Press Contact: Teri L. Sullivan
WKNO/Channel 10
(901) 325-6518
tlsullivan@wkno.org
August 14, 2008
For Immediate Release
WKNO PRESENTS CALL-IN SHOW
TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT DIGITAL TELEVISION
With the federally-mandated end of analog broadcasting fast approaching (February 17, 2009), viewers may have some choices to make in order to be able to continue to watch television beyond that date. The digital transition presents some confusion for many viewers. WKNO has been working to educate the community on this transition through television spots, web site information, as well as community presentations.
On Thursday, August 21, WKNO presents Are You Ready? Make the Move to Digital with WKNO, a series of programs that will help answer some viewer questions. The evening begins at 8:00 p.m. with the locally-produced program Are You Ready?. Hosted by local personalities Cris Hardaway – owner, Hardaway Productions – and Deanie Parker – former Soulsville Foundation President and CEO and WKNO Board of Trustees Member -, this half-hour show addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about digital broadcasting, converter boxes, antennae, and more.
Then at 8:30, The ABCs of HDTV will present another look at the world of digital television, clarifying the sometimes confusing terminology. Viewers can then stay tuned for The Transformation Age as Robert X. Cringely explores the technology revolution going on around the world today
From 8:00-9:00 p.m., WKNO staff and volunteers will be available live in the studio to answer viewer questions via phone.
For more information about the digital television transition, viewers can explore wkno.org.
WKNO is a non-profit, private foundation serving the Mid-South for more than 50 years. An important community resource, WKNO uses the power of non-commercial public broadcasting to provide the Mid-South with quality educational and cultural programs that inform, entertain, and inspire.
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CRIS HARDAWAY brings twenty-five years of film and television experience to his production company. He’s been on both sides of the camera, having worked on-air at the WKNO for seven years before moving into the ad biz in 1983 as agency producer and V.P. of Broadcast Services at Walker & Associates. His work at Walker as both a producer and director earned numerous awards, including local and regional Addys and a finalist in the prestigious Clio Awards.
In 1994 Cris left the agency side of the business to jump behind the camera at his own production company. Hardaway Productions goal is to produce quality commercials with a national look and feel, at local prices. Cris’ commitment to quality is embodied in his commercial-making philosophy. “A good commercial must be carefully crafted at every stage of its development”, he says, “from scripting and casting to shooting and editing. I consider myself first and foremost, a craftsman.”
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From 2005 to 2007, DEANIE PARKER was Soulsville Foundation’s President and CEO. She led the nonprofit organization founded to build and manage the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Stax Music Academy and Performing Arts Center in an area dubbed Soulsville, U.S.A. in the 60’s. While she was Director of Publicity, Artists and Community Relations for Stax Records, she worked with such internationally famous performers as Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MGs, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, Rufus and Carla Thomas and others.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Parker was the Vice-President of Communications and Marketing at Regional Medical Center at Memphis (The MED). For nearly a decade (87-95) she served as the Assistant Director of Memphis in May and returned briefly as the Interim Director for the 1996 Festival edition saluting Brazil.
She is a graduate of the University of Memphis (Masters of Public Administration) and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by LeMoyne-Owen College in 2001. She received the University of Memphis University College Alumni Achievement Award in 2003, was named the PRSA 2003 Communicator of the Year, was given the 2004 Women of Achievement award for Initiative, and in 2006 received a University of Memphis 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award and also a Diversity Memphis Humanitarian of the Year Award. She currently serves on WKNO’s Board of Trustees as well as vice chair of the Tennessee Arts Commission.
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