DETROIT PUBLIC MEDIA
Programs
Detroit Public Media Broadcasting
BROADCAST: DETROIT PUBLIC MEDIA OPERATES WTVS DETROIT PBS, WHICH CONTINUES TO OPERATE AS THE ONLY LOCALLY-OWNED, INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT TELEVISION STATION IN METROPOLITAN DETROIT, BROADCASTING ON FIVE DIGITAL CHANNELS: 56.1, 56.2 (DETROIT PBS KIDS), 56.3 (CREATE), 56.4 (WORLD), AND 56.5 (MICHIGAN LEARNING CHANNEL). THE FOUNDATION ALSO MANAGES 90.9 WRCJ FM AND HD-1, DETROIT'S ONLY PUBLIC RADIO STATION DEDICATED TO CLASSICAL AND JAZZ MUSIC. VIEWERSHIP AND PUBLIC TRUST FOR DETROIT PBS:DETROIT PBS IS THE ONLY PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION IN THE DETROIT MARKET AND MICHIGAN'S MOST-WATCHED PUBLIC STATION, REGULAR VIEWED BY NEARLY 2 MILLION PEOPLE IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN AND THROUGHOUT CANADA.PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS BEEN NAMED THE MOST TRUSTED INSTITUTION IN AMERICA FOR 21 YEARS IN A ROW (SOURCE: MARKETING & RESEARCH RESOURCES, JANUARY 2024). 90.9 WRCJ FM IS LISTENED TO BY MORE THAN 150,000 LISTENERS IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN EACH WEEK AND IS STREAMED WORLDWIDE ON WRCJFM.ORG.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$6.5MContent Production and Community Engagement
PRODUCTION & CONTENT CREATION:THE PRODUCTION TEAM CONTINUES TO PRODUCE CONTENT IN SPACES THROUGHOUT METRO DETROIT MARYGROVE, LAWERENCE TECH UNIVERSITY, AS WELL AS TAKING THE DETROIT PBS HD PRODUCTION TRUCK ON THE ROAD TO CAPTURE IMPORTANT CONFERENCES, EVENTS, AND CONCERTS. BELOW ARE PRODUCTIONS BY CATEGORY. ARTS AND CULTURE: DETROIT PERFORMS: LIVE FROM MARYGROVE IS A WEEKLY TELEVISION SERIES THAT INCLUDES A DIGITAL PRESENCE. THE SERIES HAS BEEN RECORDED AT THE MARYGROVE CONSERVANCY THEATER AND FEATURES DETROITERS PERFORMING WITH A DIFFERENT ARTS AND CULTURAL PARTNER CURATING EACH EPISODE. THIS FORMAT ASSURES A DIVERSE LINEUP OF MUSICIANS, ARTISTS, STORYTELLERS, ACTORS AND OTHER PERFORMANCE ARTISTS, ALL PRESENTING ORIGINAL MATERIAL. THIS PAST YEAR, DETROIT PERFORMS RECORDED SPECIAL EPISODES AT GREATER GRACE TEMPLE IN DETROIT, FEATURING LOCAL GOSPEL CHOIRS. SPHINX FINALS CONCERT: DETROIT PBS PARTNERED WITH THE SPHINX ORGANIZATION TO LIVESTREAM AND BROADCAST THE 27TH ANNUAL SPHINX FINALS COMPETITION CONCERT. THE SPHINX COMPETITION OFFERS YOUNG BLACK AND LATINX CLASSICAL STRING PLAYERS A CHANCE TO COMPETE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF AN INTERNATIONAL RENOWNED PANEL OF JUDGES AND TO PERFORM WITH ESTABLISHED PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS IN A COMPETITION SETTING. LIVE STREAMING AND BROADCAST SERVICES: DETROIT PBS REGULARLY PROVIDES PRODUCTION SERVICES TO CONNECT EVENTS WITH LARGER AUDIENCES. CLIENTS IN FY24 INCLUDED "MACKINAC POLICY CONFERENCE", "DETROIT JAZZ FESTIVAL", "LIBRARY OF CONGRESS NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL", AND "KEVIN'S SONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON SUICIDE". 90.9 WRCJ: DETROIT'S ONLY CLASSICAL AND JAZZ RADIO STATION PRODUCED CONCERT BROADCASTS BY THE DETROIT OPERA AND THE DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, AND RECORDED CONCERTS FROM MICHIGAN PHILHARMONIC AND ANN ARBOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. IN ADDITION, EACH WEEK 90.9 WRCJ HOSTS AN HOUR OF CLASSICAL CONCERTS FROM MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY WHICH FEATURES FACULTY ARTISTS, STUDENT ENSEMBLES, AND GUESTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, CAPTURED IN PERFORMANCE AT COOK RECITAL HALL, FAIRCHILD THEATRE AND WHARTON CENTER COBB GREAT HALL ON THE MSU CAMPUS. CHILDREN AND EDUCATION:DETROIT PBS KIDS