America's First Public Broadcaster Partners with Government of Bermuda to Launch That Country's First Community Television Station

America's First Public Broadcaster Partners with Government of Bermuda to Launch That Country's First Community Television Station

PITTSBURGH, April 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Broadcast history was made today as the Government of Bermuda and America's first community-supported public broadcaster announced its partnership on Bermuda's first community supported television station called "CITV - Community Information TV." The station was years in the planning and in the past four months, WQED Pittsburgh provided technical and production assistance to help the Bermuda government launch the station.

CITV's mission is to serve Bermudians, keeping them informed about their government and programs which exist to benefit them. To inspire pride in Bermudian culture, history and identity and to encourage Bermudians to vote and participate in their government.

Bermuda is famous for its tropical climate, stunning vistas and its tourism industry. More recently, it has become an international business center with a strong legal and financial services infrastructure.

Bermuda is a British overseas territory located in the Atlantic Ocean about 600 miles east of the North Carolina coast. The territory is approximately 22 square miles in area and has a population of 67,000 people.

Bermuda is largely self-governing with a democratic Parliamentary system based on the Westminster model. Britain retains control of defense, internal security and foreign affairs.

"WQED made history 54 years ago when it first went on the air -- a fledgling station with the help of the Pittsburgh community," said George L. Miles, Jr., president and CEO of WQED. "Today, technology has made our broadcasting world smaller and our community more global in nature. We are proud and honored to share our knowledge, our staff, and our experience with Bermuda's first community television station."

Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP, Premier of Bermuda, saw "CITV" as an opportunity for the government to reach out directly to all Bermudians and to open a healthy dialogue for democracy and to provide local news and information. It is CITV -- community information television -- for all of Bermuda and will deliver government to the public: history, culture and the arts, health and lifestyle reports.

"I think it's fair to say that CITV has been well received as Bermuda's first public television station," said Premier Brown, "but we don't want to rest on our laurels, we want to take that momentum and stride forward.

"WQED has a reputation of not only community involvement, but community advancement. That's exactly the future we are trying to build for CITV.

"This partnership with WQED and Pittsburgh is consistent with Bermuda's long-standing, relationship with the United States. It is a relationship that has proven mutually beneficial."

Programming for "CITV" initially aired in four-hour blocks for which WQED producers and directors provided production assistance. The first four original shows included "CITV Today"; "Explore Bermuda"; "In the Know"; "Health and Family"; and "BDA Rocks." Other programming included coverage of government press conferences and sponsored events.

CITV has plans for future programs. In conjunction with The Ministry of Education, "Schools in Focus" will feature outstanding students around the island. "Filmmakers Corner" will utilize the vast talent pool within Bermuda's community and will showcase works produced by locals. "Student Athletes" will feature outstanding student athletes around the island.

The station has an accompanying website at www.citv.gov.bm. The site is rich in information about "CITV" and includes a message from Premier Brown; a web stream of programming; program schedule; and station contact information.

WQED Pittsburgh, honored with the 2007 and 2006 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Station Excellence and 12 other Emmy Awards, was founded in 1954 as the nation's first community-supported broadcaster. WQED creates, produces and distributes quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within its community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED-DT; The WQED Neighborhood Channel; WQED-HD; WQEX-TV (A Shop NBC affiliate); WQED-FM89.3/Pittsburgh; WQEJ-FM89.7/Johnstown; a publishing division that includes PITTSBURGH magazine; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org); and the WQED Education Department.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
http://www.citv.gov.bm/

Source: WQED

CONTACT: Rosemary Martinelli, +1-412-622-6433, rmartine@wqed.org, George
Hazimanolis, +1-412-622-1366, ghaziman@wqed.org, both of WQED; or Glenn C.
Jones, Press Secretary to the Premier of Bermuda, +1-441-504-1693,
gcjones@gov.bm

Web Site: http://wqed.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment