WTVI Charlotte - News

Thursday, March 1, 2012

WTVI celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2 with the Cat In The Hat-A-Thon, a PBS Kids Multimedia Event

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 1, 2012) – On Friday, March 2, WTVI will celebrate the 108th birthday of Dr. Seuss with THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT-A-THON, a two-hour marathon of PBS KIDS series THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!.  THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will air on WTVI from 8-10 a.m. with encore presentations on Sunday, March 4, from 8-10 a.m.  Kids will also be able to engage with the Cat and friends through games and video content online and on mobile. 

“Families, schools and communities around the country celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday every year, and WTVI is joining in the festivities,” said Beverly Dorn-Steele.  “WTVI is honoring the legacy of Dr. Seuss with THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON, taking  kids on Seussian adventures while helping foster their curiosity and build science skills.” 

THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will feature two brand new episodes, “Seasons – Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter,” which takes the Cat, Nick and Sally on a journey through the four seasons, and “When I Grow Up/Doing It Differently,” in which Nick and Sally explore what it means to grow up and learn that trying a different approach can sometimes be the best way to solve a problem.  The marathon will also include encore presentations of “Hooray for Hair/Ice Is Nice” and “Chasing Rainbows/Follow the Prints.” 

The celebration will continue online and on mobile.  Video clips from all four episodes featured in THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will be available for free online at PBSKIDS.org/video and on the PBS KIDS Video App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.   

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! has ranked among the top ten programs for children ages 2 to 5 since it premiered on PBS KIDS in September 2010. The series is a key part of WTVI and PBS KIDS’ commitment to helping kids build critical STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – skills through engaging content across platforms. 

Images from these episodes are available on PBS PressRoom. 

Following is a listing of the episodes airing during the March 2 CAT-IN-THE-HAT-A-THON on WTVI from 8 to 10 a.m. 

“Seasons – Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter” *NEW*

“Seasons – Spring and Summer” – For Show and Tell at school, Nick and Sally must bring something from their favorite season. But how can they choose which is their favorite? The Cat in the Hat takes them to the magical Garden of Seasons, where they can visit any season they like, any time they like! They meet three young animals and journey with them as they begin to grow up. Sally decides that she has two favorite seasons, and with the pictures taken from the Snaparama camera, she now has a scrapbook of pictures to show why! 

“Seasons – Fall and Winter” – It’s Nick’s turn to choose a favorite season. Back to the Garden of Seasons to visit Fall and Winter! In Fall, they meet up with their friends from Spring and Summer to have a going away party for Candy the goose who’s about to fly south. In Winter, they have a great time playing with Sam the hare while all his other friends hibernate. Nick can’t decide on just one season, so he makes a picture of all the fun they had in both seasons! 

“When I Grow Up/Doing Things Differently” *NEW*

“When I Grow Up” – Sally and Nick are trying to guess what they’ll be when they grow up when the Cat drops in for a visit. Cat is sure Nick and Sally will never guess what his friend Puggle will be when she grows up. When they see her, they start guessing right away! A frog? A duck? No, a beaver! They discover that, while Puggle may have some similarities to other creatures, she will grow up to be a duck billed platypus. 

“Doing It Differently” – Nick and Sally can’t seem to find Harvey the guinea pig. They find the Cat in the Hat instead! Cat suggests that Sally and Nick might find Harvey by meeting three friends who always do things differently – like a bird that runs instead of flies, or a cat that swims, or a fish that walks on the mud! Nick and Sally are sure to find Harvey now – by doing it differently! 

“Hooray for Hair/Ice Is Nice”

“Hooray for Hair” – Sally and Nick are getting their hair cut today; maybe they should try new hairstyles! A trip to meet three of Cat’s friends (and some styling help from the Wig-o-lator) will help them decide! Should they have Yak hair? No, too hot! How about hair like a fur seal? Not quite, too short. A porcupine? No way! How will they ever get a hug from their moms with hair that spiky? They decide that the hair they have is what’s perfect for them! 

“Ice Is Nice” Nick and Sally want some nice cold lemonade, but there are no more ice cubes in Sally’s fridge! A trip to Freeze-your-knees Snowland will fix that! They meet Cat’s friend Polly the polar bear who introduces Sally and Nick to all the different kinds of ice that make up her home. After trying many types of ice, they find the kind that will be perfect for their lemonade! 

