Anna Z: November 2003

PBS Facing Crisis:

"The reality, however, is that energy in TV comes from a steady series of new hits, and those remain scarce. Ms. Mitchell admitted to the Washington Post that her network is 'under stress.' She was not available for comment for this story, but PBS executives who were, including Judy Harris, executive VP, PBS business and development; and Jacoba Atlas, senior VP and co-chief programming officer, repeatedly emphasized that the network is not concerned about ratings. They said PBS puts its 'mission' first and foremost, especially a quest to provide 'diversity' in programming. 'We are not about ratings. We are committed to diversity, to tell a story that television is not presenting,' Ms. Atlas said. "