Americans now can be a part of the national conversation with the launch of Point Taken, PBS’ new, late-night, multi-platform series. Hosted by Carlos Watson, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and co-founder/CEO of OZY Media, the weekly debate series will champion spirited and civil conversation. Each half-hour program will focus on a single topic and feature journalists, artists, academics, and experts who will passionately and persuasively explore all sides of a key issue. The first of 10 episodes premieres on PBS on April 5, 2016 at 11 P.M. ET (check local listings).
Produced by WGBH Boston’s Studio Six, and made possible with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts, Point Taken will bring fresh and varied voices to the table to debate key issues facing Americans. Audiences will join the conversation, contributing each week through polling and social media. Participation is a core element of the series, and the public is invited to share views and find common ground through thoughtful dialogue. Watson will pose a single question each week, moderating the panelists’ discussion with insight and humor.
“Americans trust public media to explore issues that matter,” says Denise Dilanni, series creator and Senior Executive-in-Charge for WGBH. “By tapping into social media we will involve citizens across the country in these important conversations.”
“Every day millions of Americans turn to PBS and local stations as trusted and balanced sources to cover the topics that matter most to them,” said Marie Nelson, Vice President, News and Public Affairs, PBS. “We are excited to add Point Takento our roster of programming and provide a forum where everyday Americans can share – and reconsider – their personal viewpoints.”
The Marist Institute for Public Opinion will conduct a national survey in advance of every episode to frame and inform the televised debate and the digital discourse. Episodes will air and stream within hours of taping at WGBH’s studio. Viewpoints posted using #PointTakenPBS on Facebook and Twitter, as well as on PBS.org before and during each Tuesday’s broadcast will be integrated and displayed as part of the program. Every online and in-studio vote can count—and the results will be tabulated in real-time. The conversation will continue online and on social media throughout the week.
“From this year’s surprising presidential campaign to the Oscars controversy to evolving church and state boundaries, there could not be a better time to create a wide-open arena for curious people to come together and debate the critical issues facing this country,” explains Carlos Watson, Point Taken’s host.
Grounded, persuasive and passionate – Point Taken promises to be a winning candidate in the field of late-night TV for the digital age.
Hash out your issues at:
PBS.org/PointTaken
#PointTakenPBS
Point Taken is a production of Studio Six at WGBH Boston. Series creator and Senior Executive-in-charge: Denise Dilanni. Host: Carlos Watson; Executive Producer: Shelagh Leahy; Senior Series Producer: Anne Adams. Major funding provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts, WGBH, PBS, and public television viewers.
About WGBH Boston
WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Frontline, Nova, American Experience, Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, Arthur, Curious George and more than a dozen other primetime, lifestyle, and children’s series. WGBH also is a major supplier of programming for public radio, and oversees Public Radio International (PRI). As a leader in educational multimedia for the classroom, WGBH supplies content to PBS LearningMedia, a national broadband service for teachers and students. WGBH also is a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to those with hearing or visual impairments. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors. More info atwww.wgbh.org <www.wgbh.org/> .
About Studio Six
WGBH Boston’s Studio Six production unit specializes in timely broadcast and digital productions, such as town hall specials America After Ferguson andAmerica After Charleston. Studio Six develops and produces PBS limited series, including I’ll Have What Phil’s Having with Phil Rosenthal; the natural history series, Vanishing Creatures (wt) scheduled for 2017; and the recurring Lidia Celebrates America specials with Lidia Bastianich. With an expertise in lifestyles and cooking content, the Studio Six team produces 50 hours of content annually, including Moveable Feast with Fine Cooking and Simply Ming. Studio Six producers have been recognized with the industry’s highest awards, including dozens of Emmys as well as the Edward R. Murrow, Cine, Telly, James Beard, and Peabody Awards.
About PBS
PBS, with 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
BIOGRAPHIES
Carlos Watson, Host
Carlos is an entrepreneur and Emmy-winning journalist based in Silicon Valley. Carlos is the founder and CEO of OZY, a breakthrough digital news and culture magazine that launched in September 2013. Custom built for the “Change Generation,” OZY helps its 20 million plus readers both get caught up on the most important news of the day with its Presidential Daily Brief (PDB) <www.ozy.com/presidential-daily-brief> , and vault ahead with original content featuring new people <www.ozy.com/rising-stars> , new trends <www.ozy.com/fast-forward> and new opinions <www.ozy.com/provocateurs> each day. Carlos brings to OZY a textured background in both business and media. In the media world, Carlos anchored shows for CNN and MSNBC and hosted a series of Emmy-winning interview specials. As a businessman, Carlos built Achieva College Prep Services into one of the nation’s largest college prep companies before selling it to the Washington Post/Kaplan. He also worked as the Global Head of Education Investment Banking for Goldman Sachs and as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company. Carlos grew up in Miami and holds an A.B. in Government from Harvard University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.
Denise Dilanni, Senior Executive in Charge, Content Development
Denise DiIanni is Senior Executive in Charge, Content Development, for WGBH National Programming. Within this capacity she spearheads new productions for broadcast and broadband, including projects such as Broadway or Bust and Sacred Journeys. Earlier in her career, DiIanni was an award-winning producer, writer and director for the NOVA Science Unit, as well as a Senior Producer and Executive Producer on limited series. DiIanni was also the founder and Executive Director of the WGBH Lab.
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