Pipeline Blog
Hello. My name is Holly. I'm part of a team of people who assemble the programming schedule for OETA.
We look at the PBS national schedule, local programs and programs from other stations and distributors. We take in all that information and combine it with Member ballot feedback and viewer suggestions, and at the end of the month, I put together a schedule for each of our four channels.
The following are some notes about upcoming programs, preemptions and other points of interest that viewers might not hear otherwise. I hope you'll find it useful!
Mother's Day
Written by Holly on Thursday May 5, 2011
Here at OETA, we are big fans of mothers. Aren't they great?!
--- I'd like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to mine... Happy Mother's Day! Thanks for teaching your little clown how to juggle kids, work, church, home, family, friends and life! And how to accept challenges as opportunities to learn something new! ---
Several programs this weekend will honor the mothers and grandmothers in our viewing audience.
SEWING WITH NANCY -- "Sewing Now and Then" salutes our grandmothers and how they learned to sew (and sew well!) without the modern conveniences that current sewing ladies have. (Saturday at 8:30am)
AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN -- We learn how to make the perfect Old-Fashioned Stuffed Turkey, just like grandma used to make! (Saturday at 10:30am)
OKLAHOMA GARDENING -- I haven't heard from the producers what this Saturday's episode will be, but I'm sure it will inspire many moms to get out into their own gardens this weekend. (Saturday at 11am)
PATI'S MEXICAN TABLE -- This is a new series on OETA. Moms should really enjoy it because the host, Pati Jinich, is a chef, cooking teacher, food writer and mother of three. (Rick Bayless is great, but he doesn't cook for a family like Pati does.) On this first episode, Pati cooks quesadillas in three completely different ways.
THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW -- This week's featured guest is Margaret Heron, Lawrence Welk's long-ago secretary who became the mother figure for many of the stars of the show.
OETA MOVIE CLUB "Mrs. Doubtfire" -- Okay, this movie is about a father doing anything he can to be with his kids, but it shows just how much mothers go through for their kids!
NATURE "Bears of the Last Frontier: City of Bears" -- You know the phrase "Mama Bear"? This episode of NATURE will show us why we say that. We'll see a mama bear in action, defending her cubs and raising the next generation.
If you're looking for an idea of what to do for your mom this weekend, try cooking for her (and cleaning up your mess!). Here are some recipes from AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN to inspire you. Enjoy!
"Frontline" Programming Changes
Written by Holly on Tuesday May 3, 2011
In light of the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. Special Forces in Pakistan, FRONTLINE is revising its May lineup.
Tonight's program, originally titled "Fighting for Al Qaeda," is now "Fighting for bin Laden" and will be hosted by veteran FRONTLINE producer/correspondent Martin Smith, who first reported on bin Laden for FRONTLINE back in 1999.
In the lead segment, Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi (from FRONTLINE "Behind Taliban Lines") once again goes deep inside enemy territory. He gains rare access to a band of Afghan mujahideen and foreign fighters who say they're loyal to bin Laden and are preparing a new offensive against the U.S. and coalition forces.
Then, FRONTLINE crosses the border into Pakistan, where correspondents Stephen Grey and Martin Smith go inside The Secret War against the militants. Grey interviews a mid-level Taliban commander living not far from where bin Laden was killed who confirms Pakistan's role as a safe haven for many of the militants fighting against the U.S.
FRONTLINE "Fighting for bin Laden" will air on OETA tonight, May 3, at 8pm with a repeat broadcast at midnight. It will also repeat on OKLA on Wednesday, May 4, at 8pm.
The segment titled Educating Sergeant Pantzke, which was originally scheduled to air as part of the May 3rd episode, will now air as part of a future newsmagazine edition.
