CPB 2018 local service report 2019

2018
ANNUAL LOCAL
CONTENT AND
SERVICE REPORT
TO OUR
COMMUNITY

Our
best work
happens for you
and because
of you.
MISSION
To enrich our communities by providing
distinctive programming and services of
the highest quality that enhance lives,
expand perspectives, and connect us to
one another.
LOCAL VALUE
WKU PUBLIC BROADCASTING
SERVES CRITICAL ROLES
IN KENTUCKY
As the only university joint licensee
(WKU PBS & WKU Public Radio) in
Kentucky, we proudly serve through
our public engagement events, digital
video/audio original content, television
broadcast signal, radio broadcast signals,
and satellite transmissions. Our base
of operations is in the heart of WKU’s
campus in Bowling Green.
PUBLIC BROADCASTING
3

BROADCAST MEDIA SERVICE OFFERINGS
Castle and Key Distillery.
Lower Right:
Marianne Barnes,
Kentucky Bourbon’s first
female Master Distiller.
PUBLIC TELEVISION
These offerings provide a continuous source of trusted
content consisting of quality news, educational content,
information and entertainment.
WKU | PBS 24.1 — WKYU | CREATE 24.2 — WKYU-WX | 24.3
(LIVE WEATHER RADAR)
icon: freepik.com
IMPACT
345 HOURS
OF LOCALLY
BROADCAST ORIGINAL
PROGRAMMING
183 HOURS
OF LOCALLY BROADCAST MUSIC,
ARTS, AND CULTURAL ORIGINAL
PROGRAMMING
132 HOURS
OF LOCALLY BROADCAST PUBLIC
AFFAIRS, NEWS, AND INFORMATIONAL
ORIGINAL PROGRAMS
PUBLIC RADIO
From the highest caliber national, international, and local journalism to
world-class arts and entertainment programs, WKU Public Radio brings
listeners a wealth of ideas, information, and inspiration every day.
WKYU-FM 88.9 BOWLING GREEN
WDCL-FM 89.7 & 103.3 SOMERSET
WKPB-FM 89.5 HENDERSON/OWENSBORO
WKUE-FM 90.9 ELIZABETHTOWN
WKU CLASSICAL (88.9 HD-2, 97.5 BOWLING GREEN)
*OHIO VALLEY RESOURCE
“
I listen to NPR non-stop. I am a sustaining member and
i’ll pay whatever you need me to pay because we
have to have NPR and we have to have PBS.
”
Amy Stiff, Owensboro, KY
IMPACT
205 ORIGINAL NEWS AND PUBLIC
AFFAIRS PROGRAMMING
21 FEATURE OVR STORIES FILED BY LOCAL
OVR REPORTER TO NETWORK OF 6.3 MILLION
IN FOUR STATES
600 STORIES FILED BY WKU REPORTERS
TO KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO NETWORK
28 HOUR-LONG, LOCALLY PRODUCED
MUSIC PROGRAMS
50 FEATURE STORIES FILED BY WKU REPORTERS TO
ENHANCE LOCAL NEWS PROGRAMS
4 STORIES FILED WITH NPR
DIGITAL
WKU PUBLIC RADIO APPS
FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE & INSTAGRAM
WKU | PBS | PUBLIC RADIO, LOST RIVER SESSIONS,
HSSN, BARREN RIVER BREAKDOWN
4 WKU | PBS | NPR
PUBLIC BROADCASTING
5

LOCAL CONTENT NATIONAL REACH
TELEVISION + RADIO + LIVE CONCERTS + LIVE RADIO + DIGITAL =
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
6042 TOTAL TELECASTS
185 DIFFERENT CHANNELS
29 STATES
115,681,873 TOTAL U.S. POPULATION REACH
41.32% US POPULATION COVERAGE 109 WKU STUDENT EMPLOYEES ENGAGED
75 TELEVISION MARKETS
Folk « Bluegrass
Americana
Educational and
entertaining musical
performances featuring
Bluegrass, Americana,
Folk music in
local venues
6 WKU | PBS | NPR
PUBLIC BROADCASTING 7

Local Content National Coverage (continued...)
MAMMOTH CAVE: A PLACE CALLED HOME
Educational and historical documentary about
the formation of Mammoth Cave National Park
COOKING 80/20 WITH ROBIN SHEA
Lifestyle series promoting healthy eating
alternatives and sensible indulgence options for
families
“
We enjoy your nature
programming, your
children’s programming,
and we believe that the
service you provide
is important in our
community.
FOSTERING AN UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
An informational and educational documentary
focused on foster care and adoption
”
Dr. Jeff Reynolds,
Bowling Green, KY
8 WKU | PBS | NPR
PUBLIC BROADCASTING 9

Local Content National Coverage (continued...)
WKU FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL COACH’S SHOW,
HILLTOPPER BASKETBALL, AND
LADY TOPPER BASKETBALL
Annually scheduled men’s and women’s Western
Kentucky University athletic events
AVAILABLE TO ALL 50 STATES ON ESPN
PROGRAMMING PLATFORMS OR THROUGH FOX
COLLEGE SPORTS
62,000,000 TOTAL U.S.
POPULATION REACH
28 LIVE AND RECORDED TELECASTS 42 WKU STUDENT EMPLOYEES ENGAGED
10 WKU | PBS | NPR
PUBLIC BROADCASTING 11

WKU PUBLIC BROADCASTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES
A YEAR OF ENGAGEMENT
JAN 18 — Lost River Sessions LIVE!
FEB 13 — Meet & Greet at Preston Arts Center
(Henderson) – The Mountaintop
FEB 14 — Kiwanis Club Presentation – LRS
FEB 17 — Lost River Sessions LIVE!
FEB 24 — Lost River Sessions/WC Public Library – Local
Honeys concert (open to public)
MAR 15 — Lost River Sessions LIVE!
MAR 20 — Stained Glass Music Series – St. Joseph’s
Catholic Church
MAR 23 — Meet & Greet at Preston Arts Center
(Henderson) – Ben Sollee
MAR 29 — Owensboro Donor Reception/Meet & Greet
APR 7 — Kentucky Green Living Fair – Info Table/Meet
& Greet in Somerset
APR 13 — Lost River Sessions LIVE!
APR 15 — Hot Rods - Sundays at the Ballpark – Jackie
Robinson Day
APR 20 — SOKY BookFest Teen’s & Children’s Day
APR 21 — SOKY BookFest
APR 29 — Hot Rods - Sundays at the Ballpark
MAY 12 — Lost River Sessions Arts & Music Festival
MAY 19 — WKU Classical Sponsorship — Orchestra
Kentucky – Bach & Bacharach
MAY 27 — Hot Rods - Sundays at the Ballpark
JUN 3 — Hot Rods - Sundays at the Ballpark
JUN 15 — W.C. Handy Blues & BBQ Festival – Henderson
JUN 19 — Stained Glass Music Series – St. Joseph’s
Catholic Church
JUN 21 — WKU Public Radio Membership One-Day Drive
JUN 21 — Camp Big Red Visits WKU Public Broadcasting
JUN 24 — Hot Rods - Sundays at the Ballpark – Clifford
the Red Dog mascot appearance
JUN 27-30 —
JUL 13-14 —
ROMP Fest (Owensboro)
Master Musicians – Somerset
JUL 15 — Hot Rods - Sundays at the Ballpark
JUL 18 — Leadership Bowling Green Tour
JUL 29 — Hot Rods - Sundays at the Ballpark – Super
WHY! mascot appearance
AUG 5 — WKU PBS Pool Party
AUG 5 — Hot Rods - Sundays at the Ballpark
AUG 11 — Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival
(Henderson)
AUG 18 — Ranky Tanky Concert (Henderson)
AUG 18 — Ohio Valley Emmy Awards – Lawrenceburg, IN
AUG 26 — Hot Rods - Sundays at the Ballpark
AUG 29 — Welcome Back WKU
SEPT 2 — Hot Rods - Sundays at the Ballpark – Curious
George mascot appearance
SEPT 15 — Old Crow Medicine Show Concert – Henderson
(radio sponsorship/table)
SEPT 20 — Lost River Sessions LIVE!
SEPT 25 — Stained Glass Music Series – St. Joseph’s
Catholic Church
OCT 12 — Lost River Sessions @ the SOKY Harvest
Festival (concert open to the public)
OCT 18 — Lost River Sessions LIVE!
OCT 22 — WKU Classical Sponsorship — Orchestra
Kentucky – The Fiedler Tradition
OCT 25 — Summit Awards — WKU Public Broadcasting
Volunteer of the Year – Amy Hardin
OCT 27 — Ari Shapiro Guest Lecture – Preston Arts
Center, Henderson
NOV 10 — Lost River Sessions LIVE!
DEC 5 — ASD Fellowship Training & Community
Presentation – Dr. Jane T. Brown
DEC 18 — Stained Glass Music Series – St. Joseph’s
Catholic Church
DEC 22 — Lost River Sessions Fundraiser – Hickory & Oak
12 WKU | PBS | NPR
PUBLIC BROADCASTING 13

A Year of Engagement (continued...)
MAINSTREET
A cornerstone of information and education about
the unique attractions, businesses, and people
of our Commonwealth
UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS, BUSINESSES, AND
PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH
29 TH YEAR OF STORYTELLING
“
Public television is important because it helps to educate us, it helps to put our minds in a different place
than wherever else we are; if we are sitting in front of the television. The education part of it is so exciting to
me. I especially enjoy the pieces about kentucky, about regional and local people and places. It helps us to
continue to have a pride in place, i believe, here in kentucky.
”
— Beth Hester, Scottsville, KY
Charles Brindley a local artist whose work is known
nationwide for his fascinating depiction of trees.
Patrick Dougherty’s Stickworks project
installation on WKU campus.
WKU STUDENT IMPACT
37 WKU STUDENTS EMPLOYED
VARIOUS MAJORS AND BACKGROUNDS
PAID PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
C.M. ANDERSON FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
(one or two students annually)
Patrick Dougherty’s Stickworks project
14 WKU | PBS | NPR
installation on WKU campus. PUBLIC BROADCASTING
15

A Year of Engagement (continued...)
WKU PBS POOL PARTY
18th year
Designed to bring families together
WKU PBS pool party was held at Russell Sims Aquatic Center
on August 5th 2018, featuring Cat in the Hat character.
Southern
KentuckyBook Fest
OUTSIDE THE BOOK
Is an annual collaborative initiative with Southern Kentucky BookFest
to host a series of significant, national and regional authors.
WKU PBS interviews authors at the Southern Kentucky Book Festival
on April 21st 2018 at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center for the show
Outside the Book. One professional staff member oversees student
crew for the production.
16 WKU | PBS | NPR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
17

RECOGNITION OF OUR IMPACT
PUBLIC TELEVISION
WKU PBS EMMY NOMINATIONS
2018 OHIO VALLEY REGIONAL EMMY
AWARDS BY THE NUMBERS
Arts/Entertainment - Program: Lost River Sessions
Darius Barati (’07), Neil Purcell (’15), Kelli Brock (‘17),
Jeff Petrocelli
Audio: Lost River Sessions presents:
Jeff Petrocelli, Sam Holaday
Lighting: Lost River Sessions
Darius Barati
Darius Barati (’07), Neil Purcell (’15) and Kelli Brock (’17),
all WKU graduates, and Jeff Petrocelli were nominated
this year for Lost River Sessions.
Brock, a first-time nominee, said: “My first day as a
student at WKU, I walked into WKU PBS with hopes that I
would be able to spend my time learning more about the
industry. With that said, I didn’t realize this station would
become a second home to me. I spent countless hours of
my college career doing what I love with some of the most
talented, driven, and funniest people I know.”
David Brinkley, WKU Director of Public Broadcasting, has
been inducted into the Silver Circle for Distinguished
Service by the National Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences’ Ohio Valley Chapter.
25 EMMY AWARDS RECEIVED BY WKU PBS
STAFF OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS
15 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF EMMY NOMINATIONS
4 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF NOMINATIONS
FOR LOST RIVER SESSIONS
3 DIFFERENT CATEGORIES RECEIVING NOMINATIONS
4 WKU PBS EMPLOYEES RECEIVING
NOMINATIONS/HONORS THAT ARE
WKU GRADUATES
2 EMMY AWARDS THIS YEAR
1 SILVER CIRCLE INDUCTEE
(WKU PBS has the only 3 received in market history)
These performances
showcased local
attractions and businesses
in southcentral Kentucky.
These episodes featured
the Artist Pad and Loft
B&B in Glasgow; Downing
Museum at the Baker
Arboretum in Bowling
Green; and Shaker Village
at South Union.
THERE HAVE BEEN 65 SILVER OR GOLD CIRCLE RECIPIENTS IN THE
54-YEAR HISTORY OF THE OHIO VALLEY CHAPTER. BRINKLEY IS
THE THIRD RECIPIENT FROM BOWLING GREEN (all from WKU PBS)
AND ONLY THE 14TH RECIPIENT FROM KENTUCKY.
WKU PBS
Student crew
18 WKU | PBS | NPR
PUBLIC BROADCASTING 19

