2020 Impact Report 2020 Impact Report We are pleased to share with you the following MASTERPIECE Trust Impact Report, which highlights MASTERPIECE and The MASTERPIECE Trust’s recent accomplishments. It goes without saying that 2020 was a year of unprecedented challenges, and we are so proud that MASTERPIECE has continued to deliver accessible, uplifting, high-quality programming in these historic times. This past year, our team released a slate of critically-acclaimed new and returning programs and engaged audiences in innovative ways through cross-platform media initiatives. So much of what MASTERPIECE has done in this arena simply would not have been possible without your dedication and generosity. Until we can gather again, please know how much your support means to the entire MASTERPIECE team. We do hope that we’re able to thank you in person before too long – celebrating MASTERPIECE’s achievements together will be all the more profound after our time apart! Warmly, Susanne Simpson Rebecca Eaton Emma Thomas Executive Producer Executive Major Gifts Officer Producer-At-Large The MASTERPIECE Trust 2 2020 Impact Report MASTERPIECE Trust Members Around the Country MASTERPIECE Trust Partner Stations o HPM/Houston o TPT/Twin Cities o KERA/North Texas o VPBS/Vermont o KLRU/Austin o VPM/Richmond o KPBS/ San Diego o WCMU/Michigan o KQED/ San Francisco o WHRO/Norfolk o KWSU/Washington o WNET/New York o MPBN/Maine o WPBT2/South Florida o MPT/Maryland o WPT/Wisconsin o NEPM/Springfield o WTCI/Chattanooga o OETA/Oklahoma o WTTW/Chicago o PMGoSC/Los Angeles o WUCF/Orlando MASTERPIECE Trust in 2020 Partnerships MASTERPIECE Trust 22 partner stations 47 current donors across the country c Contributions Money Shared Over $35.6 million Over $9.1 million since 2011 has gone to support our partner stations The MASTERPIECE Trust 3 2020 Impact Report Responding to the Current Moment The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the course of global history and continues to impact lives across the nation. While media production and entertainment industries have been impacted by COVID restrictions, MASTERPIECE has taken numerous strategic steps in response to the pandemic in order to ensure that the series is able to continue to serve as an avenue for comfort, entertainment, and education. When five of MASTERPIECE’s shows stopped filming very suddenly due to lockdowns prompted the onset of COVID, Executive Producer Susanne Simpson reached out to distributors and producers to acquire programming that was already finalized or in the editing process. With the foresight to purchase these shows at the beginning of lockdown, MASTERPIECE had already curated an impressive line-up for our 2021-2022 anniversary season before competitive cable networks entered the market. While some MASTERPIECE productions were delayed by critical safety measures, production has recently resumed in the UK. Expenses have risen, however, due to new COVID safety precautions which limit the number of people on set, require medical monitoring, and necessitate additional preventative measures. We are grateful for the enduring support of the MASTERPIECE Trust, which makes our work possible. We do hope the series has provided a bit of salve for you on Sunday nights during this trying time. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts In the wake of the global cry for racial and social justice, MASTERPIECE has confirmed its commitment to amplifying diverse perspectives by actively seeking out diversity in the writing, casting, and production of its programs. This year, executive leadership continued working with our UK partners to prioritize stories that give people of color a voice. We are gratified that our production partners are equally dedicated to highlighting these important stories. “A lot of people hide behind history. They don’t do the work to uncover characters of people of color. I didn’t take the part in Les Mis because I was trying to support color- blind casting. I took it because I researched it, and found it was realistic to have a Black police officer in France during the time period.” - David Oyelowo (Javert; Les Misérables) The MASTERPIECE Trust 4 2020 Impact Report MASTERPIECE Behind the Scenes MASTERPIECE in the Press “This is still glorious” “[An] extraordinarily Endeavour Season 7; Observer (UK) affecting series” World on Fire; The Wall Street Journal “Deftly weaves the strands together” Roadkill; New York Times “Sure to win the hearts and minds of a new generation” Van Der Valk; “The perfect recipe…” Sydney Morning Herald Flesh and Blood; The Guardian “[An] exquisite production, both beautiful and thoughtful” “Off to a thrillingly Sanditon; chewy start” Vulture Baptiste; “Lavish, sumptuous, The Independent and larger than life” Beecham House; The Herald (Scotland) The MASTERPIECE Trust 5 2020 Impact Report New on MASTERPIECE MASTERPIECE was excited to premiere several new series this past year, including: Sanditon – An eight-part drama, based on an unfinished Jane Austen novel, Sanditon depicts the drama surrounding a resort town on England’s southern coast. The stirring romance between Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) and Sidney Parker (Theo James) struck a particular chord with audiences. Both enthralling and captivating, Sanditon is truly “a modern Masterpiece.” -CNN Howards End – Adapted from E.M. Forster's classic novel, this story of England at the turn of the 20th century is told through the lens of three families confronting the ever-changing paradigms of society, class, and welfare. World on Fire – Bursting onto the entertainment scene, this epic, sweeping war-drama follows an impressive ensemble of characters (led by Academy Award-winner Helen Hunt and Sean Bean) as they navigate the opening salvos of WWII. Already renewed for a second season, World on Fire “is a page-turner of a show.” -The New York Times Baptiste – Tchéky Karyo returns to his role as Baptiste in a Courtesy of Ben Blackall / © Mammoth Screen 2019 stirring detective tale set in present-day Amsterdam. He is joined by Tom Hollander in this dark, twist-filled spin-off of The Missing. Beecham House – Written, produced, and directed by Gurinder Chadha, this lush drama set in 19th century Delhi tells the story of ex-soldier John Beecham (Tom Bateman) as he attempts to start a new life after his tenure with the British East India Company. Van der Valk – In a new adaptation of Nicolas Freeling’s detective novels, the titular Van Der Valk (Marc Warren) investigates high profile cases and gritty murders that immerse him and his team in Amsterdam’s fast-paced worlds of art, politics, addiction, mysticism, and fashion. Flesh and Blood – Flesh and Blood is a modern day domestic drama boasting a stellar cast (including Francesca Annis, Imelda Staunton and Russell Tovey) and brimming with secrets and scandal. Roadkill – The incomparable Hugh Laurie (House) stars as the charismatic Peter Laurence in this four-part political thriller penned by acclaimed playwright David Hare. The Courtesy of MASTERPIECE 2020 late Helen McCrory also garnered critical praise for her role as Prime Minister Dawn Ellison, rounding out an enthralling drama set against the highest levels of British government and misbehavior. The MASTERPIECE Trust 6 2020 Impact Report 2020 Summer of Mystery MASTERPIECE welcomed back our favorite detectives for a thrilling Summer of Mystery: Grantchester – The fifth season of this charming series sees Robson Green and Tom Brittney reprise their respective roles as DI Geordie Keating and Reverend Will Davenport to tackle deepening relationships, unexpected secrets and of course, a slew of new cases. Filming for the sixth series is already underway in Cambridgeshire, Hampshire and Hertfordshire. Endeavour – In Endeavour’s seventh season, the cerebral Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans) and his mentor, Fred Thursday (Roger Allam), enter a new era of change in Oxford amidst the dawn of women’s liberation, social progression, and scientific growth. A ratings boon, Endeavour has solidified its status as one of MASTERPIECE’s most iconic series. Courtesy of MASTERPIECE Mystery! 2019 New Projects in Development Magpie Murders – In July 2020, MASTERPIECE shared its plans to co-produce Magpie Murders, an adaptation of the best-selling, critically-acclaimed novel by Anthony Horowitz, OBE. A distinctive and beguiling crime drama scripted by the novelist himself, Magpie Murders follows Susan Ryeland, an editor who is given an unfinished manuscript and must subsequently tread the line between reality and fiction in her quest to uncover the truth. Susanne Simpson states, “Our MASTERPIECE audience will truly enjoy this intriguing story of a mystery within a mystery.” Ridley Road - In September 2020, MASTERPIECE announced that Ridley Road, a coproduction with RED Production Company and BBC One, had started production. Ridley Road is a thriller adapted from the critically acclaimed novel of the same name, written by Jo Bloom. It brings together an award-winning cast, including Rory Kinnear (The Imitation Game), Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan), and Tom Varey (Game of Thrones). This program follows Vivien Epstein, a young Jewish woman who, after falling in love with a member of the ‘62 Group,’ rejects her comfortable middle-class life in Manchester and joins the fight against fascism in London. The MASTERPIECE Trust 7 2020 Impact Report Watching MASTERPIECE Broadcast • World on Fire reached 3.4 million viewers weekly, and 8.3 million viewers overall • Grantchester Season 5 reached 3.2 million viewers weekly, and 6.9 million viewers overall • Endeavour Season 7 reached 3.1 million viewers weekly, and 5.5 million viewers overall Digital • 33.2 million episodes streamed in 2020 (+12%) • 58.0 million pageviews in 2020 (+11%) • 27.2 million website views in 2020 (+13%) • 238,000 YouTube subscribers in 2020 (+16%) Social Media MASTERPIECE saw the following audience growth on social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) in 2020: 114,000 followers 836,000 followers 154,000 followers MASTERPIECE expanded its reach to younger audiences, evidenced by its massive Instagram following, the largest of any primetime PBS series (70% of these followers are under the age of 55).