Press Contacts:
Carrie Johnson, PBS (703) 739-5129; cjohnson@pbs.org
Alexandra Constantinople, Wired (415) 276-4962; alexandra@wired.com
Laurel Lambert, KCET (323) 953-5246; llambert@kcet.org
PBS GREENLIGHTS ‘WIRED SCIENCE’ – NEW PRIMETIME SERIES FROM
KCET/LOS ANGELES AND WIRED MAGAZINE PREMIERES OCTOBER 2007
New Series Selected from Innovative PBS Pilot Experiment
April 30, 2007, Arlington, VA – PBS has picked up the first season of WIRED SCIENCE,
a production of KCET/Los Angeles in association with Wired Magazine, to premiere
nationwide October 3, 2007, at 8 p.m. The 10-week primetime series translates Wired’s
award-winning journalism, design and irreverent attitude into a fast-paced, one-hour
weekly television show that will span the globe to chronicle the scientific advances and
technologies that are transforming the world.
WIRED SCIENCE will also have a strong online presence at
www.pbs.org/wiredscience. The site, which re-launches in the fall, will feature
streaming video of series stories, articles by Wired writers, opportunities for audience
interaction and comprehensive educational resources that extend the viewer’s
experience beyond broadcast.
“We’re looking forward to the launch of WIRED SCIENCE this fall and offering viewers
the high-quality science fare they tell us they want from PBS,” said John F. Wilson,
senior vice president and chief TV programming executive, PBS. “WIRED was selected,
in part, based on a combination of viewer feedback and audience research that PBS
conducted as part of an innovative science pilot initiative earlier this year. The positive
feedback we receive for WIRED along with Wired Magazine’s editorial support, told us
we had the top contender.”
“WIRED SCIENCE imports the DNA of Wired Magazine into an exciting new medium
for us,” said Chris Anderson, editor in chief of Wired Magazine. “We’re delighted to
partner with KCET and PBS, as their viewers and our readers have a lot in common:
We’re all fascinated by the many ways that science and technology are changing the
world around us.”
“KCET is thrilled about the series launch of WIRED SCIENCE,” said Al Jerome, KCET
president and CEO. “As the producing PBS member station, we are excited to work
with Wired Magazine and PBS as we take on the challenge of delivering on-air and
online a weekly one-hour series that presents the crucial subjects of science and
technology in a smart and compelling format.”
The executive producer of WIRED SCIENCE is David Axelrod, Emmy® winner for the
NOVA special “Galileo’s Battle for the Heavens.” Executive producer for KCET is
Karen Hunte. Executive in charge of production for KCET is Mary Mazur. Executive
producer for Wired Magazine is Melanie Cornwell. Chris Anderson is Wired’s editor in
chief.
WIRED SCIENCE is the result of a PBS pilot initiative that was designed to find the
next new PBS science series with input from viewers. Three pilots launched New Year’s
Day via streaming video online and as weekly broadcasts beginning January 3. It was
the first time PBS had introduced full specials online in advance of the television
broadcast, offering a unique interactive dialogue with viewers about the programs they
seek from PBS.
The science pilots and Web sites were funded by a special grant co-managed by
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS. The initiative was inspired by the
results of a CPB primetime research study that indicated strong viewer interest in PBS
science-related programming. An initial request for proposals yielded more than 19
submissions, the pool from which the three finalists were selected.
The WIRED SCIENCE pilot explored the world of meteorite hunters, where space,
commerce and art intersect; traveled to Yellowstone National Park to harvest viruses
that may hold the key to a technology revolution; and went in search of “NEEMO,”
NASA’s extreme underwater astronaut training program. Viewers met rocket-belt
inventors, stem-cell explorers and Elon Musk, the entrepreneur whose electric Tesla
roadster gets 250 miles per charge and goes from zero-to-60 mph in under four seconds.
Visitors can still access information about the subjects featured in the pilot and view the
full program online at PBS.org (www.pbs.org/wiredscience).
About PBS
PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and
reaches over 75 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing
diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality
documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most
prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of educational materials for
K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS’ premier kids’
TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (www.pbskids.org), continue to be
parents’ and teachers’ most trusted learning environments for children. More
information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web
sites on the Internet.
About KCET
KCET, the West Coast flagship station of PBS, produced the acclaimed Carl Sagan series
Cosmos. In addition to Wired Science, KCET has two other national series: three-time
NAACP Award winner Tavis Smiley and the Peabody Award-winning series A Place of
Our Own/Los Niños en Su Casa. KCET is also co-producing What’s the Big Idea? with the
Henson Company.
KCET and the BBC have co-produced nationally broadcast PBS specials, including
Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State, a chronological six-part exploration of the largest mass
murder site in history; How Art Made the World, a lively and provocative five-part
investigation into the far-reaching influence of art on society; and, in association with
the Imperial War Museum, The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century, an eightpart series that was the first television production ever to go beyond the military and
political history of World War I to reveal its ongoing social, cultural and personal
impact.
KCET, public television for southern and central California, is watched by 4.6 million
viewers per month in 11 counties, the largest broadcast reach of any public television
station in the United States. The station also serves as a content provider for national
and regional PBS member stations. Other series produced from the station’s Hollywood
studios include Life & Times and Huell Howser.
Throughout its more than 40-year history, KCET has garnered hundreds of major
awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national
drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children’s
programs, and its outreach and community services. For additional information about
KCET productions, Web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community
events, please visit kcet.org.
About Wired
Since 1993, Wired Magazine has chronicled the people, companies, technologies and
ideas that are transforming the world around us. Each month, Wired delivers a glimpse
into the future of business, science, entertainment, education, culture and politics.
Under the leadership of editor in chief Chris Anderson, Wired has been nominated for
an unprecedented six consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence,
winning the industry’s prestigious top prize in 2005. Wired Magazine and wired.com
reach nearly 6 million readers per month.
Wired Magazine is part of the WIRED Media group, which consists of Wired Magazine,
wired.com and Reddit. WIRED Media is a division of Conde Nast Publications.
– PBS –