Recognition of Our Impact (continued...)
PUBLIC RADIO
The WKU Public Radio newsroom produced nearly 200 hours of local
news content in 2018 including morning and afternoon newscasts
and long form features.
WKU Public Radio reporters produced 50 long form feature pieces
(4:00 or 8:00 minutes long) that aired locally during either Morning
Edition and/or All Things Considered.
Bowling Green-based reporter Becca Schimmel had 21 long form
reports featured on the Ohio Valley ReSource, reaching a potential
6.3 million listeners from Paducah to Lexington; Louisville to Bowling
Green in Kentucky; along with stations across West Virginia and
southeast Ohio.
WKU Public Radio reporters filed 600 stories to the Kentucky Public
Radio Network. These reports aired on statewide newscasts as well
as individual station newscasts in Louisville, Lexington, Murray, and
Paducah as well as our local newscasts in Bowling Green, Owensboro,
Elizabethtown, and Somerset.
TWO ESSENTIAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE
NEWSWORTHY CONTENT FROM AND FOR
OUR REGION
THE KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO NETWORK
Through Corporation for Public Broadcasting and station support,
KPRN, is a consortium of public radio stations that share news
content and resources. Stations collaborate daily on content, our
facilities interconnected, leading to a regular newscast distributed
across Kentucky.
THE OHIO VALLEY RESOURCE (OVR)
This past year marked the first full year for the Ohio Valley
ReSource. Made up of seven public radio stations from Kentucky
to West Virginia and Ohio, the ReSource features a weekly fourminute
feature covering infrastructure, agriculture or social issues
that are transforming the region. In 2018, there was an additional
two-minute “superspot” from the OVR that runs later in the week,
covering an issue or update that is still of importance, but may not
warrant a full feature.
4 STORIES FILED WITH NPR FEATURING
LOCAL REPORTERS BECCA SCHIMMEL
(COAL MINER HEALTH ISSUES AND
ALUMINUM PRODUCTION) AND LISA
AUTRY (COURT TRIAL INVOLVING A
KENTUCKY U.S. SENATOR)
28 HOUR-LONG, LOCALLY PRODUCED
MUSIC PROGRAMS
(20 LOST RIVER SESSIONS SHOWS,
4 STAINED GLASS MUSIC SERIES CONCERTS,
3 ORCHESTRA KENTUCKY BROADCASTS AND
1 OWENSBORO SYMPHONY CONCERT)
“
I listen to NPR and WKYU
on a daily basis. I want my
children, grandchildren
and my students to have
the same opportunity that
I’ve had to enjoy a very
balanced view of the world
and a diverse view. Because
in a rural area like we
face sometimes diversity
is something we’re not as
exposed to. There aren’t
enough good things to say
about this radio station.
”
Donnie Wilkerson,
Elementary School Teacher,
Jamestown, KY
2018 ASSOCIATED PRESS AWARDS
WKU Public Radio brought home three first place awards and
three second place awards from Kentucky AP Broadcasters in
2018. These awards reflect the outstanding work done every
day by the WKU Public Radio newsroom, bringing attention to
issues that directly affect listeners in our area.
1ST PLACE AWARDS
Lisa Autry
— Enterprise Reporting, “In Grips of Opioid Crisis,
Doctors Struggle to Find Balance Between Treating Pain,
Overprescribing”
Rhonda Miller
— Short Serious News Feature: “Students from South Warren
to Owensboro Join National Walkout for Safer Schools”
Becca Schimmel
— Political Coverage
2ND PLACE AWARDS
WKU Public Radio Newsroom
— Overal Excellence
Rhonda Miller
— Long Serious News Feature
Becca Schimmel
— Best Continuing Coverage
WKU PUBLIC RADIO BRINGS
LISTENERS A WEALTH OF
IDEAS, INFORMATION,
& INSPIRATION EVERY DAY
20 WKU | PBS | NPR
PUBLIC BROADCASTING 21