IS A DIGITAL BROADCAST CHANNEL (56.2) AND ONLINE SERVICE THAT PROVIDES CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING 24/7 AND IS CONSISTENTLY ONE OF THE MOST WATCHED PBS KIDS CHANNELS IN THE COUNTRY. ADDITIONALLY, DETROIT PBS KIDS PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT PROGRAMMING TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING COMMUNITY EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, AND MEET-UPS REACHING APPROXIMATELY 8,900 PARTICIPANTS IN FY24. THE MICHIGAN LEARNING CHANNEL (MLC) LAUNCHED AS A STATEWIDE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ALL MICHIGAN PBS STATIONS IN JANUARY 2021. IT IS A 24/7 BROADCAST CHANNEL, STREAMING SERVICE AND ROBUST WEBSITE WITH ON-DEMAND VIDEO AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS, OPERATED THROUGH DETROIT PBS. THE MLC OFFERS INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ARE STANDARDS ALIGNED AND FOLLOW THE MICHIGAN EDUCATIONAL CALENDAR. AN ESTIMATED 500,000 VIEWERS WATCH EACH MONTH ACROSS THE STATE. 50,000 SUMMER ACTIVITY BOOKS AND 37,000 LITERACY BOOKS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS STATEWIDE. IN FY24, DETROIT PBS PRODUCED "READ, WRITE, ROAR! 4TH AND 5TH GRADE", "FUTURE OF ME", AND "EXTRA CREDIT SEASON 5" WHICH WERE DISTRIBUTED DIGITALLY. NEWLY PRODUCED SHOWS WHICH AIRED ON BROADCAST INCLUDED NEW EPISODES OF READ, WRITE, ROAR! PRESCHOOL, AND TWO NEW EXTRA CREDIT SPECIALS.EDUCATION NEWSLETTERS: THE MICHIGAN LEARNING CHANNEL SENDS A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TO EDUCATORS (37,329 SUBSCRIBERS) PROVIDING CURRICULUM DRIVEN, CLASSROOM READY RESOURCES FOR GRADES PRE-K THROUGH 12. THE DETROIT PBS KIDS TEAM SENDS A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TO FAMILIES (6,574 SUBSCRIBERS), PROVIDING FUN ACTIVITIES AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES. READY TO LEARN: THROUGH THE READY TO LEARN INITIATIVE, DETROIT PBS PROVIDES FREE, EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND SUPPORTING LEARNING RESOURCES THAT HELP EDUCATORS, CAREGIVERS, AND PARENTS BUILD EARLY SCIENCE AND LITERACY SKILLS FOR AMERICA'S CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES. THE DETROIT PBS MAIN CHANNEL 56.1 BROADCASTS PBS KIDS PROGRAMMING FOR 7 HOURS EACH WEEKDAY, PROVIDING TRUSTED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS WERE HOSTED BY THE MICHIGAN LEARNING CHANNEL. FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WERE OFFERED TO EDUCATORS INCLUDING AN ICONIC MICHIGAN EDUCATOR FELLOWSHIP. THE MLC LAUNCHED LABS: LEARN AND BUILD STATEWIDE, WHICH PROVIDES ONGOING TEACHER ENGAGEMENT THROUGH A DIGITAL PLATFORM, MONTHLY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORUTNTIES, AND SUPPORT FROM ACROSS THE STATE. ADDITIONALLY, THE MLC HOSTED VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON WEBINARS AND PRESENTATIONS TO SHOW TEACHERS HOW TO USE MLC CONTENT AND RESOURCES.LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC POLICY: ONE DETROIT WEEKLY SERIES: THE DETROIT PBS WEEKLY NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS SHOW "ONE DETROIT" EMPHASIZES ON-LOCATION INTERVIEWS AND FIELD REPORTS OF AUTHENTIC STORIES FROM THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT. THE SERIES CAPTURES THE CHARACTER, CULTURE AND CONCERNS OF METRO DETROIT, TAKING VIEWERS BEYOND THE HEADLINES TOWARD A DEEPER LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE FUTURE MIGHT AND COULD HOLD FOR ITS 4 MILLION RESIDENTS. AMERICAN BLACK JOURNAL: A WEEKLY SERIES OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM AN AFRICAN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE. SPECIALS THIS YEAR INCLUDED COVERAGE OF THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DETROIT WALK TO FREEDOM, VIRTUAL SCREENINGS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND ENGAGEMENT EVENTS WITH PARTNERS THAT INCLUDED THE CHARLES WRIGHT MUSEUM AND BLACK CHURCHES, AND ENGAGEMENT AROUND GOSPEL, THE NATIONAL PBS SERIES THAT AIRED EARLY 2024.MACKINAC POLICY CONFERENCE: FOR FOURTEEN YEARS, DETROIT PBS AND THE DETROIT REGIONAL CHAMBER HAVE PARTNERED TOGETHER TO MAKE THE STATE'S MOST IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS AT THE MACKINAC POLICY CONFERENCE AVAILABLE TO ALL MICHIGANDERS. IN MAY 2024, THE CONFERENCE WAS STREAMED 113,505 TIMES, WITH 8,819 BROADCAST VIEWS. FUTURE OF WORK TOWNHALLS HAVE BEEN OFFERED THROUGH ONE DETROIT AND HAVE BROUGHT TOGETHER SPECIAL GUESTS TO DISCUSS DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE EVER-CHANGING WORKING WORLD. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT GREAT LAKES BUREAU: DETROIT PBS CONTINUED ITS YEAR-ROUND REPORTING ON GREAT LAKES ISSUES WITH MULTIPLATFORM ENVIRONMENTAL CONTENT. GREAT LAKES MONTHLY SERIES: THIS SERIES PROVIDES IN-DEPTH COVERAGE OF NEWS, ISSUES, EVENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE GREAT LAKES AND THE REGION'S COMMUNITIES AND RESIDENTS. A NEW EPISODE IS PRODUCED EACH MONTH, AIRING ON 29 STATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY IN THE LAST YEAR. PREVIOUS EPISODES AIR WEEKLY ON THE DETROIT PBS MAIN CHANNEL, AND TWICE A WEEK ON THE MICHIGAN LEARNING CHANNEL. IN THE PAST YEAR, THIS PROGRAM REACHED OVER 2 MILLION VIEWERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.GREAT LAKES CURRICULUM: GREAT LAKES NOW PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR LEARNING ABOUT SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH. ORIGINAL, FREE LESSON PLANS AND AT-HOME ACTIVITIES ARE BASED ON VIDEOS FROM THE AWARD-WINNING "GREAT LAKES NOW" PUBLIC TELEVISION SERIES. NEW LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MICHIGAN LEARNING CHANNEL AND THE GREAT LAKES NOW WEBSITES.GREAT LAKES VIRTUAL ENGAGEMENT: WATCH PARTIES AND TOWN HALLS CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT AUDIENCES TO PARTNERS AND PEOPLE. EACH MONTH, A WATCH PARTY HIGHLIGHTS THE NEWEST EPISODE AND PROVIDES A DEEPER LOOK AT A FEATURED TOPIC. GREAT LAKES NOW COLLABORATED WITH PBS ON A SERIES OF CLIMATE TOWNHALLS IN FY24 TO ENGAGE A NATIONAL AUDIENCE IN CURRENT AND RELEVANT TOPICS. OVER 88,000 PEOPLE VIEWED THESE VIRTUAL EVENTS IN FY24.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$7.3MCommunity Engagement and Outreach
ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH: DETROIT PBS AND 90.9 WRCJ ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING POSITIVE OUTCOMES IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN. WE PROVIDE ON-AIR AND ONLINE RESOURCES, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA DIALOGUE WITH A GOAL OF FOSTERING KNOWLEDGE, COLLABORATION AND ACTION. IN ADDITION TO THE PRODUCTIONS ABOVE, EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR INCLUDED: AAPI STORY SERIES: DETROIT PBS IS COMMITED TO LIFTING UP AND CELEBRATING THE LIVES, IMPACTS, VOICES, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN THE REGION AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. DETROIT PBS HAS HIGHLIGHTED EXPERIENCES, PERSPECTIVES, AND RICH CULTURAL BENEFITS TO THE REGION FROM THE AAPI COMMUNITY THROUGH REGULAR COVERAGE AND STORIES. THE AAPI ADVISORY GROUP, FORMED IN 2022 CONTINUE TO MEET REGULARLY TO ADVISE ON OPPORTUNITIES AND STAY INFORMED WITH PERSPECITVIES FROM THE REGION. PBS KIDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: DETROIT PBS KIDS BRINGS RESOURCES INTO THE COMMUNITY