COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA H0U8B OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
• • ft
In rei Budget Request - 1983 - 1984 PPTN
Verbatim report of hearing held In Room 401, Main Capitol Building* Barriaburg, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, February 24, 1983 3i30 P.M. BON. MAX PIEVSKY, CHAIRMAN Bon. Kurt IwlXl, Vica-Chairman Bon. Joseph M. Hoeffel, III, Secretary Bon. H. William DeWeese, Chairman Subcommittee on Capital Budget Bon. James M. MoZntyre, Chairman Subcommittee Bealth and Welfare Bon. Ralph Pratt, Chairman Subcommittee on Bduoation MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Bon. Mary Ann Arty Bon. Joseph C. Manmiller Bon. Gibson Armstrong Bon. Richard A. McClatchy Bon. Thomas R. Caltagirone Bon. Gerald F. MoMonagle Bon. Italo 8. Cappabianoa Bon. George Miscevich Bon. Brian D. Clark Bon. Nicholas B. Moehlmann Bon. Roy w. Cornell Bon. Howard F. Mowery, Jr. Bon. Ronald R. Cowell Bon. Frank Pistella Bon. Alphonso Deal Bon. George F. Pott, Jr. Bon* Dwlght Evans Bon. Carmel Siriannl Bon. Stephen Freind Bon. Nilliam J. Stewart Bon* Allen Kukoviob Bon. Tod Stuban Bon. Joseph Levi, III Bon. Edward A. Wiggins Bon. Stephen B. Levin Bon. Peter R« Vroon Reported byt Jerry Book
one Rwgirtwtl Proftnonal Reporter 135 S LanJic St***t {-fumnialrtown, l-'ennrqlvania 17036 2
ALSO FMOTWi
Bdwerd Solan - Staff Miohael Herahook - Executive Director Al Pergoson - Staff Leon Bndy * Staff Lou Groesaan - Staff
£E& ££ Pago mmtammmm Shel Slagal 35 President ft General Manager, WLVT-TV 41 Andrew Bradley, Chairman Budget c Financa Committee Shal Parker, Ganaral Manager PPTN 33 37 Rick Jonas Assistant Ganaral Nanagar Mm, Hershay 41 lira. Pose LeFever oiraotor of Pisoal Affalra Larry Masaenger Oiraotor of Vaohnloal Operation* Mrs* Joan Aoflaro Director of Community Salatlons
Philip T. Barmen^ Chairman Pennsylvania Public Television Network IPPWl )
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(The Prepared Statement of Philip X. Bttiuf Chairman Pennsylvania Public Television Network is as follows)t
Statement submitted by Philip I, Barman* Chairman Pennsylvania Publio Television Network (PPTN) for tho Bousa Appropriations Committee Searing February 24, 1993 - 3i30 P.M.
"The Pannsylvania Publio Talavision Network Commission was created in 1968 with the passage of Aot 329. The act charges the Commission with making public television available to all people in Pennsylvania and encouraging the growth and development of a dynamic, free, and effective program service. The PPT" Commission governs the network, and a current list of its members is enclosed. The Commission performs statewide coordinating functions, including the operation of the statewide network and its operating center, and makes operating* equipment and facilities, affirmative action training, and programming grants to each of the seven stations. By 1969, network interconnection facilities were operational, and the seven member stations were linked 4
through a 1600-mile microwave system. "DM seven independent noncxwnierolal stations are located in the following communitiest Bethlehem, Brie, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Pittston, and University Park, laeh station has its own board of diraotors and independently determines operational and programming policy. Baeh is individually responsible to the Federal Oossninioatlons Oossdssion for westing federal broadcast rules and regulations. In a period when government must be increasingly efficient and cost-effective, the Pennsylvania network's ability to receive and transmit programing on behalf of all seven stations has the potential to perform a task once on behalf of all seven stations, eliminating the .need of a seven-fold repetition of that same task. The consequent personnel and machine cost-savings translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
"Hasn't the era of the emergence of new electronic media--video disc, cable TV, pay-cable, subscription TV—rendered public television obsolete? A number of juries are delivering their answers to these questions, and the verdicts are in publlo 5 television's favor. In Meant weeke, both TV Quito and 0.8. Wawa and World Resort have carried perceptive artiolaa and an aditorlal deacribing why public TV la vary much ellWand wall. Tha anolosad oopiaa of raprinta ara oonaended to your raadlng beoauae they answer sons pravalant misconceptions and provida an excellent suaaary of tha overall atata of public broadcasting.