“Chasing Rainbows/Follow the Prints”

“Chasing Rainbows” The kids are painting a picture of a rainbow but can’t remember all the colors to use. Luckily for them, Cat takes them to Color-ga-lore to meet King Kaleidoscope, an expert on rainbows! A musical number teaches them the proper color order, and a silly spray of water leads them to discover how to make their very own rainbow!  

“Follow the Prints” Nick and Sally are enjoying a backyard picnic when they discover their last strawberry has gone missing! Who could have taken it? Cat’s friend Cluey Looey can help them! They are off to Muddyfeet Waterhole where they learn about how the differently shaped feet, paws, or hooves of various animals make differently shaped footprints. Back home, they follow the prints and discover their strawberry was taken by a squirrel! Luckily, the Cat has some more! 

About WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station

WTVI is an essential community resource that connects people in the heart of the Carolinas. A public television station, WTVI offers a diverse mix of quality programs and services designed to inform, educate, entertain and promote citizenship. From award-winning children’s programming to groundbreaking documentaries and original music performances, WTVI offers quality content viewers can trust. WTVI reaches more than 380,000 households in its 13-county area in both North and South Carolina: Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Rowan, Iredell, Stanly, Union, Anson, Catawba, Cabarrus, Cleveland in North Carolina and York and Lancaster in South Carolina. Get closer to home -  www.wtvi.org


About THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! was created in response to recent findings that children graduating from kindergarten are less prepared to learn about science than about other subjects. The series supports young children’s science learning by introducing scientific inquiry skills, teaching core science concepts and vocabulary, and preparing preschoolers for kindergarten and first grade science curriculum — all in whimsical style.

A team of science and early childhood experts developed the curriculum for the first season’s 40 episodes, each of which begins with a question posed by Sally or Nick. Although the Cat knows a lot of things, his insatiable curiosity to learn more about the world leads to adventures with Sally and Nick in his one-of-a-kind Thinga-ma-jigger, a marvelously Seuss-ian contraption that sprouts wings, pontoons, booster rockets, skis, and just about anything else needed to find the answer. The inquisitive gang travels to the bottom of the sea to observe giant sea worms, zips to the rain forest to visit animals living in Kapok trees, and shrinks to bee-size to visit a hive and learn how honey is made. Guided by the Cat, the kids figure things out by observing, collecting and managing clues, making connections, constructing and evaluating theories, and having discussions – all in a preschool-appropriate manner. Produced by Portfolio Entertainment Inc. and Collingwood O’Hare Productions, in association with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Random House Children’s Entertainment, Treehouse, and PBS KIDS, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! is based on Random House’s best selling Beginner Book collection, “The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library.”

 Contact:


WTVI

Beverly Dorn-Steele704-371-8840


Jeff Vawter
704.371.8839

###

Friday, January 20, 2012

WTVI to air special programs of upcoming Charlotte concert performers, with opportunities for choice seating and meet and greets with the artists

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 20, 2012) – Over the next week WTVI will be airing some very special performance programs with the opportunity for viewers to obtain choice seating and special meet and greets with the artists. 

“We invite our viewers to experience a television preview of some of the best performers around, singers who will perform live in Charlotte over the next few months and who support public television,” says Elsie Garner, WTVI’s president and CEO. “Our station’s relationships with these groups allow us to offer special concert ticket prices and meet and greets with the artists.”  

The schedule includes:  

Human Nature Sings Motown with Special Guest Smokey Robinson, airing on WTVI:
Saturday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 11 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 10:30 p.m. 

This program features the superlative talents of Australia's number one selling vocal group, the four members of Human Nature, presented by Smokey Robinson. Backed by a nine piece band with a full stage production which evokes the Motown period, the group tells the stories of Motown songs and performs them wearing the classic wardrobes characterizing the legendary Motown acts. Human Nature will perform at the Belk Theater on April 22, 2012. 

Rain 2: A Tribute to the Beatles, airing on WTVI:
Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. 

WTVI presents a retrospective musical experience for the whole family with Rain 2: A Tribute to the Beatles. This is a unique concert experience featuring Beatles cover band, Rain. Rain not only performs Beatles tunes, they present a multi-media, multi-dimensional Beatles experience. Combining historical footage with unique camera work and incredible costumes, Rain follows the Beatles’ career from their earliest beginnings to the psychedelic days of the late 1960s. Rain will perform at the Belk Theater on April 16, 2012.  

