American Public Television distributes exciting titles this Spring

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

February 18, 2004 (Boston, Mass.) American Public Television will offer public television stations several exciting new titles this spring including: YOUNG CHARLES, THE STATLER BROTHERS FAREWELL CONCERT, AN AMERICAN IN CANADA, BARBECUE AMERICA II, BARBECUE UNIVERSTITY WITH STEPHEN RAICHLEN II and NEW SCANDINAVIAN COOKING WITH ANDREAS VIESTAD II.

YOUNG CHARLES will be available on April 1, 2004 and 91 stations nationwide are contracted to air this special documentary. It is a sympathetic portrait of Prince Charles, a prominent member of the House of Windsor, heir to the British throne and a man who has been challenged by his family and his position from birth. The program begins and ends with Charles’s wedding to Diana. It examines how the weight of responsibility within a family defined by duty and sacrifice has shaped the Prince Charles we see today.

THE STATLER BROTHERS FAREWELL CONCERT showcases four Virginian musicians performing in their home state on October 26, 2002 during the last concert of their career. This enthusiastic and emotional performance begins airing on March 1, 2004. Fifty seven stations are contracted to air this special concert.

AN AMERICAN IN CANADA is a provocative comedy that takes an affectionate look at Canadians through the eyes of a brash American who finds them strange and perplexing. The series begins airing on April 1, 2004 with 29 stations contracted to air this series. Over 18 episodes follow the adventures of a top American TV morning show host who gets fired for beating up his station manager and winds up as a co-host of a third-rate morning show in Calgary.

Three of APT’s top cooking shows are back this spring for their second seasons on public television. BARBECUE AMERICA II is a 13-part journey through the backroads of the “barbecue belt,” exploring America’s legendary contribution to the culinary landscape. In this season, Chef Rick Browne continues his quest for America’s best barbecue and grilling recipes. This series continues to grow in popularity. For season two, 193 stations are contracted to air it in their markets.

BARBECUE UNIVERSITY WITH STEPHEN RAICHLEN II also returns for a second season. While many barbecue and grilling shows simply teach recipes, this program offers viewers a complete crash course on barbecuing and grilling. Host Steven Raichlen has become the world’s foremost authority on barbecue. The BBQU “campus” is the historic Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. The “classroom” features a state-of-the-art collection of grills and smokers. Taped outdoors, the series was shot with five cameras including the Grill-Cam, a micro camera encased in pyrex to provide a shot from right inside the grill. The series begins airing April 17, 2004. An astounding 242 stations have committed to airing this program.

NEW SCANDINAVIAN COOKING WITH ANDREAS VIESTAD II returns with 13 more episodes shot on location in beautiful Norway. To date, 106 stations have committed to carrying the second season of SCANDINAVIAN COOKING. The series is a rich visual tour of Scandinavian cuisine, culture and history, overflowing with Andreas’s remarkable knowledge and passion for eating and living well. The second season contains 12 new episodes plus a “highlights” episode which combines great moments from the second season. The exceptional first season of New Scandinavian Cooking was recognized at the Jacob’s Creek World Food Media Awards in Australia. The series was nominated for “Best Television Food Show,” the companion book was nominated for “Best Hardcover Recipe Book” and Andreas was nominated for “Best Food Journalist.”

For a complete list of programs due to begin airing this spring, please log on to aptonline.org or contact Donna Hardwick for more information. Press releases and photos are available online for all programs.

About American Public Television
For 42 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation’s public television stations. APT has more than 10,000 hours of available programming including Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter, Globe Trekker, Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World, Rick Steves’ Europe, Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home, Ballykissangel, Brian Jacques’ Redwall and Sinatra: The Classic Duets . APT is known for identifying innovative programs and developing creative distribution techniques for producers. In more than 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, log on to aptonline.org.