy. Baeh is individually
responsible to the Federal Oossninioatlons Oossdssion
for westing federal broadcast rules and regulations.
In a period when government must be increasingly
efficient and cost-effective, the Pennsylvania
network's ability to receive and transmit programing
on behalf of all seven stations has the potential to
perform a task once on behalf of all seven stations,
eliminating the .need of a seven-fold repetition of
that same task. The consequent personnel and machine
cost-savings translate into hundreds of thousands of
dollars annually.
"Hasn't the era of the emergence of new
electronic media--video disc, cable TV, pay-cable,
subscription TV—rendered public television obsolete?
A number of juries are delivering their answers to
these questions, and the verdicts are in publlo
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television's favor. In Meant weeke, both TV Quito
and 0.8. Wawa and World Resort have carried perceptive
artiolaa and an aditorlal deacribing why public TV la
vary much ellWand wall. Tha anolosad oopiaa of
raprinta ara oonaended to your raadlng beoauae they
answer sons pravalant misconceptions and provida an
excellent suaaary of tha overall atata of public
broadcasting.
"Although public talevialon should never baoona a
captive to ratings* daclslon amkara daaarva to know
vhathar anyona la watching. Nationwide, public
television viewerahip haa sore than doublad over tha
paat fiva yaars. Statewide data compiled for tha
atata'a seven public atationa indioata that tha
paroantaga and numbar of Pennsylvania houaaholda
watching publia talaviaion ara inoraasing daspita tha
prolifaration of competition tram cable, disc, and
tape. In just one year* according to A.c. Mielsen
data, Pennsylvania's public talaviaion atationa
enjoyed a 12 percent etatowide inoreaaa in viewing
houaaholda in November 1982, over November,1981. This
paroantaga increase tranalataa into 1,638,000
Pennsylvania viewing houaaholda and 2,112,000 in- and
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oot-of-atata housaholds. in addition to public TV
attracting graatar audlancas, viawars ara toning to
public stations mora hours par vaak.
"Katloawida audlance raaaareh studias also
provlda halpful danographio lnfoxnatlon about
nonccanercial TV audiancas. Tha dlvarsa programming
offarad pradiotably attracts a dlvarsa audianca. Tha
public talavision audianca, in aggragata, la vary m o h
lika tha population of tha Onitad States. Whan ona
awwinaa tha aducatlonal lavals, tha occupational
classifications, iaoona lavals, and minority
populations, tha publia talavision audianca vary naarly
mirrors tha danographio aukaap of tha nation aa a
vhola. Tha oharga of alitisa, tha allagation that
public 9V ia only for tha salact fair, ia ansvarad by
audianca raaaareh findings* Micbaal ftica of tha Aspan
Instituta diaaissas than out of hand. Ba aays that
public talavision's broadcasts ara a "braaking opan of
what vara anoa^tha prasarvas of tha rich and powarful—
a braaking opan so radical, so insistently daaocratia,
that anyona, anyvbara, by tha siapla act of toning to
a particular atatlon, can hava and anjoy things that r
only 20 yaars ago vara tha narks of privllaga."
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"Any discussion about public broadcasting
properly focuses on ths product or the programming
which is made available to 95 percent of too people of
ths Commonwealth through »PTH. Public TV is enjoying
ons of ths bsst years svsr—with programming which
receives high critical acclaim, some of ths industry's
most prestigious awards* and ths praiss of an
increasing number sad percentage of viswsrs. k more
detailed look at PPTN'S programming is attached under
ths heading of " W W Programming in Perspective,"
"Because of ths critical importance of solving
the state's economic woes and because of the national
leadership which WQBD/Pittsburgh is taking in
producing programs on the subject of teenage drug and
alcohol abuse, this statement will highlight only
these two subject areas. The Pennsylvania network
recognises the important role it can play through
programs dealing with unemployment end the state's
economy. Later this month, WHYY/Fhiladelphia will air
a special on unemployment which will feature a
telephone hot line and a panel of community resource
people who will give advice on such topics as
prevention of mortgage foreclosures, where to go for
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personal counseling, how to keep yourself busy while
you're looking for work, and job alternatives you may
not have been aware of. In April, the network will
be carrying WPSX/University Perk's High Tech, High
Stakes end a live interconnected broadcast which will
take a comprehensive look at the unemployment situation
in the Crmmnnwealth*—both programs ere PPm-funded.
On April 19, 1983, » T » is playing e key role in a
"Conference on Pennsylvania's Economic Future" end will
carry the highlights to ell four corners of the
Commonwealth at a later date. Also to be broadcast
later with network financial support is WITF/Harria-
burg's "Hhen A Factory doses." The mention of
specific Pennsylvania programs should not diminish
the importance of the enhanced economic understanding
which national series such as The MaoMail/Lohror
Report, Enterprise, end nightly Business Report, along
with the network's The People's Business and Fro-Con,
bring to the state's TV viewers.
"The growing number of the long-term unemployed
in the Commonwealth has made us aware of another way
that public television is proving helpful. A phone
call and letter to Philadelphia's WHYY-TV gave that
t
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station credit for litorally preserving an unemployed
steelworker's sanity. Tha usual daytime oommarolal
programming far* lad him to become a regular watcher
of Channal 12. Ha showed his appraolatlon for his
continued food mental health whan ha was again
gainfully ••ployed by mailing tha station a
contribution.
"Last year the Bouse Appropriations Committee
heard how a $23,000 PPTN production grant helped
leverage eleven times that amount to enable WQED/
Pittsburgh to produce Tha Chemical People. This
community dialogue on teenage drug and alcohol abuse
is designed to arouse concerned interest and motivate
positive action. Effective drug and alcohol abuse
information and prevention information depends on
people who understand the problem and want to do
something to solve it* In November* The Chemical
People will go statewide and nationwide via PPTW and
the Public Broadcasting service (PBS).
-"''"PPT* hits.talked repeatedly about tha network's
two-way microwave system and its greater potential to
deliver services*and to bring certain economies to
state government. The PPTN-led study. Public
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Taliiiiawiniinattlona In Fannaylvanla. oonplatad a faw
'aontha ago* dtftorlbaa thaaa opportnnitiaa In mora
detail. PPVM'a traffic and routing ayataa ooatrola
tha aicrowava dallvary aystam and ia in bad ahapa. It
la 13 yaara old, falling, and now parta ara BO longar
avallabla baeaaaa tha awnufaoturar ia oat of that
buainaaa. Mhila tha raooamandad funding ineraaaaa for
PPTH oparationa, prograaadag, and aqulpaant ara
waleoaa, thay laava aignlfioant capital aqnipnant
naada unaat at both tha natMork and atatlona.
