You are viewing the archive: “Paula Kerger”

PBS On ‘Downton Abbey’ Schedule: “We’re Not Punishing Viewers” – TCA

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Monday January 14, 2013 @ 1:43pm PSTTags: Downton Abbey, Paula Kerger, PBS, TCA

Diane Haithman is contributing to Deadline’s TCA coverage.

Ricky GervaisPBS president Paula Kerger said today that the pubcaster has considered the idea of synching the U.S. broadcast schedule of its hit series Downton Abbey with the earlier British schedule on ITV, but so far it has not found that such a change would best suit the American viewers (she added that in Britain the show airs with commercials; in the U.S. it does not). The idea, she told critics during a PBS session at TCA, has been to avoid pitting Downton against the glut of new fall programming on U.S. networks and cable channels. She compared the experience to watching the Olympics: “People knew the outcome but watched them every night,” she said.

A questioner pointed out that American viewers accept the Olympic broadcast schedule but find it “annoying.” “We’re not punishing our viewers,” Kerger responded with a laugh. “At the end of the day, I want to make sure we are putting the series in a place where the most people can find it.”

Related: PBS To Air Week Of Programming On Newtown Tragedy: TCA READ MORE »

Comments 32

PBS Chief Says “No Negative Impact” From Elmo Scandal, Big Bump From Big Bird: TCA

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Monday January 14, 2013 @ 1:20pm PSTTags: Paula Kerger, PBS, TCA

Diane Haithman is contributing to Deadline’s TCA coverage.

Paula Kerger PBS TCAPBS president Paula Kerger’s Q&A session with reporters at TCA included a lot of talk about Sesame Street. The pubcaster’s chief was asked about the show’s darker side: The controversy over former Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash, who resigned in November after accusations of having underage sex. “Elmo is larger than any individual; I have not seen any negative impact,” Kerger said today. “Time will tell; we will watch it very carefully.” Kerger reminded that the character of Kermit the Frog has survived the loss of original voice Jim Henson. As to casting a new Elmo, Kerger said that some of the series’ characters have multiple puppeteers and that there was already an effort underway to get some “additional help” for Elmo. She said she did not expect there would be any formal announcement of a new Elmo puppeteer.

Related: PBS To Air Week Of Programming On Newtown Tragedy: TCA Read More »

Comments (0)

PBS Chief Lashes Back At Romney’s Call To Cut Funding For Public Broadcasting: Video

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Thursday October 4, 2012 @ 11:00am PDTTags: Mitt Romney, Paula Kerger, PBS

PBS CEO Paula Kerger responded to Mitt Romney’s call for the elimination of federal funding for public broadcasting in an interview today with CNN’s Carol Costello. During last night’s Presidential debate, Romney told moderator and PBS veteran Jim Lehrer: “I’m sorry Jim, I’m gonna stop the subsidy to PBS. I … Read More »

Comments (19)

TCA: Fred Willard Would Have Been “A Distraction”, PBS CEO Says

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Saturday July 21, 2012 @ 1:47pm PDTTags: Fred Willard, Paula Kerger, TCA, Television Critics Association

Diane Haithman contributes to Deadline’s TV coverage.

PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger fielded questions about Fred Willard during today’s TCA presentation. Willard was dropped from the PBS show Market Warriors after his Wednesday arrest … Read More »

Comments (11)

TCA: PBS CEO On Congress De-Funding

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Saturday July 21, 2012 @ 12:10pm PDTTags: Paula Kerger, PBS, TCA, TCA Wrap-Up, Television Critics Association

Diane Haithman contributes to Deadline’s TV coverage.

PBSMore programming notes to come from PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger’s TCA session today. But … Read More »

Comments 44