"Although public talevialon should never baoona a captive to ratings* daclslon amkara daaarva to know vhathar anyona la watching. Nationwide, public television viewerahip haa sore than doublad over tha paat fiva yaars. Statewide data compiled for tha atata'a seven public atationa indioata that tha paroantaga and numbar of Pennsylvania houaaholda watching publia talaviaion ara inoraasing daspita tha prolifaration of competition tram cable, disc, and tape. In just one year* according to A.c. Mielsen data, Pennsylvania's public talaviaion atationa enjoyed a 12 percent etatowide inoreaaa in viewing houaaholda in November 1982, over November,1981. This paroantaga increase tranalataa into 1,638,000 Pennsylvania viewing houaaholda and 2,112,000 in- and 6 oot-of-atata housaholds. in addition to public TV attracting graatar audlancas, viawars ara toning to public stations mora hours par vaak. "Katloawida audlance raaaareh studias also provlda halpful danographio lnfoxnatlon about nonccanercial TV audiancas. Tha dlvarsa programming offarad pradiotably attracts a dlvarsa audianca. Tha public talavision audianca, in aggragata, la vary moh lika tha population of tha Onitad States. Whan ona awwinaa tha aducatlonal lavals, tha occupational classifications, iaoona lavals, and minority populations, tha publia talavision audianca vary naarly mirrors tha danographio aukaap of tha nation aa a vhola. Tha oharga of alitisa, tha allagation that public 9V ia only for tha salact fair, ia ansvarad by audianca raaaareh findings* Micbaal ftica of tha Aspan Instituta diaaissas than out of hand. Ba aays that public talavision's broadcasts ara a "braaking opan of what vara anoa^tha prasarvas of tha rich and powarful— a braaking opan so radical, so insistently daaocratia, that anyona, anyvbara, by tha siapla act of toning to a particular atatlon, can hava and anjoy things that r only 20 yaars ago vara tha narks of privllaga." 7
"Any discussion about public broadcasting properly focuses on ths product or the programming which is made available to 95 percent of too people of ths Commonwealth through »PTH. Public TV is enjoying ons of ths bsst years svsr—with programming which receives high critical acclaim, some of ths industry's most prestigious awards* and ths praiss of an increasing number sad percentage of viswsrs. k more detailed look at PPTN'S programming is attached under ths heading of "WW Programming in Perspective," "Because of ths critical importance of solving the state's economic woes and because of the national leadership which WQBD/Pittsburgh is taking in producing programs on the subject of teenage drug and alcohol abuse, this statement will highlight only these two subject areas. The Pennsylvania network recognises the important role it can play through programs dealing with unemployment end the state's economy. Later this month, WHYY/Fhiladelphia will air a special on unemployment which will feature a telephone hot line and a panel of community resource people who will give advice on such topics as prevention of mortgage foreclosures, where to go for 8 personal counseling, how to keep yourself busy while you're looking for work, and job alternatives you may not have been aware of. In April, the network will be carrying WPSX/University Perk's High Tech, High Stakes end a live interconnected broadcast which will take a comprehensive look at the unemployment situation in the Crmmnnwealth*—both programs ere PPm-funded. On April 19, 1983, »T» is playing e key role in a "Conference on Pennsylvania's Economic Future" end will carry the highlights to ell four corners of the Commonwealth at a later date. Also to be broadcast later with network financial support is WITF/Harria- burg's "Hhen A Factory doses." The mention of specific Pennsylvania programs should not diminish the importance of the enhanced economic understanding which national series such as The MaoMail/Lohror Report, Enterprise, end nightly Business Report, along with the network's The People's Business and Fro-Con, bring to the state's TV viewers.
"The growing number of the long-term unemployed in the Commonwealth has made us aware of another way that public television is proving helpful. A phone call and letter to Philadelphia's WHYY-TV gave that
t 9 station credit for litorally preserving an unemployed steelworker's sanity. Tha usual daytime oommarolal programming far* lad him to become a regular watcher of Channal 12. Ha showed his appraolatlon for his continued food mental health whan ha was again gainfully ••ployed by mailing tha station a contribution.
"Last year the Bouse Appropriations Committee heard how a $23,000 PPTN production grant helped leverage eleven times that amount to enable WQED/ Pittsburgh to produce Tha Chemical People. This community dialogue on teenage drug and alcohol abuse is designed to arouse concerned interest and motivate positive action. Effective drug and alcohol abuse information and prevention information depends on people who understand the problem and want to do something to solve it* In November* The Chemical People will go statewide and nationwide via PPTW and the Public Broadcasting service (PBS).
-"''"PPT* hits.talked repeatedly about tha network's two-way microwave system and its greater potential to deliver services*and to bring certain economies to state government. The PPTN-led study. Public •'*•*• 10
Taliiiiawiniinattlona In Fannaylvanla. oonplatad a faw 'aontha ago* dtftorlbaa thaaa opportnnitiaa In mora detail. PPVM'a traffic and routing ayataa ooatrola tha aicrowava dallvary aystam and ia in bad ahapa. It la 13 yaara old, falling, and now parta ara BO longar avallabla baeaaaa tha awnufaoturar ia oat of that buainaaa. Mhila tha raooamandad funding ineraaaaa for PPTH oparationa, prograaadag, and aqulpaant ara waleoaa, thay laava aignlfioant capital aqnipnant naada unaat at both tha natMork and atatlona.
"At tha Daoattbar 9, lt»2, guartarly mooting of tha PPTN Coaadaslon, tha aanbara raaf f iraod thair lntaraat in broadaning tha niaalon of VMM to parait tha foliar utilisation of tha natMork'a diatribation and othar raaouroaa, Vhaaa objaetivaa can ba attainad by aaandaanta iatroduoad ia tha Qanaral Xaaonbly. Tha Ooamiaaion alao iaatraetad tha Win ataff to work with appropriato individuala ia and out of govaraaant to atady tha faaaibility and daairabillty of two aarvloaa whiOh ara a logical follow-up to tha public talauuaamni oationa atudyt Nora inforamtion for tha haarlng iapairad and for tha agricultural indoatry by tha uaa of talataxt. Talataxt ia tha ganario tars for 11
systems which encode printed information in a television broadcast signal and permit the saltation of individual "pages" of information by a dooodor- oqulpped user. PPW la presently airing a number of PBS shows whioh are alosed-oaptioned. Captioning is a loss sophisticated form of teletext in which the text does not appear on the screen without a special decoder.
