Thought news of this new BBC 4 program about the US might interest
this list. In this case AIR stands for Association of Independents in
Radio,...
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Sue Schardt" <s...@airmedia.org>
Date: April 19, 2009 10:09:47 AM EDT
To: <airda...@packard38.webcrossing.com>
Subject: BBCs Radio 4's "Americana" to tap AIR producers, stations
Reply-To: <airda...@packard38.webcrossing.com>
Im so pleased to share the press announcement below that was issued
yesterday in the UK about a new BBC program focusing on the U.S. and
distributed via Radio 4. You may have seen Erins Friday
announcement here that the BBC has joined AIR's ranks, and weve
been consulting Executive Producer Maria Balinska in recent months
on commissioning freelance work as they craft an authentic
representation of the U.S. for a British listening audience.
Maria previously produced the popular BBC international
eavesdropping program A World in Your Ear, which was cancelled in
2007 (to our dismay). She recently moved to DC, and is very excited
to tap the AIR ranks, build a contributor list, and to try out new
ideas.
Heres a bit more from the Americanas mission statement. <snip>
Combining discussion and reportage, Americana will hear from the
front line of change political, cultural, social across America,
getting between the coasts to the towns and cities of the flyover
states to engage the listener with America in new and unexpected
ways. The shows guest list will be deliberately eclectic, ranging
from emerging cultural stars (like comedian Tina Fey and Austin-
based creator of the King of the Hill cartoon series Mike Judge) and
provocative commentators (like conservative Michelle Malkin and
progressive populist Arianna Huffington) to leading thinkers (like
Chicago based Garry Wills, Stanford African American conservative
Shelby Steele and Steven Waldman, CEO of Beliefnet.com the countrys
largest faith and spirituality website)
. <snip>
The journalistic and production standards are high for the program.
The production team will be commissioning one 6 to 8 minute feature
per program/week. They are, Maria says, looking for engaging
stories which provide original insights into contemporary America
and which use sound imaginatively to enhance the narrative and to
provide the listener with a strong sense of 'bei ng there.' Maria
is familiar with AIRs recommended fee structure and says that the
rates theyll pay fall within the range weve outlined. http://tiny.cc/E6TQ9
The Americana team is in the process of sorting out what particular
issues and themes will be of immediate interest to the program - and
will be posting them on the AIRdaily in the days/weeks ahead.
If you want more information, you can contact Maria directly at <maria.balin...@bbc.co.uk
>, or call AIR at 617 825 4400.
:: PRESS RELEASE ::
Americana brings voices from across America to BBC Radio 4
Americana, a new weekly programme presented from the worlds most
powerful country by Matt Frei, launches on BBC Radio 4 this spring.
Matt will be joined in the Washington DC studio by an eclectic panel
of guests. Emerging cultural stars, provocative writers and some
current prominent thinkers aim to give the Radio 4 audience an insi
ders guide to the people and stories shaping the USA. Americana
will also team up with radio stations around the country, bringing
reports and features from places off the beaten track.
Americas first black president has made change his mantra. The
meltdown of Wall Street has dislocated the countrys status.
President Obama is trying to change the way the country carries out
its diplomacy. Americana will look at what these changes mean for
America itself, and the rest of the world.
Mark Damazer, Controller BBC Radio 4 says on his blog today: Since
Alistair Cookes death and the demise of his Letter From America, I
have been thinking about a new programme that would ruminate about
America - one that would give fresh insights from the city streets
of Chicago and LA, to the small towns of Tennessee and Montana.
Americana will bring Radio 4 listeners a sense of the countrys
vibrant and often complicated character.
Presenter Matt Frei says: Im very excited by the prospect of
Americana. There is nothing like it on national radio. I feel sure
the discussions with leading thinke
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