Celtic Thunder: Heritage, airing on WTVI:
Sunday, Jan. 22 at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 4:30 p.m. 

HERITAGE is the all-new Celtic Thunder show that focuses entirely on their Celtic and Irish roots. The group features traditional standards such as "Whiskey in the Jar," "Black is the Color," "Skye Boat Song" and "Red, Red Rose" as well as a few beautiful love songs such as, "The Dutchman", "Noreen" and "Just a Song at Twilight." Celtic Thunder will be in Charlotte in the fall/winter of 2012, however viewers can pledge now for a special meet and greet with two of the group’s members at WTVI studios on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at 6:15 p.m.   

Celtic Woman: Believe, airing on WTVI:
Sunday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 9 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. 

Internationally renowned for alluring stage productions and songs of heartwarming inspiration, BELIEVE is destined to reveal for Celtic Woman what will be a new chapter of musical enchantment to be enjoyed by the entire family. Celtic Woman performs at Ovens Auditorium on February 21, 2012.

Great Performances: Jackie Evancho: Come Dream with Me, airing on WTVI:
Sunday, Jan. 22 at 9 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 

Recorded on the grounds of the spectacular John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, this special marks the solo concert debut of the 10-year-old girl with the extraordinary soprano voice. Jackie Evancho will perform on June 6, 2012 at Time Warner Arena.   

Visit www.wtvi.org for details. 


About WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station

WTVI is an essential community resource that connects people in the heart of the Carolinas. A public television station, WTVI offers a diverse mix of quality programs and services designed to inform, educate, entertain and promote citizenship. From award-winning children’s programming to groundbreaking documentaries and original music performances, WTVI offers quality content viewers can trust. WTVI reaches more than 380,000 households in its 13-county area in both North and South Carolina: Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Rowan, Iredell, Stanly, Union, Anson, Catawba, Cabarrus, Cleveland in North Carolina and York and Lancaster in South Carolina. Get closer to home -  www.wtvi.org 

Contact:

WTVI
Rick Fitts

Jeff Vawter
704.371.8839

###

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

WTVI’s new 282 television show puts a unique spin on social media and public affairs with CLT Blog partnership

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 17, 2012) – WTVI’s 282 television show, debuting January 30, 2012, is an interactive current events show with a twist: social media discussions on current events will determine the topics and feed each show’s content. The show will stream live on the internet each Monday at noon, and will air on television at 6:30 p.m. and again at 11 p.m. the same day.  

282 is a new kind of local show that will be as interesting to watch and participate with online as it is to see on television. The weekly panel will feature local media makers - bloggers, journalists, filmmakers, social media personalities – all discussing the most significant local events of the week. Politics, entertainment, education, sports and other hot topics are all up for discussion.  

The concept was the brainchild of Elsie Garner, WTVI’s president and CEO. “I have been intrigued with the idea of starting with social media and making a TV show out of it instead of the traditional TV show informing social media efforts,” says Garner. “Our partnership with CLT Blog provides the perfect technology and audience for this modern approach recognizing new ways people interact, obtain news and discuss events important to them.” 

Carlton Hargro, the host, is the former editor of Creative Loafing, with years of editorial experience in Charlotte and Atlanta. WTVI’s Rick Fitts is the executive in charge of production, and Jere Thomas is the director.  

282 is one of many local productions from WTVI. The station currently produces Carolina Business Review, Healthwise, For Your Home, United Way and You, and The Charlotte Small Business Spotlight. WTVI also airs the Mecklenburg County Commission meetings, as well as pre-election debates and Everyday Edisons. WTVI has worked with and used the talents of many local independent producers to present local documentaries to the community, such as Charlotte's Own Bearden at 100, Rural Mecklenburg: A Vanishing Way of Life, Carolina Calling, Our Vanishing Americana, The Blue Ridge Parkway: A Long and Winding Road, Sojourn of the Strings and City of Canvas: The Story of Camp Greene.  

About WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station

WTVI is an essential community resource that connects people in the heart of the Carolinas. A public television station, WTVI offers a diverse mix of quality programs and services designed to inform, educate, entertain and promote citizenship. From award-winning children’s programming to groundbreaking documentaries and original music performances, WTVI offers quality content viewers can trust. WTVI reaches more than 380,000 households in its 13-county area in both North and South Carolina: Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Rowan, Iredell, Stanly, Union, Anson, Catawba, Cabarrus, Cleveland in North Carolina and York and Lancaster in South Carolina. Get closer to home -  www.wtvi.org

About CLT Blog

CLT Blog is Charlotte’s largest online-only news outlet and social content network, with one of the largest followings on Facebook and Twitter of any media organization in the Carolinas. Our mix of citizen and professional contributers cover the Queen City: its music, art, nightlife, sports, politics, economy, past, and future. As a locally born-and-bred collective, we focus on Charlotte’s most pressing issues and inspiring stories, and through the use of rich media like live streaming video, engage the next generation of Charlotteans. www.cltblog.com

 Contact: 

Rick Fitts

Jeff Vawter
704.371.8839

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Give charitable time and money where it counts the most – lessons from an expert

Whether you’re deciding where to focus year-end giving or making New Year’s Resolutions to be more involved with the community, it helps to have advice from someone with experience.

Beverly Dorn-Steele is WTVI’s director of educational services and community engagement.  “Ms. Beverly” has been the host of WTVI’s Kids Club and the face of WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS television station, for more than 30 years.
Beverly has impacted the lives of citizens in the 13-county Charlotte-Mecklenburg metro area by promoting community outreach programs that bring individuals, civic and youth organizations, business leaders, educators and health experts together to identify common problems, share resources and promote community-wide solutions.
In 2010, she retired after 30 years with WTVI, but she has stayed on part-time, because she says, “There are still far too many things to do for this community.” Receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine plaque from Governor Beverly Purdue, an award granted to an employee that has contributed more than 30 years of service to the state of North Carolina, was a true honor, but it was certainly not a stopping point for Beverly.
There are many worthy organizations doing wonderful things, but Beverly advises people to consider several principles when choosing volunteer activities or monetary donations.
Know your community
Beverly recommends taking the time to understand the most important needs for your city and your own neighborhood. For example, in June 2010, United Way of Central Carolinas (UWCC) commissioned the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute to conduct a comprehensive community needs assessment for its five-county service area. The primary purpose of the study was to pinpoint the community’s greatest needs and identify gaps in the current array of human services.
Based on an analysis of data and feedback from numerous local service organizations and experts from the community, the Institute identified the most significant needs and service gaps in the UWCC region. From these findings, it developed a set of recommendations on actions UWCC could take to tackle these issues.
The most significant needs identified in the region can be grouped into three broad categories – Education, Housing and Poverty, Health and Mental Health. WTVI is creating programming, partnerships and public service announcements to increase awareness and offer information and resources in these areas.
For example, the first program that fits into the new plan, American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen: A Carolina Business Review Special, airs December 23, 2011, at 9 p.m. Special guests including Governor Beverly Purdue and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief Rodney Monroe taped the program in October at WTVI. Panelists look at the graduation rate in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, new initiatives and the impact on the local community.
Gifts of time are just as important as gifts of money
Many organizations provide tutoring for disadvantaged children, help for the elderly and assistance for the handicapped, among other needs. Just a few hours of volunteer time will make a difference for you and for people you work with. Volunteering also helps you get a feel for the agency to help you decide if you want to donate money to it in the future.
There are many websites to help you research and make wise decisions. For example, the Charlotte Observer’s Annual Giving Guide (www.charlotteoberver.com/giving) and MinistryWatch.com provide details on an organization’s history and give reviews. You should also check with your employer to see if the company matches donations or offers time off for volunteer hours.
Investments in children’s education will make dramatic differences for the future
Almost 40% of kids 3-5 don’t attend preschool or kindergarten. Children who start school behind often stay behind. Young people who never see the inside of a pre-K classroom are more likely to be in special education classes, more likely to drop out of high school and more likely to get into crime.
Due to Beverly’s efforts, WTVI provides extensive community outreach for children. WTVI's Raising Readers Literacy program serves over 18,600 children located at 550 sites throughout WTVI's 13-county viewing area. Through the Raising Readers initiative, WTVI provides free workshops for educators and child care providers, children's books, curriculum materials and resources for parents. The workshops are designed to train adults to teach children the basic literacy skills that will help them enter school ready to learn. Sites include Head Start, after school programs, child development centers, home day cares and bi-lingual preschools.
The Leon Levine Foundation and the Wells Fargo Foundation have both awarded WTVI $25,000 grants to support children’s programming. The grant acknowledges WTVI’s dedication to helping local citizens improve their lives, providing teachers with free educational resources and serving area children as the most positive and trusted use of television.