"As Pennsylvania moves toward doing more of its business electronically, PPTO'e experience and ability in the telecommunications field becomes an even more valuable Commonwealth resource. To bring information* education, enlightenment* and an improved quality of life to all Pennsylvanians is essential, and PPM will continue to perform that role to the very beet of its ability.*
* i t ON OFFICERS lp I. Berman of Che Board f Allentown a irman s I. Pollock t, Morris Coupling Company
ON MEMBERS ew M. Bradley, CPA rg n B. Craig Coordinator Pennsylvania School for the Deaf 8h awe Froke Manager ty Division of teaming and Telecommunications Services sylvama State University ty Park s Lehrman Grass rg
. Hughes, Esq. Sh jnck E. Leu&chner t Executive Director for Communications inia State Education Association rg cable Harold F. Mowery, Jr. Representatives rg in Niebuhr, Jr. 2 Vice President nversity ihia ian Weyerhaeuser Piasecki 1 1
COMMISSION MEMBERS - 2 i
Rose la Council on the Arts ble Robert C. Wilburn Designate la Department of Education i n P. SiegeL and GeneraL Manager
Bethlehem
i ble Mark S. Singel Pennsylvan La ble Richard A. Snyder Pennsylvania 4,
J. Specter ble David W. Sweet epresentatives
11. Tollefson ector, WPV1-TV la k Toole Director, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
C. Van Dufaen ellor Emeritus and Professor of Pittsburgh
Commission Vacancy PP1N PtOlI'-AMMING JN PERSPECTIVE r types of programs are bi>.Jcast on PPfN member stations.
Shared programs are produced by PPTN member stations and distributed statewide via PPTN's microwave interconnection. Programs specifically funded by PPTN arc '1HL PEOPLE'S BUSINESS, PEOPLE'S BUSINESS SPECIAL RLPORfS, PRO-CON, and PENNSYLVANIA SPECIALS.
Nationally distributed programs are acquired through the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), or the Lastern Educational Television Network (ELN), one of public television's regional networks. PPTN Operations Center records and stores most of the incoming PBS and EES programs, giving stations the option of delayed broadcast, allowing them to air programs at a time particularly suited to their local audiences
Local programs are produced by member stations to air in their specific market and to meet local community needs. When a local program has statewide impact, it is offered Lhrough the PPTN interconnect to other PPTN stations.
instructional television programs are acquired by PPTN member stations for broadcast during school hours to students in grades K-12. These programs, which are carried over the network, are usually 15-20 minutes in length and cover a whole range of subjects such as language arts, mathematics, and science. jugli these four types of programming, PPTN continues to meet the Lie television programming priorities identified in 1974 by the pie of Pennsylvania. PPTN is committed to meeting the eight needs itified foi public television with innovative and creative £ramming. These goals and a few examples of current programming t focus on these priorities are listed below.
GOAL. A 10RUM FOR PUBLIC DEBATE
. Pro-Con. PPTN's monthly public affairs series, now in its second season, continues to present a balanced view of controversial statewide issues The Death Penalty, School Prayer, TM1 UesLcrt, Community Living for the Mentallv Retarded.
• The Constitutor - That Delicate Balance: The critically acclaimed four-part series in which journalists, judges, lawyers, and politicians clash over divergent views on crucial consitutiunal i.ssi>es. KAMMINC IN PCKbPELTIVC
COAL: A FORUM FOR THE LIVELY ARTS
. Bach Mass in B-Minor; (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) The 82-year-old Bach Choir of Bethlehem performed at Christmas for PBS viewers nationwide.
. Young Artists in Concert: (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special)
*. Previn and the Pittsburgh
*. Kenaedy Center Tonight
American Playhouse: A showcase of outstanding plays, short stories, and novels.
The Shakespeare Plays A six-year cycle presenting all of the Shakespeare Plays
Great Periorniances: Now in its tenth year, Gr^at Performances reached new heights wiLh the acclaimed "Wagner's Ring" and "Brideshead Revisited."
COAL: TO SERVE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR WORLD
*. WQED/Pittsburgh heads a five-station $6 million consortium to create family and children's programming for public television.
Powerhouse: An effective and entertaining new series directed toward inner city children.
Sesame Street: 64 percent of all 2-5 year olds watch it.
*• What's In the News
*. Once Upon a Classic
The Electric Company
•grams that have be-n produce*! by a PPTN member station for distribution. RAMMING IN PERSPECTIVE
.UAL: TO KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS
. The People's Business: PPTN's weekly capital report.
. Frontline: A new hard-hitting weekly docu mentary series.
• The MacNeil-Lehrer Report: The innovative hour-long nightly version will air this summer.
. Lawmakers
Washington Week In Review
JOAL: TO RECEIVE HEALTH INFORMATION
*. The Chemical People: (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) As a result of this programming and community outreach in Southwestern Pennsylvania, 102 action-oriented task forces were formed to combat local teenage drug and alcohol abuse. The program will be aired nationally in the fall.
. And Baby Makes Two. (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) focused on the need for communica tion between parents and children on the subject of sexuality.
• Trapped in Fear* (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) will examine agoraphobia and its treatment.
.OAL: ADULT EDUCATION FOR CREDIT AND FUN
. PBS Adult Learning: Last year (81-82) more than 53,000 viewers enrolled in PBS tele vision courses for college credit, and enrollment in the fall semester of 1982 increased by a solid 37 percent.
. This Old House
. Last Chance Garage
. The Woodwright's Shop
grams that have been produced by a PPTN member station for distribution. tAMMINfi IN PERSPECTIVE
JOAL: TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND PENNSYLVANIA'S MANY FACES
. High Tech-High Stakes: (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) will look at Pennsylvania's position in the national shift to high technologies.
. Profiles in Excellence; (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) will profile the winner's of the Hazlett Memorial Awards for Excellence in the Arts in Pennsylvania.
. When a Factory Closes (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) will focus on the personal tragedy in a plant closing.
. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships' (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special)
. Pennsylvania Journey: (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) A trip through Pennsylvania's geography and history.
The Plight of the Pennsylvania Farmer: A People's Business Special Report.
Cemetery Ridge: (A PPTN Pennsylvania Special) will focus on this historic battle near Gettysburg.
SOAL. TO HEAR PUBLIC OFFICIALS SPEAK AND THE OPPOSITION RESPOND
People's Business Special Reports: The Governor's Budget Message; The Democratic Response, Ask the Governor and Ask the Legislature (call-in specials); Election '82 In Review.
