For Immediate Release
Contact: Kristin Tutino, (585) 258-0253

WXXI’S BOB OWENS RECEIVES THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM THE PUBLIC TELEVISION PROGRAMMERS ASSOCIATION

(Rochester, New York) May 2, 2005 – At the PBS Showcase in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 12, The Public Television Programmers Association (PTPA) presented WXXI’s Robert L. Owens, Jr. with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Owens, who has been the Director of Television Programming at WXXI for more than 20 years, was honored for his ability to maintain a consistently strong audience over the years in a difficult diary market, and in recognition of his many skills and accomplishments.

“It was a great honor and one I humbly accept from my peers,” said Owens. “I owe a great deal of thanks to my mentor John Hutchinson, who was my boss at WNED-TV in Buffalo when I started in the business almost 40 years ago.”

Owens supervises acquisitions and scheduling of all programs on WXXI-TV and City 12. For the past year and a half he has also programmed WSKG-TV, the PBS station in Binghamton, New York. Under Owens’ direction WSKG-TV has seen a considerable increase in its ratings while WXXI’s market has grown to a 35/36 share.

Dr. Judith LeRoy, co-owner of TRAC Media Services, the nation's leading public television ratings analysis and audience research firm, presented Owens with the award. LeRoy said “In the past few years, when ratings were tough, Bob got even tougher. Through it all, Bob has conducted himself with class and character and maintained a sense of humor.”

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WXXI is an essential, lifelong educational resource for the Greater Rochester area. WXXI provides programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, opens cultural horizons and promotes understanding of the issues of our diverse community, nation and world. Log on to www.wxxi.org for more information about our services and programs.

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