Republican gives OPB $50,000, citing "Moyers and Company"

Oregon Public Broadcasting received an unexpected $50,000 gift on Wednesday (Jan. 25), from a longtime donor who has "given consistently but nothing on that level," OPB President Steve Bass told Current. And here's a twist: The contributor told an OPB staffer that he's a registered Republican, and that one of the programs he especially enjoys is Moyers and Company, the latest show from veteran newsman Bill Moyers, widely considered a progressive voice.

Several pubTV execs recently told the New York Times that PBS declined to carry Moyers's latest program, which is distributed by American Public Television, because PBS "did not want to realign itself with Mr. Moyers, a longtime target of some conservatives, as it was fighting to keep its federal financing."

Pubcasting pic o' the week

Is this a great photo or what? That's Terry Gross, host of WHYY's Fresh Air, alongside larger-than-life political satirist Stephen Colbert. In case you missed her appearance on The Colbert Report, here's the link on Fresh Air's Tumblr.

Months later, FCC still "obtaining additional information" on sale of WMFE-TV to Daystar

Nine months after PBS member station WMFE-TV in Orlando announced its sale, the Federal Communications Commission has yet to approve its transfer to Community Educators of Orlando, the local entity representing religious broadcaster Daystar. Orlando Weekly reports that in a Dec. 7, 2011, letter, Michael Perko, spokesperson for the FCC Media Bureau, told U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-Texas), whose includes Daystar headquarters, that the FCC had “recently completed a preliminary evaluation of the WMFE-TV assignment application . . . as well as the related informal objections,” and “it was necessary to obtain additional information” before making a final decision.

Daystar told Orlando Weekly in a statement, “We don’t comment on station acquisitions, but we are excited about all the growth Daystar is experiencing and thankful for the opportunities God has given us to spread the good news of Jesus Christ around the world.”