Viewers showed strong support for Rogers State University Public Television during the station’s recent Winterfest membership drive.
The station exceeded its fundraising goal by 16 percent, raising $40,650 during the 12-day drive, said Dan Schiedel, general manager of RSU Public TV.
“Despite recent news of the economic downtown Oklahomans are supporting RSU public television more than ever,” Schiedel said.
The station garnered over 300 calls and a number of new members during the drive with resounding support from Bartlesville-area residents, he said.
The success is due in part to the premier of RSU Public TV’s original 60-minute documentary “Voices of Bartlesville” which aired during the membership drive as part of a live three-hour special “Bartlesville Night.”
“We enjoyed researching and filming the Bartlesville documentary and the response from viewers was tremendous,” he said. “We look forward to creating more original programs for viewers in the future.”
“Winterfest” major sponsors included the Bartlesville Community Foundation; Doenges Toyota, Lincoln, Mercury, 1st Bank of Claremore and the law firm of Taylor, Burrage, Foster, Mallett, Downs and Ramsey.
Money raised during Winterfest will be used for new programming on RSU Public TV. Proceeds from Winterfest will help the station begin airing the British hit “MI-5” in 2009.
The series will begin on RSU Public TV on Sunday, Jan. 4.
Similar to America’s Central Intelligence Agency, MI-5 is the national security agency for the United Kingdom. The show is an Action-packed drama taking viewers into the thrilling world of the clandestine security service and the people who make up the elite team.
“MI-5” will air at 9 p.m. on Sundays and repeat at 10 p.m. on Saturdays.
RSU Public Television is licensed to Rogers State University and is the only public television station to be operated by a university in Oklahoma. The station, based on the RSU campus in Claremore, reaches more than a million people within a 75-mile radius of the campus.
RSU Public Television can be seen on Cable Channel 4 in Bartlesville & Channel 35 on all satellite systems in Green Country as well as over-the-air digital channel 35. The station is also available on Tulsa and Claremore cable channel 19.
For more information on RSU Public Television, or to make a pledge call (800) 823-7210 or visit rsu.tv.