Hoping to boost its viewership among Southern Californians, KCET is about to embark on an ambitious, hyper local 10 p.m. strategy. L.A.-based shows about life in L.A. (something the low-budget LTN tried to do, to disasterous effect) is in the cards, once funding can be found.
The legendary programmer with the golden gut, Fred Silverman, is even behind the initiative. Joe and I had lunch with Silverman a few weeks ago, and he gave us the lowdown. Joe writes about the KCET programming block in today's Variety:
Los Angeles pubcaster is hoping to remake its primetime sked so that it airs at least one hour of original, locally focused programming at 10 p.m. every weeknight for a total of 200 hours. Station recruited broadcasting vet Fred Silverman to help design the programming, which will air under the banner "Celebrate Southern California."
Sked is a decidedly eclectic mix of fare, ranging from a newsmaker interview skein hosted by former KABC anchor Lisa McRee to a sort of "American Idol" for SoCal high school students. Nights will be themed to focus on different aspects of the community: people, performance, city politics, entertainment.
A Saturday night movie showcase, hosted by Martin Sheen, launched last weekend and is the first part of the initiative. Other potential programs include:
:: A "College Bowl"-style game show featuring local university students competing over 10 weeks.
:: An hour focusing on hometown heroes
:: A user-generated show in which audiences submit videos of their family life.
:: KCET-commissioned documentaries, a voice of the people show and a series of town hall meetings
:: "If You Ran the City," which would team mayors from around the L.A. area with ordinary citizens to brainstorm solutions to city problems.
:: "Curtain Call," which will offer TV adaptations of L.A.-area theater productions, including college and community theater.
:: An hourlong entertainment guide.
:: A SoCal edition of "Check, Please!," a restaurant review show based on a format that originated at Chicago PBS outlet WTTW.
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