Press Gazette - TV Future

Unique Green Bay TV unit looks to future

Green Bay Press Gazette - Green Bay, Wis.

Author:	Warren Gerds
Date:	Jul 11, 2005
Start Page:	D.1
Section:	Thats Life
Text Word Count:	539

Document Text

A William Shakespeare title may apply to a TV situation that burst on the Green Bay scene in early 2002: "All's Well That Ends Well."

After Wisconsin Public Television announced it would shut its production center at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay after 30 years, 54 parents, kids, educators, public officials and everyday citizens from an array of cultural backgrounds spoke against the action at a public forum.

"Wisconsin Public Television had a $1-million problem, and ending the facility here in Green Bay was one logic that made some sense -- and the people in Green Bay didn't agree, so we worked together and formed a new solution," says William Hynes, president of that "new solution," Educational Television Productions of Northeast Wisconsin.

"In the end, they saved considerable money, and we have an independent, grass-roots organization still producing high-quality videos and working together. So what's not to like?"

The topic arises because ETP-NEW has extended its contract with its landlord, UWGB, and is close to signing a contract extending its ties with Wisconsin Public Television and UW-Extension.

This means "Teen Connection" and documentaries made by the teamed entities will continue to be made in Green Bay and broadcast statewide.

"We're also looking for other independent producers or organizations that want and have a need for educational video productions," Hynes says. "We're trying to hold our base and expand at the same time -- 'maintain and improve' is the old adage."

Hynes is president of St. Norbert College. The 12-member ETP-NEW board he heads is made up of business, educational and community leaders.

Among other ETP-NEW productions, the past year saw "Teen Connection" programs on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual teens; AIDs; ethics; and prisons. A showpiece is "You Don't Want to Live in My House," a remarkable program made by inmates at the Green Bay Correctional Institution.

"The documentaries and 'Teen Connection' are all cutting edge," Hynes says. "Sometimes they're very controversial, but they all try to speak authentically about what is happening inside our community."

To celebrate its continuation, ETP-NEW will hold an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 17 at the UWGB production facility. Details will be made known closer to the date.

* More VOD: Three more free video on-demand channels have been added by Time Warner Cable.

TNT on Demand (channel 914) carries original TNT movies and behind the scenes footage from TNT drama series. TBS on Demand (915) offers episodes of "Outback Jack." Oxygen on Demand (930) offers original Oxygen movies and such shows as "Drastic Plastic."

As with a long list of other VOD channels, these may be viewed anytime and can be fast-fowarded, paused and replayed.

* Shalhoub appearances: Tony Shalhoub has another guest spot lined up. He's scheduled for "Last Call With Carson Daly" at 12:30 a.m. Friday on WGBA, Channel 26.

Shalhoub's appearance last Thursday on NBC's "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" found him chatting about his Screen Actors Guild awards for "Monk" (which resumed Friday), his two daughters, his family of 10 brothers and sisters and a family reunion this month in Wisconsin.

Warren Gerds writes about television and radio for the Press-Gazette. Write to him at P.O. Box 23430, Green Bay, WI 54305-3430 or e-mail wgerds@greenbaypressgazette.com.