PRESS RELEASE:

Demonstrating its leadership role in shaping news and public affairs journalism for the decade ahead, PBS will offer Need to Know, an integrated broadcast and online current affairs project beginning Friday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. on KUED.

"During the past three years, PBS has been transforming itself, taking content beyond the television screen and making it available on multiple platforms, including the Internet and mobile devices," said Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS. "Need to Know is the latest step in this ongoing evolution."

The program is a key component to PBS's news and public affairs initiative, the first phase of which focuses on improving service to the public in three areas -- on-air, online and service to communities through local stations.

"In-depth reporting, intelligent analysis, thoughtful commentary and relevant features are the hallmarks of PBS public affairs programming," said Neal Shapiro, President and CEO of WNET.ORG. "Need to Know will carry on this tradition, but it will break through the limitations of the broadcast schedule by means of a web-based production model that empowers audiences to 'tune in' anytime and anywhere - it is truly news for a new generation."

The goal of the initiative is to make news and public affairs content more user-friendly and pertinent to the way people now use media. Viewers saw the first phase with the debut of the redesigned PBS News Hour in December and the revamped Nightly Business Report in early January.

Need to Know will cover five primary beats: the economy, the environment and energy, health, national security and culture. Stories, interviews, blogs, video and photo features will offer ongoing updates online.

Award-winning broadcast journalist Alison Stewart and Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and Newsweek editor Jon Meacham will co-anchor Need to Know, a dynamic source of current affairs coverage for today's media consumers. The program reaffirms PBS's role as America's most trusted national institution and fairest news source among broadcast and cable channels.

"I can't think of two better anchors for Need to Know than Alison and Jon," said Shapiro. "They bring years of journalistic experience in a variety of media, which makes them perfect for the program's innovative approach to news. I'm personally excited to see them on air and on-line together and I think PBS viewers will embrace them."

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