PTV must be noncommercial - Duggan

Television Digest with Consumer Electronics, Jan 12, 1998

Having said that, he and PBS Exec. Vp-Programming Services Kathy Quattrone stressed increase in corporate underwriting for public TV. "The trend is definitely up" in underwriting, 5% for fiscal year ended June 30, Duggan said. In quarter ending Dec. 31, PBS secured $7.5 million in new program sponsorships, he said, and in its 6 months of existence PBS Sponsorship Group has brought in $11.5 million in new corporate funding. However, FCC recently held PBS underwriting spot was improper (see separate story, this issue).

Quattrone said "it was definitely a good fall" for public TV, which she said faces "a vibrant future." Duggan said he's very optimistic about DTV and Internet. On latter, he said 2.1 million people use PBS Web site monthly and one of its goals is to extend products and services to new areas. He said PBS ratings were up 4% in fall, while major networks were down combined 4%. When asked whether PBS "plays the demographics," Quattrone said it looks at demographics only to find out who's watching.

Duggan announced that PBS has signed 5-year deal with Warner Records to launch PBS Records, new label companion to PBS programming. As part of deal, Warner Bros. will fund 2 PBS music specials and companion CDs for each year of contract.

"I'm very happy doing what I'm doing," Duggan responded when asked whether he has any plans to leave PBS - post he accepted in 1994 upon resigning as FCC commissioner. However, he said, he seriously considered outside offer (which he didn't identify) couple of months ago.