In search of the next new science series, PBS will premiere three pilots on New Year's Day via streaming video on pbs.org, with the television broadcasts kicking off January 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS member stations. Audiences nationwide will be invited to weigh in on their favorite, and the ultimate choice will move on to become a new 10-week series projected to debut in fall 2007.
This is the first time PBS has introduced full specials online in advance of the television broadcast, offering a unique interactive dialogue with viewers about the programs they are seeking from their public television stations. The announcement was made by John Boland, Chief Content Officer, PBS.
"Technology is not only allowing PBS member stations more opportunities to provide viewers even greater access to the best content available, but also new ways to interact with our audiences, delivering a level of value and engagement that only a public service media environment can," said Mr. Boland.
The three new pilots include WIRED SCIENCE, a production of KCET Los Angeles in association with Wired magazine; SCIENCE INVESTIGATORS, from WGBH Boston and Lion TV; and 22ND CENTURY, produced by Tower Productions in collaboration with Boston Science Communications and Twin Cities Public Television. Each special will be available via free streaming video on pbs.org and as free video podcasts on Apple's iTunes player. The PBS television broadcasts begin January 3 for three consecutive Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. (check local listings); on-air promos will invite the audiences to submit reviews of the shows online at each of the program sites accessible through pbs.org/science. Viewer feedback, as well as additional audience-based research, will help inform PBS' decision to greenlight one pilot as the next new science series slated to premiere with an initial 10-week run in fall 2007.
"Popular, long-running shows like NOVA and specials such as THE ELEGANT UNIVERSE have proven that the American public has a rich appetite for science- related programming, and research has told us that they are looking for more high-quality choices from PBS," added John F. Wilson, Senior Vice President & Chief TV Programming Executive, PBS.
The science pilots were funded by a special grant co-managed by CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) and PBS. The initiative was inspired by the results of a CPB primetime research study that indicated strong viewer interest in PBS science-related programming. From an initial request for proposals that yielded more than 19 submissions, PBS winnowed the field to three.