People's Business m-depth weekly coverage: Profiles of close election races; interviews with cabinet nominees; pre election coverage of third party candidates; coverage of the NOW Conference and the Northeast Regional Conference of Black Elected Officials. •^B^LIIIIV fM • IWJI iSl III^^BV^BIIIBISIIHH asBHsflsai^B^Bi^Ll l>*iirad ooi
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IB TVGUtOEOCCUMiRII 1962
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SECTION I
APPROPRIATION 34-33
NIA PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORK - NETWORK OPERATIONS
i lie Broadcasting Service u ?*^iil" ^^^. £ Mm iHl 11 J?** - -
U S NEWS & WORLD REPORT Jan 10 1883 The Editor's Page g^^^T^pS^B TV: We Deserve Better K^WUi'J By Marvin Stone
It u painful co watch the self-inflicted But questions about the intellectual will not wounds of network television After a rocket- die Nickleby" eventually appeared on a col- like flight in profits over the last decade, to lection of stations put together by Mobil Cor- heights above 630 million dollars in 1981, the poration, which was trying to embellish its cor- Big Three are looking back on a year when it porate image "Nickleby" was pronounced a was much harder to show net gains From here triumph Aside from whatever value it might out, they face rising costs of production, a have as a Dickens masterpiece, it displayed shrinking share of the nation's viewers and the acting more sincere and human qualities more prokpect of pouring out further millions to seek genuine than your usual sitcom trash a foothold in cable, pay-TV and moviemaking Reaction to "Nickleby" might indicate that In such a setting, a certain amount of panic is commercial television is underestimating the understandable, but still it seems that those are brainpower of Americans and their capacity for dollars enough to support some imagination enjoying TV's you-are-there presentations of and courage in programing What a large seg- works forbiddingly known as "classics." And ment of the public will remember, for example, they also may be overlooking a potential gain, is that the Big Three networks turned their at least in good wdl backs on the Royal Shakespeare Company's Network television now stands, in a sense, at four-part "Nicholas Nickleby" and, in some the stage reached 10 years or so ago by the cases, for reasons of their own, pressed their book industry Traditionally, the big houses affiliates to do the same had included on their lists each year some tides Remembered, too, will be that it was left to useful just for their excellence and the reputa- the Public Broadcasting Service to run the tape tion of the company When production costs of the Vienna State Opera's bouncy "Fleder- went out of sight, the business departments maus" and introduce to American television asserted their power Nothing was to issue un- Bayreuth's spirited and innovative version of less it promised big profits. the Wagner "Ring " Well, publishing is a business It is the paper- These are intellectual (read snobbish) exer- back romances that rake in the green. But book cises, in the established view of the market- publishing has lost luster Moreover, if there is place, and PBS is 'elitist" no high standard to emulate, where can the Leaving aside for the moment the question quality of the product and the level of public of whether these treasures are, indeed, purely taste go but down' intellectual, a viewer has a right to inquire If the nomnteUectual is all that is to be courted by Fortunately for television and its watchers, commercial television, where are the new ro- TV does have a yardstick: PBS There is more mantic series and situation comedies to take the to come in the season of public television—six place of those that are wearing thin' What further episodes of the Bayreuth "Ring," with fresh inventions are there to engage viewers its exciting young cast and direction, continued who have grown weary of "Love Boat" and deep-investigative reporting, perhaps an hour- Fantasy Island" and Archie Bunker and Alice' long news program, and other innovations And, the prime question, where can we turn On its uny federal appropriation, together the dial when we finally tune out the reruns of with private grants, the public network is gain- the reruns of "M*A*S*H"' ing followers who sense that PBS is where it's happening If only some of its quality could rub We all know and understand that the net- off on die people who mastermind commercial- works are prisoners of the popularity ratings television programing!
o US NEWS ft WORLD REPORT Fab 7 191 Fiscal Year 1983-84 Appropriation Request Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee
February 24, 1983 nation 34-33 PA Public Television Network - Operations ation. mary Financial Data 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 e Funds 4,412 4,800 4.952 sral Funds -0- -0- -0- sr Funds -0- -0- -0- tonnel
Costs State Funds 789 902 915 Federal Funds -0- -0- -0- Other Funds -0- -0- -0- Complement 12-31-81 12-31-82 Budgeted Authorized Filled Authorized Filled Authorized Filled State Funds 26 24 26 24 26 24 Federal Funds -0- -0- -0- Other Funds -0- -0- -0- rating 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 e Funds 1,512 1,600 1,555 sral Funds -0- -0- -0- sr Funds -0- -0- -0- d Assets e Funds 14 108 108 sral Funds -0- -0- -0- sr Funds -0- -0- -0- lts e Funds 2,097 2,190 - 2,374 sral Funds -0- -0- -0- sr Funds -0- -0- -0- ficant Cost Assumptions Used in Calculating the Request
This appropriations request assumes that the Pennsylvania c Television Network can continue to provide an efficient and tive service to the public television stations and the citizens e Commonwealth with a 3.2 percent increase. We anticipate no ordinary increases in operations line items which could usly threaten this assumption. ry of Lapses
1980-81 1981-82 1982-83
State Funds -0- 45 -0-
Purchases of Nonrecurring Items
83_
Satellite Earth Terminal $ 52,000 Telephone Equipment 22,000 Line Printer 10,300 Video Controller 7,000
84
Frame Synchronizer $ 20,000 Permits the integration of satellite-distributed program materials into PPTN programming.
Audio Switcher $ 25,000 Permits utilization of auxilliary audio circuits without time-consuming physical manipulation.
Test Oscilloscopes $ 20,000 Replacements for thirteen year old units which are obsolete.
AutomatLC Level Corrector $ 5,000 Utilized in control of satellite received signals.