"At tha Daoattbar 9, lt»2, guartarly mooting of
tha PPTN Coaadaslon, tha aanbara raaf f iraod thair
lntaraat in broadaning tha niaalon of VMM to parait
tha foliar utilisation of tha natMork'a diatribation
and othar raaouroaa, Vhaaa objaetivaa can ba attainad
by aaandaanta iatroduoad ia tha Qanaral Xaaonbly. Tha
Ooamiaaion alao iaatraetad tha W i n ataff to work with
appropriato individuala ia and out of govaraaant to
atady tha faaaibility and daairabillty of two aarvloaa
whiOh ara a logical follow-up to tha public
talauuaamni oationa atudyt Nora inforamtion for tha
haarlng iapairad and for tha agricultural indoatry by
tha uaa of talataxt. Talataxt ia tha ganario tars for
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systems which encode printed information in a
television broadcast signal and permit the saltation
of individual "pages" of information by a dooodor-
oqulpped user. PPW la presently airing a number of
PBS shows whioh are alosed-oaptioned. Captioning is
a loss sophisticated form of teletext in which the
text does not appear on the screen without a special
decoder.
"As Pennsylvania moves toward doing more of its
business electronically, PPTO'e experience and ability
in the telecommunications field becomes an even more
valuable Commonwealth resource. To bring information*
education, enlightenment* and an improved quality of
life to all Pennsylvanians is essential, and P P M
will continue to perform that role to the very beet of
its ability.*
* i
t
ON OFFICERS
lp I. Berman of Che Board f Allentown a
irman s I. Pollock t, Morris Coupling Company
ON MEMBERS
ew M. Bradley, CPA rg
n B. Craig Coordinator Pennsylvania School for the Deaf 8h
awe Froke Manager ty Division of teaming and Telecommunications Services sylvama State University ty Park
s Lehrman Grass rg
. Hughes, Esq. Sh
jnck E. Leu&chner t Executive Director for Communications inia State Education Association rg
cable Harold F. Mowery, Jr. Representatives rg
in Niebuhr, Jr. 2 Vice President nversity ihia
ian Weyerhaeuser Piasecki 1
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COMMISSION MEMBERS - 2 i
Rose
la Council on the Arts
ble Robert C. Wilburn Designate la Department of Education
i
n P. SiegeL and GeneraL Manager
Bethlehem i
ble Mark S. Singel Pennsylvan La
ble Richard A. Snyder Pennsylvania
4,
J. Specter
ble David W. Sweet epresentatives
11. Tollefson ector, WPV1-TV la
k Toole Director, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
C. Van Dufaen e l lor Emeritus and Professor of Pittsburgh
Commission Vacancy
PP1N PtOlI'-AMMING JN PERSPECTIVE
r types of programs are bi>.Jcast on PPfN member stations.
Shared programs are produced by PPTN member stations and distributed statewide via PPTN's microwave interconnection. Programs specifically funded by PPTN arc '1HL PEOPLE'S BUSINESS, PEOPLE'S BUSINESS SPECIAL RLPORfS, PRO-CON, and PENNSYLVANIA SPECIALS.
Nationally distributed programs are acquired through the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), or the Lastern Educational Television Network (ELN), one of public television's regional networks. PPTN Operations Center records and stores most of the incoming PBS and EES programs, giving stations the option of delayed broadcast, allowing them to air programs at a time particularly suited to their local audiences
Local programs are produced by member stations to air in their specific market and to meet local community needs. When a local program has statewide impact, it is offered Lhrough the PPTN interconnect to other PPTN stations.
instructional television programs are acquired by PPTN member stations for broadcast during school hours to students in grades K-12. These programs, which are carried over the network, are usually 15-20 minutes in length and cover a whole range of subjects such as language arts, mathematics, and science.
jugli these four types of programming, PPTN continues to meet the Lie television programming priorities identified in 1974 by the pie of Pennsylvania. PPTN is committed to meeting the eight needs itified foi public television with innovative and creative £ramming. These goals and a few examples of current programming t focus on these priorities are listed below.
GOAL. A 10RUM FOR PUBLIC DEBATE
. Pro-Con. PPTN's monthly public affairs series, now in its second season, continues to present a balanced view of controversial statewide issues The Death Penalty, School Prayer, TM1 UesLcrt, Community Living for the Mentallv Retarded.
• The Constitutor - That Delicate Balance: The critically acclaimed four-part series in which journalists, judges, lawyers, and politicians clash over divergent views on crucial consitutiunal i.ssi>es.
KAMMINC IN PCKbPELTIVC
COAL: A FORUM FOR THE LIVELY ARTS
. Bach Mass in B-Minor; (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) The 82-year-old Bach Choir of Bethlehem performed at Christmas for PBS viewers nationwide.
. Young Artists in Concert: (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special)
*. Previn and the Pittsburgh
*. Kenaedy Center Tonight
American Playhouse: A showcase of outstanding plays, short stories, and novels.
The Shakespeare Plays A six-year cycle presenting all of the Shakespeare Plays
Great Periorniances: Now in its tenth year, Gr^at Performances reached new heights wiLh the acclaimed "Wagner's Ring" and "Brideshead Revisited."
COAL: TO SERVE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR WORLD
*. WQED/Pittsburgh heads a five-station $6 million consortium to create family and children's programming for public television.
Powerhouse: An effective and entertaining new series directed toward inner city children.
Sesame Street: 64 percent of all 2-5 year olds watch it.
*• What's In the News
*. Once Upon a Classic
The Electric Company
•grams that have be-n produce*! by a PPTN member station for distribution.
RAMMING IN PERSPECTIVE
.UAL: TO KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS
. The People's Business: PPTN's weekly capital report.
. Frontline: A new hard-hitting weekly documentary series.
• The MacNeil-Lehrer Report: The innovative hour-long nightly version will air this summer.
. Lawmakers
Washington Week In Review
JOAL: TO RECEIVE HEALTH INFORMATION
*. The Chemical People: (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) As a result of this programming and community outreach in Southwestern Pennsylvania, 102 action-oriented task forces were formed to combat local teenage drug and alcohol abuse. The program will be aired nationally in the fall.
. And Baby Makes Two. (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) focused on the need for communication between parents and children on the subject of sexuality.
• Trapped in Fear* (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) will examine agoraphobia and its treatment.
.OAL: ADULT EDUCATION FOR CREDIT AND FUN
. PBS Adult Learning: Last year (81-82) more than 53,000 viewers enrolled in PBS television courses for college credit, and enrollment in the fall semester of 1982 increased by a solid 37 percent.
. This Old House
. Last Chance Garage
. The Woodwright's Shop
grams that have been produced by a PPTN member station for distribution.
tAMMINfi IN PERSPECTIVE
JOAL: TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND PENNSYLVANIA'S MANY FACES
. High Tech-High Stakes: (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) will look at Pennsylvania's position in the national shift to high technologies.
. Profiles in Excellence; (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) will profile the winner's of the Hazlett Memorial Awards for Excellence in the Arts in Pennsylvania.
. When a Factory Closes (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) will focus on the personal tragedy in a plant closing.
. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships' (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special)
. Pennsylvania Journey: (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) A trip through Pennsylvania's geography and history.
The Plight of the Pennsylvania Farmer: A People's Business Special Report.
Cemetery Ridge: (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) will focus on this historic battle near Gettysburg.
SOAL. TO HEAR PUBLIC OFFICIALS SPEAK AND THE OPPOSITION RESPOND
People's Business Special Reports: The Governor's Budget Message; The Democratic Response, Ask the Governor and Ask the Legislature (call-in specials); Election '82 In Review.
