Cynthia Fenneman

TV Real Weekly, July 23, 2008

American Public Television

Delivering high-quality, viewer-friendly programs to U.S. public television’s 360-plus stations has been American Public Television’s (APT) mission for nearly five decades, while its international sales division, APT Worldwide, has expanded the organization’s reach to the worldwide market. The company was responsible for the distribution of the first HD series on public television in the U.S., and last year was credited with 52 of the top 100 highest-rated program titles on PBS member stations.

The company has also launched Create TV, a 24/7 feed featuring the most popular public television lifestyle and how-to programming, covering genres such as cooking, arts and crafts, gardening, home improvement and travel. The network, now in its third year, is the most widely carried public television digital multicast channel in the U.S.

This summer, Create TV has stocked its schedule with a raft of programming that features some of the best-known names in the lifestyle business. Among them, legendary chef Julia Child, whose series Baking with Julia features tried-and-true techniques and time-honored tips from the world of cooking; grill-master Steven Raichlen, providing barbecue know-how with Primal Grill with Steven Raichlen; and renowned world traveler Rudy Maxa, taking viewers to some of the world’s top destinations to explore their cultures, people and lifestyles.

On the roster for September, APT is launching Spain�On the Road Again, a 13×1-hour program that features Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow, celebrity chef Mario Batali, author/journalist Mark Bittman and Spanish actress Claudia Bassols on an unscripted, “anything-goes” road trip through Spain.

“The company has raised the bar on the quality of programs we accept,” explains Cynthia Fenneman, who has been at the helm of APT since January 2001 as its president and CEO. “We want programs that will attract large numbers,” yet “since viewers have so little time, it has to be content that’s worthwhile,” she says. For Fenneman, one testament to this sort of quality programming is being able to evoke those “engaging, entertaining, Aha! moments of discovery,” from the audience.

APT distributes some 300 new series and specials each year to public television stations nationwide, covering history, nature, science, social and other documentaries; travel series; how-to and lifestyle programs; biographies; British drama and comedy; classic movies and children’s series. Looking down the line, the company is working to “expand its content beyond traditional broadcast to digital channels, Internet and mobile,” explains Fenneman. “We’ve been making strong pushes for high-profile, prime-time programming, marquee weekend series and fund-raising programs,” she notes, pointing out that APT has “been wanting to expand its commissioning and co-productions” as well.

“APT is in the fortunate position of having a very deep ‘Rolodex’ of independent producers, local public television station producers and international producers who are experienced in public television, commercial or cable network production,” Fenneman notes.

With some 32 years of commercial, public and network cable television experience, Fenneman is well poised to lead APT into its next phase. Throughout her career, she has earned more than 30 international, national and regional awards, including 12 regional Emmys and a CableAce. This year, Fenneman was selected as the only U.S. member of the five-person International Award’s jury at the Banff World Television Festival, describing the experience as “terrific, it’s fascinating to see what the world’s top broadcasting companies are putting forward as their best programs.”

Fenneman truly values being in her position, in large part as a result of the team at APT. “I have the best staff,” she says. “The company culture at APT is a top priority�To have a culture of people who are team-spirited, entrepreneurial, very highly ambitious,” is all a big part of what it takes to provide a “mix of programming that’s worthwhile, connects strongly with the viewer, is well produced, engaging and of marquee quality,” which is APT’s ultimate goal.

—By Kristin Brzoznowki