WKYU-PBS, WKU’s Public Television service, received an Emmy award Saturday night at the 47th Annual Ohio Valley Emmy Awards in Louisville, Kentucky. WKYU-PBS was nominated in two categories, technical achievement and television host. This marks the seventh consecutive year that WKYU-PBS has received nominations, receiving the coveted award ten times.
The Technical Achievement Emmy Award entry was centered around the LED studio lighting renovation project that WKYU-PBS began in the fall of 2009 and completed in April of 2010. The renovation involved replacing wiring, lighting communication technology systems, and lights. The innovative design has been recognized for utilizing “green” technological practices that reduce energy consumption by 97% in the studio. Several organizations have toured the facility since the installation and the design has been featured in trade and periodical publications.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognized David Brinkley, Senior Producer/Director, with the Emmy Award this past weekend. David adds, “We are extremely honored to have received this honor. It is a true testament to the goals of WKYU-PBS and WKU to be an instructional environment that provides students access to not only the latest industry technology, but demonstrates that spirit of innovation that will ultimately separate them from their peers”.
Director of Educational Tele-communications, Jack Hanes, adds, “We are extremely proud of the quality television that our staff produces here at WKYU-PBS and it’s nice to have our peers in the television industry recognize it as well.”
The Emmy Awards judge entries on their own merits and does not compare entries to one another. It is for that reason that the Emmys are unique because there can be one award, more than one award, or no awards given in any given category. This year marked only the third year in chapter history that organizations have received an award in the technical achievement category. Also, WKYU-PBS was the first Kentucky organization, public or private, to receive an award for technical achievement in the 47 year history of the Ohio Valley chapter. Additionally, WKU is the only university in the chapter to ever be linked to this award.
The Emmy Award, also known as the “Emmy” is the highest award given in the television industry and it considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards (for film), Grammy Awards (for music) and Tony Awards (for stage). This year there were a record 634 entries representing the work of more than 80 organizations.
Now, the Ohio Valley chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has members in 25 television markets (including Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville, Lexington, and Charleston) across 4 states (Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia) and continues to recognize not only the best in local news, weather, and sports, but they have grown to celebrate accomplishments in writing, editing, children’s programming, documentaries, student productions, art design, and new media.
