(Tampa Bay, FL) WEDU-TV President and CEO Susan Howarth was the guest speaker at Friday’s Broadcaster’s Club of Florida luncheon in Sarasota. In a lively discussion with the club’s members during a question and answer session, the topic of funding public broadcasting was of most interest to all attendees.
Ms. Howarth said that state funds have been cut to public broadcasting stations such as WEDU and the belt tightening has made it more challenging to keep local programming in the production pipeline. Last May, Governor Rick Scott used his line-item veto power to cut $4.8 million from the budget for the state’s public radio and television stations. Ms. Howarth contended that government funding of public broadcasting is worthwhile at both the state and federal level. “I think there is a role for government funding for public media,” she said. “The money is pretty small, about $1.35 per person at the federal level. We are optimistic that we are making progress and that some of our funding will be restored,” Ms. Howarth said regarding discussions with the governor’s office and the state legislature.
“TV Land”, which started as a home on the cable dial for classic shows of the past has transformed itself into an original programming network, at least in prime time. The network has picked up its fifth original sitcom, "Have Faith," starring Cedric "The Entertainer," and has ordered 12 episodes for the first season, set to premiere this June.
The sitcom, developed by Cedric and "Hot in Cleveland" creator Suzanne Martin, revolves around Cedric's character, Reverend Boyce, an R&B superstar-turned-minister who takes over as preacher of his father's church. Niecy Nash ("Reno 911") also stars as the reverend's wife, Lolli. The pilot also features John Beasley ("Everwood") as his father, Wesley Jonathan ("What I Like About You") as his younger brother, and Jazz Raycole ("My Wife and Kids") as his daughter. Cedric originated the character of Reverend Boyce on an episode of "Hot in Cleveland" last year.
Meanwhile, "Hot in Cleveland," TV Land's first original sitcom has been given a 24-episode fourth season renewal. A syndication deal was recently reached for "Hot in Cleveland," giving CBS Television Distribution the domestic distribution rights for the series. The series, now in its third season, averages 2.5 million total viewers per episode.
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