DENVER (September 30, 2008) – How many Americans knew much about the Taliban before the attack of 9/11? How and why does Wall Street affect the world economy and what is the effect of world markets at home here in Colorado?
When Worldfocus debuts on KBDI-Channel 12 on Monday, Oct. 6, Colorado citizens will have a unique opportunity to be much better informed about such issues. Worldfocus is new nightly, half-hour global news broadcast with the goal of making international news relevant to viewers in Colorado.
“With the combination of Worldfocus and KBDI’s third digital channel – MHz Worldview, Colorado Public Television continues to be the primary source for international news in Colorado,” said Wick Rowland, KBDI’s president. “It’s a reflection of our ‘World View, Community Voice’ commitment to our viewers and the community.”
The new international news program will air weeknights at 6:30 and 11 p.m., replacing BBC World News, which KBDI will soon no longer be allowed to carry. “The loss of BBC World News is the program distributor’s decision and definitely is not KBDI’s choice,” Rowland said. “However, faced with this dilemma, it is our choice to bring our viewers this new nightly international news program created by public television for public television.”
Worldfocus will address the United States’ role in the world, providing more in-depth stories than can be seen on network or cable news and giving American viewers a better context for understanding international news. “The goal is to make foreign news less foreign,” Rowland said.
Martin Savidge, most recently a CBS correspondent and a former CNN anchor and correspondent, will anchor the weeknight program. Savidge has been honored with more than a dozen of broadcast journalism’s most prestigious awards, including two Edward R. Murrow Awards and a Peabody Award.
Savidge and the Worldfocus team look forward to creating “in-depth news coverage that facilitates a deeper understanding of our 24/7 interconnected global society.” It’s an evolutionary model for global reporting, and public television is the perfect venue for it, with an established audience that craves content with context, Savidge says.
Worldfocus will present a dialogue on global events with opinion makers and expert commentators. Among the many acclaimed contributors will be foreign correspondent Deborah Amos of National Public Radio and Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Drawing on what is arguably the world’s largest alliance of partnering public broadcasters and international news organizations, Worldfocus will deliver global coverage from a variety of viewpoints. Principal contributors include ITN (Great Britain), NHK (Japan), ABC Australia, Deutsche Welle (Germany), TV Globo (Brazil), SABC (South Africa), Asia News International, Israel’s Channels 2 and 10, and Link TV’s Mosaic. Stories also will come directly from sources in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and throughout the world.
“Colorado Public Television (KBDI-TV/12) has long been providing Colorado with high-quality news and public affairs programming and services that address substantive social and educational needs,” Rowland said. “Our addition of Worldfocus is another example of public broadcasting at its best, offering alternative services not found elsewhere in Colorado television.”
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About KBDI
For nearly 30 years Colorado Public Television (KBDI-TV/12) has been providing high-quality news and public affairs programming that address substantive social and educational needs. Often edgy and iconoclastic, KBDI is public broadcasting at its best, offering alternative services not found elsewhere in Colorado television. KBDI delivers three digital channels – more than any other Colorado broadcaster. In addition to its flagship KBDI broadcast station (12.1) with a strong mix of local, national and international programming, KBDI airs The Documentary Channel (12.2) featuring the works of independent filmmakers and MHz Worldview (12.3), a lineup of programs with diverse cultural perspectives for a globally minded audience.
Marcia Simmons
Director of Marketing and Communications
KBDI-TV, Channel 12 (PBS)
World View – Community Voice
2900 Welton St.
Denver, CO 80205
303-991-5020 (direct); 303-489-4012 (cell)