Waveform Monitors $ 10,000. Principal quality control device for video. Replace thirteen year old units which are obsolete and malfunctioning. amnatic Implications of the Requested Funding Level
The most important programmatic implication is that this is get which perceives no new initiatives or program thrusts. It request which reflects a "business as usual" approach to the tions of the network and to the Commonwealth's support for Derations of Pennsylvania's seven public television stations. tive
Included in the appropriation for Network Operations are for grants to la) support the broadcast operations of Pennsylvania's seven public television stations, (b) support modest equipment acquisition and replacement, and (c) support Affirmative Action Programs at the stations. Also included in this appropriation are funds for the tion of the network facilities. The network continues its efforts to provide these services fectively and efficiently as possible. There are no significant istrative or policy changes affecting the appropriation in the we discussed, other than an attempt to do more with less and sure that operations continue in a responsible manner. While the statistics regarding personnel complement do not ate a reduction in staff (a reflection of the specific dates hich you sought the information), personnel complement is at its t level since 1974. Fifteen of the staff (62.5%) are involved engineering and scheduling operations while the balance of the ' has the responsibility for the administration, community ions, fiscal operations and office services to manage and support efforts. Further staff reductions may well impair network tions. Much of our equipment and the entire traffic and routinq system itmoded and experiencing technical difficulties. Continued nee upon existing equipment places the network in a difficult ion. During 1981-82, a two-month outage of the computer-assisted IC and routing system required manual operation of the network with Tease in efficiency and an increase in errors. The equipment was red to only 80% efficiency since replacement parts are no longer actured. This is a serious problem which must be addressed in ear future. r Expanded Programs contemplates no new program thrusts nor the expansion of old ams. acts 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84
Corp. of America, New York, NY 343,722 343,722 343,722 videotape recorders for PPTN stations Corp., Redwood City, CA 111,996 37,332 -0- videotape recorders for PPTN stations rn Microwave, Syracuse, NY 754,932 754,932 754,932 work interconnection system rn Microwave, Syracuse, NY 41,250. ocate WITF terminal ti Clabell Co., New Holland, PA 56,525 66,025 75,525 N building lease n. Alder & Cohen, Pittsburgh, PA 9,783 5,000 -0- al research on communications matters Lite Systems Corp., Virginia Beach, VA 20,900 ball Satellite receiving antenna s to membez stations 2,09 7,000 2,190,000 2,374,000 sral Support, Capital Equipment acilities, Affirmative Action of Routine/Housekeeping Contracts 15,250 17,195 17,825 L/air conditioning maintenance; ining service, copy machine;etc. il Augmentations
LCted Receipt Accounts
il Block Grants SECTION II
APPROPRIATION 34-34
AN IA PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORK - PROGRAM SERVICES FISCAL YEAR 1983-84 APPROPRIATION REOUEST Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee February 24, 1983
>ropriation 34-34 PA Public Television Network - Program Services
lfication.
1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 Summary Financial Data
State Funds 2,373 2,641 2,747 Federal. Funds -0- -0- -0- Other Funds -0- -0- -0-
Personnel - Not Applicable
Operating - Not Applicable
Fixed Assets - Not Applicable
Grants
Grants to member stations: Program Acquisition/Local 1,413 1,498 1,558 Production; Utilization/ CommunLty Use; Promotion
Statewt.de Program Production/ Promotion, Audience Research 960 1,143 1,189
Significant Cost Assumptions Used in Calculating the Request
This appropriation request assumes only a four percent increase in grants for the programming priorities of the stations and the network.
History of Lapses 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 State Funds -0- -0- -0- Maior Purchases of Nonrecurring Items
Not Applicable
Programmatic Implications of the Requested Funding Level
The costs for the acquisition and production of quality programming, long the hallmark of public television, are subject to marketplace demands. The advent of newer technologies, including multi-channel cable systems, subscription television, Home Box Office and many others, has caused increased competition for good product. An increase of four percent in this appropriation will help to insure that the citizens of the Commonwealth have access to public broadcasting's finest programming.
Narrative
Included in the appropriation for program services are grants to stations for: (a) acquisition of programming from national and regional sources, (b) production of programs of local and statewide interest, and (c) promotion of programming. In addition, a small grant goes for audience research so that stations and the commission have an indication of the audience for public television within the Commonwealth. Stations acquire programming through the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the Eastern Educational Television Network (EEN) and other services. These programs make up the bulk of the programs broadcast to the citizens of the Commonwealth by the State's seven public television stations. The stations also produce programming for their coverage areas of more local interest, and this can be shared throughout the network if it proves to have broader appeal. The section of this presentation entitled "PPTN Programming in Perspective" provides more detailed information regarding this programming. Grants made to stations for the production of programs with statewide interest. These programs, such as "The People's Business" and "PRO/CON" highlight issues of concern to many 'ennsylvanians includinq programs on the plight of the >ennsylvania farmer, Pennsylvania's economic climate, and the :risis with our infrastructure. The programs also permit the rultural resources of the State, such as the Bach Choir of iethlehem, the People's Light and Theatre Company, the >hiladelphid Folk Festival and the Northeast Pennsylvania >hilharmonic Orchestra to be shared by all. Some of these urograms have also been shared with people throughout the rountry over the PBS network and have received national acclaim md awards. Audience research utilizes less than one percent of the :otal appropriation. However, the research has provided the stations and the Commission with useful information indicating :hat more Pennsylvanians are viewing public television more >ften than ever before. Citizens are also supporting their Local public television stations with more contributions than sver before. The 1981-82 fiscal year saw a 29% increase over :he previous year in the level of public support. Just over L74,000 households contributed more than seven-and-a-half ullion dollars to their local stations. SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR PUBLIC TELEVISION IN PA July 1981 - June 1982
