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WQED (TV)
Encyclopedia
WQED is a Public Broadcasting Service
(PBS) member Public television station based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. Established April 1, 1954, it was the first community-sponsored television station in the United States
as well as the fifth public TV station. WQED also became the first station to telecast classes to elementary school
classrooms when Pittsburgh launched the Metropolitan School Service in 1955. WQED has produced many shows for PBS, such as Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
and Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?. Pittsburgh Magazine is also a publication of WQED.
, who wanted 12 percent of all TV stations in the United States
to be for Non-commercial educational
use. Despite the fact that the FCC
put an indefinite "freeze" on all television licenses due to the excess amount of applications for one, they granted Lawrence one on the condition they could raise enough money to equip and operate the station. Lawrence was also a close personal ally of then-President
Harry S. Truman
, which also helped out his cause. Lawrence then recruited Leland Hazard, an attorney
for Pittsburgh Paint & Glass Company
who also supported the idea of public television, to help get the station off the ground.
The biggest obstacle, however, would be Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse Electric
, owners of pioneer radio station KDKA
. Westinghouse wanted to get a TV station signed on in Pittsburgh to compete with DuMont
O&O
WDTV--which at the time had a de facto
monopoly
in what was then the nation's sixth-largest TV market--and was growing impatient with the "freeze" of television licenses. The station had launched WBZ-TV
in Boston
in 1948 and would purchase WPTZ-TV (now KYW-TV
) in Philadelphia in 1952, but was unable to secure a license for a TV station in its home market. By the time the "freeze" was lifted in 1952, the FCC granted smaller cities such as Steubenville, Ohio
; Wheeling, West Virginia
; Clarksburg, West Virginia
; Johnstown, Pennsylvania
; Altoona, Pennsylvania
; Youngstown, Ohio
; and Erie, Pennsylvania
the chance to sign on before more stations in Pittsburgh signed on. All of those cities shared the VHF
band with Pittsburgh, and only Youngstown would ultimately end up as a UHF island.
Westinghouse later offered a compromise to the FCC, offering to have them get the channel 13 license for the proposed KDKA-TV and have them "share" the frequency with WQED. Considered unacceptable to Hazard, he called Westinghouse CEO
Gwilym Price to ask him if he should give up on his fight for public television. Price said that Hazard should keep fighting for it, giving Westinghouse backing for the future WQED. Westinghouse even donated to Hazard the tower Westinghouse had purchased had it gotten the channel 13 license, making way for WQED to sign on April 1, 1954. The station's call letters, Q.E.D.
, are taken from the Latin
phrase, quod erat demonstrandum, commonly used in mathematics
.
Westinghouse wouldn't have to wait much longer for its own TV station in Pittsburgh, though. Knowing that DuMont needed WDTV's cash flow to get its programming cleared in larger markets but also needed a short-term cash infusion after DuMont investor Paramount Pictures
vetoed a merger between DuMont and ABC
, which itself had just merged with United Paramount Theaters. Westinghouse offered DuMont a then-record $10 million for WDTV, which DuMont promptly accepted in January 1955. Westinghouse immediately changed the call sign
s from WDTV to KDKA-TV
, making it a sister station to radio station KDKA
. DuMont wasn't able to get clearance in larger markets and was out of business by the end of 1956. Although KDKA-TV is now owned by Westinghouse successor CBS Corporation
(as a CBS
O&O) as a result of various mergers, the station still retains a close relationship with WQED as a result of Westinghouse helping to get WQED on the air.
. These programs, among others, and the craftspeople who produced them, won numerous Emmy Awards and other accolades, including Peabody Awards.
Over the years, talent like Michael Keaton
, who worked behind the scenes on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
, emerged from the station and went on to national fame.
During its heyday, WQED also supported a post production office and editing facility in Los Angeles. Known as QED/West, the satellite was the editing center for much of WQED's national programming.
During the beginning of the 1990s, WQED faltered on a national level as the rapidly changing media landscape shifted. The downturn was exacerbated by a scandal in which top executives were discovered to have been augmenting their personal revenues without informing the Board of Directors. This period was chronicled in the 2000 book, Air Wars: The Fight to Reclaim Public Broadcasting by Jerrold M. Starr
.
