Television

There is major confusion among consumers about the looming transition to digital television (DTV), according to a new survey from Consumer Reports National Research Center. Seventy four percent of respondents who said they were aware of the
upcoming transition had serious misconceptions of its impact.

Telemundo announced new appointments of station leaders in key markets. The following executives have been appointed to their new positions effective immediately: Carlos Sanchez to Vice President and General Manager of WNJU in New York; Manuel Abud to Vice President and General Manager of KXTX in Dallas; Celia Chavez to Vice President and General Manager of KDEN in Denver and KBLR in Las Vegas; and Roel Medina adds Vice President and General Manager of KVDA in San Antonio to his current responsibilities at KTMD in Houston.

Azteca América announced at the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) conference, the premiere of Azte Pa’cá, a two-hour weekly show featuring Renán Almendárez Coello “El Cucuy.” Renán, a Spanish-language radio icon, joins Azteca América with his first television show. Azte Pa’cá will air Saturday nights beginning on February 23 at 8 PM/7 C.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) released the results of a comprehensive survey of public television stations undertaken by SRI International. The study reveals that more than 84 percent of the stations are providing educational services directly to their communities.

While the media environment is evolving rapidly, television continues to be the dominant medium used by the American public. TV advertising is therefore still a core component of most major public service campaigns, on topics such as childhood obesity, drunk driving, or cancer prevention. To help inform the work of non-profits seeking to communicate with the public, the Kaiser Family Foundation is releasing a new, updated study that examines the extent and nature of public service advertising (PSA) on both broadcast and cable television.