People's Business m-depth weekly coverage: Profiles of close election races; interviews with cabinet nominees; preelection coverage of third party candidates; coverage of the NOW Conference and the Northeast Regional Conference of Black Elected Officials.
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'*" * ^ ' itroy the but di nes are tough public station picked up his daily newspaper and nstioral public-broaacastmg service that trough Ipoears to b e COping spotted a from page headline mat read had been m place since 1968 bringing And > hiirinet cuts a n d the Deficit Dooms CBS s Cable TV Arts Serv- to the home screen such a'ttinguisned guise y„a i/B^nnrSv7oe ,ca He shook his head—and then smiled series as Gnat Performances and Mas- public 3t newiecnnoiogies After losing more than S30 million in less terpitca Thaaira One arm of that snack thai w sy than a year of operation, the article said. was the sudden emergence of new elec- gesse
•ast September the presi- CBS had decided to dose down tfe cul- ironic media—cabia TV pay-cable sub- public it Coast public-broaocastmg tural-cabia-programming network that had J scnptnn TV. videoaiscs. Almost overnight, publx
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oonbnuM mng percentage of t>e dona another way But I just don t tee supplant traditional Federal tax-based agra itting their money's (| happening" support within the foreseeable future By to it ippropnate use" of Far tram being a dire threat to public ' tar the most controversial ol the options ubil He some elitist little television, cable TV w one of the greatest they scrutinized was the airing of com* dreri
blessings ever bestowed on it So says- mercials on public-TV stations. Congress burc er, CBS Cable went tarry Grossman, president of the Public has. in lact. authorized an 18-month com ilyhadnt supported Broadcasting Service, who points out experiment m which seven stations are havi (horizonof other so- that—since cable systems are legally broadcasting commercials of the sort you broa ertorming-arts serv- obligated to transmit the signals of all local see on network television (only tour rmn- towi The Entertainment TV stations—that factor immediately eiim- utes an hour, however, and clustered so the c
l/ABC s Arts—indi- mates the so-called UHF handicap (almost as not to interrupt programs) and two olh- from audiences and were two-thirds of U S public-TV stations are on era are doing so-called'enhanced under- trine le red Pay-TV net- me UHF band, which is weaker and more ' writing." which means bnaf corporate- pay-3ffice and Showtime* difficult for many viewers to tune in) and messages that ere not quite full-blown towi het of theamcai films gives PBS instant parity with commercial commercials The puoiic-TV community te oprn tal attractions and stations ami cable program networks. Thar sharply divided on the issue of public TV pore mostly selling old has helped public TV, says Grossman, to going commercial The most outspoken legu
real tanged monster mora than double its viewership in the last opponent ol the scheme have bean CPB TV thai was»leap | M year, 4 a t i m a whan me audiences president Plisler and PBS president Ivor
)ur public television 0 ( the old-line networks are dwindling dra- Grossman ' It is not the answer," Pfister casti 1 mora like a paper maticaily—mostly aa a result of that same insists "Not now Not in the future " Awing pete
cable*TV growth And besides, says commercials leads inevitably to courting takir. Grossman, cable obviously will produce over larger audiences with ever junkier brat
:-TV station WNET, lowest-common-denominator program- . programs, he is certain, and that would be broa hn pondered all that m i n g 10 support its scores of channel*. 1 the end of public TVs dream of excel- cnpi a Chicken Little sto- and public-TV programs will stand out in I lenca of a >e all faded A lot of high relief in that tumble of competing- I Nonsense, says WOLN's Chitester; its r zled by sugarplum mediocrity He is persuaded that—except 1 whose station is one of the seven offering Fedc 1 technologies would , tor public-TV—' television is going to get full commercials Plater's position is fund Kjblic broadcasting worse not batter" its audience fractured unacceptable ' Most "distressing," he vmo oysl* we were told and fractiomzed, and its money pool too adds is the skeptical tone of many pub- tons iplort our franchise. shallow to produce worthy programs ff s lie-broadcasting officials which suggests fare hey re businessmen- - r persuasive- eceneno. ai id one that c o w they re incapable of anything but putting An 1 on investment and merciel operators will have to refute out their hands to the Government" temt sir doing what we On June 30. 1983, the ad experiment bars
If the bogeyman of New Media appears | will end and two months latere report will cor™ atelier chairmen of less threatening than it did a veer ago, the go to Congress on how successful it'was. port ubiic Broadcasting, specter of dwindling funds is more omi- At that time, says Commissioner Ouelto, builc ense that the new nou% than ever Sensing the Administre- legislation may be introduced that will equi| ispiace pubhe tele- tion s attitude toward long-range support decide if public TV is to be nnged-around- with noiogias have yet to of public TV Congress in 1981 set up a the-collar with the same advertisements this 1 if'll render a signifi- Temporary Commission on Alternative that choke commercial television. ism? 1 a large percentage , Financing lor Public Telecommunications gob tew technology will I under me chairmanship of FCC Commia- Meanwhile other influential voices vt the g ol the more than 90 ' sioner James Quelio Its report listed no being heard about how to mitigate public as B watch public teievi- fewer than 33 options Among them lot- broadcasting s eternal money problems, warn
lenes tax credits for contribution, excise FCC Chairman Mark Fowler favors a spec- "mor sident of CPB. said taxes, ownership ol caule and satellite (rum fee that would have commercial ming casters in time an systems, producing programs for com- broadcasters—presumably in return for alter do now then bless mercial broadcasters tax-return checkoffs. • almost total dsregulation—pay a tiny slice basic wj to lead the charge The Commissior was at pains to point J of their revenues into a fund that would publi we ought not put inis out however that none of those devices. 1 help support public broadcasting In return mere an taxpayer if it can nor combinations of them, is likely t o - • I tor that windfall public broadcasters would whicl
TVfiUlKOeCfMBEIUI 1982 I IS
i '
I eenbnuad '
revenues and ratings in brief the Inn the Carnegie Commission o n t o Future of ! has lain down with the lamb to protect the Public Broadcasting when it recommend-best interests ol both of them ed in 1979 that the service ought to have
Still, the most formiaable champions of an annual operating fund of Si 2 billion public TV are m Congress, which has, with hall of that coming from Washington repeatedly and in bipartisan style restored No such sum ever materialized and prob-some of the budget cuts made by the Whit* ably never will In fact, the Administration House. Sen Barry Goldwator (R-Anz), in the last lew years has budgeted less for chairman ol the Senate communications public broadcasting than the Pentagon subcommittee, says 'Seeing the type of- spends on its 103 military bands Other work public broadcasting is doing. I'm countries do it differently Canada, for eager to help them. The state of com- example, has an annual par-capita invest* mereial TV in this country is so deplorable merit in public TV of SI 7 21, in Great Bnt-that public television is a welcome relief am, it's $15 54. in Japan, $10 90 per from that" Rep. Timothy Wirth (D-Col), person In the U S, the Federal contn-chairman ol the House subcommittee on bution is 87 cents tor each Amencan Telecommunications, Consumer Protec- But public broadcasters shouldn t amotion and Finance, feela that the message matically assume there will be any Fed-has gone back to the White House loud eral aid indetaitely. says Bernard Wunder, and clew that this is not a partisan issue " NTIA s director and the Administration s Public broadcasting fills a very important chiel spokesman tor telecommunications need in this country People like it" affairs I can t accept that (here will always