- May 10 at 8pm -- FRONTLINE "Kill/Capture" -- A film about the U.S. military's stepped-up campaign to kill or capture thousands of Taliban militants
- May 17 at 8pm -- FRONTLINE "The Meth Epidemic" -- An updated investigation into the devastating impact methamphetamine is having on individuals, families, and U.S. communities
- May 24 at 8pm -- FRONTLINE "WikiSecrets" -- Through interviews with Julian Assange, accused-leaker Private Bradley E. Manning’s father and others, FRONTLINE reveals the story behind the biggest intelligence breach in U.S. history: the leaking of more than half-a-million classified documents on the Wikileaks website
The Royal Wedding
Written by Holly on Thursday April 28, 2011
Whether you're setting your alarm for 2am or you're waiting to see highlights Friday morning, now is the time to finalize those Royal Wedding plans.
OETA has several options for you to see the entire wedding ceremony and many of the traditional events surrounding it.
- 2am to 7:30am -- OETA has arrangements with the BBC to broadcast the entire wedding event, from the congregation arriving at the Abbey to the traditional appearance on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. We will show the whole thing LIVE on our main OETA channel, preempting most of the overnight programming and CURIOUS GEORGE at 7am. (George can still be seen at 3pm Friday.)
- 7:30am to 1pm -- OETA OKLA will rebroadcast the entire program (or programme) for those who chose to sleep through it.
- 1pm to 6:30pm -- OETA OKLA gives viewers one more chance to see the whole thing, from start to finish.
If you only want to see the dresses and hats or you only want to watch the official wedding kiss, here is the approximate timing of events from our contact at the BBC.
Hours 1-2 -- Main congregation arrives at Westminister Abbey
Hour 3 -- Foreign Dignitaries and Foreign Royal Families arrive (protocol dictates that the British Royal Family is the last to arrive, just before the Bride)
Hour 4 -- The Bride arrives at the Abbey and the service begins
Hour 5 -- Service ends and carriage procession to Buckingham Palace begins
Hour 6 (half hour) -- Balcony appearance
We understand that not all OETA viewers are interested in the Royal Wedding. (Those who aren't interested probably won't get far enough into this blog post to read this.) And we know there are far more important issues facing us right now, namely the death and destruction caused by this week's outbreak of tornados. However, please understand that there is also a large number of viewers who ARE interested in this historic event. We are excited to be able to bring it to those viewers (commercial free!).
I raise my tea cup to everyone out there who will be watching the fairy tale wedding with me! Cheers!
Programming Notes for Mid-April
Written by Holly on Friday April 15, 2011
A few notes about the next few days on OETA...
8pm EDWARD AND WALLIS, A ROYAL LOVE STORY – Prince Edward believed he could use the power and majesty of the throne to pursue his obsession with his twice-divorced American mistress, Wallis Simpson. This documentary recounts the familiar tale from a fascinating new perspective, exploring warning signs that were evident in Edward from an early age that ultimately led to years of scandal and controversy in the 20th century British monarchy. This documentary will air again 4/25 at 8pm.
1:30pm INSIDE E STREET – Season Two premiere -- Looks at the latest developments around the country affecting economic security, health care, job security, civil rights, and retirement. Featuring lively discussions from experts and insiders. SECOND OPINION will return when they release their next new season.
ARE YOU BEING SERVED? – Preempted tonight and next Sunday due to the length of the 9pm program from PBS. It will return to its regular time on Sunday May 1st.
8pm AMERICAN MASTERS “John Miur in the New World” -- A century after his death, John Muir is remembered as the father of the environmental movement. Just one of many "Earth Day" themed programs airing this week.
9:30pm GAMES OF THE NORTH -- Follows modern Inuit athletes and they compete in ancestral Inuit sports in the unforgiving Arctic.
8pm FRONTLINE “The Silence” – Looks at the decades of abuse of Native Americans by priests and church workers in Alaska. Also in this hour, a re-airing of "Flying Cheaper," an investigation into the outsourcing of major airline repair work to lower-cost independent maintenance operations in the U.S. and abroad. (Tonight’s episode was originally supposed to be “Educating Sergeant Pantzke,” but was changed by the producers just this last week. Some papers and listings sources might still have the old information.)
The Royal Wedding on OETA
Written by Holly on Friday April 1, 2011
Exciting news!
OETA just secured the broadcast rights to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. We will air it live as it happens on April 29th and play it back later in the day.
More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Let your "watch party" planning begin! Mine has!
