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KCET Relaunches KCET.Org; New Features Include `Explore CA,' `Shop KCET' and an All New `Kids & Family' Section

Posted on: Friday, 11 November 2005, 12:00 CST

KCET has relaunched its website, KCET.org, introducing an abundance of web-only content, in addition to being the place to go for more information on your favorite KCET shows. New features include "Explore CA," a section dedicated to stories and information on California; a rebuild of the Kids section that incorporates the whole family; and "Shop KCET," where viewers can purchase their favorite programs and more.

"KCET has a long-standing commitment to the community and the Internet is another platform to present ideas," stated Jackie Kain, vice president of New Media. "The concept behind `Explore CA' is to aggregate stories about California, events and KCET shows on one site so viewers can do explore their community -- online, on-air, on demand."

The all-new "Explore CA" section (http://www.kcet.org/explore-ca/) provides unique content on and about local programming, an on-demand section offering up podcasts, a comprehensive video archive from the vaults of KCET and a special interactive online series. The initial series focuses on "Shelter" and its multifarious forms in Southern California -- from conversations with pre-eminent LA architecture photographer Julius Shulman, to a portrait of The Evergreen Cemetery, the ultimate shelter. "Driving Passions" debuts November 23, exploring our relationship with roads and the vehicles we use to traverse them.

Podcasts are made available on KCET.org through partnerships with the Hammer Museum, the Skirball Center, REDCAT Theater and ALOUD at Central Library, Los Angeles, and provide listeners with in-depth interviews and discussions on local exhibits and events. "Explore CA" is also the place to go to find out what's happening around town and get the scoop on local activities.

Listings of events for families is just one of the added features to the new "Kids & Family" section (http://www.kcet.org/kids-family/), which now incorporates information for parents, teachers, caregivers and, of course, kids. In addition to the day's programming schedule, visitors can find links to all of their favorite shows as well as fun activities, games and puzzles, all geared towards learning.

KCET.org strives to be a source of substance for the public. On top of the regularly provided information, the website provides live streams of important events, such as the Supreme Court hearings. Check regularly for more information on the upcoming hearings and other important television events.

"In many ways, we are a media technology R&D unit within the station," explained Kain. "It's our role to explore and embrace new concepts and technologies to keep viewers informed, to tell stories and keep them connected."

In addition to KCET.org, the New Media department of KCET produces websites and DVD-ROMs for PBS shows and develops online educational materials based on PBS shows for classroom use. The department has won the Communication Arts 2003 Award of Excellence, Interactive Information Design, for the "Woodrow Wilson" DVD and the 2000 PBS Communication Award for "The Buena Vista Social Club" website. It was a finalist for the 2005 EpPy Award for Best Internet Community Service Effort for "A Place of Our Own/Los Ninos en Su Casa" website and Best Television website for the 2005 Webby Award. And Cisco's Journal for the "American Family" website was a finalist for the first Interactive Emmy Award.

KCET/Los Angeles, the West Coast flagship station of the Public Broadcasting Service, airs to four million viewers per week in 11 counties, the largest broadcast reach of any public television station in the United States. Over its forty-plus-year history, it has garnered hundreds of awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, and its outreach and community services.

Additional information on KCET and its programming can be found at www.kcet.org

Source: Business Wire

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