Public radio and television stations are weighing the opportunities and risks of accepting political advertising following a federal court ruling that found an existing ban on such ads violates the First Amendment, and that running them would not undermine public broadcasting’s mission.

The decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California comes as candidates and political action groups are stockpiling millions of dollars for an election year advertising blitz expected to break records. While the ruling applies only to California and eight other western states, it could set a precedent, forcing public broadcasters nationwide to grapple with whether political ads would alienate listeners and viewers they depend on for donations….

Jeanne Hopkins, spokeswoman for rival WGBH-FM, said that the station is still studying the ruling – which could conceivably end up before the US Supreme Court on appeal – but that it doesn’t anticipate accepting political ads.

“The trusted relationship we have with our audiences and the environment we create for our programs is vitally important,’’ Hopkins said.

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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 – 5/31/2011

Jerome Lettvin

From the Boston Globe – May 15, 2011

MIT professor emeritus Jerome Lettvin was best known for his work on the 1959 paper “What the Frog’s Eye Tells the Frog’s Brain.’’ His measurements of “bug detectors’’ in frogs’ eyes shook up neuroscience.

But it was his 1967 surprise showdown with counterculture guru Timothy Leary in a debate over the use of LSD that further cemented Dr. Lettvin’s fame at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Drafted at the last minute by student organizers, Dr. Lettvin left his frogs and, with no preparation time, faced a lotus-positioned Leary sitting on stage amid exotic trance-like effects.

When Leary likened an LSD user’s involuntary recurring trips to the experiences of an ancient mystic, Dr. Lettvin, a former Army psychiatrist during World War II, replied in his booming voice with one of the first expletives ever used on television.

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From Wikipedia

The debate was televised by WGBH Channel 2 in 1967. Leary started with a mystical appearing presentation having a wild projected visual backdrop. In this segment, he made the use of drugs very appealing to the students in the audience, and they responded positively.

With humor and without losing the audience, Lettvin followed with an appeal on behalf of the higher mental functions using textbook and clinical observations as support material.

Leary finished with a sudden about-face, agreeing with Lettvin that there are dangers to be avoided.

• The Lettvin versus Leary Debate (high-resolution video, slow download)
• Image: Wikipedia

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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If you had your radio dialed to 89.7 FM most any weeknight over the past three decades, you probably heard the mellifluous baritone of Eric Jackson intone that signature phrase. This week Jackson, 61, celebrates 30 years hosting his jazz program, “Eric in the Evening” (changed a couple of years ago to “Jazz on WGBH With Eric Jackson’’), with events tomorrow and Friday at Scullers and Arlington’s Regent Theatre, respectively.

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Rebecca Eaton has been the executive producer of Masterpiece for 25 of its 40 years. She has a passion for great drama, for great stories, beautifully told, that showcase extraordinary actors.

Under her watch, Masterpiece has brought the American public some of television’s most popular and enduring dramas, including Prime Suspect, Bleak House, Sherlock and the new Upstairs Downstairs…

As Masterpiece, still on a publicly funded network, celebrates this remarkable anniversary, we Americans are fortunate to have Rebecca at the helm: someone committed to bringing great television drama to the widest possible audience, week after week.

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WBUR-FM 90.9 has long been a Boston Goliath, with a news-and-talk schedule that’s been a model for public radio nationwide.

But now it appears that thousands of listeners are leaving WBUR and tuning into WGBH-FM 89.7, which last year replaced music programs with news and talk shows very much like WBUR’s — sometimes running the same National Public Radio shows at the same time. …

Since January 2010, when WGBH changed formats, to this past January, the WGBH audience grew by 16,000 listeners, or 6 percent, to 269,000 people, according to the Arbitron ratings service.

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Friends and former colleagues of Beth Deare gathered at WGBH over the weekend to celebrate the life of the award-winning producer who died in a fire at her home in Newton in February.

Deare was remembered at the event by more than 400 people including her friend (and former “Chronicle’’ producer ) Joyce Ferriabough, her sister Lynn DuVal Luse, City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, WGBH’s Eric Jackson and Karen Holmes Ward, and Mary Fifield, president of Bunker Hill Community College, where Deare was an instructor.

Deare’s family has set up the Beth Deare Memorial Fund to help children follow in her footsteps in the arts.

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