TV Worth Blogging
by David Thiel, Program Director for WILL-TV
An insider's view of public television programming and the issues that help determine what and how you watch
Vintner of the "Summer Wine"
Next Tuesday, WILL's viewers and listeners will have the opportunity to visit with the producer and director of the long-running British comedy Last of the Summer Wine when Alan J.W. Bell visits our studios in Urbana. How he comes to be here is an unusual story that speaks to the connections that WILL's programming makes with members of our audience.
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Resetting the Countdown Clock
On Wednesday, President Obama signed into law a delay to the previously announced analog television shut-off "hard" date. Instead of February 17, all U.S. TV broadcasters are now mandated to turn off their analog transmitters on June 12. This change was made in response to concerns over the long waiting list for digital converter box coupons, as well as surveys which suggest that millions of Americans are not yet ready for the switch.
However that doesn't mean that all broadcasters will be waiting those extra four months...
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Hangin' With Mr. Lincoln
I'm very enthusiastic about tonight's WILL-TV premiere of Lincoln: Prelude to the Presidency.
Oh, sure, I think that producers Alison Davis Wood and Tim Hartin did a great job on the documentary, and I personally learned a lot about the early career of the man who became our 16th President. But if I'm perhaps a bit too excited about it, it's because that's me on that horse!
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The Results Are In!
Chef! was the winner of last Saturday's 10th annual Great Britcom Vote. Fifty-two viewers called in to put Lenny Henry's Gareth Blackstock at the top of the heap. As for the other candidates...
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Cast Your Ballots!
Since 2000, WILL-TV has livened up its fundraising drive with a special night of comedy we call The Great Britcom Vote. For the tenth consecutive year, we'll directly ask our viewers which British comedy that they want to see air on WILL-TV in the future. It'll air live on Saturday, February 7 from 7:00 to 10:30 pm. Check out the candidates after the jump!
Read more on "Cast Your Ballots!"
Delay Delayed
A bill intended to move the analog television mandatory shutoff date from February 17 to June 12 passed in the U.S. Senate but failed in the House. Submitted under special rules that disallowed amendments in exchange for requiring a two-thirds majority, it was blocked by Republicans in a 258-168 vote. However, this setback may only delay the delay.