/ \ Memberships & Other \ / _ . _ \ Station Fund-Raising \ / Foundations, \ \ / Business and \ 28.6% \ / Industry \ \ I 22.8% \ 1
\x ^^^ \ Federal / V^/V-^' 'r* l*.v * \ 20.5% / \ Commonwealth of \ / \ Pennsylvania \ / Lties, \ % \ / ivernment \ \ / ^^^ 4.8% \ >S Miscellaneous ew or Expanded Programs
The network anticipates functioning in the same manner ith regard to this appropriation in the 1983-84 fiscal year. ontracts
Only grants to mamber stations as indicated above. ederal Augmentations
None. estricted Receipt Accounts
None. ederal Block Grants
None. 31
CHAIRMAN SWZXLi X would like to welcome you to the hearing for the Public Television Network. Vm Repre- Mutative Kurt Birlkl froa Lehigh County. To ay left Is Representative Caltaglrone. Next to ae la Mike Berehook from the House Approprlatlona Staff. To ay Immediate right 1 la Al Ferguson of the Bouae Approprlatlona Staff. Also* Leon Rudy froa,ay staff. Representative Howard Nowery froa Cumberland County. Mr. Barman and Mr. Parker, whoever la leading off, If you would Identify the people with you for the purposes of the stenographer, Z would appreciate that. MR. BSBMANi I am pleased to be here. Z aa Phil Barman of Allentown. Z aa the Chairman of the PFTN Cornel aelon. I have with aa a commissioner, Andrew Bradley. Be Is Chairman of our Budget and Finance Committee. Beat to him and to ay left Is Shel Slegel. He Is President and General Manager of WLVT-TV. That's the Lehigh Valley station and Chairman of the FPTM Network Operations Committee. To ay Immediate right Is Shel Parker who Is General Manager of FfTO. Also, Hick Jones* Assistant General Manager of PFTN of Hershey. Me have with us additional staff to answer any queetiona that you might have* Mrs. Nose LeFever, Director of Fiscal Affairs. Larry Messenger, Director of Technical 32
Operations. Mrs. Jean Aufiero who is the Director of Cossmnity Ralations. we are hara to answar any quastions that you amy have. Ha pasaad through to yon a doouaant that gave yon a stataaant and a request for funds and we can 90 through it if you lika but Z think that would ba radundant. wa ara praparad to join you in any conversation that you aight hava about our work.
CHAIRMAN ZWXKLi Yes, wa would lika to pose several questions and Z would first recognise Representative Caltaglrone*
BY lumroBMSAXXVB CALTAQIROWB TO MR. PRZL BKRMAHl Q lha first thing that Z would lika to ask of you is* what is your total eomplenent of paid employees? A Rick? MR. JOMK81 Twenty-four. BY RBPRC8BMTATZVB CALTA6XR0MI 90 MR* PHIL BBRMANf Q You hava seven locations spread around the state. Do you anticipate any other cosnunities being added to the system? A Shel Parker, the General Manager, will answar that. MR* PARKBRt The seven locations, Mr* Representa tive, ara licensed through the P.C.C. and by Federal law and 33 at tlit present tine we have covered 95 percent of the state with those •even broadcasting stations which are menhir stations of the network. Our hope is in the foreseeable future to add some equipment union would give us almost 100 percent coverage of the Commonwealth. IT BBFBBSBBYATXVB CAtTAaxBou TO MB. SHBL PAXXSSU Q Zf you would, would you mention where they night be, the places that are missing?
A The big gaps are in Somerset, Fulton and Bunting- ton County. Mo, Bedford County. Those are the three areas that hopefully by the use of translators the existing stationi can provide signals into those areas. BY MPBBMMTAT1VB CALTMXBOMB TO MR. PHIL BBBMAMi Q The increase that you are requesting in here, do you really feel this is going to be adequate to cover your needs as far as the appropriation from the State is concerned for the coming fiscal year?
A That's an excellent question and X would like Bhel Parker to answer it because he is responsible for it. KB. PABKBBi Clearly, we could use more money and Z think the saving grace for public broadcasting through thess many years, four or five years anyway, has been the people of Pennsylvania. As you will notice in the document, they have 34 *- . - ,.----- . — -, joined stations and contributed iaoraaalng amounts of nonay. Z think as you will also notioa la tbo statamsnt wa did havs fond hopas of rseaiving an axpsasivu plooa of squipasnt which totals about $100,000 which is a switching and routing systsm. X think if wa oould havs our way in ths capital aqulpnant araa, that is whara wa would turn, Claarly, thara la a eorralation, a diraot oorralation, batsman tha amount of progrsmulag that tha stations oaa do, tha axoallanoa of tha talaatad staff and all of thosa othar oonsldaratlons with tha aaount of funding that la availabla to us from Psnnsylvania as wall as from tha four or fiva othar soureas of inooma* BEFBMBllTaTXVB CALTMXBOHBi I havs no furthar quaationa at this tins. Thank you* Mr. Chairman* CHaZmim HfZXLi Rapraaantativa Mowaxy, any quaations? REPHB1BMTATIVK MQNBBYt X just hara a ooupla of quastions. BY RCTBBSPITATIVg NOBBY. TO MB. PHIL BBBJOJh 0 Thara has baan a raduetion in Fadaral monay for public talavision* is that corract, and if so, what la tha Impaot aa far as tha raduetion going into 1983? h Shal Siagal, tha N.O.C. Chairman, will answsr that, 35
MR. 8XHH1 The Pederal reduction at the present time is approximately one-third of the riiwmiilty service grant that the station received last year. In raal dollar terns, for example, at oar station next yaar thara will ba a loss of approximately $202*000. Zt*s about $200,000* It varies from on* station to anothar. So tha impact has baan oonsidsrabla in tha ayatan. In addition, tha President has asked for a rssaiasionto taka bask soma of tha money alraady appropriatad in tha coning budget. 80 it could ba somewhat worse although tha Legislative infomation that we hava now is that tha Oongrass is not going to support that rescission. Bat at tha least, wa would ba getting a cutback of about $200,000 at our station that will up tha scale to as •men as, X think, $700,000 at W.Q.B.D. in Pittsburgh. BY RBPKBsBMTATXVB M0WJCXT TO MB* SBBL 8IBGBL1
Q anothar question that Z had and X was wondering how it would inpaot bars in Pennsylvania is that thara nave baan more indications of advertising baooning a part of public television which, of course, in the past was one of tha thingi that wa kind of an joyed, about public television is that wa didn't hava to go through all of the commercials. X was just wondering whether or not yra look at this as a possible way of filling tha gap and if so to what degree do you feel in tin 36
near future you will be going in that direction?