EACH WEEK, REACHING FAMILIES WHO ARE HARD TO REACH. IN FY24 THE EDUCATION TEAM HAD 76 INPERSON EVENTS, REACHING 8200 PARTICIPANTS THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS. SESAME STREET IN COMMUNITIES' WORKSHOPS FOR CAREGIVERS ARE CONDUCTED REGULARLY AT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT DETROIT AND EXPANDED TO OFFER "PUBLIC" MEET-UPS EACH MONTH. THE SERIES SUPPORTS PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS IN SETTING THE FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN. WORKSHOPS COVER A RANGE OF TOPICS TO BE RESPONSIVE TO PARENT NEEDS AND CONCERNS, OFFERING TOOLS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. BE MY NEIGHBOR DAY WAS HELD AS AN IN-PERSON EVENT IN AUGUST 2023. DETROIT PBS HOSTED AN OUTDOOR EVENT WITH 641 GUESTS ACROSS TWO TIMED SESSIONS. THE FREE EVENT INCLUDED A DANCE PARTY WITH DANIEL TIGER ON STAGE, STORYTELLING, AND 25 COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO PROVIDED FREE RESOURCES TO PARTICIPATING FAMILIES. SIX BUSES PICKED UP FAMILIES FROM BRILLIANT DETROIT HOUSES AND BROUGHT THEM TO THE EVENT. DETROIT PBS COLLECTED SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR FAMILIES WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM THEM DURING THE EVENT. GOSPEL: DETROIT PBS HOSTED A NUMBER OF ENGAGEMENT EVENTS AND PROGRAMS LOCALLY IN CONNECTION TO THE NATIONAL PBS SERIES, GOSPEL. TWO EPISODES OF DETROIT PERFORMS HIGHLIGHTED GOSPEL MUSIC IN DETROIT AND WERE RECORDED AT GREATER FRACE TEMPLE IN DETROIT. DETROIT PBS ALSO HOSTED AN IN-PERSON EVENT AT FELLOWSHIP CHAPEL IN DETROIT WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. AN 80-MINUTE CONVERSATION WITH THE BLACK CHURCH ADVISORY GROUP OF DETROIT FEATURED CLIPS OF THE DOCUMENTARY SERIES, AND CELEBRATED THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GOSPEL GENRE, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT. TED EXPLORES: A NEW CLIMATE VISION: GREAT LAKES NOW AND DETROIT PBS PARTNERED WITH THE TED COUNTDOWN ON THE 2023 SUMMIT IN DETROIT. OUT OF THE SUMMIT CAME AN ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY FOCUSING ON ENCOURAGING PROGRESS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE THAT IS ALREADY UNDERWAY AND EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT EXPONENTIAL PROGRESS AROUND THE CORNER. THE DOCUMENTARY AIRED NATIONALLY ON PBS STATIONS. A VIRTUAL TOWN HALL ALSO PROMOTED THE EVENT AND ENGAGED AUDIENCES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.TECH JOBS EXPLAINED: DETROIT PBS HAS PARTNERED WITH A NUMBER OF PBS STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON "JOBS EXPLAINED" A DIGITAL SERIES FOCUSED ON BRINGING CAREER CONTENT TO YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. THE TEAM PRODUCED OVER 100 SHORT FORM VIDEOS ON TIK TOK, INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK AROUND THE TECH SECTOR. DETROIT PBS ATTENDED MICAREERQUEST, WHICH HOSTED OVER 8000 STUDENTS FROM 150 SCHOOLS IN THE REGION TO SHARE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE MEDIA PRODUCTION AND BROADCASTING JOBS. COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS: AS PART OF THE ONE DETROIT BUREAU'S COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY-DRIVEN STORYTELLING, DETROIT PBS ENGAGES WITH DETROIT NEIGHBORHOODS AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL THROUGH REGULAR COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE REAL ISSUES AND STORIES OF DETROIT. FREE MOBILE APPS FOR DETROIT PBS AND 90.9 WRCJ CONTINUE TO BE USED BY USERS AROUND THE COUNTRY.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$2.9M
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