The problems continued with a failed attempt to sell WQED's auxiliary station, WQEX, outright in 1999. In 2002, WQEX's non-commercial educational status was removed, and the station would move to an all-shopping format, first with America's Store
and later with ShopNBC
. In November 2010, WQED reached a deal to sell WQEX to Ion Media Networks
for $3 million. The sale was consummated (after FCC
approval) on May 2, 2011, at which time the station's call sign
changed from WQEX to WINP-TV.
professor, John "Bear" Butler, maintains an active e-mail distribution list in which news about the members of WQED's community is updated regularly.
On Monday, January 5th, 2009, WQED launched the Create
Channel on 13.2, replacing the SDTV simulcast of the main WQED channel.
In 2009, WQED remained on channel 13 when the analog to digital conversion completed. This will make WQED the only full-powered station in the Pittsburgh market to move its digital signal back to its original analog channel position. Sister station WINP-TV will take over WQED's current digital position of channel 38, broadcasting on virtual channel
16.1
:
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
(PBS) member Public television station based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. Established April 1, 1954, it was the first community-sponsored television station in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as well as the fifth public TV station. WQED also became the first station to telecast classes to elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
classrooms when Pittsburgh launched the Metropolitan School Service in 1955. WQED has produced many shows for PBS, such as Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, also known as Mister Rogers, is an American children's television series that was created and hosted by Fred Rogers. The series is aimed primarily at preschool ages, 2-5, but has been stated by Public Broadcasting Service as "appropriate for all ages"...
and Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?. Pittsburgh Magazine is also a publication of WQED.
Early years
The idea for a public television station was the brainchild of Pittsburgh mayor David L. LawrenceDavid L. Lawrence
David Leo Lawrence was an American politician who served as the 37th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1959 to 1963. He is to date the only mayor of Pittsburgh to be elected Governor of Pennsylvania. Previously, he had been the mayor of Pittsburgh from 1946 through 1959...
, who wanted 12 percent of all TV stations in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to be for Non-commercial educational
Non-commercial educational
The term non-commercial educational applies to a radio station or TV station that does not accept on air advertisements , as defined in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission . NCE stations do not pay broadcast license fees for their non-profit uses of the radio spectrum...
use. Despite the fact that the FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
put an indefinite "freeze" on all television licenses due to the excess amount of applications for one, they granted Lawrence one on the condition they could raise enough money to equip and operate the station. Lawrence was also a close personal ally of then-President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
, which also helped out his cause. Lawrence then recruited Leland Hazard, an attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
for Pittsburgh Paint & Glass Company
PPG Industries
PPG Industries is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass and fiber glass. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2010 were $13.4 billion...
who also supported the idea of public television, to help get the station off the ground.
The biggest obstacle, however, would be Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse Electric
Westinghouse Electric (1886)
Westinghouse Electric was an American manufacturing company. It was founded in 1886 as Westinghouse Electric Company and later renamed Westinghouse Electric Corporation by George Westinghouse. The company purchased CBS in 1995 and became CBS Corporation in 1997...
, owners of pioneer radio station KDKA
KDKA (AM)
KDKA is a radio station licensed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Created by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation on November 2, 1920, it is one of the world's first modern radio stations , a distinction that has also been challenged by other stations, although it has claimed to be the first in...
. Westinghouse wanted to get a TV station signed on in Pittsburgh to compete with DuMont
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
O&O
Owned-and-operated station
In the broadcasting industry , an owned-and-operated station usually refers to a television station or radio station that is owned by the network with which it is associated...
WDTV--which at the time had a de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
in what was then the nation's sixth-largest TV market--and was growing impatient with the "freeze" of television licenses. The station had launched WBZ-TV
WBZ-TV
WBZ-TV, virtual channel 4, is a CBS owned-and-operated television station, located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. WBZ-TV's studios and office facilities, shared with sister station WSBK-TV , are located in the Allston-Brighton section of Boston, and its transmitter is located in Needham,...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1948 and would purchase WPTZ-TV (now KYW-TV
KYW-TV
KYW-TV, virtual channel 3, is an owned and operated television station of the CBS Television Network, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. KYW-TV shares a studio facility with its sister station, CW flagship WPSG just north of Center City Philadelphia...
) in Philadelphia in 1952, but was unable to secure a license for a TV station in its home market. By the time the "freeze" was lifted in 1952, the FCC granted smaller cities such as Steubenville, Ohio
Steubenville, Ohio
Steubenville is a city located along the Ohio River in Jefferson County, Ohio on the Ohio-West Virginia border in the United States. It is the political county seat of Jefferson County. It is also a principal city of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area...
; Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia; it is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area...
; Clarksburg, West Virginia
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Clarksburg is a city in and the county seat of Harrison County, West Virginia, United States, in the north-central region of the state. It is the principal city of the Clarksburg, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area...
; Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
; Altoona, Pennsylvania
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
; Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
; and Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
the chance to sign on before more stations in Pittsburgh signed on. All of those cities shared the VHF
Very high frequency
Very high frequency is the radio frequency range from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. Frequencies immediately below VHF are denoted High frequency , and the next higher frequencies are known as Ultra high frequency...
band with Pittsburgh, and only Youngstown would ultimately end up as a UHF island.
Westinghouse later offered a compromise to the FCC, offering to have them get the channel 13 license for the proposed KDKA-TV and have them "share" the frequency with WQED. Considered unacceptable to Hazard, he called Westinghouse CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
Gwilym Price to ask him if he should give up on his fight for public television. Price said that Hazard should keep fighting for it, giving Westinghouse backing for the future WQED. Westinghouse even donated to Hazard the tower Westinghouse had purchased had it gotten the channel 13 license, making way for WQED to sign on April 1, 1954. The station's call letters, Q.E.D.
Q.E.D.
Q.E.D. is an initialism of the Latin phrase , which translates as "which was to be demonstrated". The phrase is traditionally placed in its abbreviated form at the end of a mathematical proof or philosophical argument when what was specified in the enunciation — and in the setting-out —...
, are taken from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
phrase, quod erat demonstrandum, commonly used in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
.
Westinghouse wouldn't have to wait much longer for its own TV station in Pittsburgh, though. Knowing that DuMont needed WDTV's cash flow to get its programming cleared in larger markets but also needed a short-term cash infusion after DuMont investor Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
vetoed a merger between DuMont and ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
, which itself had just merged with United Paramount Theaters. Westinghouse offered DuMont a then-record $10 million for WDTV, which DuMont promptly accepted in January 1955. Westinghouse immediately changed the call sign
Call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
s from WDTV to KDKA-TV
KDKA-TV
KDKA-TV, channel 2, is an owned and operated television station of the CBS Television Network, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. KDKA-TV broadcasts from a transmitter located in the Perry North neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and its studios are located in downtown Pittsburgh at Gateway Center....
, making it a sister station to radio station KDKA
KDKA (AM)
KDKA is a radio station licensed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Created by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation on November 2, 1920, it is one of the world's first modern radio stations , a distinction that has also been challenged by other stations, although it has claimed to be the first in...
. DuMont wasn't able to get clearance in larger markets and was out of business by the end of 1956. Although KDKA-TV is now owned by Westinghouse successor CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on commercial broadcasting, publishing, billboards and television production, with most of its operations in the United States. The President and CEO of the company is Leslie Moonves. Sumner Redstone, owner of National Amusements, is CBS's...
(as a CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
O&O) as a result of various mergers, the station still retains a close relationship with WQED as a result of Westinghouse helping to get WQED on the air.
Heyday
During its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s, WQED was a vital supplier of programming to the national PBS system. For 15 years, WQED produced the National Geographic Specials for the National Geographic SocietyNational Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
. These programs, among others, and the craftspeople who produced them, won numerous Emmy Awards and other accolades, including Peabody Awards.
Over the years, talent like Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton
Michael John Douglas , better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor known for his early comedic roles, most notably his performance as the title character of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice . Keaton is also famous for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton's...
, who worked behind the scenes on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, also known as Mister Rogers, is an American children's television series that was created and hosted by Fred Rogers. The series is aimed primarily at preschool ages, 2-5, but has been stated by Public Broadcasting Service as "appropriate for all ages"...
, emerged from the station and went on to national fame.
During its heyday, WQED also supported a post production office and editing facility in Los Angeles. Known as QED/West, the satellite was the editing center for much of WQED's national programming.
Decline
Jerold Starr
Jerold M. Starr is an American writer, professor, and social activist. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Mumford High School and Montieth College of Wayne State University. Starr earned a Ph.D. in sociology from Brandeis University in 1970...
.
The problems continued with a failed attempt to sell WQED's auxiliary station, WQEX, outright in 1999. In 2002, WQEX's non-commercial educational status was removed, and the station would move to an all-shopping format, first with America's Store
America's Store
America's Store was a US shopping television network. It was the spin-off channel to the Home Shopping Network . On April 3, 2007, America's Store ceased broadcasting permanently....
and later with ShopNBC
ShopNBC
ShopNBC is an American broadcast and cable home shopping network, owned and operated by ValueVision Media, which is in turn 30% owned by GE Equity and NBC Universal...
. In November 2010, WQED reached a deal to sell WQEX to Ion Media Networks
ION Media Networks
ION Media Networks is an American television broadcasting company that owns and operates over 60 television stations in most major American markets. It is now a privately owned company.-History:...
for $3 million. The sale was consummated (after FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
approval) on May 2, 2011, at which time the station's call sign
Call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
changed from WQEX to WINP-TV.
Family of employees
WQED's employees are historically a tight knit group. Longtime sound man and Ohio UniversityOhio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
professor, John "Bear" Butler, maintains an active e-mail distribution list in which news about the members of WQED's community is updated regularly.
Digital programming
| Channel | Video | Aspect Aspect ratio The aspect ratio of a shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It may be applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-dimensional shape, such as the ratio of the longest and shortest axis, or for symmetrical objects that are described by just two measurements,... |
Programming |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13.1 | 1080i 1080i 1080i is the shorthand name for a high-definition television mode. The i means interlaced video; 1080i differs from 1080p, in which the p stands for progressive scan. The term 1080i assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a frame size of 1920×1080 pixels... |
16:9 16:9 16:9 is an aspect ratio with a width of 16 units and height of 9. Since 2009, it has become the most common aspect ratio for sold televisions and computer monitors and is also the international standard format of HDTV, Full HD, non-HD digital television and analog widescreen television ... |
Main WQED programming / PBS |
| 13.2 | 480i 480i 480i is the shorthand name for a video mode, namely the US NTSC television system or digital television systems with the same characteristics. The i, which is sometimes uppercase, stands for interlaced, the 480 for a vertical frame resolution of 480 lines containing picture information; while NTSC... |
4:3 | Create Create (TV channel) Create is a digital television public television network in the United States. The network was created after the closure of PBS YOU in 2006. Create is a public television network, and runs mainly how-to, DIY, and other non-commercial educational television shows from the libraries of Public... |
| 13.3 | Neighborhood Channel |
On Monday, January 5th, 2009, WQED launched the Create
Create (TV channel)
Create is a digital television public television network in the United States. The network was created after the closure of PBS YOU in 2006. Create is a public television network, and runs mainly how-to, DIY, and other non-commercial educational television shows from the libraries of Public...
Channel on 13.2, replacing the SDTV simulcast of the main WQED channel.
In 2009, WQED remained on channel 13 when the analog to digital conversion completed. This will make WQED the only full-powered station in the Pittsburgh market to move its digital signal back to its original analog channel position. Sister station WINP-TV will take over WQED's current digital position of channel 38, broadcasting on virtual channel
Virtual channel
In telecommunications, a logical channel number , also known as virtual channel, is a channel designation which differs from that of the actual radio channel on which the signal travels....
16.1
National
- National Geographic Specials (1975-1991)
- Mister Rogers' NeighborhoodMister Rogers' NeighborhoodMister Rogers' Neighborhood, also known as Mister Rogers, is an American children's television series that was created and hosted by Fred Rogers. The series is aimed primarily at preschool ages, 2-5, but has been stated by Public Broadcasting Service as "appropriate for all ages"...
(1968 – 2001) - Doo Wop 50Doo Wop 50Doo Wop 50 was a PBS pledge drive special created and produced for PBS member station WQED-TV by TJ Lubinsky, grandson of Herman Lubinsky...
(1999) and subsequent similar programs produced by TJ LubinskyTJ LubinskyTerry James "TJ" Lubinsky is primarily a Pittsburgh radio host. However, he is also executive producer/director of many PBS pledge-drive programs. His cherubic bear-cub appearance endears him to millions of viewers of all the oldies-format music programs airing periodically on the network.Lubinsky... - The War that Made AmericaThe War that Made AmericaThe War that Made America is a PBS miniseries about the French and Indian War, which was first aired in January 2006. The series features extensive reenactments of historical events, with on-screen narration provided by Canadian actor Graham Greene...
(2006) - Where in the World is Carmen SandiegoWhere in the World Is Carmen Sandiego (game show)-Original music and theme song:All of the music on the series was vocal music, arranged and performed by the a capella group, Rockapella. The music package included a popular theme song, and many short signature stings, such as "Let's Get Packing" when the contestant won the grand prize...