be a need tor it." he told TV GUIDE He And yet one of the most persistent cnti- disagrees that the selling of advertising cisms of public television is that many of undermines the cnaracter of public TV ' I its programs are too elitist.' too narrow |ustdont believe that And other sources in their highbrow apo**l to interest most of revenue, if pursued vigorously, might people—«w tt* ieyre underwn- help ease the Government out of public ten, in pert by every American taxpayer TV he leels In any case, he is still per-But PBS s audience research shows that suaded (despite the uncertain future of more than three-fourths of public-TV view- cultural cable channels) that such new ers are not college graduates, and almost media as direct broadcast satellites will half live in households win annuel income* one day take over at least part of the mar-of less than $20 000 The public-TV audi- ket and that public TV will not necessarily ence does in fact, closely minor the U & be me dominant torce m cultural pro-population Thus, charges of elitism seem gramming ' For such reasons, long-rang* hollow to public broadcasters One expert funding at ever higher levels seems to him observer Michael Rice of the Aspen insti- bad policy tut*, dismisses them out of hand, saying
that public-TVs broadcasts are a ' break- Against that view CPB president Pt.ster ing open of what were once the preserves thinks that Congress and the White House of the neh and the powerful—a breaking ought to say, We have a precious thing open so radical, so insistently democratic, here and then assure that it breathe* that anyone anywhere by the simple act and works' If they did says Phster. "W* ol tuning to a particular station, can have could have the premiere noncommercial and enjoy things that only 20 years ago broadcasting service in In* world— were the marks of privilege' And if the including the BBC1' new TV media ever do pre-empt televised That s the goal and all parties to the culture says Rice then we ll be right beck discussion agree on iL How to get there where we started—providing excellence is what has kept public TV dyspeptic for only to those who can pay for it and effec- the whole 14 yeers of its life And how does lively disenfranchising all the rest. it spell relief Same as you and me
A similar concern was on the mind of M-O-N-E-Y @
IB TVGUtOEOCCUMiRII 1962
I
i ft
SECTION I
APPROPRIATION 34-33
NIA PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORK - NETWORK OPERATIONS
i
lie Broadcasting Service u ?*^i i l" ^ ^ ^ . £ Mm i H l 1 1 J?** - -<s» »-• ' *jd in all-out drive to secure its \ -*??*^f*aJ'^^ 3 H J S > mBk n k A ^ w , . -**'*V,HSH as a major source of high- f fS^T^**^! *^iJisBmmmmK4issSmu.̂ JSBl!l^»-£^ ~ *'"' ' ^ 3 S » \ 3 j three big commercial net- "•Juppeta" creator Jim Hanson, canter, stars In PBS special about making of new turn. sutnng back on plans for a ' ison" beginning in January, typical station affiliated with ABC, CBS study by the A C Nielsen Company, roal PBS wdl unveil on its or NBC which measures broadcast audiences, s some of the most ambt- But viewer habits are changing, and indicates that about 50 percent more i in its nine-year history PBS is gaming The network has more Americans with cable watch public offerings than doubled its number of viewers in television than those without ines of plays on "American the past five years, says PBS research Financial woes persist. Despite its that wdl include "Until She director Dale M Rhodes During its programing successes, PBS soil has ma-ama about a woman's expe- Oct 11-17, 1982, fall premiere week, jor problems, many of them financial th the grand-jury system, PBS attracted more than 52 percent of Without the advertisers who pay for Vilder's "The Skin of Our all US TV homes -about 85 million commercial television, public TV has a nunneries, "The File on people—a 13 percent increase over the to make do with funding from a variety
' about an interracial mar- previous year The network claims, fur- of sources About one fourth of its reve-sen a black American man thermore, that surveys show its audi- nues come from federal funds and the • Englishwoman ences are a broad cross section of the rest mostly from state and local gov-rersial" new series. The public and not elitist at all ernments and contributions by mdivid-io is launching a new week- A few PBS shows, such as the Na- uals, corporations and foundations, JSSMIS series, "Frontline," tumal Geographic special, "Sharks," Efforts over the years to locate other if documentaries on contro- have even attained the drawing power sources such as a tax on the sale of TV cs Other presentations will of commercial-network offerings, at- sets—have foiled The result is that eight-part series on "Win- traebng more than 17 percent of all PBS programers are unable to finance hdl The Wilderness Years," homes where TV sets were on. Most many new "blockbuster" programs ca-art Wagner opera cycle, broadcasters consider mat an amazing pable of attracting huge audiences of the Nibelung," and Ma- achievement, especially in light of the Instead, they have generally turned graphic specials on China 136-munon-dollar annual PBS budget to comparatively less expensive talk uca for all programs—a tiny fraction of the shows, concerts and foreign series such nmer, PBS plans to intro- amounts spent by each of the "big as "Masterpiece Theatre." Mir-long nightly news pro- three" networks One of the chief concerns at PBS yect long contemplated but Qrowth continues. Such successes headquarters in Washington, D C, is led by the commercial net- also are providing the network with federal support Network officials say show wdl be an extension substantially improved morale follow- there are indications the Reagan ad-
:Ned/Lehrer Report" ing predictions a few years ago that ministration wdl propose cutting pub-PBS is not aiming for die PBS would collapse under the com- he radio and TV funds in fiscal 1985 to mces that typical situation bined competition of the commercial 75 million dollars, about half the cur-ttract on commercial televi- networks, non-network commercial rent appropriation. Executives say that a PBS official "Our audi- TV stations and cable channels In- would be a severe blow—perhaps fatal
j from all backgrounds, but stead, PBS continued to expand while "to some broadcasting across the U S ive one thing in common rivals, such ja the CBS cultural chan- Lawrence K Grossman, president of it is why our programs can nel, floundered and died PBS, worries that the network wdl al-•ranging and different from Contrary to many expectations, cable ways be underfunded But he believes things on TV" actually has helped public television the organization is strong enough to ihargad. Some critics con- Confined in many cibes to the less pop- survive and flourish despite present lubhc television caters to an ular ultrahigh-frequency stations on problems He concludes "At a time 'elite" and that there is lit- channels 14 and above, public TV used when all the commercial networks are
/ the network to attract the to be ignored by many viewers because retrenching and retreating, public tele-bltc About 5 percent of TV it was hard to locate and fuzzy to watch vision must be the one to move forward ing during the average eye- Now, however, growing cable sys- and show everyone else the way " D uned to public television, terns in many areas make PBS shows as wim about 28 percent for a clear and easy to dial as any other A By WILLIAM L. IUCDOUCMI.