K The F.C.C. Coanlssion studied the temporary ooaulsslon of alternative funding report la dun to bo ooa- pleted la Juno of thia year. Tan stations are in that oo—•rclal experiment. The results are already in to a largo extent and the results clearly indicate that publio * television is not going to bo able to turn to ooaw• rclal advertising to recapture anywhere near the loaa of Federal funds and the continued support of the State Legislature and the continued support of the Federal governaont is going to bo necessary. I think if ooanerclal advertising should ever find its way into publio broadcasting and X say if because there are away stations that don't think it will ever come a tout, it will probably be along the lines of the B,B.C. where the coaujeroiels, if there are any, are grouped at the and of the prograaa and at the beginning. But X don't think you will ever see prograaa interrupted on publio broadcasting with oonaarclals. Q xa that foaling as a result of the response that you got from the tan trial stations as far as the viewing publio or was it because there was not sufficient ooasiarelal interest in supporting advertising in that area? ft, There was considerable interest by advertising 37
agencies SBd other companies in tte oow—rolal experiment. As * aatter of fact, in Maw Orleans and in Chicago market raaaareh was dona in tha oaaamnitiaa and thara really wara vary, vary fair negative casponsas in tha ooaaranitiaa to tha idaa of tha advertising as it was oarriad particularly whan it was waightad against tha fact that this was tha only alternative and thara was going to ba no funding ooold yon put up with this? And to a large extent the cosnercials ware tastefully done. Many of then ware institutional type of advertising and consequently the impact was really negligible* Bet nany stations do not like that idea at all. X don't think it really will become a significant part of our income if it ever cones about. BY RBPREBBHTATZVB MOUBBl 10 MB* 8BBL PABXBBi
Q I've had the privilege of serving on their commission in the last couple of years and it has been a very gratifying experience and Z just have one thought that maybe they would like to elaborate on* There was a bill proposed last year to broaden the basis of public television to allow it to get into a broad tana called telecommunication! which is referred to just briefly here in your printed remarks. I was wondering whether or not you would juat briefly like to elaborate for the benefit of this group
ii • i «
4 . 30
basically what you had la Mind u ftru flam—iimlnai Iniii and how it would impact and provide broader aarvloa hara in Pennsylvania?
A We appreciate tha opportunity, Mr. Bepreeentatlve. The raai origin of tha legislation came about because we have under-utilised oapaolty. As you will aaa in your doeumentatloi, wa have a vary expensive and aophistioatad two way microwave delivery system whieh anablaa us through tha member atationa to reach almost everybody in Pennsylvania and tha thought waa that ainea tha taxpayers are putting that much noney forward and because there are so many eoonomiea efficiencies that can be gained from tha full utilisation of this equipment that it really,serves us poorly not to be making 100 percent utilisation o« it. So' this lad to a long range planning committee, a report, formal committee action and tha establlan- ment of certain priorltiea among which and in conjunction with our friends of the Department of Education and W.I.T.F. and eome of tha other stations was this concept of tele-conferenc ing. Where Instead of bringing people in from all over tha state to Barrlsburg or another city with expansive travel and lodging and food and all of those types of expenses the participants in a business meeting or conference would go to the seven stations whieh than would be tele-conferencing 39 centers or mini toleooiawinloation centers. This was oar fond hops and one »t our format goals when and If thia legislation vara to beooa* law. Me aza also, as was alluded to in tha doounentatlon, engaged in a feasibility study of how wa can halp tha agricultural ooastunity of Pennsylvania through tha encoding of writing on your picture tuba if yon have a deoodlng devioe. Also, a hatter service for the hear ing iapalred. Also* we have tha capability with this inter connect to have a public radio network in the Coxaoawaalttu that la another reason why if this legislation can beooa* law wa can batter serve tha five or aix public radio stations In tha Gosswnwealth by interconnecting than tbraally and providing inforaation such as what happens here in Harriaburg. so that the listeners all over tha state can experience and know bettor what is happening in their capitol.
0 That nay not all necessarily be good, that latter part.
A We're sura it will reach 95 percent. That's a long winded answer but that's sons of the goals and aspiration i that wa have aa a ooaadssion if we are able to expand. KINUUJMTAT1VE MONBxYs Thank yon vary much. That's all that X have, Mr. Chairman.
CHhllMMt SNXXLi thank you, Itspresentative Mowery. 40
BY CBAISKJUI IWXXL 10 MR. PHIL BBRMUli Q Z would lik« to rofor *y questioning to pago 3, the graph that you show on your appropriation requeet. With raapaot to tho two large areas, two largo percentage areas, that you uaa to generate your lnoone. Nsnberships psoduees 28.6 percent and foundations and business and industry 22.t. This was for 1981-82, taking ua to Juno of 19*2. With tho ooonoagr in tho situation that no soo it in today, do you anticipate tho naabarshipa to drop off and also have you boon as suooossful or do you anticipate boing as suooossf ul in ganarating foundation requests and corporate donations?
