Beyond the Television Screen
By Jennifer Hoff

When most people think of public television, they think of Sesame Street-Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Ernie, and all of the Muppets who have encouraged generations of children to read and learn more about the world around them. At its core, Sesame Street embodies everything PBS represents and the mission WTCI strives to achieve every day: to educate, engage, and inspire a lifetime of learning and exploration. As WTCI celebrates its 40th anniversary this year-along with the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street-the station remains an integral part of the Chattanooga community and Tennessee Valley, serving 35 counties in a four-state region.

"Everything we work for at WTCI-from award-winning programming to educational outreach-is focused on improving the community we live in and building foundations for learning," said Paul Grove, WTCI President & CEO. "WTCI has become a leader among PBS stations in engaging the community beyond the television screen."

Community Storyteller
Moving into a new location two years ago, near Enterprise South on Bonny Oaks Drive, WTCI has been able to strengthen its community engagement by expanding local productions that uncover and tell the important stories of our region. WTCI's most recent original documentaries have featured World War II heroes from the community, the Trail of Tears, the Chattanooga Choo Choo, the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Antiques Roadshow Chattanooga, the Riverbend festival, and the Chattanooga History Center's Annual History Makers Award winners.

WTCI also produces a variety of local programs that residents depend on, including Southern Accents with Karen Elliott, The A List with Alison Lebovitz, Tennessee Insider, First Things First with Julie Baumgardner, and local specials about health, education, and other timely issues. Now in its 18th season, the Mid-South Emmy(r) nominated Southern Accents is WTCI's longest-running series and achieved national exposure in 2009 when it became the first WTCI program to air nationwide on other PBS networks.

"It is amazing to look back at all of the local programs WTCI has produced over the last few years," said Peter DeLynn, WTCI Senior Vice President of Production and Operations. "We have an exceptional, dedicated production team who works tirelessly to get every story just right.  Because we are located in such a dynamic and historic region, our future production opportunities are limitless."

With a 10,000-square-foot studio space equipped with high definition cameras (the largest in the region), WTCI's award-winning production team is capable of working on any creative project with businesses and organizations in the community.  

Community Partner
It is not just local programming that distinguishes WTCI in the community. Engaging national PBS programs-such as Nature, NOVA, Frontline, PBS NewsHour, and Masterpiece Theatre-are also a core component of WTCI's educational mission, along with the 60 hours of award-winning children's programs that air each week. And in 2008, WTCI helped put a national spotlight on Chattanooga's charm and amazing treasures when Antiques Roadshow, PBS's most watched primetime series, chose the city as one of only six stops in the nation for the 2009 season. More than 6,000 people had their treasures appraised during an exciting day of taping at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

"To attract a production of the caliber and quality of Antiques Roadshow to Chattanooga was a phenomenal accomplishment for WTCI and the entire city," said Grove. "Without our community partners and volunteers, this momentous event would not have been a success."

WTCI takes its role as a community partner seriously and has worked with more than three dozen organizations to extend the station's impact beyond the television screen. Special initiatives include WTCI's annual Family Day, the Reading Rainbow writing contest for kindergarten through fifth grade, book drives for area elementary schools, and film screenings that explore national PBS programs on a local level. Through its Ready to Learn program, WTCI has distributed more than 10,000 books to area children and provides educational workshops for children, parents and teachers to encourage a lifelong love of reading. This initiative has been funded by the Community, Benwood, and Hamico Foundations, as well as corporate sponsors.

WTCI's newest community project-the annual Be More Awards(tm)-celebrates the spirit of goodwill throughout the community by recognizing the impact and unsung heroes of area non-profit organizations. With the inaugural awards ceremony to be held in March 2010 featuring Judy Woodruff, Senior Correspondent for PBS NewsHour, WTCI hopes to broaden its role in the community.

"More than 30 percent of our annual operating budget comes from the community, and it is our core belief  that we exist to engage and improve the entire region we serve," said Grove. 

To learn more about WTCI and to view local and national PBS programs online, visit wtciTV.org.