Executive Staff Daniel J. Schmidt President and CEO Reese P. Marcusson Executive Vice President and CFO Farrell Frentress Executive Vice President for Development WTTW11 • 98.7WFMT Annual Report 2004 Randolph King Executive Vice President for Television Officers Joanie Bayhack Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Direct Marketing Donna Davies Senior Vice President, Development Jerry Hanna Senior Vice President, Engineering & Building Management V.J. McAleer Senior Vice President, Community Partnerships, Production and Outreach Parke Richeson Senior Vice President, Finance and Business Development Steve Robinson Senior Vice President for Radio Network Chicago 5400 North St. Louis Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60625 773.583.5000 www.networkchicago.com On the cover: WTTW Master Control Room during production of Chicago Tonight. WordsWords from from the President the President & CEO: & CEO: Network Chicago: Core Services It seems like yesterday that my family gathered in Throughout 2004, the staff at WTTW11 and In closing, I want to thank our tireless Board of breathless anticipation for the delivery of our first 98.7WFMT focused not only on producing the Trustees for their long hours and invaluable WTTW11 Public Television Events networkchicago.com color television set. It was massive. We gazed in very best programming, but on ways to extend contributions; our dedicated staff, who are com- amazement as the florescent colors flickered in the experience. In January, we hosted our first mitted to producing the best that broadcasting Now in its fifth decade, WTTW11 reaches All of our outreach events are designed to serve There were more than 45.6 million visits to our Art Linkletter’s necktie and danced on the Lennon Taste of Check, Please!, a special event that fea- has to offer; and our members and donors, Sisters’ dresses. You actually had to get off the tured 24 restaurants seen on our hit show – more who make WTTW11 and 98.7WFMT possible. 4 million viewers a month and enjoys the and engage the community, especially children websites, WTTW.com and WFMT.com, over couch to change the channel – you had a grand than 400 people attended. In September, we largest public television audience in the nation. and their families. This year, we extended our the past year. Beyond serving as a resource for total of three choices. That was 1965. hosted a Get Ready to Learn event -- nearly 1,000 As you browse through this year’s annual report, With a strong combination of national and programming into the lives of our audience our TV and radio listings, the sites continue to children joined Between the Lions characters to you will see images that reflect the passion felt by Well, it’s now 2005. We have 500 cable stations, read stories, play educational games and collect the people behind your favorite programs. Thank local productions, WTTW11 offers a range of with the highly successful Taste of Check, be a place for our members to become con- countless music channels, internet connect, and school supplies for underprivileged families. In you for appreciating their work. quality programming in the performing and Please! event in our studios in January, the first nected to the people, places and things to do wide screen high-def with surround sound. Soon August, 2,000 children came to Lincoln Park for a fine arts, nature, science and public affairs, as annual WTTWKids Fun and Run in August in in Chicago. you will connect your plasma screen to your 5K walk and a 3K run to benefit quality children’s Sincerely, computer, opening the door to unlimited world- programming. Faces lit up as children met their well as a rich and diverse children’s schedule. Lincoln Park, and educational initiatives such as wide content. And you will download your favorite characters, got treats and balloon ani- Ready to Learn, the PBS-sponsored children’s The Network Chicago Guide favorite TV shows on your Palm Pilot. Anytime. mals, and danced to live music. 98.7WFMT: Chicago’s Classical Experience literacy program, which this year provided Anywhere. workshops, books and other materials to hun- Our widely distributed monthly program guide Throughout the year, 98.7WFMT proudly opened The pace of today’s changing broadcast land- its Fay and Daniel Levin Performance Studio to Dan Schmidt Since its inception in 1951, 98.7WFMT contin- dreds of parents, childcare professionals and provides our members with comprehensive, scape is staggering. So, how does WTTW11, 84 artists, who performed short segments live on President & CEO/Network Chicago ues to provide the best and broadest selection of educators, and more than 3,000 of our easy-to-read television and radio listings, as well born 50 years ago, stay relevant in today’s the radio. Chicago’s only