U S NEWS & WORLD REPORT Jan 10 1883
The Editor's Page g^^^T^pS^B
TV: We Deserve Better K^WUi'J By Marvin Stone
It u painful co watch the self-inflicted But questions about the intellectual will not wounds of network television After a rocket- die Nickleby" eventually appeared on a col-like flight in profits over the last decade, to lection of stations put together by Mobil Cor-heights above 630 million dollars in 1981, the poration, which was trying to embellish its cor-Big Three are looking back on a year when it porate image "Nickleby" was pronounced a was much harder to show net gains From here triumph Aside from whatever value it might out, they face rising costs of production, a have as a Dickens masterpiece, it displayed shrinking share of the nation's viewers and the acting more sincere and human qualities more prokpect of pouring out further millions to seek genuine than your usual sitcom trash a foothold in cable, pay-TV and moviemaking Reaction to "Nickleby" might indicate that
In such a setting, a certain amount of panic is commercial television is underestimating the understandable, but still it seems that those are brainpower of Americans and their capacity for dollars enough to support some imagination enjoying TV's you-are-there presentations of and courage in programing What a large seg- works forbiddingly known as "classics." And ment of the public will remember, for example, they also may be overlooking a potential gain, is that the Big Three networks turned their at least in good wdl backs on the Royal Shakespeare Company's Network television now stands, in a sense, at four-part "Nicholas Nickleby" and, in some the stage reached 10 years or so ago by the cases, for reasons of their own, pressed their book industry Traditionally, the big houses affiliates to do the same had included on their lists each year some tides
Remembered, too, will be that it was left to useful just for their excellence and the reputa-the Public Broadcasting Service to run the tape tion of the company When production costs of the Vienna State Opera's bouncy "Fleder- went out of sight, the business departments maus" and introduce to American television asserted their power Nothing was to issue un-Bayreuth's spirited and innovative version of less it promised big profits. the Wagner "Ring " Well, publishing is a business It is the paper-
These are intellectual (read snobbish) exer- back romances that rake in the green. But book cises, in the established view of the market- publishing has lost luster Moreover, if there is place, and PBS is 'elitist" no high standard to emulate, where can the
Leaving aside for the moment the question quality of the product and the level of public of whether these treasures are, indeed, purely taste go but down' intellectual, a viewer has a right to inquire If the nomnteUectual is all that is to be courted by Fortunately for television and its watchers, commercial television, where are the new ro- TV does have a yardstick: PBS There is more mantic series and situation comedies to take the to come in the season of public television—six place of those that are wearing thin' What further episodes of the Bayreuth "Ring," with fresh inventions are there to engage viewers its exciting young cast and direction, continued who have grown weary of "Love Boat" and deep-investigative reporting, perhaps an hour-
Fantasy Island" and Archie Bunker and Alice' long news program, and other innovations And, the prime question, where can we turn On its uny federal appropriation, together the dial when we finally tune out the reruns of with private grants, the public network is gain-the reruns of "M*A*S*H"' ing followers who sense that PBS is where it's
happening If only some of its quality could rub We all know and understand that the net- off on die people who mastermind commercial-
works are prisoners of the popularity ratings television programing!
o US NEWS ft WORLD REPORT Fab 7 191
Fiscal Year 1983-84 Appropriation Request
Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee
February 24, 1983
nation 34-33 PA Public Television Network - Operations
ation. mary Financial Data
1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 e Funds 4,412 4,800 4.952 sral Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -sr Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -
tonnel
Costs
State Funds 789 902 915 Federal Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -Other Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -
Complement 12-31-81 12-31-82 Budgeted
Authorized Filled Authorized Filled Authorized Filled State Funds 26 24 26 24 26 24 Federal Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -Other Funds - 0 - -0- - 0 -
rating 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84
e Funds 1,512 1,600 1,555 sral Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -sr Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -
d Assets
e Funds 14 108 108 sral Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -sr Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -
lts
e Funds 2,097 2,190 - 2,374 sral Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -sr Funds - 0 - - 0 - - 0 -
ficant Cost Assumptions Used in Calculating the Request
This appropriations request assumes that the Pennsylvania
c Television Network can continue to provide an efficient and
tive service to the public television stations and the citizens
e Commonwealth with a 3.2 percent increase. We anticipate no
ordinary increases in operations line items which could
usly threaten this assumption.
ry of Lapses
1980-81 1981-82 1982-83
State Funds -0- 45 -0-
Purchases of Nonrecurring Items
83_
Satellite Earth Terminal $ 52,000 Telephone Equipment 22,000 Line Printer 10,300 Video Controller 7,000
84
Frame Synchronizer $ 20,000
Permits the integration of satellite-distributed program materials into PPTN programming.
Audio Switcher $ 25,000
Permits utilization of auxilliary audio circuits without time-consuming physical manipulation.
Test Oscilloscopes $ 20,000
Replacements for thirteen year old units which are obsolete.
AutomatLC Level Corrector $ 5,000
Utilized in control of satellite received signals.
Waveform Monitors $ 10,000.
Principal quality control device for video. Replace thirteen year old units which are obsolete and malfunctioning.
amnatic Implications of the Requested Funding Level
The most important programmatic implication is that this is
get which perceives no new initiatives or program thrusts. It
request which reflects a "business as usual" approach to the
tions of the network and to the Commonwealth's support for
Derations of Pennsylvania's seven public television stations.
tive
Included in the appropriation for Network Operations are
for grants to
la) support the broadcast operations of Pennsylvania's
seven public television stations,
(b) support modest equipment acquisition and replacement, and
(c) support Affirmative Action Programs at the stations.
Also included in this appropriation are funds for the
tion of the network facilities.
The network continues its efforts to provide these services
fectively and efficiently as possible. There are no significant
istrative or policy changes affecting the appropriation in the
we discussed, other than an attempt to do more with less and
sure that operations continue in a responsible manner.
While the statistics regarding personnel complement do not
ate a reduction in staff (a reflection of the specific dates
hich you sought the information), personnel complement is at its
t level since 1974. Fifteen of the staff (62.5%) are involved
engineering and scheduling operations while the balance of the
' has the responsibility for the administration, community
ions, fiscal operations and office services to manage and support
efforts. Further staff reductions may well impair network
tions.
Much of our equipment and the entire traffic and routinq system
itmoded and experiencing technical difficulties. Continued
nee upon existing equipment places the network in a difficult
ion. During 1981-82, a two-month outage of the computer-assisted
IC and routing system required manual operation of the network with
Tease in efficiency and an increase in errors. The equipment was
red to only 80% efficiency since replacement parts are no longer
actured. This is a serious problem which must be addressed in
ear future.
r Expanded Programs
contemplates no new program thrusts nor the expansion of old
ams.
acts 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84
Corp. of America, New York, NY 343,722 343,722 343,722 videotape recorders for PPTN stations
Corp., Redwood City, CA 111,996 37,332 -0-videotape recorders for PPTN stations
rn Microwave, Syracuse, NY 754,932 754,932 754,932 work interconnection system
rn Microwave, Syracuse, NY 41,250. ocate WITF terminal
ti Clabell Co., New Holland, PA 56,525 66,025 75,525 N building lease
n. Alder & Cohen, Pittsburgh, PA 9,783 5,000 -0-al research on communications matters
Lite Systems Corp., Virginia Beach, VA 20,900 ball Satellite receiving antenna
s to membez stations 2,09 7,000 2,190,000 2,374,000 sral Support, Capital Equipment acilities, Affirmative Action
of Routine/Housekeeping Contracts 15,250 17,195 17,825 L/air conditioning maintenance; ining service, copy machine;etc.
il Augmentations
LCted Receipt Accounts
il Block Grants
SECTION II
APPROPRIATION 34-34
AN IA PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORK - PROGRAM SERVICES
FISCAL YEAR 1983-84
APPROPRIATION REOUEST
Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee
February 24, 1983
>ropriation 34-34 PA Public Television Network - Program Services
lfication.