— in partnership with WGBHWGBH-TVWGBH-TV, channel 2, is a non-commercial educational public television station located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. WGBH-TV is a member station of the Public Broadcasting Service , and produces more than two-thirds of PBS's national prime time television programming...
in Boston - Planet Earth (1986) — in association with the National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
- The Infinite Voyage (1987-1992) — in association with the National Academy of Sciences
- Space Age (1994?) — in association with the National Academy of Sciences
Chris Moore programs
- Black Horizons — weekly
- Wylie Avenue Days (1991)
- In Country: A Vietnam Story (2006)
Pittsburgh History Series
Nostalgia documentaries by Rick SebakRick Sebak
Richard "Rick" Sebak is an American film director and producer who lives and works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States.Sebak is the creator of the "scrapbook documentary" genre, many of which he has created for WQED and PBS...
:
- The Mon, The Al & The O (1988)
- Kennywood Memories (1988)
- Holy Pittsburgh! (1989)
- Flying Off The Bridge To Nowhere! And Other Tales Of Pittsburgh Bridges (1990)
- Things That Aren’t There Anymore (1990)
- Downtown Pittsburgh (1992)
- Stuff That’s Gone (1994)
- Houses Around Here (1994)
- The Strip ShowStrip District (Pittsburgh)The Strip District is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is a one-half square mile area of land northeast of the central business district bordered to the north by the Allegheny River and to the south by portions of the Hill District...
(1996) - North Side StoryNorthside (Pittsburgh)North Side refers to the region of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, located to the north of the Allegheny River and the Ohio River...
(1997) - South Side (1998)
- Things That Are Still Here (1999)
- Something About OaklandOakland (Pittsburgh)Oakland is the academic, cultural, and healthcare center of Pittsburgh and is Pennsylvania's third largest "Downtown". Only Center City Philadelphia and Downtown Pittsburgh can claim more economic and social activity than Oakland...
(2000) - Pittsburgh A To Z (2001)
- Happy Holidays in Pittsburgh (2002)
- Things We've Made (2003)
- It's the Neighborhoods (2004)
- What Makes Pittsburgh Pittsburgh (2006)
- Underground Pittsburgh (2007)
- Invented, Engineered, and Pioneered in Pittsburgh (2008)
- Right Beside the River (2009)
Pennsylvania programs
- The Pennsylvania Road Show (1992)
- Pennsylvania Diners And Other Roadside RestaurantsPennsylvania Diners And Other Roadside RestaurantsPennsylvania Diners & Other Roadside Restaurants is a 1993 documentary created by Rick Sebak. The program originated in a 1992 item in The Pennsylvania Road Show about Lee's Diner. It was to be called "Pennsylvania Diners" but added "Other Roadside Restaurants" to cover other establishments than...
(1993)
National programs
- An Ice Cream Show (1996)
- Shore ThingsShore ThingsShore Things is a 1996 PBS television documentary by Rick Sebak of WQED Pittsburgh. The show profiles American beaches, the things they are known for, and other notable facts.The beaches and other things featured are:...
(1996) - A Hot Dog Program (1999)
- Great Old Amusement ParksGreat Old Amusement ParksGreat Old Amusement Parks is a 1999 PBS television documentary by Rick Sebak of WQED Pittsburgh.*Idlewild and Soak Zone — Ligonier, Pennsylvania*Cedar Point — Sandusky, Ohio*Astroland — New York, New York...
(1999) - A Flea Market Documentary (2001)
- Sandwiches That You Will LikeSandwiches That You Will LikeSandwiches That You Will Like is a 2002 PBS documentary by Rick Sebak of WQED. The unique sandwich offerings of cities across the United States are shown, from those that are often found outside of their city of origin to the...
(2002) - A Program About Unusual Buildings & Other Roadside Stuff (2004)
- A Cemetery SpecialA Cemetery SpecialA Cemetery Special is a 2005 PBS television documentary film by Rick Sebak of WQED. The documentary profiles cemeteries and cemetery-related businesses and events across the United States.The following cemeteries are covered in the film:...
(2005) - To Market To Market To Buy A Fat Pig (2007)
- A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway (2008)
- Breakfast Special (2010)
External links
- Official site
- A history from the Pittsburgh Post-GazettePittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
- "Changes Lives" Identity unveiled
- 2007 annual report award win for WQED