Writer's Guild suggests big-media funding for pubTV public affairs programs

The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) has put forth an interesting idea: If the FCC allows more big media company mergers, it should require the companies to pay for public affairs programming on pubTV. The suggestion was part of WGAE's comments to the commission Thursday (July 8) during its quadrennial review of media ownership rules, according to Broadcasting & Cable. "[I]f media conglomerates insist on being permitted to consolidate their hold on the media marketplace, in exchange they can be required to contribute assets to public programming," said WGAE. The Guild represents thousands of TV writers, editors and producers in entertainment and news.

WAMU starts up broadcast as WRAU in Ocean City, Md.

WAMU, 88.5 FM in Washington, D.C., last week began broadcasting in Ocean City, Md., as WRAU 88.3 FM, Ocean City Today reported today (July 9). The new channel will carry WAMU's programming as well as local news, traffic and weather. Caryn Mathes, WAMU g.m., called WRAU "a great opportunity to build and grow the audience.”

APTS interim CEO meets with FCC officials to discuss spectrum

The board chairman and the interim head of the Association of Public Television Stations met with the FCC Wednesday (July 7) to talk spectrum. In an interview with Broadcasting & Cable, Lonna Thompson, APTS temporary CEO and general counsel, said she told officials that pubcasters were "open to ideas" and dialogue about maximizing the use of the spectrum, but not at the expense of the service stations provide. "[M]erely saying 'let's transition them all to broadband' isn't the answer because many of the audiences we serve don't have access to broadband," she said. APTS Board Chairman Rod Bates, g.m. of Nebraska Educational TV, "provided a first-hand pitch on the value of his spectrum," B&C said.

NPR's Nina Totenberg wins this year's Murrow Award

NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg is the recipient of this year's prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award, CPB announced today (July 8). CPB has presented the honor since 1977 to individuals who "foster public radio's quality and service and shape its direction." It's named for the legendary newsman who championed high-quality journalism during his three-decade career. Totenberg has been with NPR for 35 years. Her reports air regularly on All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition. And no doubt she's the only Murrow Award winner with a carry-all named after her: The Nina Totin' Bag. ("Due to extremely high demand ... now in its second edition!" points out the online NPR shop.)

UNC-TV turns over subpoenaed footage, data and records to state Senate

About a dozen North Carolina Senators on Tuesday (July 6) watched unaired news footage that the state's public TV network had been ordered to provide, reports Bloomberg Business Week. The subpoena from the Senate Judiciary Committee was part of its ongoing investigation into Alocoa's efforts to secure a new federal license for hydroelectric dams. UNC-TV on July 5 turned over news report footage, data and records on the issue, prior to broadcast. Steve Volstad, a spokesman for UNC-TV, told local TV station WRAL that the network decided not to fight the subpoena because state law requires public agencies to turn over information sought by any legislative committee, and UNC-TV attorneys weren't sure the footage would fall under the state's 1999 press shield law. The move to subpoena UNC-TV -- as well as the network's response -- was widely criticized locally, including editorials in the Winston-Salem Journal and the News & Record, as well as a column in the News & Observer.

PRX/WBUR local station app now on iTunes

The local pubcasting station iPhone app, announced in January, has been okayed by Apple and is now available in its iTunes store, says the Nieman Journalism Lab. It's a free download from PRX and WBUR in Boston. One cool feature: There’s also an alarm clock that will play WBUR to wake you up. That idea was suggested by a listener. Although this one is WBUR-centric, its developers hope other stations develop similar apps using its open-source license. Here's more info from PRX.

PBS earns 32 Primetime Emmy Award nominations; "Cranford" scores seven

Primetime Emmy nods are out and PBS was the fifth most-honored network with 32. Topping the list was HBO with 101, then ABC with 63, CBS with 57 and NBC with 48. Masterpiece's "Return to Cranford" (above) received seven nominations, The National Parks: America's Best Idea from Ken Burns had five, and "Emma" on Masterpiece scored four. A total of 512 nominations were announced early today (July 8). Visit the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences site for this complete list (PDF).

National Public Radio is no more

Well, it's official. National Public Radio is now just NPR, reports the Washington Post. "Much like the corporate names KFC or AT&T, the initials now stand for the initials," the paper notes. NPR hasn't formally announced the rebranding but has told its staff and affiliates to use only the initials on the air or online. NPR President Vivian Schiller first publicly mentioned the change in June at D8, the Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital conference.

City of Green Bay mulls paying costs for LZ Lambeau pubTV outreach

The Green Bay (Wisc.) City Council continues its debate on assisting Wisconsin Public Television with its $350,000 deficit left over from the massive LZ Lambeau Outreach in May (Current, June 8, 2010). Members of the council's finance committee voted July 6 to provide WPT $25,000; the issue returns to the full council July 20, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette. The council is trying to decide whether the city should donate part or all of its $48,665 in expenses for police protection and other services during the tribute to Vietnam veterans, which drew some 70,000 visitors to the city May 21-23. LZ Lambeau organizers said they could pay all the costs, but were offering Green Bay a chance to support the effort as a co-sponsor.

NPR selects new chief financial officer

Deborah A. Cowan is the new chief financial officer at NPR, the network announced today (July 7). Cowan is currently senior v.p. of finance at Radio One Inc., the nation's largest radio broadcaster targeting African-American and urban audiences. Before joining Radio One in 2001, she held financial positions with IBM and Coopers & Lybrand. She succeeds Jim Elder, who came on as CFO in 2000. Cowan's first day is Aug. 2. She'll report to Debra Delman, senior v.p.of strategic operations and finance.