1981-82 1982-83 1983-84
Summary Financial Data
State Funds 2,373 2,641 2,747 Federal. Funds -0- -0- -0-Other Funds -0- -0- -0-
Personnel - Not Applicable
Operating - Not Applicable
Fixed Assets - Not Applicable
Grants
Grants to member stations:
Program Acquisition/Local 1,413 1,498 1,558 Production; Utilization/ CommunLty Use; Promotion
Statewt.de Program Production/ Promotion, Audience Research 960 1,143 1,189
Significant Cost Assumptions Used in Calculating the Request
This appropriation request assumes only a four percent increase
in grants for the programming priorities of the stations and
the network.
History of Lapses
1980-81 1981-82 1982-83
State Funds -0- -0- -0-
Maior Purchases of Nonrecurring Items
Not Applicable
Programmatic Implications of the Requested Funding Level
The costs for the acquisition and production of quality
programming, long the hallmark of public television, are subject
to marketplace demands. The advent of newer technologies,
including multi-channel cable systems, subscription television,
Home Box Office and many others, has caused increased competition
for good product. An increase of four percent in this
appropriation will help to insure that the citizens of the
Commonwealth have access to public broadcasting's finest
programming.
Narrative
Included in the appropriation for program services are grants
to stations for:
(a) acquisition of programming from national and regional sources,
(b) production of programs of local and statewide interest, and
(c) promotion of programming.
In addition, a small grant goes for audience research so
that stations and the commission have an indication of the
audience for public television within the Commonwealth.
Stations acquire programming through the Public Broadcasting
Service (PBS), the Eastern Educational Television Network (EEN)
and other services. These programs make up the bulk of the
programs broadcast to the citizens of the Commonwealth by the
State's seven public television stations. The stations also
produce programming for their coverage areas of more local
interest, and this can be shared throughout the network if
it proves to have broader appeal. The section of this
presentation entitled "PPTN Programming in Perspective" provides
more detailed information regarding this programming.
Grants made to stations for the production of programs
with statewide interest. These programs, such as "The People's
Business" and "PRO/CON" highlight issues of concern to many
'ennsylvanians includinq programs on the plight of the
>ennsylvania farmer, Pennsylvania's economic climate, and the
:risis with our infrastructure. The programs also permit the
rultural resources of the State, such as the Bach Choir of
iethlehem, the People's Light and Theatre Company, the
>hiladelphid Folk Festival and the Northeast Pennsylvania
>hilharmonic Orchestra to be shared by all. Some of these
urograms have also been shared with people throughout the
rountry over the PBS network and have received national acclaim
md awards.
Audience research utilizes less than one percent of the
:otal appropriation. However, the research has provided the
stations and the Commission with useful information indicating
:hat more Pennsylvanians are viewing public television more
>ften than ever before. Citizens are also supporting their
Local public television stations with more contributions than
sver before. The 1981-82 fiscal year saw a 29% increase over
:he previous year in the level of public support. Just over
L74,000 households contributed more than seven-and-a-half
ullion dollars to their local stations.
SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR PUBLIC TELEVISION IN PA July 1981 - June 1982
/ \ Memberships & Other \ / _ . _ \ Station Fund-Raising \ / Foundations, \ \ / Business and \ 28.6% \ / Industry \ \ I 22.8% \ 1
\x ^^^ \ Federal / V^/V-^' 'r* l*.v * \ 20.5% /
\ Commonwealth of \ / \ Pennsylvania \ /
Lties, \ % \ / ivernment \ \ /
^ ^ ^ 4.8% \ >S Miscellaneous
ew or Expanded Programs
The network anticipates functioning in the same manner
ith regard to this appropriation in the 1983-84 fiscal year.
ontracts
Only grants to mamber stations as indicated above.
ederal Augmentations
None.
estricted Receipt Accounts
None.
ederal Block Grants
None.
31
CHAIRMAN SWZXLi X would like to welcome you to
the hearing for the Public Television Network. Vm Repre-
Mutative Kurt Birlkl froa Lehigh County. To ay left Is
Representative Caltaglrone. Next to ae la Mike Berehook
from the House Approprlatlona Staff. To ay Immediate right 1
la Al Ferguson of the Bouae Approprlatlona Staff. Also*
Leon Rudy froa,ay staff. Representative Howard Nowery froa
Cumberland County.
Mr. Barman and Mr. Parker, whoever la leading
off , If you would Identify the people with you for the
purposes of the stenographer, Z would appreciate that.
MR. BSBMANi I am pleased to be here. Z aa
Phil Barman of Allentown. Z aa the Chairman of the PFTN
Cornel aelon. I have with aa a commissioner, Andrew Bradley.
Be Is Chairman of our Budget and Finance Committee. Beat to
him and to ay left Is Shel Slegel. He Is President and
General Manager of WLVT-TV. That's the Lehigh Valley station
and Chairman of the FPTM Network Operations Committee. To
ay Immediate right Is Shel Parker who Is General Manager of
FfTO. Also, Hick Jones* Assistant General Manager of PFTN of
Hershey. Me have with us additional staff to answer any
queetiona that you might have* Mrs. Nose LeFever, Director
of Fiscal Affairs. Larry Messenger, Director of Technical
32
Operations. Mrs. Jean Aufiero who is the Director of
Cossmnity Ralations. we are hara to answar any quastions
that you amy have. Ha pasaad through to yon a doouaant that
gave yon a stataaant and a request for funds and we can 90
through it if you lika but Z think that would ba radundant.
wa ara praparad to join you in any conversation that you
aight hava about our work.
CHAIRMAN ZWXKLi Yes, wa would lika to pose
several questions and Z would first recognise Representative
Caltaglrone*
BY lumroBMSAXXVB CALTAQIROWB TO MR. PRZL BKRMAHl
Q lha first thing that Z would lika to ask of you
is* what is your total eomplenent of paid employees?
A Rick?
MR. JOMK81 Twenty-four.
BY RBPRC8BMTATZVB CALTA6XR0MI 90 MR* PHIL BBRMANf
Q You hava seven locations spread around the state.
Do you anticipate any other cosnunities being added to the
system?
A Shel Parker, the General Manager, will answar
that.
MR* PARKBRt The seven locations, Mr* Representa
tive, ara licensed through the P.C.C. and by Federal law and
33
at tlit present tine we have covered 95 percent of the state
with those •even broadcasting stations which are menhir
stations of the network. Our hope is in the foreseeable
future to add some equipment union would give us almost 100
percent coverage of the Commonwealth.
IT BBFBBSBBYATXVB CAtTAaxBou TO MB. SHBL PAXXSSU
Q Zf you would, would you mention where they night
be, the places that are missing?
A The big gaps are in Somerset, Fulton and Bunting-
ton County. Mo, Bedford County. Those are the three areas
that hopefully by the use of translators the existing stationi
can provide signals into those areas.
