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When KCET loses most of not all of its PBS programming after Jan. 1, the replacement fare will lean heavily toward "Asia-focused news, cooking and science programs from Japan and Canada, and reruns of British sitcoms and dramas," says the LAT's Scott Collins, who got a look at the schedule. "In addition to relying on a programming schedule that is largely available on DVD, and in some cases is decades old, KCET also plans to air familiar locally produced fare such as "SoCal Connected" and documentaries with popular host Huell Howser."
"My hope in putting this schedule together, leaning heavily on acquisitions, is that people would realize our commitment to programming and storytelling that is very specific to Southern California," Mary Mazur, KCET's executive vice president and chief content officer, said in an interview Tuesday....Among the new offerings are "Roger Ebert Presents At the Movies," a new weekly film-reviewing show presented by WTTW-TV, the PBS member station in Chicago; and "The Write Environment," a behind-the-scenes program hosted by screenwriter Jeffrey Berman and produced by RDRR Productions. Those shows are likely to be matched with KCET's Sunday movie night hosted by Sam Rubin.
Plus: SoCal Connected now airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. Tomorrow's show looks at the unmanned aircraft industry here and at unemployed veterans.