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Yet, despite the revolution taking place before our eyes, one thing remains status quo -- the vast majority of television exists in service of the bottom line. While that may be good business for some, it's not always the best television for all. So, even as the whole media landscape quakes from a seismic shift, there continues to be a single viable place to turn for television that is not about profits, but about people. That place is public television. In a galaxy of channels and services, public television is perhaps the only media outlet that is truly pursuing a higher ideal. And that is what sets this institution apart. That is what earns it the respect and support of so many. For Thirteen this past year, that respect was tangible as the station brought home three George Foster Peabody awards -- one of the most distinguished honors in television. And Thirteen's American Masters series won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series for the third year in a row. These and many other accolades we received are evidence that we offer something of rare substance and value. But they are not the only proof. We also see it every day in the fan mail from our viewers and the donations that come in all year long from hundreds of thousands of members. We read about it from critics who praise our programs as models for what television should be. We see it on the faces of our neighbors who are learning to read or earning their diplomas thanks to our outreach efforts. We note it in the laughter of children who love learning with our delightful characters. |
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And we see it in the smiles of parents and teachers who commend us for giving young ones a shelter from the stormy seas of modern media. In January 2003, we took a major step toward making that evidence even more abundant. Under the visionary leadership of Steve Rattner and Barry Shapiro, we sealed our historic agreement with WLIW. A respected producer and programmer, WLIW is a public television gem. Between Thirteen and WLIW exist marvelous synergies, promising great things for viewers throughout the region. We welcome WLIW and look forward to expanding on the dynamic relationship we began this year. Public television is a unique part of our society. Ironically, as the number of available channels skyrockets, we find public television to be ever more necessary. As this report shows, Thirteen and WLIW have made great contributions to American media this year, and we look forward to offering our region and our nation unique and valuable media experiences for many years to come.  Bill Baker President |
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