Beverly recommends volunteering in programs that read to children or tutor them. Ms. Beverly and Seemore Goodstuff, WTVI’s mascot, often visit schools to read stories to the children and discuss the creative costumes the children wear to become their favorite storybook characters. They have also done projects to provide "Cyberchase" math tutoring to children at local recreation centers.
Remember the veterans
With many veterans returning home and others injured or aging, there are many opportunities to say “thank you for your service” by providing aid. For example, WTVI recently participated in a veteran job fair as part of community activities for the “Women, War & Peace” television documentary premiere. 
Equip our teachers
Look for ways to help teachers obtain continuing education and to help schools get needed supplies like books and computers. The PBS Teacher Source Professional Development Workshops sponsored by WTVI have trained 3,475   teachers and educators in the 13-county viewing area. 
Learn from our senior citizens
Many nursing homes allow volunteers to participate in activity times with the residents. You can be a blessing by simply listening to childhood stories, singing or playing cards.
Help adults overcome educational hurdles
Beverly has facilitated partnerships with community and educational organizations, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Parent University, to help area residents who lack a high school diploma or GED receive their GED through the use of GED on Television and the GED Workbooks. As of 2009, Beverly has helped 88 people receive their GED.
WTVI provides the GED Connection program for adults to obtain their GEDs by watching television programming and completing chapters in a companion workbook. GED Connection airs weekdays at 5:30 a.m. WTVI also provides Workplace Essential Skills for adults who are looking for a new job or want to improve their skills. The program teaches the viewer how to develop career goals and make plans to attain them and airs weekdays at 5:00 a.m.
Look for the gaps and make the links
Several years ago, during a costume party for WTVI’s Kid’s Club, Beverly noticed neighborhood children peering through the fence at all of the festivities, unable to afford membership in the club.

During her career at WTVI, she had seen tensions mount between the mostly low-income neighborhood residents and the station. A fence between the neighborhood and the station was necessitated by minor acts of aggression such as tires of staff members being slashed. Still, Beverly vowed to put her diverse public television experience to work on the problem. She pursued and obtained a Front Porch grant from the Community Building Initiative (CBI) in 2005. She held the station’s first open house and conducted tours in the summer, when children were out of school. Local residents signed up for the GED program. Beverly purchased videos and workbooks from KET and held quarterly sessions to give residents an opportunity to ask questions. But, she wanted to bring in the children, so she combined the GED program with WTVI’s PBS Ready to Learn initiative and created the WTVI Family Literacy Alliance. As one activity, for example, parents and children alternate reading a book. Started in November 2005, the Family Literacy Alliance has grown to include 57 families. Today, there are no more flat tires in the parking lot and no more children wishing they were part of the fun.
The arts are part of overall intelligence
In late 2010, the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg began development of power2give.org, a groundbreaking new website designed to address changing trends in philanthropic giving. The final product is a unique website that allows anyone to easily give a gift to the organizations and projects they are most passionate about. 
WTVI is dedicated to helping people improve their lives, providing teachers with free educational resources, engaging viewers in civil conversations about issues and serving children as the most positive and trusted use of television. Ms. Beverly challenges all citizens to get involved and to truly “Get Closer to Home.” www.wtvi.org

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

WTVI commits to more than 3,000 hours of programming and outreach addressing United Way community priorities

UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute provides research to guide programs 

WTVI’s president and CEO,  Elsie Garner, was so impressed with research commissioned by the United Way of Central Carolinas (UWCC), that she has aligned WTVI’s already extensive community outreach program with the UWCC’s Community Needs Assessment 2011. She has committed to maximize WTVI’s strengths in public awareness and coalition-building to support UWCC’s community priorities with a minimum of 3,300 broadcast hours, 40 workshop events, 1,200 public service announcements and 12 new partnerships. 

