Thirteen first signed on the air September 16, 1962 in an inaugural program hosted by legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow. Via the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Thirteen's productions reach 99% of all American television viewers -- nearly 200 million people. Thirteen originates almost 770 hours of public television programming each year. Thirteen provides almost 30% of all prime-time public television programming seen nationally. Thirteen's AMERICAN MASTERS has won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series for the past three years (1999-2001). During the 2001-02 broadcast season, 7 of the Top 15 PBS miniseries and specials were produced and/or co-produced by Thirteen. Thirteen's NATURE has won more than 220 honors from the television industry, parents groups, the international wildlife film community, and environmental organizations, including the only award ever given to a TV program by the Sierra Club. Thirteen's GREAT PERFORMANCES, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary during 2002-03 season, is television's longest-running performing arts series. The national audience of a single episode of GREAT PERFORMANCES could fill the Metropolitan Opera House 391 times. Thirteen's Adult Education projects have helped more than 1,200 students obtain a GED (Graduate Equivalency Diploma). Every year, Thirteen holds a graduation ceremony for students who have earned their GED.