‘TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY SPECIALS, SPIRIT, AND REFLECTION

posted by Laura McKee

Throughout the year our members, listeners, viewers, and volunteers frequently express how exceptional they find our programming. What better way to share this enriching experience with family and friends than by giving the gift of an annual AZPM membership for the holidays. Your support makes it possible for AZPM to acquire and produce the broadcast and educational services that enrich our lives and strengthen Southern Arizona communities. You can also support AZPM by making a year-end donation or an IRA Charitable Rollover. For more information on giving please visit azpm.org/support.

2012 has been a very busy year at Arizona Public Media and, as we conclude the year, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on and share with you the past year’s successes. The following are some of the many accomplishments achieved over the past year:

• AZPM staffers were recognized with eight Rocky Mountain Emmy® Awards – more than any other Tucson TV station.

• Original documentary productions included Together We Heal, Arizona’s Dust Bowl: Lessons Lost, and Seeking Water from the Sun.

• Original radio documentary productions included The Five Cs: A Century Later, Collecting Light: An Exploration of Arizona Astronomy, and Beyond the Sprawl – Rethinking the Southwestern Economy.

• Your Vote 2012 provided comprehensive election coverage including 52 “Meet the Candidate” interviews, 12 dedicated Arizona Week episodes, and 20 candidate forums across TV, radio and online. In addition, and for the first time, AZPM produced more than a dozen “Get Out the Vote” spots featuring some familiar faces and some new faces from the community, encouraging audiences to become involved in the electoral process.

• For the 10th year in a row NPR 89.1 was voted Best Radio Station for News by the readers of Tucson Weekly. NPR 89.1 remains the top-ranked News/Talk format station in the Tucson radio market.

• AZPM launched PBS LearningMedia® in collaboration with sister-station KAET8/Phoenix and hosted teacher training events in Southern Arizona.

• PBS 6 remains among the Top 10 most watched PBS stations nationally.

Throughout this month PBS 6’s membership campaign features a number of compelling and entertaining specials. Highlights include “Downton Abbey Revisited” featuring great moments from the series’ first two seasons along with cast interviews, rare behind-the-scenes footage, and a sneak peek at what’s in store for the Crawleys as they enter the Roaring Twenties; an encore broadcast of Season 2 of Downton Abbey starting December 2nd (leading up to the much anticipated premiere of Season 3 on January 6th); “Tommy Emmanuel Center Stage,” and “Fab Four: The Ultimate Beatles Tribute.” A schedule of dates and times are at azpm.org.

New holiday specials for December include Great Performances: Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas Baby; Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, featuring Jane Seymour and baritone Nathan Gunn; the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting; and the first-ever Cat in the Hat Christmas special, The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas. Perennial holiday program favorites include Rick Steves’ European Christmas and Christmas in Yellowstone. TV schedule listings are here.

December’s ‘Chef of the Month’ on ReadyTV is Lidia Bastianich, who will host mouth-watering new episodes of Lidia’s Italy in America. To help celebrate, we are giving our Facebook fans an opportunity to win her new cookbook “Lidia’s Italy in America.” Like us on AZPM Facebook to enter the contest. Visit here for the complete ReadyTV schedule.

Classical 90.5’s Community Concerts series will broadcast performances from the 2011 Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival, recorded here in Southern Arizona. Complete classical program listings are here.

And while 2012 has been chocked full of challenges and accomplishments, there are more coming in 2013. Topping our list in late-January is the re-launch of Arizona Illustrated, or as it will be recast, AZ Illustrated. Each weeknight will feature a different host and focus area including Metro on Mondays, Science on Tuesdays, Nature on Wednesdays, Arts on Thursdays, and Friday will remain The Political Roundtable with the Tucson Weekly’s, Jim Nintzel hosting. Stay tuned.

On behalf of all of us at AZPM, please accept our very best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy holiday season and 2013. As always, thank you for your viewership, listenership and continued support of Arizona Public Media.

Jack Gibson