"We're excited that WTVI is designing programming that addresses the needs found in our recent five-county Community Needs Assessment," says Jane McIntyre, executive director of United Way of Central Carolinas. "The Needs Assessment, which was developed in partnership with the Urban Institute at UNC Charlotte, clearly outlines some of the highest priorities in our region including education, housing and poverty, and health and mental health. WTVI is creating programming and public service announcements to increase awareness and offer information and resources in these areas. WTVI is a tremendous resource for our community.” 

In June, 2010, UWCC commissioned the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute (the Institute) to conduct a comprehensive community needs assessment for its five-county service area. The primary purpose of the study was to pinpoint the community’s greatest needs and identify gaps in the current array of human services.  

Based on an analysis of data and feedback from numerous local service organizations and experts from the community, the Institute identified the most significant needs and service gaps in the UWCC region. From these findings, it developed a set of recommendations on actions UWCC could take to tackle these issues.  

“The research team at UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute is excited and pleased to hear that WTVI has adopted the recently completed United Way Needs Assessment for its outreach projects this year,” says Bill McCoy, of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute Research Team. “The needs identified in the report are universal and chronic.  Progress in meeting these needs can only occur if the community comes together and responds to help lessen the needs of these less fortunate. WTVI is to be applauded for accepting the role of community leader in bringing people together to address these needs.”  

The most significant needs identified in the region can be grouped into three broad categories – Education, Housing and Poverty, Health and Mental Health. After reviewing the research, Garner asked Jeanine Budreau of the United Way to attend WTVI’s board retreat on September 22, 2011, and present the community needs. WTVI board member Patty Perkins also moderated a panel of community leaders to discuss the kind of community they wanted to live in.   

Supported by grant funding and donations from viewers, WTVI has always provided speakers, activities, and curriculums to support teachers in the classroom; partnered with local businesses to meet community needs; hosted community sneak preview events for popular programs; and supported professional development of adult learners. WTVI has been recognized as one of the top five Ready to Learn (RTL) stations by the U.S. Department of Education, providing a unique educational safe haven for kids on TV and online.
The first program that fits into the new plan is American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen: A Carolina Business Review Special that aired November 6, 2011, and will air again on December 23. Special guests including Governor Beverly Purdue and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief Rodney Monroe taped the program on October 11 at WTVI. Panelists look at the graduation rate in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, new initiatives and the impact on the local community. 
“WTVI is delighted to continue our community service mission by aligning our outreach with research from UNCC to make sure the most important community issues are addressed first,” says Garner. “I look forward to seeing the difference we can make on education, housing and poverty, and health.”

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

WTVI provides production crew for For Your Home, a show giving a national voice to Autism Speaks

CHARLOTTE, NC (November 15, 2011) – For the second year in a row, WTVI is providing the production crew and is the presenting station for the nationally-distributed television show For Your Home. The show airs Thursdays on WTVI at 6:30 p.m. In addition, the series airs on Sundays and Wednesdays on Create at 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. The show is syndicated in more than 85 percent of the U.S. market.

For Your Home provides expert advice on improving and enjoying the home, garden and family life. Every show provides tips and doable project ideas from design expert, Vicki Payne, and every season is committed to supporting a charity.

"It is with great pride that we work on a locally produced show and then to be able to supply it to the nation, right here from Charlotte, using our own crew,” says Rick Fitts, WTVI’s executive producer. “This show truly makes a positive impact on the community and builds partnerships that are sustainable beyond the shows airings.”

Fitts edits the show. Randy Fulp, WTVI’s director of photography, co-directs the show with Payne and manages the production crew from WTVI that works in conjunction with Vicki Payne’s company, Cutters Productions.

Over the years, the show has built and decorated homes for the Susan G. Komen organization; given a creative hand at Victory Junction, a camp for children with critical illnesses and helped single mom’s provide a better atmosphere for their kids. This year, For Your Home has partnered with Autism Speaks, North American’s largest autism science and advocacy organization to help support those impacted by autism and educate the public on the issues facing these families. Through the course of six, 30-minute episodes, For Your Home will tackle home improvement issues in the homes of families coping with this complex neurobiological disorder. The autism-related shows are taping now and will air in 2012.

“With the help of the Charlotte chapter of Autism Speaks, the show has gathered a team of consultants, doctors and parents that have helped guide producers through this season’s projects. Two of the top issues facing families coping with an autistic child are security and making ends meet when it comes to paying for much needed ABA therapy vs. home improvements,” says Payne.