A Z would liko to pass that to final Slogol who is tho station managar and who can answer spaoifioally froa his experience which is siadlar throughout tho state. MR. SIROELt Our experience is probably parallol to nost stations. In our ease, wa found, for exanple, in tho prosont fiscal yoar businoss and industry, corporate under- writing and corporate support has actually ineroasod over last yoar despite tho eoonceln probleaa. Tha nanbarahipa have incraaaad aonavhat also and I think this, porhaps, has a let to do with tho idaa that people who support public televiaion roaliso thoro is going to bo a significant aaount of private support noodod. Z think nest yoar tho graph, obviously will 41
•how tlM Fadaral part of that pia gutting suallar. SO daapita tha ooemMqr x think you will probably find ovar tho naxt fow yaara fairly ooaalatoat to what you hava nara. zt •ay vary A littla froa aarkat to aarkat bat I think it'a a pratty fair rapraaaatatlon of tho way thia will bo* BY CHkXKMMI SNZXL 10 MR. RZCX JOHBSl
Q Assuming that will hold up, thara won't ba any problasu Do you want to hava a follow-up on that? A Too. Z would Ilka to aaka nota of tho fact that that 29.6 paroant aaabarahipa and othar atation fond raising was a 29 paroant inoraaaa ovar tho previous yaar and it raprasanta seven and a half Million dollars, 81-S2 was not a raal bannar yaar all across tho country. But, X think* that Inoraaaa shows what tho public has com to expect and support in public broadcasting with a 29 paroant inoraaaa. BY CHAXIMMI iWXXL 10 MR. SOL SZKZILi
Q AssuMlng that tha Padaral amount will ahrink aa you hava iadioatad and assuming and let1 a hopa that it oontinuaa aa far aa aaabershlps and foundation support but if that would ravaraa itaalf, what othar alternatives would you hava in gonarating ravanuaa aslda fro* coming to tha Leglsla- tura for inoraaaad support and would that ba your final place to ganarata interest? «
A Obviously, all of us are operating a lot HOT* economically or hava bun doing thia la light of tha decrees* Federal appropriation*. It saaaa that tha broad underwriting guidelines ralatad to oorporatlona and buslaaaaaa provlda sow avenues la trying to recapture some of that through buaiaaaa and industry through program underwriting which la picked up somewhat alnoa our underwriting guidalinas hava baan broaden* oonsidarably. X think you can only go back to tha public, however, so many tinea. You hava on air television options and you hava continual pledge weeks where X try to be aoaa where also whan wa are having pledge weeks so X don't hava to watch what's going on. You reach a saturation point in aU of that* X think tha ultimate answer is, obviously, to try and continue to provide servioss to tha state so that tha state faals that it la an Important part of tha state9 a responsibility. But X think beyond that is to operate as economically as you can and wa are always trying to do so and to out costs wherever possible, so X think that over tha next few years wa are going to sea stations that perhaps undertook a variety of program projects and many of which on pilot projects and developmenta are doing a lot lass of that because those tend to cost a lot of money and can't be followed through with foundation funds. X think foundation 43
funds are going to be particularly nor* difficult to got over the next eeveral yours boemuss of tho onounts. Many of tho demands of private — non-profit agonolos aro asking aoro and mora in that area.
Q X have ono aoro question and than I will recog- nlso Representative 8tnban oho has joinad us. Do you sos tho influx of tho paid oabla movie and sports programs, homo box* do you soo than as a sorious throat to public television and what aro thoy doing to you and what do you antioipata in yoars to come?
A What thoy aro actually doing is providing us with aoro viawors than wo have ever had before. as xoro of tho 4 promitai band typos of programming is available, pooplo aro now tuning out of tho normal eonmeroial aotwork and into tho promium bands and ia so doing '*' lot of thorn aro dissevering public television, Public television viewing has had a higher inorease — as a Batter of fact, ooaoerolal network •lowing has gone down significantly over the last throe years. Public television is the only network viewing that has in feet gone up over the last three years. X think many of you any have read today where R.C.A. cable just gave up their pay television, they were the big competitor for B.B.C. programming with public television. They just decided today 44 that thay ara *o longar going to do that and thay ara going
• to go out of buslnaas with that* C.B.8. oablo has goaa out of bualnass with cultural talawlaion. So what hao raally happanad la that thara has baan a falling away of a lot of ooapatitlwa or aarwioaa that vara supposad to ba ooapatitiwa baeauaa of tha loyalty that publio talawlaion paopla hawa, vlawara hawa* and oonourrant with thia our programing haa actually ineraaaad. Sawaral yaara ago or lot ua aay thraa or fear yaara ago wa probably wouldn't hawa gnaaoad that that would hawa happaaad bat it haa happanad and X think what wa hawa aaan it has baan a significant inoraasa of publio tala- wialoa. That oabla haa not baan ooapatitiva but on tha contrary oabla haa raally baan halpfu l to ua in aany amrkata around tha oountry* CHAIRMAN IWIKLi That la wary intaraating. Thank you vary anon. napraaantativa Stuban. BBPXBSYMTATXVS STUBANt X hawa no quaationa. CHAIRMAN tffXKLt Mr. Sarshoek? Ml* HERBBOCKt Ho quaationa. CHAIRMAN iNXXLi Mr. Farguaon? MX* FBJtSUSOMt Mo quaationa. CHAIRMAN INXXLi Mr. Rudy? MR. RDDYs X hawa no quaationa. 45
CHaXBHftM IWZXLi Thank you vwry anon. *• appxaoiata your doounant and your input today.
X naraby oartlfy that tha pKoeaadluga and avidanea takan by aa bafora tha Bovaa of Kapraaantativaa, Coamittaa on Appropriationa, la folly and aoourataly indioatad 1B ay aotaa and that thla ia a troa and oorract tranaeript of aaaa,
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