From Current.org

"Rights for Downton Abbey were believed to be caught in a heated budget dispute. But the series aired to great effect."

PBS’s ongoing negotiations to curb per-hour costs of producing programs and to assert more control over content are increasing friction with its largest producer, Boston’s powerhouse WGBH, according to sources at other stations with knowledge of the situation.

For a period until just four days before the second-season premiere of the gem of this season’s PBS schedule, Downton Abbey from Masterpiece Classic, the approval of PBS broadcast rights for the series hung in the balance as WGBH protested the network’s contract demands.

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From the Boston Globe — 1/27/2012

Alex Beam. Image from IdentityTheory.com

By any metric, “Downton’’ has hit a home run. Nationally, it has more than doubled PBS’s prime-time audience. Locally, “Downton’’ is enjoying a 5.8 rating, twice as high as “Masterpiece Classic’’ ratings last year. It is too early to know if that translates into increased memberships or pledge commitments for WGBH…

I loved the first season of “Downton,’’ with its obsessive attention to the “law of the entail,’’ which forbad the earl’s daughters from inheriting their father’s magnificent property…

Season two has a phoned-in quality; miracles occur where skillful writing might have intervened, subplots wax and wane randomly. But I am an originalist snob. I’m one of those people who can’t understand why anyone would watch NBC’s “The Office,’’ a show stolen character for character for character and situation for situation from Ricky Gervais’s much funnier British show. But what the heck, it’s television.

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From the New York Times — 1/02/2012

In an effort to freshen its image and lift revenue, the Public Broadcasting Service is trying to be more like HBO — without the monthly cable bill….

Emboldened by the success of the British period drama “Downton Abbey,” one of the most critically acclaimed shows on television, PBS now faces the challenge of translating the buzz and enthusiasm for the show into donations to local stations and public financing. A stodgy pledge drive or traditional pleas for contributions would probably fall flat with viewers. So, PBS decided to fit “Downton Abbey,” which begins its second season on Sunday, into a broader effort to spruce up its prime-time lineup.

“As you know, HBO has tremendous marketing and advertising muscle behind it,” said executive producer Rebecca Eaton. “When a program like ‘Downton Abbey’ wins, its because it stands on its merits.”

The goal is to attract new viewers to PBS and make audiences think of public television more like the top-tier programming of HBO, Showtime, and other channels they are willing to pay for. “Think of PBS and the local stations as premium television on the honors system,” said John Wilson, senior vice president and chief television programming executive at PBS….

“Downton Abbey,” which follows an aristocratic English family and its nosy staff at a sprawling estate on the cusp of World War I, was first shown on ITV in Britain. It slowly built an audience in the United States after critics called it a “delightful romp.” Viewers who didn’t typically watch PBS tuned in.

The first season, consisting of four 90-minute episodes, had a nightly average of 4.9 million viewers, in contrast to 1.9 million viewers on an average night on PBS stations, according to Nielsen. The number of women ages 25 to 54 who watch “Masterpiece,” which typically has an average age of 64, was up 56 percent during “Downton Abbey.” More than one million viewers, mostly from the ages of 18 to 49, streamed “Downton Abbey” on PBS.org or via Netflix.

“It was the closest thing to water-cooler television as public television gets,” said Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of Masterpiece, produced by WGBH Boston….

Originally envisioned as a mini-series, “Downton Abbey” had such success that the writer, Julian Fellowes, agreed to do additional seasons. The second season begins in 1916 and will run for seven episodes. Its September premiere in Britain averaged more than nine million viewers or roughly a 35 percent share….

PBS doesn’t expect “Downton” to immediately lead to an influx of cash, and still plans to push shows like “Nova” and “Antiques Roadshow” in prime time.

• Excerpts from the New York Times
• Image from the LA Times

From the Boston Globe — 11/20/2011

Ron Della Chiesa, 73, voice of the BSO, sounds off on musicians from Beethoven to Lady Gaga

Over your 50 years in radio, which job has been your favorite? My MusicAmerica show at WGBH.  Starting in 1978, it ran for 18 years. I played an eclectic blend of music, incorporating live interviews with people like Dizzy Gillespie and Andre Previn. I could never have done that show in a commercial setting.

Who was your best interview? Tony Bennett, [talking] about his painting, philosophy, the business. He’s a renaissance man.

Your worst? Eartha Kitt. I was playing this rare recording of “Lilac Wine,” and she said: “It was stupid of you to play that. It’s one of the worst things I’ve ever done.” I couldn’t go to black; it was live. She had a reputation for being tough.

What did you learn from writing your new memoir, Radio My Way? It was very therapeutic. Reflecting back helped me deal with the loss of so many people: Stan Getz, Rosie Clooney, Mel Torme. There’s a lot of history I wanted to tell about these great careers.

