Grants

Support for a PBS "AIDS Update" series

This grant supports four one-hour national PBS specials devoted exclusively to AIDS. The network and its 200 affiliates have noted the absence of a regular and trusted public news/documentary media forum on matters connected to AIDS. Their response is the production of a series focusing on the scientific, public policy, legislative, research, community response, media coverage and patient care delivery aspects of the disease through the launch of a prime time AIDS UPDATE series, starting September 1988. RWJF support will underwrite the overall production costs for the initial year of programming. The actual grantee is Boston's WGBH. That station's producers of the NOVA and Frontline programs will co-produce the AIDS UPDATE specials, expanding their Tuesday time slots. Those two programs now carry an audience of from 6 to 9 million. Prior joint venture specials have boosted viewership to 10 to 12 million. RWJF may recommend members for the AIDS UPDATE advisory board, consultant, and host. A 15-second RWJF logo/billboard will appear before and after each production with voice-over citation of RWJF's grant. The Foundation will have no direct input concerning content of any program, however, it will be able to advise during pre-production phases.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $3,999,826.00

Awarded on: 5/12/1988

Time frame: 7/1/1988 - 3/31/1990

Grant Number: 13317

Grantee

WGBH Educational Foundation

125 Western Avenue
Boston, MA, 02134-1008

Peter S. McGhee
Project Director

617-492-2777

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