Houston Public Media announced Thursday (Nov. 7) it is creating an Arts and Culture Team to increase and enhance coverage of the city’s vibrant arts community. Creation of the Arts and Culture Team is the latest in a series of moves by Houston Public Media to add increased capabilities in local multi-platform content development, and realign staff to strengthen local news coverage, web initiatives and public affairs programming.
In keeping with trends in the industry, Houston Public Media will expand its use of the programming service Classical 24 throughout the broadcast day. Classical 24 is a nationally syndicated live classical music service produced by American Public Media and distributed by Public Radio International.
Classical 91.7’s “The Front Row” is being “re-imagined into multi-platform local content that exposes artists and arts organizations to wider audiences,” said Lisa Shumate, executive director and general manager of Houston Public Media. “The new Arts and Culture Team will continue service to the local arts community via multiplatform initiatives with Arts Insight, Manor of Speaking, and Houston Matters—all local programming that launched in 2013,” Shumate said.
These changes will result in the elimination of eight full-time positions.
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's best colleges for undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city, UH serves more than 39,500 students in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region in the country.
About Houston Public Media
Houston Public Media (www.houstonpublicmedia.org) is comprised of Channel 8, News 88.7 and Classical 91.7. These three public broadcasting stations, along with their internet presence, live streaming and podcasts, are supported by financial gifts from the community. Currently, Channel 8 reaches an average of 1.1 million viewers each week, while News 88.7 averages 315,000 weekly listeners and Classical 91.7 averages 112,000 weekly listeners. Houston Public Media stations are licensed to the University of Houston.
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