AMERICAN PUBLIC TELEVISION HIGHLIGHTS SIGNIFICANT ACHEIVEMENTS FROM 2005 AND UPCOMING INITIATIVES FOR 2006 DURING ANNUAL PROGRAMMING MEETING

APT Programs Account for 49 of Top 100 Public Television Titles in Past Year

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Donna Hardwick
(617) 338-4455, ext. 129
Donna_Hardwick@aptonline.org


(BOSTON, Mass. – December 5, 2005) - American Public Television (APT) previewed 100 new programs ranging from drama, mystery, documentaries, classic movies, how-tos, entertainment and children’s shows during its annual programming meeting, Fall Marketplace. The four day event held in La Quinta, California attracted public television programmers, producers, talent and managers from across the country to preview programming for 2006. Fall Marketplace gained a 20% increase in attendees as compared to 2004. APT also presented significant company highlights for 2005 and announced initiatives for the coming year.

Cynthia Fenneman, APT president and CEO, spoke to Marketplace participants about APT program performance in 2005, annual award winners and Create – a new 24/7 lifestyle and life-long learning channel launching in 2006.

During her opening address, Fenneman reviewed key APT program highlights for 2005. APT had 19 of the top 50 and 47 of the top 100 public television program titles the past year; with 10 of these titles within the top 25, in the primary metered markets, according to PubTV that processed the Nielsen data. APT’s classic movies were among its most successful programs, accounting for eight of APT’s top 10 titles. Historical documentaries and entertainment programs also earned impressive ratings.

Furthermore, Fenneman highlighted that stations’ use of APT programs has increased by 41% since last year — to 214 titles. The number of plays of these programs has also increased by 130% — to 7,526 station plays. Daytime use of APT titles is up by 22% compared to last year and up by 56% compared to two years ago.

In addition to highly rated and carried titles, Fenneman highlighted APT’s increase of Video on Demand (VOD) titles. Since spring 2005, 47% of new Exchange program titles have been cleared for VOD — totaling 140 APT titles and more than 1,000 programs or episodes. APT has increased its volume of HD programming to a total of nearly 2,400 hours fed for this calendar year. APT’s HD titles now comprise 27% of the PBS HD Channel. APT titles account for 46 of the 168 available hours per week for PBS HD.

Fenneman also presented two MVP (Most Valuable Player) Awards. The first was presented to UNC-TV. In all, UNC-TV has delivered 52 series or specials, 30 of which are currently in rights to the public television system via APT. Some of the titles include: Ruth and Billy Graham – What Grace Provides, Thank You Eddie Hart, An Unlikely Friendship and The Zula Patrol. The second APT MVP award was presented to an independent production company, Cutters Productions. Cutters Productions has provided APT with 23 program titles for national distribution on public television. Many of the company’s titles have been highly successful fundraising programs, almost all of which were distributed via UNC-TV. Its production, One Stroke Painting With Donna Dewberry, is one of the top-grossing how-to pledge programs.

Finally, Fenneman discussed the January 9, 2006 launch of Create – the how-to/lifestyle multicast channel, distributed by APT. Create is currently airing in the number one TV market (New York City) and number five TV market (Boston) and will begin airing nationally this January reaching 60% of US TV households. Fenneman detailed a few highlights about Create including: it is the first multicast channel since the new PTV/NCTA agreement; the national channel has 76 licensees (representing 136 stations); it will be carried by 15 of the top 25 DMAs; and, the national Create channel features approximately 75% APT programming. In addition, APT hosted a Create Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 12. Presentations at the Create Workshop included: January program lineup and scheduling philosophy, MSO relationship building, communications toolkits, breaks and localization, and a preview of the national Create Web site.

“Through American Public Television's research directly with stations over the past three years, it is clear that the number-one interest in a digital multicast channel has been 'lifestyle' programming — meaning primarily how-to and travel programming,” said Fenneman. “Considering this genre is one of APT's chief strengths, we are suited to follow through on that interest. Create holds the tantalizing promise of the 'best and greatest' of the past with original programming to come. We look forward to our connection with the growing digital audience in search of highly-desired programming.”

Photo highlights and summaries of the Create Workshop are available online at APTonline.org. If you are interested in using these photos for corporate Web or print, please contact Donna_Hardwick@APTonline.org for information about usage.



American Public Television
For 44 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation’s public television stations. APT distributes more than 10,000 hours of programming including JFK: Breaking the News, Simply Ming, Globe Trekker, Rick Steves’ Europe, Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home, Battlefield Britain, Jungle, America’s Test Kitchen, Lidia’s Family Table and classic movies. APT is known for identifying innovative programs and developing creative distribution techniques for producers. In four decades, it has established a tradition of providing public television stations nationwide with program choices that enable them to strengthen and customize their schedules. Press should contact Donna Hardwick at 617-338-4455 ext. 129 or via email to Donna_Hardwick@APTonline.org. For more information about APT’s programs and services visit www.APTonline.org.