remaining classical classical music and fine arts programming youngest viewers. We also created events exclu- as exclusive invitations to special events and world? And how does 98.7WFMT endure in the music station continued its commitment to local 21st century? Those questions are a mantra at performing ensembles -- from the Chicago heard in the country. While other classical music sive to our members, including a well-attended information on community initiatives. our management and production meetings. Chamber Musicians to the Elgin Symphony broadcasters are fast disappearing, 98.7WFMT Fall Preview screening. We believe that to stay relevant, we need to Orchestra. We also joined to celebrate the open- is enjoying the largest audience and highest provide a multi-dimensional sensory experi- ing of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium ratings in its history. WFMT Radio Network ence. Now, more than ever, public television Park by broadcasting one of their first concerts. and classical radio have become a community syndicates a wide range of series and pro- meeting place. We must reach out to our This year, more than ever, we welcomed grams across the United States and around viewers and listeners in a way that affects them Chicagoans of all ages into our studios – from the world. both emotionally and intellectually. rock fans for Soundstage to the Chicago Children’s Choir, from international journalists touring the Digital Broadcast Center to high school students participating in the senatorial candidate forums. The goal of every special event was to better connect to our 4 million monthly viewers and 1.3 million monthly listeners. 1 The Chicago Tonight Team. Left to right: Bob Sirott, Rich Samuels, Phil Ponce, Eddie Arruza, Elizabeth Brackett. WTTW11 Public Television WTT 2004 Highlights: • Ready to Learn, our preschool literacy WTTW11 Local Productions program, has conducted more than 50 and Co-Productions WTTW11 maintained its status as the most- workshops in our community, all of which watched public television station in America, have enriched the lives of thousands of par- About Chicago becoming the leading producer of more local ents, teachers, childcare providers, and – Host Geoffrey Baer leads these architectural programming than any other public television most importantly – children. mini-tours throughout Chicago. Highlights this station – and possibly commercial station – in • Over the past year, WTTW11 and year included Chicago’s grand new Millennium the country. 98.7WFMT have created events that further Park, a tour of four architecturally significant • We are one of only three PBS stations that connect our viewers and listeners to the world hotels, festive holiday lights and home deco- have increased prime time ratings by 15%. of Chicago. The monthly Network Chicago rations in Lincolnwood, and the centennial • Steady ratings have prevailed for the Guide and our website networkchicago.com of Orchestra Hall. (These are segments on hour-long Chicago Tonight, our flagship offer a sneak peek at these wonderful con- Chicago Tonight, but also air as distinct nightly magazine show. Ratings among viewers certs, events and experiences. half-hours.) aged 25-49 are up 80% over last year. • Programs that appealed to a wide age range • Winner of 9 Midwest Emmy Awards for of WTTW11 audiences – Check, Please!, a Artbeat Chicago excellence in broadcasting, tying with ABC7 highly rated restaurant review series, Sound Now in its ninth season, hosts Fawn Ring and for the most wins in the region. Opinions, a rock music review program, and Phil Ponce and their team of correspondents • Significant growth in membership among Soundstage, a national high-def PBS music showcase Chicago’s rich and diverse visual and culturally diverse households. concert show – enjoyed continued popularity. performing arts scene. • Continuing strong alliances with other • WTTW11 provided its usual stellar political cultural institutions, including the Chicago coverage and analysis during this year’s election Arts Across Illinois Historical Society, the Field Museum, Adler campaign, profiling the candidates for U.S. Hosted by Bob Sirott, this series, made possible Planetarium and more, to share inspiring and Senate, featuring them in candidate forums, and by the Illinois Arts Council, showcases diverse educational content. offering Candidate Free Time for local candi- artistic talent from across the state, through dates to present their platforms to our audience, magazine programs and a live performance helping them to make informed decisions on special. Election Day. Top right: U.S. Senator Barack Obama participates in the televised Student Voices Forum. Center right: Dancers in performance during Arts Across Illinois: CenterStage. Bottom right: