Mon, Jun 1, 2009
I’m creating this post so that you viewers will have a spot where you can tell me what you are thinking about KTEH.
When my blog posts don’t reflect your current thinking about our station or our programming, come here and let me know what is on your mind!
I look forward to your comments.
Fire away,
B
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Join the legions of KTEH viewers who are longtime fans of our British Classics. Visit our guide to comedies, dramas, and mysteries from across the pond!
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June 4th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Hi there: I love the station and it’s programming (especially the BBC!). Right now I’m watching “The Jewish People” documentary, which is also wonderful. However, I find myself annoyed, verging on offended acutally, during the pledge breaks. The announcers are directly appealing to what they assume is a Jewish audience. I think that’s unfortunate and illiberal and certainly not a good fundraising approach for those of us who aren’t Jewish. For me it goes against the values of PBS to think provincially about who is watching and why. Should I expect an afro-centric pledge drive during “Jazz?”
June 7th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
I was just watching “As Time Goes By” as part of your fundraiser. I wanted to get a message to the actors. During the last several months I have been taking care of my parents while my mom has been undergoing chemo and my dad has been recovering from back surgery. Every night for three months we watched episodes of “As Time Goes By.” I have no doubt that the laughter the brilliant acting brought forth was the best medicine a doctor could have prescribed. We can’t thank them enough!!
June 9th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I generally love KTEH. I am disappointed that you are rerunning the stale pop psychology programs that were recently on KQED. Mostly they are infomercials for the authors of books on improving your brain, etc.
June 12th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Why do you choose such dreary programming during pledge time? I don’t know why anyone would continue watching let alone pledge. I pledged last year but I don’t want to encourage this miserable programming. You fill the pledge breaks with British comedies, mysteries or classic movies and we’ll talk. rb
June 13th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Hi,
I was very disappointed that part two of a Waking the Dead episode was not on KTEH last night as advertised. The Pilates program was shown one hour earlier than advertised. And just before the Pilates program started, you came on to say something about how great the Waking the Dead episode had been (the one just concluded) as part of the fund raiser segment, when it had not shown! grrrrr.
June 13th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Last night ( 12-June-2009 ) the showings of “Waking the Dead” & the Pilaties-program-that-strangely-replaced-”Dr. Who” where in reversed time-slots, resulting in not minor domestic upset and frantic reading of all available program listings…
Perhaps the night crew was so excited about the digital conversion they either:
1. forgot to read the schedule
2. forgot to read the tape IDs (or the current equivalent)
3. forgot their evening coffee.
4. thought it was just too early for a scary ghost show.
Whatever happened, could this be a one-time occurrence so in future years we can refer to 2009 as “The Year of the Great Time Slot Slip” [good title for a Dr. Who adventure?]
June 17th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Sometimes the shows we know and love on KTEH don’t inspire enough donations to keep them on the air so we broadcast “pledge blockbusters” to make up the difference. Those pledge specials have a history of raising a lot of money…it’s that simple.
When we choose programs for pledge drives we seek a balance of programs people usually see on KTEH, but don’t attract a lot of donations, with those that attract a large number of donors. You have probably seen Andre Rieu and Doo Wop a few times because they have long been successful staples of pledge and together represent tens of millions of dollars donated to local stations nationally. The same goes for the Brain Fitness show. It attracts a lot of attention and a lot of pledges.
Technology is in the works so that members can choose not to see the pledge breaks. Until then, we hope that you can put up with a few shows you don’t like so we can bring you the ones you love.
becca
June 18th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Sad to see Doc Martin go. It is a long series and appears there could have been many more episodes. Rosemary and Thyme ran for a very short time so to see that show is literally 100% reruns. I really enjoy public TV - try to support it in many ways but must say that just when I get hooked on a series, all too often it is pulled. Why?
June 20th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Drea Becca,
I appreciate your response. I would love to be able to tune in to British comedy and old movies at this website during pledge breaks. It would be great to have alternative programming such as the foreign language mystery series, comedies…
I think there are two big problems with local PBS stations now. The first is a lack of adequate government funding to assure the programming we’ve all come to take for granted. PBS stations are so heavily privately funded now! I worry about your lack of autonomy. Maybe pledge time would be better spent mobilizing an army of complaint to change policy.
That leads me to the second probem that I’d like to mention. It is that we, the local PBS stations and your veiwership, have grown old, stodgey and right-thinking together. I think the programming has lost its sparkle and that we, your veiwership, have lost the discernment and resolve to demand reform. I realize that your programming is a product of (and reflects) the times which have recently been particularly grim and reactionary but if the programming was able to ride a little ahead of the wave I think it could open up some possibillities. Best Wishes, rb
June 26th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Please bring back Doc Martin, I miss that show so much
it is the best entertainment and I loved watching it every
Monday
thanks
July 9th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Hi,
We are very long time supporter/members of KTEH. Imagine our dismay to discover that our new DIRECTV does NOT include KTEH. We get KQED through KCET Monterey-Salinas. We are having withdrawal and wonder how we can put pressure on DIRECTV to add KTEH to the local channels. We really miss not being to see KTEH!
July 10th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I am extremely dissappointed–I have been watching Video i for many years because I love the host, Blanche Shaheen. What happened to her? She was down to earth and relatable as far as hosts go, and opened my eyes to a whole world of independent film with her charm and humor. This is a real loss for KTEH.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I can’t believe Doc Martin is gone!! I was trying to find out when it would be on again and learned through this blog, it’s gone for good?! It would be so great to have that show back again. Quirky, hilarious, interesting characters, and so different. It was the only TV show I regularly, faithfully watched and looked forward to each week. Please, please bring it back!
Thank you!
July 14th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Doc Martin is not gone forever. The good doctor has been one of the most watched series on KTEH is past year will return (hopefully with new shows in January).
July 17th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Thank you very much for educational programs such as the artists which were featured every day We were dismayed when it went to Saturday early morning only. We made it a point to be in front of the T.V. and looked forward to watchING “BRUSH WITH NATURE, AND FRED, COWBOY ARTIST.
yARNELL, and other accomplished artits.
Is there any way possible that you can maintain a regular schedule of these art shows as we sometimes paint along with them. We have a few not finished works because the artist is no longer featured…..
July 18th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
What about Waking the Dead and New Tricks. Will we see them again? It appears they are still in production. Also, there are more seasons of Ballykissangel than we’ve seen, will you be showing us those?
And Dr. Who … will you be moving it back to an earlier hour? You’ve hit my limit of hunting for the program. I’m a fan but moving it deeper into the dead of night makes me think you are trying to make us stop watching.
Give us a hint about what’s coming. I’m so tired of those period dramas and reruns reruns reruns.
July 18th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Hello,
I am just writing to say how much we enjoy and appreciate the job that the station does in a wide variety of shows and specials, and have been loyal viewers for decades. However, we were very disappointed to see a short blurb at the end of tonight’s Lawrence Welk Show that it will no longer be carried starting next month after 15 years. It said to visit the web site for more programing info, but there was nothing mentioned about the cancellation. At least that we could find.
We fully realize that things do change and I’m sure broadcast time is very sought after, but this will be a big loss for many, many people in the bay area. In our own situation, my mom and her friends are in a nursing home, which is challenging in itself, and that once a week time is something that they really look forward to. There is not a lot of musical TV nowadays from that era, and it is a great time for them to relax and remember. It really makes a difference and helps them wrap up their week. For so many of them, music from that era in general is the one main thing that they tie to the good times of their youth. It makes them very happy.
It seems kind of ironic in a way, that over the past few years public TV stations are advertising more and more often for people of that age group to leave something in their estate to public TV when they die, and when you really look closely at the schedule there’s a great deal of kids shows, how-to shows, many hours of cooking shows per weekend, British TV, etc, and please don’t get me wrong, that fine, but not all that much for that older age group. Do you know of any other option available to get this broadcast? Possibly on-line transmission? I’ve checked with the shows producing station web site, OETA, and while you can purchase the specials, the weekly 1 hour shows are not available for sale.
Well, I guess that’s about it, but I do hope you may reconsider the decision to remove that show. Many, many people will be better served if you bring it back. It would seem that the younger audience wouldn’t be home much on a Saturday night at 7:00 PM anyway.
Thank you for your time,
Ralph Hyland
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July 30th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Last Monday (7/27) I taped “Brief” (after my bedtime) and looked at it this morning (7/30). It’s a fine show continuing that great favorite, Rumpole …. Now I see it won’t be on in August. That’s a shame! Perhaps you should put the “Old Bailey” in the title so people like me will recognize its potential.
August 2nd, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I am very disappointed that what is supposed to be mystery night on friday night has been taken up with non mystery shows. I really enjoy mystery night and I don’t much care for the pledge shows that are put on.Let’s have more entertainment and less self-improvement.
August 5th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Hello,
I love KTEH and how brilliantly British it is. I noticed that Ballykissangel is no longer listed. Will the show be returning? Also, Seasons 1-3 seemed to be repeated, will the other Seasons be shown?
Thank you,
Joyce
August 7th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I love the fun shows I hate the self help types. I look at TV for fun not peoples problems!
I miss Doc Martin!!!!
Thanks,
Maud
August 15th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I am afraid that Public Television in the United States seems to have all but died, leaving nothing else worth watching.
How can the (allegedly) greatest nation on earth produce such consistently awful television (PBS excepted)?
Even though I am only in England for about one quarter of the year, I gladly pay my 200 dollar a year licence fee to support the BBC.
August 16th, 2009 at 4:09 am
August 15, 2009
The KTEH blog admonishes contributors to use good grammar. Therefore, can the program name “This is Us” be changed? Your use of bad grammar is not setting a good example for your viewing community.
Otherwise, you’ve done good presenting profiles of special Bay Area people
Thanks,
Lee
August 19th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I would like to agree with several of your other viewers. Why do you torture us with endlessly repeating “self-help” info-mercials and music specials during pledge breaks? Is it punishment until we break down and phone in a pledge? I have stopped watching you, even though KTEH has been my favorite station!
Sad
August 19th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I agree Dean.
Good programs, but who wants two and three and four hours of John Denver or Riverdance, even if you enjoy it? I see tonight that “The Best of KTEH” runs for FIVE hours from 7 pm until midnight and then is repeated from 1 am untl 6 am, and same show again all Thursday evening and all Friday evening.
This is the trelevision service one would expect of a Third World country!
August 20th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I have stopped watching KTEH. You repeat these horrible shows over and over endlessly. If they are supposed to generate money for the station, I believe they are having the opposite effect. I won’t watch again until regular programming is restored. I haven’t seen a decent mystery show in months. It begs the question, if you want my money, what are you spending it on? Friday night used to be really something to look forward to.
August 21st, 2009 at 6:00 pm
What has happened to Mystery Night?
August 24th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Ann Asked about:
New Tricks?- Yes, we’ll see them again in the the Fall.
More seasons of Ballykissangel? - We’re glad you enjoy it. We are showing all we are allowed to broadcast. We can only air the seasons that the BBC releases.
And Dr. Who … will you be moving it back to an earlier hour? -
Doctor Who will air at 11 p.m. on Aug. 30 and 11 p.m. & midnight on Sunday, Sept. 6 & 13. It will be preempted by our pledge drive for the last 2 weeks of September but will return in October at 11p.m. on Sundays.
11p.m. on 8/30.
What’s coming? -Doc Martin will return on Monday September, 28 @8p.m. A new fourth season will begin in 2010.
Midsomer Murders ( http://www.midsomermurders.net/ will debut in October.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Mary Gage Says:
What has happened to Mystery Night?
Mary,
Mystery Night is more popular than ever. Recently, KTEH was the most watched PBS station in the nation on Mystery Night.
It has been interrupted this month for our pledge drive but you can watch Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes on Fridays ( 8/28, 9/4, 9/11) starting at 7p.m.
August 30th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
when does doc martin return in rochester, ny area? Far and away the best series currently seen on WXXI
September 16th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Here you go, Patric,
Doc Martin. Sundays, October 5-November 9 at 10:30 pm. What happens … contemporary/
DocMartin. Pictured: Martin Clunes as Doc Martin. Photo Credit: None. …
September 16th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
After preempting most of August with tired fundraising fare, the KTEH prime-time schedule seems to have reverted to fundraising mode once again for at least the last two weeks in September. Now Friday mystery night is reduced to one hour of Poirot as a sop.
I do not understand the rationale for offering the same worn out material time after time let alone the reason why the so-called normal schedule must be almost completely preempted. Especially when that material is not much different from the infomercials one finds on the commercial channels.
September 18th, 2009 at 11:28 am
WOW! That was quick! Are we already back to pledge drive mode after only, what, 3 weeks of regular programming? You say Friday Mystery Night is so popular and yet it’s already gone once again.
I love your Brilliantly British format but this is really frustrating.
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Why are you running those same old programs again!!! What is going on. I just turn the station off the minute I see them on the schedule. This is ridiculous. I don’t watch so no chance of a pledge from me ever. You would do much better to run great mystery shows & just take a longer break between shows for pledge breaks. The shows you run are tedious, old infomercials.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I am almost lost for words. KTEH should close down and transfer its assets to NPR. Television in the United States (Frontline excepted) is not worth the electricity required to power it.
September 25th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I was very pleased to read the comments, I thought I was the only viewer that was finding this “new” style of programming unpleasant. KTEH has long been my favorite station due to Friday Night “Mystery Night”. I know it has been going on for some years, but to me that was the beauty of it. Until recently, Friday Night Mystery Night was great during pledge breaks with a studio full of brilliant, loyal mystery fans, great mystery programs, and a host that loved Mystery (that was the magic of it). The mystery mugs were such fun to watch, if the hot water trick worked or not…where are all of the wonderful mystery programs and fans? Don’t like this new stuff, loved the old. Change is not always the right way to go.
Also, I loved New Tricks, Waking the Dead, Pie in the Sky and Jonathan Creek, but they are all gone…why?
I noticed the British comedies are not showing as frequently as they used to and KQED is no longer showing them, only KTEH, what is up with that?
Now, shows that I love Doc Martin, Lark Rise to Candleford, Ballykissangel, The Brief, and Kingdom, they should all stay. Wow! Maybe I am taking liberties and asking for too much but you did ask!
Sorry to be so long winded, but just wanted to put in my two cents worth…thank you!
September 28th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Thanks everyone for your candid comments on pledge drives and scheduling. We really do want to know what you think and we are taking your comments into consideration as we move forward.
Mystery night will be back to normal this coming Friday. Next Friday we are adding a new mystery- Midsomers Murders- which we think you will like.
We know the pledge drives are annoying but they really are the only way we have discovered to get viewers to support the programming. I’m re-posting a message I wrote explaining why we do what we do:
Sometimes the shows we know and love on KTEH don’t inspire enough donations to keep them on the air so we broadcast “pledge blockbusters” to make up the difference. Those pledge specials have a history of raising a lot of money…it’s that simple.
When we choose programs for pledge drives we seek a balance of programs people usually see on KTEH, but don’t attract a lot of donations, with those that attract a large number of donors. You have probably seen Andre Rieu and Doo Wop a few times because they have long been successful staples of pledge and together represent tens of millions of dollars donated to local stations nationally. The same goes for the Brain Fitness show. It attracts a lot of attention and a lot of pledges.
Technology is in the works so that members can choose not to see the pledge breaks. Until then, we hope that you can put up with a few shows you don’t like so we can bring you the ones you love.
becca
September 29th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I am sorry that “Lark Rise to Candleford” is being moved to Saturday at 9 pm, as I have been following this series, but will be unable to continue with it at that time. Short of KTEH moving it to a weekday slot in the future, I suppose I will have to wait for the DVDs.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:47 am
I thought Doc Martin was back and then discovered it was a rerun as well as Rosmary & Thyme.
Ballykiss Angel the same,these are my favorite shows because I’ve been to these locations. I’ve been to England many,many times and love it!
I don’t like the self help shows, I look at TV for fun!
MAUD
October 5th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I hope that ALL episodes of Lark Rise to Candleford will be shown this time around. It stopped about mid 2nd season this last time. Same goes for Waking the Dead and New Tricks. These shows have long been shown across the pond, so I don’t know how it could infringe on anything. I don’t watch much tv as it is…these are my favorites along with the other mystery shows/movies. ‘nuf out of me. Thanks for listening.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Just can’t believe that all we’re getting is re-runs. I.e. Rosemary & Thyme, Doc Martin etc. and I don’t see any honest answer from you why that is happening. I’m not going to support PBS because we’re just being fed re-runs hundreds of times. The programming seems to be totally haphazard. First you see a few shows then re-runs over and over and out of order (looks like you just pull the episodes out of a hat and put them on the air - then nothing-then out of order re-runs. No explanations even on the website. Larkrise to Candleford is the new interesting show-how long before we just get tired re-runs?
What happened to Doc Martin??
Cheryl
November 7th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I concur with the remarks about re-runs, etc., but my biggest complaints are:
(1) The inability to get a one page summary of the prime time programmes covering the whole month. Since you and KQED are in lock-step, if they can do it why can’t you? It is infuriating having to click-through day-by-day, hour by hour, to find out what is on, and when. Makes planned viewing impossible.
(2) The incessant repeats of Rick Steve’s travel programmes as fund-raisers, and now as fillers. They are non-stop commercials for his business!
(3) Perpetual appeals for money, especially the legacy appeals. Every interlude between programmes is punctuated with appeals. Regular viewers are tuning out when these come on, and casuals are not persuaded by these ‘opportunities’, especially the dreary teacher who was a former technical college instructor is a definite turn-off. We realise that you do need funding but year-round appeals is getting to be too much.
Back in September Becca says that Friday Mystery Night would be back. Not so. Seven to ten o’clock are mysteries, if we are lucky; but The McLaughlin Group isn’t a fit lead-in nor is the random programming after ten o’clock of interest to mystery fans as occurred this Friday (11/6/09).
Try listening to what your viewers want instead of programming to fit what you think the viewers want/will raise money; they will donate when they are happy with the programming.
November 10th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Marilyn,
You are not alone in your love of Mystery Night. KTEH has been the #1 (most watched) PBS station in the nation on many Friday nights. We take this very seriously and don’t make changes without a good reason.
Like you, we thought mysteries until midnight was a great idea. But we were in the minority. We found when we ran a mystery at 11pm, people switched away.
We‘d love to be able to offer more mysteries but funding is an issue. Most of our funding (nearly 60 %) comes from viewers. Many have been affected by the economic downturn.
Nobody likes the “perpetual appeal for money” , not even us. If everyone who watches KTEH spontaneously sent a pledge each year, we wouldn’t need to hold pledge drives and we would be able to afford even more of the popular programs. PBS stations across the nations have done extensive research on this issue. Pledge drives are the only successful method of raising the funds we need to keep KTEH on the air and to buy the rights to broadcast programs you love.
People don’t become members, or renew their memberships, unless we ask them – a few times. Most viewers still don’t become members. That is why you see shows about yoga, travel & brain fitness. Those pledge shows have a history of raising a lot of money…it’s that simple. You have probably seen Andre Rieu and Doo Wop a few times because they have long been successful staples of pledge and together represent tens of millions of dollars donated to local stations nationally.
Many, many more people view KTEH than support it. Without support from members it is impossible to add more episodes, new series or cut back on pledge drives. If you like the programs on KTEH, maintaining your membership is the best way to get more of them.
We are looking forward to the day when members will be able to watch a “pledge free” channel. Technology is in development that will allow members to enter a code into their TV remote that will allow them to see a special “member only” program feed without pledge breaks. Until then, we hope that you can put up with a few shows you don’t like so we can bring you the ones you love.
Here is the link to the one page schedule you were looking for: http://www.kteh.org/support/preview.jsp
November 15th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Hi I posted in your website, “The Mortgage Crisis.” Our journey started when we decided to walk out of our house. From reports and other News media many are in worst shape than we are. Public media especially PBS should now focus on what happens to people when they loose their home to the predictors, especially Californians, where unemployment and foreclosure rank one of the highest in the Nation. You should bring public attention to our Member of Congress (House of Representatives and Senators) they are duty bound to do what they were elected to do. These predictors with their lobbyists, Mentors in key Obama’s administration and in Congress (Democrats or Republicans) now, will continue to enjoy the fruits from us the tax payers’ bailout. While we can only count on hope and talk, talk and more talk help may soon come.
Our first journey will end shortly and our second will begin soon. For me at age 67, with my wife 10 years younger we face an unknown future. We are now separated after her cancer operation, she is staying with my youngest daughter who is a sophomore at UC Davis. While I still continue doing garage sales since late August at the place we once call “home.” She commutes daily to work on Amtrak in downtown SFO.
As an American, our American dream had turns to an American nightmare.
Donald