How long will you stay on as WGBH’s host of the Boston Symphony Orchestra? As long as I can. I feel energized. I walk for miles along Nantasket – because the ocean is music, in a How do you listen at home? I prefer to listen to one CD all the way through. I think young people are fascinated with iTunes because they can program their own shows, but I’ve done that all my life.

What do you get from classical music? It guides you through traumatic times in life. I think you can grieve through Madame Butterfly, Mozart’s “Requiem.” Can you grieve through heavy metal or rap? Through Lady Gaga? I don’t know. Maybe you can.

Do you recall the first symphony you attended? [Charles] Munch conducting the Boston Symphony when I was around 13. . . .  And my father and I were in the hall when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Erich Leinsdorf made the announcement. We all stood up, and the orchestra played Beethoven’s Funeral March from “Eroica.” Interestingly, they came back and finished the program. Talk about grieving through music.

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From WGBH – 5/6/2011

WGBH Vice Chair (and former president) Henry Becton has been made an Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The CBE, presented by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales yesterday, 5/5, at a ceremony in Boston, was awarded in recognition of Henry’s extraordinary service to the arts and entertainment industry.

Henry Becton and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

“It’s a privilege to accept this honor, which belongs to the many people at WGBH who over the years worked with their colleagues in British broadcasting to create great television and radio,” says Henry.

He adds that the Prince was very personable and commented to Henry that the award was long overdue.

British Consul General to New England Dr. Phil Budden, added, “I am delighted that Her Majesty the Queen is honoring Mr. Becton’s tremendous contribution in Boston to the special relationship between Britain and America, and that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales was able to deliver this honor in person to Mr. Becton today.

“As an Honorary CBE, Mr. Becton is hereby recognized by Britain for his exceptional accomplishments in the arts, and contributions to British culture and society.”

We salute you, Commander!

• Image credit: U.K. Embassy in Washington

From the British Embassy - 5/5/2011

Henry Becton, former President of Boston public broadcaster WGBH, has been made an Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr. Henry Becton receives his honor from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at a ceremony at The British Embassy in Washington D.C. on May 5, 2011.

The CBE, presented by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, was awarded in recognition of Mr Becton’s extraordinary service to the arts and entertainment industry.

Mr Becton joined WGBH as a producer in 1970. Under his leadership from 1984 until his retirement in 2007, WGBH was the American co-producer of some of the most prestigious British dramas and documentaries made during that time.

British Consul General to New England, Dr. Phil Budden, said:

“I am delighted that Her Majesty The Queen is honouring Mr. Becton’s tremendous contribution in Boston to the special relationship between Britain and America, and that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales was able to deliver this honour in person to Mr. Becton today.  As an Honorary CBE, Mr. Becton is hereby recognised by Britain for his exceptional accomplishments in the arts, and contributions to British culture and society.”

Under Becton’s leadership from 1984 until his retirement in 2007, WGBH was the American co-producer of some of the most prestigious British dramas and documentaries made during that time.

The UK honours system recognises exceptional achievement and service to the nation, and includes non-British nationals who receive “Honorary” awards for their important contribution to British interests. All British honours are awarded on merit, and honorary awards are conferred by HM The Queen on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.

Mr Becton will receive a CBE medal and may forthwith put “Honorary CBE” after his name.

“It’s a privilege to accept this honor, which belongs to the many people at WGBH who over the years worked with their colleagues in British broadcasting to create great television and radio,” said Becton.

Mr Becton personally oversaw the co-production of many familiar TV dramas that were presented as part of Masterpiece Theatre on American public television, such as The Jewel in the Crown, Rumpole of the Bailey, Morse, Sherlock Holmes and Poirot. Between them, these productions earned several dozen BAFTA and Primetime Emmy awards. Masterpiece Theatre is one of American television’s best known programmes.

Mr Becton also helped establish a new standard for nonfiction documentary productions between US and UK programme makers. This resulted in such ground-breaking documentaries as Korea: The Forgotten War; Rock and Roll; and The Churchills. In addition, under Mr Becton’s leadership WGBH developed a partnership with the BBC and Public Radio International to produce the radio international news program PRI’s The World.

From the Washington Post — 5/3/2010

Prince Charles — better known these days as the father of the groom — arrived Tuesday for a busy three-day visit to the nation’s capital….

Before he leaves Thursday morning, Charles will present honors from the queen to three Americans at an investiture ceremony: Folger Shakespeare Library Director Gail Paster and Henry Becton, former president of Boston’s WGBH public televison station, will receive the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE); educator Martin Lancaster will get an OBE.

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