WUKY Joins National Public Broadcasting Effort

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2010) - WUKY has joined with public television and public radio stations across the country in an unprecedented effort to harness the enthusiasm of the 170 million Americans who watch, listen to or use the services and programming of public media each month. The centerpiece of the campaign is a website – 170MillionAmericans.org – that represents the beginning of a grassroots effort to engage the support and energy of listeners and viewers in local communities from Homer, Alaska, to Fort Myers, Fla.

The 170 Million Americans campaign was founded on the belief that now, more than ever, our country needs a strong public media system as a source of nonpartisan news, local cultural programming and noncommercial educational programs. Public funding ensures that public media will continue to enhance the quality of life of our local communities through its offerings of children’s programming, news and public affairs, music and culture, and more.

WUKY plans to promote the campaign effort to members, listeners and the Bluegrass community by urging supporters to join the campaign at 170MillionAmericans.org.

 “2011 will be the year when a vigorous debate over the importance of public media will occur,” said WUKY General Manager Tom Godell, “and we’re proud to be a driver in this coordinated grassroots effort to harness the support and energy of every supporter of public media in America.”

For more information, contact WUKY Marketing Director Gail Bennett at wukgail@uky.edu or (859) 257-7049.

For more information about efforts nationwide, contact Bill Gray at American Public Media bgray@mpr.org or 651-290-1543 or Stacey Karp at the Association of Public Television Stations, skarp@apts.org or 202-654-4222.