BY MPBBMMTAT1VB CALTMXBOMB TO MR. PHIL BBBMAMi
Q The increase that you are requesting in here, do
you really feel this is going to be adequate to cover your
needs as far as the appropriation from the State is concerned
for the coming fiscal year?
A That's an excellent question and X would like
Bhel Parker to answer it because he is responsible for it.
KB. PABKBBi Clearly, we could use more money and
Z think the saving grace for public broadcasting through thess
many years, four or five years anyway, has been the people of
Pennsylvania. As you will notice in the document, they have
34 *- . - ,.----- . — -,
joined stations and contributed iaoraaalng amounts of nonay.
Z think as you will also notioa la tbo statamsnt wa did havs
fond hopas of rseaiving an axpsasivu plooa of squipasnt which
totals about $100,000 which is a switching and routing
systsm. X think if wa oould havs our way in ths capital
aqulpnant araa, that is whara wa would turn, Claarly, thara
la a eorralation, a diraot oorralation, batsman tha amount of
progrsmulag that tha stations oaa do, tha axoallanoa of tha
talaatad staff and all of thosa othar oonsldaratlons with tha
aaount of funding that la availabla to us from Psnnsylvania
as wall as from tha four or fiva othar soureas of inooma*
BEFBMBllTaTXVB CALTMXBOHBi I havs no furthar
quaationa at this tins. Thank you* Mr. Chairman*
CHaZmim HfZXLi Rapraaantativa Mowaxy, any
quaations?
REPHB1BMTATIVK MQNBBYt X just hara a ooupla of
quastions.
BY RCTBBSPITATIVg NOBBY. TO MB. PHIL BBBJOJh
0 Thara has baan a raduetion in Fadaral monay for
public talavision* is that corract, and if so, what la tha
Impaot aa far as tha raduetion going into 1983?
h Shal Siagal, tha N.O.C. Chairman, will answsr
that,
35
MR. 8 X H H 1 The Pederal reduction at the present
time is approximately one-third of the riiwmiilty service
grant that the station received last year. In raal dollar
terns, for example, at oar station next yaar thara will ba a
loss of approximately $202*000. Zt*s about $200,000* It
varies from on* station to anothar. So tha impact has baan
oonsidsrabla in tha ayatan. In addition, tha President has
asked for a rssaiasionto taka bask soma of tha money alraady
appropriatad in tha coning budget. 80 it could ba somewhat
worse although tha Legislative infomation that we hava now
is that tha Oongrass is not going to support that rescission.
Bat at tha least, wa would ba getting a cutback of about
$200,000 at our station that will up tha scale to as •men as,
X think, $700,000 at W.Q.B.D. in Pittsburgh.
BY RBPKBsBMTATXVB M0WJCXT TO MB* SBBL 8IBGBL1
Q anothar question that Z had and X was wondering
how it would inpaot bars in Pennsylvania is that thara nave
baan more indications of advertising baooning a part of public
television which, of course, in the past was one of tha thingi
that wa kind of an joyed, about public television is that wa
didn't hava to go through all of the commercials. X was just
wondering whether or not yra look at this as a possible way
of filling tha gap and if so to what degree do you feel in tin
36
near future you will be going in that direction?
K The F.C.C. Coanlssion studied the temporary
ooaulsslon of alternative funding report la dun to bo ooa-
pleted la Juno of thia year. Tan stations are in that
oo—•rclal experiment. The results are already in to a
largo extent and the results clearly indicate that publio *
television is not going to bo able to turn to ooaw• rclal
advertising to recapture anywhere near the loaa of Federal
funds and the continued support of the State Legislature and
the continued support of the Federal governaont is going to
bo necessary. I think if ooanerclal advertising should ever
find its way into publio broadcasting and X say if because
there are away stations that don't think it will ever come
a tout, it will probably be along the lines of the B,B.C.
where the coaujeroiels, if there are any, are grouped at the
and of the prograaa and at the beginning. But X don't think
you will ever see prograaa interrupted on publio broadcasting
with oonaarclals.
Q xa that foaling as a result of the response that
you got from the tan trial stations as far as the viewing
publio or was it because there was not sufficient ooasiarelal
interest in supporting advertising in that area?
ft, There was considerable interest by advertising
37
agencies S Bd other companies in tte oow—rolal experiment.
As * aatter of fact, in Maw Orleans and in Chicago market
raaaareh was dona in tha oaaamnitiaa and thara really wara
vary, vary fair negative casponsas in tha ooaaranitiaa to tha
idaa of tha advertising as it was oarriad particularly whan
it was waightad against tha fact that this was tha only
alternative and thara was going to ba no funding ooold yon
put up with this? And to a large extent the cosnercials
ware tastefully done. Many of then ware institutional type
of advertising and consequently the impact was really
negligible* Bet nany stations do not like that idea at all.
X don't think it really will become a significant part of our
income if it ever cones about.
BY RBPREBBHTATZVB MOUBBl 10 MB* 8BBL PABXBBi
Q I've had the privilege of serving on their
commission in the last couple of years and it has been a
very gratifying experience and Z just have one thought that
maybe they would like to elaborate on* There was a bill
proposed last year to broaden the basis of public television
to allow it to get into a broad tana called telecommunication!
which is referred to just briefly here in your printed
remarks. I was wondering whether or not you would juat
briefly like to elaborate for the benefit of this group
i i • i «
4 .
30
basically what you had la Mind u f t r u flam—iimlnai Iniii
and how it would impact and provide broader aarvloa hara in
Pennsylvania?
A We appreciate tha opportunity, Mr. Bepreeentatlve.
The raai origin of tha legislation came about because we have
under-utilised oapaolty. As you will aaa in your doeumentatloi,
wa have a vary expensive and aophistioatad two way microwave
delivery system whieh anablaa us through tha member atationa
to reach almost everybody in Pennsylvania and tha thought waa
that ainea tha taxpayers are putting that much noney forward
and because there are so many eoonomiea efficiencies that can
be gained from tha full utilisation of this equipment that
it really,serves us poorly not to be making 100 percent
utilisation o« it. So' this lad to a long range planning
committee, a report, formal committee action and tha establlan-
ment of certain priorltiea among which and in conjunction with
our friends of the Department of Education and W.I.T.F. and
eome of tha other stations was this concept of tele-conferenc
ing. Where Instead of bringing people in from all over tha
state to Barrlsburg or another city with expansive travel and
lodging and food and all of those types of expenses the
participants in a business meeting or conference would go to
the seven stations whieh than would be tele-conferencing
39
centers or mini toleooiawinloation centers. This was oar
fond hops and one »t our format goals when and If thia
legislation vara to beooa* law. Me aza also, as was alluded
to in tha doounentatlon, engaged in a feasibility study of
how wa can halp tha agricultural ooastunity of Pennsylvania
through tha encoding of writing on your picture tuba if yon
have a deoodlng devioe. Also, a hatter service for the hear
ing iapalred. Also* we have tha capability with this inter
connect to have a public radio network in the Coxaoawaalttu
that la another reason why if this legislation can beooa* law
wa can batter serve tha five or aix public radio stations In
tha Gosswnwealth by interconnecting than tbraally and providing
inforaation such as what happens here in Harriaburg. so that
the listeners all over tha state can experience and know
bettor what is happening in their capitol.