Local families were selected to participate based on their home improvement issues and the specific needs of their child. Some homes require improvements to their outdoor spaces, kitchens, bathroom and home-based learning centers. FYH viewers will have the opportunity to meet six different families and be inspired by their strength and dedication to overcome tremendous challenges they face every day.

For Your Home is one of many local productions from WTVI. The station currently produces Carolina Business Review, Healthwise, United Way and You and The Charlotte Small Business Spotlight. It also airs the Mecklenburg County Commission meetings as well as pre-election debates and Everyday Edisons. WTVI has worked with and used the talents of many local independent producers to present local documentaries to the community, such as Charlotte's Own Bearden at 100, Rural Mecklenburg: A Vanishing Way of Life, Carolina Calling, Our Vanishing America, The Blue Ridge Parkway: A Long and Winding Road, Sojourn of the Strings and City of Canvas: The Story of Camp Greene.


About WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station
WTVI is an essential community resource that connects people in the heart of the Carolinas. A public television station, WTVI offers a diverse mix of quality programs and services designed to inform, educate, entertain and promote citizenship. From award-winning children’s programming to groundbreaking documentaries and original music performances, WTVI offers quality content viewers can trust. WTVI reaches more than 380,000 households in its 13-county area in both North and South Carolina: Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Rowan, Iredell, Stanly, Union, Anson, Catawba, Cabarrus, Cleveland in North Carolina and York and Lancaster in South Carolina. www.wtvi.org

Contact:

WTVI
Jeff Vawter
704.371.8839
jvawter@wtvi.org

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

WTVI Unveils New Brand Identity

Marketing partner, RED F, assists in effort to rebrand public television station.

[CHARLOTTE, NC] – November 3, 2011- Starting this week, WTVI will begin to unveil a new logo and tagline, developed by local marketing partner RED F. The rebrand has been in process over the past three months, in an effort to update the face of WTVI and generate greater community awareness and support.

WTVI asked RED F to assist in developing this fresher look in order to attract a younger audience and communicate its vision of taking the viewer beyond television.

“It had been years since we had a logo change. We wanted to signal something brighter and less static,” said Elsie Garner, President and CEO of WTVI. “This logo has a strong visual impact and evokes a mood of energy and celebration.” The new tagline, “Get closer to home”, is intended to evoke feelings of security and coziness, whether that means getting together with your children to watch Sesame Street or with friends to watch NOVA.

“Public television is where the ‘good stuff’ is shown and a lot of people watch at home,” said Garner. “Also, to me, it signals a certain Charlotte philosophy of valuing and celebrating our homes and our local institutions, such as WTVI. After all, WTVI is the only locally-licensed, locally-programmed, and locally-owned public television station!”

"We were very pleased to be able to work with WTVI, one of our community’s great resources, with this rebrand,” said Sara Garces, CEO of RED F. “We believe very much in giving back to the community in which we live and work.”

Viewers will begin to see the new logo and tagline on on-air programming and the new WTVI website, http://www.wtvi.org/, this week. The logo will be officially unveiled on November 9 during the premiere of the WWI Camp Greene documentary at the Mint Museum.

“Everyone here is very excited to unveil our new look,” said Garner. “We know this will make a huge difference for us in making an impact on the community and generating awareness and support of our programming.”



About WTVI
WTVI is an essential community resource that connects people in the heart of the Carolinas. A public television station, WTVI offers a diverse mix of quality programs and services designed to inform, educate and entertain. From award-winning children’s programming to groundbreaking documentaries and original music performance, WTVI offers quality content viewers can trust. WTVI reaches more than 380,000 households in its 13-county area in both North and South Carolina: Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Rowan, Iredell, Stanly, Union, Anson, Catawba, Cabarrus, Cleveland in NC and York and Lancaster in SC. For more information, visit http://www.wtvi.org/.

About RED F
RED F is a full-service advertising agency and marketing technology company committed to solving the toughest marketing challenges for the world’s best companies. RED F offers expertise in the areas of multicultural, mobile and real-time marketing to fuel an even great consumer connection and improved ROI. RED F has been named on the Inc. 500/5000 list of the fastest growing companies five times, and was named one of The Principal® 10 Best Companies in 2011. Founded in 1999, the agency is MWBE certified, is based in Charlotte, NC. For more information, visit http://www.redf.com/.



Contact:
Elsie Garner
egarner@wtvi.org
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