NEW AREAS OF IMPACT
ROMP FESTIVAL: CELEBRATING THE
ROOTS & BRANCHES OF BLUEGRASS
WKU PBS and the International Bluegrass Music
Museum have partnered to showcase the iconic
music festival held annually at Davies County’s
Yellow Creek Park.
Our first year of collaboration yielded 5
hours of program content designed to highlight
LIVE MUSIC IN A FAMILY SETTING.
We began airing this remarkable content in the
spring of 2018, leading up to the 15th anniversary
of the festival.
Dr. Jane Thierfeld Brown being interview by an autistic student.
ASD STUDENT FELLOWSHIP
As the rate of diagnosed individuals with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increases
This program
each year, there is a growing need to
supports the
develop employment opportunities for
training and
individuals with ASD as they transition to
advancement of
adulthood. To address this growing need,
WKU students
WKU Public Broadcasting, in partnership
with the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education
with ASD through
Complex – and more specifically the
a student
Kelly Autism Program Circle of Support
employment
– has established the Brinkley Student
fellowship.
Employment Fellowship Program.
Students gain valuable experience in
practical job training:
Television Production — Camera operator/
assist, Audio operator, Teleprompter, Utility
management
Radio & Engineering — Newsroom
assistance, Producing promos, Website/
social media, Photography, Live remote
broadcasts, Maintain/repair equipment
Business & Philanthropy — Community
events, Data entry, Fulfillment services,
General office duties
“
The (public) channels we
get from Bowling Green are
the KET’s and the WKYU’s
and those are the best shows
on TV, bar none. Mainly,
there’s no commercials.
Public television is
important for getting stories
about people. I mean, really,
life is all about stories.
” Scott Gilbert,
Allen County, KY
Photo by Alex Morgan
22 WKU | PBS | NPR
PUBLIC BROADCASTING 23

“
I’ve been a listener and supporter of public radio from California to New York, from Georgia to Texas
and Louisiana as well as Kentucky and I can say without reservation that Western’s public radio is
second to none. We’re very fortunate to have locally produced programs like Lost River Sessions
and Kentucky news coverage and such a treasure of NPR and APM programs that inform and
entertain and inspire. I listen throughout the day, and I wouldn’t want to be without it.
”
— Charles Arterburn, Bowling Green, KY
New Areas of Impact (continued...)
KENTUCKY NATURALLY
WKU PBS and the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund
partnered in the creation of Kentucky Naturally, a 30 minute
documentary. Kentucky Naturally premiered in March of 2018
and explores how preserving and conserving natural areas
creates spaces for recreation and conservation that are in
harmony with the nature around them. Kentucky Naturally
highlights habitats where rare and endangered species live,
as well as chronicles the ongoing efforts to create the longest
hiking trail in Kentucky.
THE STAINED GLASS MUSIC SERIES
WKU Public Radio has established a new quarterly series showcasing music collaborations between Ken Stein, organist and
selected musical acts not known for accompanying pipe organ music. These concerts are being held at St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church in Bowling Green. This music is recorded, aired, and archived for future generations.
24 WKU | PBS | NPR
Skip Cleavinger and Rebecca Baumbach perform at
PUBLIC BROADCASTING 25
the Stained Glass Music Series in September of 2018.

WKU PUBLIC BROADCASTING
INTO THE FUTURE
As a public media organization,
WKU PBS and WKU Public Radio
are committed to engaging and serving
Our
best work
happens for you
and because
of you.
our audience, contributing to our communities,
and positively impacting life in our country by
telling stories that have an impact.
26 WKU | PBS | NPR
PUBLIC BROADCASTING
27

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1906 College Heights Blvd. #11034
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101-1034
800.599.2424
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