0 That nay not all necessarily be good, that latter
part.
A We're sura it will reach 95 percent. That's a
long winded answer but that's sons of the goals and aspiration i
that wa have aa a ooaadssion if we are able to expand.
KINUUJMTAT1VE MONBxYs Thank yon vary much.
That's all that X have, Mr. Chairman.
CHhllMMt SNXXLi thank you, Itspresentative Mowery.
40
BY CBAISKJUI IWXXL 10 MR. PHIL BBRMUli
Q Z would lik« to rofor *y questioning to pago 3,
the graph that you show on your appropriation requeet. With
raapaot to tho two large areas, two largo percentage areas,
that you uaa to generate your lnoone. Nsnberships psoduees
28.6 percent and foundations and business and industry 22.t.
This was for 1981-82, taking ua to Juno of 19*2. With tho
ooonoagr in tho situation that no soo it in today, do you
anticipate tho naabarshipa to drop off and also have you
boon as suooossful or do you anticipate boing as suooossf ul
in ganarating foundation requests and corporate donations?
A Z would liko to pass that to final Slogol who is
tho station managar and who can answer spaoifioally froa his
experience which is siadlar throughout tho state.
MR. SIROELt Our experience is probably parallol
to nost stations. In our ease, wa found, for exanple, in tho
prosont fiscal yoar businoss and industry, corporate under-
writing and corporate support has actually ineroasod over last
yoar despite tho eoonceln probleaa. Tha nanbarahipa have
incraaaad aonavhat also and I think this, porhaps, has a let
to do with tho idaa that people who support public televiaion
roaliso thoro is going to bo a significant aaount of private
support noodod. Z think nest yoar tho graph, obviously will
41
•how tlM Fadaral part of that pia gutting suallar. SO
daapita tha ooemMqr x think you will probably find ovar tho
naxt fow yaara fairly ooaalatoat to what you hava nara. zt
•ay vary A littla froa aarkat to aarkat bat I think it'a a
pratty fair rapraaaatatlon of tho way thia will bo*
BY CHkXKMMI SNZXL 10 MR. RZCX JOHBSl
Q Assuming that will hold up, thara won't ba any
problasu Do you want to hava a follow-up on that?
A Too. Z would Ilka to aaka nota of tho fact that
that 29.6 paroant aaabarahipa and othar atation fond raising
was a 29 paroant inoraaaa ovar tho previous yaar and it
raprasanta seven and a half Million dollars, 81-S2 was not a
raal bannar yaar all across tho country. But, X think* that
Inoraaaa shows what tho public has com to expect and support
in public broadcasting with a 29 paroant inoraaaa.
BY CHAXIMMI iWXXL 10 MR. S O L SZKZILi
Q AssuMlng that tha Padaral amount will ahrink aa
you hava iadioatad and assuming and let1 a hopa that it
oontinuaa aa far aa aaabershlps and foundation support but if
that would ravaraa itaalf, what othar alternatives would you
hava in gonarating ravanuaa aslda fro* coming to tha Leglsla-
tura for inoraaaad support and would that ba your final place
to ganarata interest?
«
A Obviously, all of us are operating a lot HOT*
economically or hava b u n doing thia la light of tha decrees*
Federal appropriation*. It saaaa that tha broad underwriting
guidelines ralatad to oorporatlona and buslaaaaaa provlda sow
avenues la trying to recapture some of that through buaiaaaa
and industry through program underwriting which la picked up
somewhat alnoa our underwriting guidalinas hava baan broaden*
oonsidarably. X think you can only go back to tha public,
however, so many tinea. You hava on air television options
and you hava continual pledge weeks where X try to be aoaa
where also whan wa are having pledge weeks so X don't hava
to watch what's going on. You reach a saturation point in
a U of that* X think tha ultimate answer is, obviously, to
try and continue to provide servioss to tha state so that
tha state faals that it la an Important part of tha state9 a
responsibility. But X think beyond that is to operate as
economically as you can and wa are always trying to do so and
to out costs wherever possible, so X think that over tha
next few years wa are going to sea stations that perhaps
undertook a variety of program projects and many of which
on pilot projects and developmenta are doing a lot lass of
that because those tend to cost a lot of money and can't be
followed through with foundation funds. X think foundation
43
funds are going to be particularly nor* difficult to got over
the next eeveral yours boemuss of tho onounts. Many of tho
demands of private — non-profit agonolos aro asking aoro and
mora in that area.
Q X have ono aoro question and than I will recog-
nlso Representative 8tnban oho has joinad us. Do you sos tho
influx of tho paid oabla movie and sports programs, homo box*
do you soo than as a sorious throat to public television and
what aro thoy doing to you and what do you antioipata in
yoars to come?
A What thoy aro actually doing is providing us with
aoro viawors than wo have ever had before. as xoro of tho 4
promitai band typos of programming is available, pooplo aro
now tuning out of tho normal eonmeroial aotwork and into tho
promium bands and ia so doing '*' lot of thorn aro dissevering
public television, Public television viewing has had a
higher inorease — as a Batter of fact, ooaoerolal network
•lowing has gone down significantly over the last throe years.
Public television is the only network viewing that has in
feet gone up over the last three years. X think many of you
any have read today where R.C.A. cable just gave up their
pay television, they were the big competitor for B.B.C.
programming with public television. They just decided today
44
that thay ara *o longar going to do that and thay ara going •
to go out of buslnaas with that* C.B.8. oablo has goaa out
of bualnass with cultural talawlaion. So what hao raally
happanad la that thara has baan a falling away of a lot of
ooapatitlwa or aarwioaa that vara supposad to ba ooapatitiwa
baeauaa of tha loyalty that publio talawlaion paopla hawa,
vlawara hawa* and oonourrant with thia our programing haa
actually ineraaaad. Sawaral yaara ago or lot ua aay thraa or
fear yaara ago wa probably wouldn't hawa gnaaoad that that
would hawa happaaad bat it haa happanad and X think what wa
hawa aaan it has baan a significant inoraasa of publio tala-
wialoa. That oabla haa not baan ooapatitiva but on tha
contrary oabla haa raally baan halpf ul to ua in aany amrkata
around tha oountry*
CHAIRMAN IWIKLi That la wary intaraating. Thank
you vary anon. napraaantativa Stuban.
BBPXBSYMTATXVS STUBANt X hawa no quaationa.
CHAIRMAN tffXKLt Mr. Sarshoek?
Ml* HERBBOCKt Ho quaationa.
CHAIRMAN iNXXLi Mr. Farguaon?
MX* FBJtSUSOMt Mo quaationa.
CHAIRMAN INXXLi Mr. Rudy?
MR. RDDYs X hawa no quaationa.
45
CHaXBHftM IWZXLi Thank you vwry anon. *•
appxaoiata your doounant and your input today.
X naraby oartlfy that tha pKoeaadluga and
avidanea takan by aa bafora tha Bovaa of Kapraaantativaa,
Coamittaa on Appropriationa, la folly and aoourataly indioatad
1 B ay aotaa and that thla ia a troa and oorract tranaeript
of aaaa,
JaW ^k#/l4pox^/Blg -
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