October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023
Paul Grove
President and CEO
Alan C. Bomstein
Chair
Jeffery Sparling
Suzanne Oaks Brownstein *
Immediate Past Chair
Lori Baggett, Esq.
James Bennett
Brian Butler
Bob Calafell
Tony Coleman
Susan Craig
Richard Dobkin *
Patricia
Danielle
Thomas
Walt Engle
Scott Gault
Robert Gough, Esq.
Nancy Hoyt
Claude Macari
Devanand Mangar
Jean
George
Jon Philipson
Benson Riseman
Garrett Shinn, C.P.A.
Dear Friends of WEDU PBS,
I am pleased to share this report, showcasing the highlights of our work. WEDU's success this year was a collective team effort, and I sincerely appreciate your contributions to the team. Thanks to your financial support, WEDU empowered the creation of great local stories. You supported us, and we delivered for you and the community.
As Florida's largest PBS station, WEDU broadcast 52,560 hours of commercial-free television last year across six channels, reaching over 6 million Floridians. We also engaged audiences through video streaming, digital platforms, social media, and educational resources. By amplifying local voices and addressing critical issues, we foster dialogue through storytelling, events, and outreach.
WEDU's deep commitment to the community has solidified its reputation as a vital educational resource, especially for young learners. Our educational programming and outreach for PreK–12 students remain a trusted resource for parents and educators alike.
In 2023, our work received critical recognition with 10 Suncoast Regional Emmy nominations—four of which we won—and three prestigious NETA Public Media finalist nominations, including a win for Last to Ask. We produced notable programs like The Sarasota Experience, Rise of the Rays: A Devil of a Story, and impactful content for our environmentally focused Sustain initiative.
As we reflect on our achievements and look ahead, I extend my deepest gratitude to our donors, board members, and community partners who share our vision. The impact of our work goes beyond this report, sparking conversation, driving change, and deepening our understanding of the world. With your support, we look forward to another year of growth and collaboration.
Thank you for trusting us.
Sincerely,
Paul Grove WEDU PBS President and CEO Proud
Sustaining Member
This year, the WEDU Education team implemented over 100 event and workshops to engage children, teachers, and caregivers.
WEDU hosted its inaugural Spanish-language event with the premiere of Alma’s Way: Alma Goes to Puerto Rico. Held at the Polk Theatre in Lakeland, this free community event invited families to celebrate with Puerto Rican festivities, giveaways, and a lively dance party.
The annual block party event at WEDU PBS Studios united the community to celebrate kindness and the spirit of being good neighbors. Attendees enjoyed games, music, station tours, and the opportunity to meet beloved characters Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat and local community helpers.
Hear what the next generation has to say about our world.
WEDU launched a youth media program for middle and high school students, encouraging them to explore their identities, perspectives, and aspirations. Participants from six schools in Tampa created original audio, video, and images showcased online.
In Bradenton, WEDU supported four events focused on providing families with preschool-aged children with interactive and engaging literary experiences. These activities were designed to enhance oral language and vocabulary skills, attracting over 1,000 attendees at each event.
PBS LearningMedia is a trusted source for media-rich classroom resources developed to spark students’ curiosity and support effective and equitable teaching and learning.
PBS KIDS For Parents supports parents and caregivers as they help their children learn and grow to their full potential.
WEDU is renowned for its unique ability to create and produce local, in-depth programming. We excel in original storytelling that empowers communities to connect and grow.
The Greater series highlights captivating stories from our backyards. Greater Ybor City celebrates this local community through intimate and immersive narratives, showcasing its unique history and neighborhoods with timely, impactful stories.
Learn about the mental health crisis faced by many local first responders. Their demanding jobs leave little time for recovery from traumatic experiences, and they often battle the stigma and potential consequences of seeking help. This story raises awareness and fosters compassion for a beloved community, earning recognition from the International Association of Firefighters with a Best Broadcast Feature Award.
DID YOU KNOW?
This documentary film presents the epic and emotional story behind the decades-long struggle to bring Major League Baseball to Tampa Bay.
WEDU PBS created more local programming and original content this year than we can fit in this report. Visit video.wedu.org to watch these programs and more—anytime, anywhere.
Climate experts say the most important action we can take against climate change is to talk about it.
PUBLIC SQUARE: Climate Change fosters a critical discussion to help combat its impacts in Florida.
In a pivotal time, WEDU PBS launched SUSTAIN, a comprehensive, multi-platform initiative dedicated to examining the deep-rooted connections between our community and the environment. SUSTAIN produces original content on various topics, including climate science, weather phenomena, mental well-being, sustainable food practices, lifestyle choices, and critical public affairs issues.
Featuring the work of artists and climate activists Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse, High Water Marks is a digital series that explores the intersection of art and activism, bringing awareness and understanding to the environmental issues we face.
Throughout the year, WEDU engaged the community through outreach initiatives to promote lifelong learning and cultural awareness.
Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster, co-hosts of America’s Test Kitchen, joined WEDU PBS for a special live event at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg. The interactive evening featured conversation, kitchen demonstrations, menu inspiration from their book The Complete Small Plates Cookbook, and a lively Q&A session.
WEDU's public affairs program, Florida This Week, hosted a special live event focused on climate change's impacts on Florida. A panel of experts discussed coastal concerns and local government actions to address climate effects, and the event concluded with an engaging Q&A session with the audience.
In partnership with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, WEDU hosted a virtual screening of Home Waters with a discussion featuring teen trekkers. They shared stories from their four-day, 50-mile journey, which began on paddleboards at Rainbow Springs State Park and concluded with an ocean debris cleanup by boat in Homosassa Bay.
Held at the Sarasota Opera House, this event showcased an exclusive screening of The Sarasota Experience, an original documentary by WEDU and Triforce Pictures. The film traces the evolution of the community and explores its future. The screening was followed by a Q&A session with the director and special guests featured in the documentary.
6
WEDU PBS provides six broadcast channels
65%
3,000,000 video streams across all platforms
#1
52,000
6 of WEDU members are sustaining donors 49% of our members stream WEDU and PBS programming with WEDU PBS Passport
PBS KIDS is the #1 most trusted media in educational programming, according to parents
637,898
total visits to wedu.org
hours of high-quality public television including over 10,000 hours of educational programming
WEDU PBS provides rich digital content and meaningful engagement across six social media platforms
CONTENT | TOPICAL FEATURE WINNER
FIRST RESPONDERS: LAST TO ASK
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES
SUNCOAST REGIONAL EMMY® AWARDS
DOCUMENTARY | CULTURAL
RISE OF THE RAYS: A DEVIL OF A STORY
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION | SHORT FORM CONTENT
ARTS PLUS: SPHINX VIRTUOSI
HEALTH/MEDICAL | LONG FORM CONTENT LAST TO ASK
MUSICAL/COMPOSITION/ARRANGEMENT
RISE OF THE RAYS: A DEVIL OF A STORY
CONTENT | SHORT FORM FINALIST
GREATER YBOR CITY: HOME OF THE CHICKEN
CONTENT | TOPICAL FEATURE FINALIST
GREATER YBOR CITY: RISING TO THE OCCASION
