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

WXXI WINS THREE TELLY AWARDS

Rochester, New York (March 23, 2011) –  WXXI was awarded three Bronze Telly Awards for its television productions – Second Opinion: Spinal Cord Injury, New York Wine and Table, and Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre. The Telly Awards Competition recognizes excellence in local, regional, and cable TV programs and commercials, as well as video and film productions.

WXXI’s national health care series, Second Opinion, brought home a Bronze Telly in the Health and Fitness TV Program category for its episode on spinal cord injuries. In the award-winning episode, Dr. Brad Berk, the CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center shares his story of the bicycle accident that severely injured his spinal cord. Dr. Berk is joined by his wife Mary Berk, and by spinal cord injury patient Charlie Durkee. Durkee shares the trials he has faced since his accident, which left him paralyzed at the age of 22. Second Opinion is produced by WXXI in association with University of Rochester Medical Center and West 175 Productions. Hosted by Dr. Peter Salgo,the seriespresents actual medical cases to a panel of experts to debate the pros and cons of diagnostic testing, interpret test results, and prescribe the best course of action. Second Opinion is made possible in part by support from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), which has been the major funder since the series’ inception in 2004. Second Opinion airs Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV/HD (DT21.1/cable 1011 and 11), and on more than 250 PBS stations across the country. To learn more about the series, visit WXXI.org/secondopinion.

New York Wine & Table, WXXI’s national television series that takes viewers on culinary journeys through New York's wine regions, earned a Bronze Telly in the Travel/Tourism category. Hosted by nationally known television lifestyle host Susan Hunt, the series features food, wine, agriculture, restaurants, people, and landscapes from the region. The series is co-produced by WXXI and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. To learn more about the series, visit WXXI.org/wineandtable.

Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre also earned a Bronze Telly in the Documentary category. Co-produced by WXXI and Eastman School of Music, and narrated by Rochester native, actor, and director Philip Seymour Hoffman, the film showcases the intricate renovation of a building that is itself a work of art. At the same time, it tells the story of the intertwined histories of the Eastman School of Music and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and demonstrates how a building can have a new life in the restoration of an historic downtown. Production funding for the film was provided by The Pike Company, PAETEC, Louise Epstein, and Keith & Betsy Wilson. To learn more about the production, visit: WXXI.org/eastman.

Entering its 32nd year, the Annual Telly Awards receives over 10,000 entries per year. With a highly esteemed reputation, the Telly Awards are internationally recognized for showcasing the best advertisement and entertainment production in the world.

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