CPTV Tops New England Public Television Stations with 21 Regional Emmy Nominations

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN) is proud to announce that Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) has received 21 Regional Emmy nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Boston/New England Chapter for the 2008 television season. Award winners will be announced at the 32nd Boston/New England Emmy Awards ceremony at the Boston Marriott Copley Place on Saturday, May 30, 2009.

The 2008 television season marks the third year CPTV has lead New England public television stations in regional Emmy nominations, joining 1994 and 2007 as banner years for the station.

“We commend all of the producers, directors, editors and writers who work with CPTV as we persist in our pursuit of programming excellence,” said Jay Whitsett, vice president and station manager of CPTV and executive producer of the projects nominated. “As CPTV continues to focus public attention on outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment and news events, the recognition supplied by the NATAS Regional Emmy Award nominations serves only to invigorate our efforts toward excellence.”

Programs nominated include Voices in Conflict, for Best Arts/Entertainment Program; Today’s Children in Tomorrow’s World, for Best Education/Schools program; and Opening Doors, Opening Minds for Best Health/Science program, among others. Frank Borres, Mary Ann Shanahan, Karyl Evans and Bonnie Dickinson received nominations for Best Director/Post Production.

Since 1989, CPTV Original productions have earned 69 Regional Emmy Awards and 345 Regional Emmy Award nominations. The complete list of CPTV’s nominees is as follows:

Arts/Entertainment Program Category
Voices in Conflict
• Bonnie Dickinson, Producer
• Andy Gundel, Producer
• Joe Michaels, Director
• John Ruane, Coordinating Producer
• Jay Whitsett, Executive Producer

Education/Schools Program Category 
New Haven Symphony Orchestra's Youth Orchestra Festival
• Karyl Evans, Producer/Director/Editor

Great Expectations - Best of Episode
• Frank Borres, Director
• Jay Whitsett, Executive Producer

Today's Children in Tomorrow's World
• Cathy Jackman, Producer/Post Producer
• Jen Boyd, Producer/Director/Writer
• Jay Whitsett, Executive Producer
• Paul Apito, Animation
• Jim Chapdelaine, Composer

Health/Science Program Category
Opening Doors, Opening Minds: Growing Up with Mental Illness
• Cathy Jackman, Producer/Post Producer
• Jen Boyd, Producer/Director/Writer
• Jay Whitsett, Executive Producer
• Paul Apito, Animation
• Jim Chapdelaine, Composer

My First Breath
• Alissa Wood, Producer/Director/Writer
• Jim Chapdelaine, Composer
• Kevin Jeffko, Editor
• Jay Whitsett, Executive Producer

Societal Concerns Program Category
Able Lives Inc. Show #3
• Frank Borres, Producer/Director/Writer
• Jay Whitsett, Executive Producer

Sports One-Time Special Category
Aston's Army: A Swim Team's Legacy
• Christina DeFranco Taylor, Producer/Writer
• Mark W. Ciesinski, Editor
• Jay Whitsett, Executive Producer

Documentary Program Category
Alzheimer's Disease: Facing the Facts
• Glenn Orkin, Director/Writer
• Larry Rifkin, Executive Producer

On Watch: Connecticut’s Emergency Service Volunteers
• Frank Borres, Producer/Director/Writer
• Jay Whitsett, Executive Producer

Informational/Instructional Program Category
Grove Street Cemetery: City of the Dead, City of the Living
• Karyl Evans, Producer/Director/Editor

Parents and Teens: Behind the Wheel
• Jen Boyd, Producer/Director/Writer
• Jay Whitsett, Executive Producer
• Cathy Jackman, Editor
• Jim Chapdelaine, Composer

Magazine Program Program/Special Category
 EatingCT
• Jason Hawkins, Host/Writer/Producer
• David Kinney, Producer/Director/Videographer
• Winfried Quast, Producer/Executive Producer
• Jay Whitsett, Executive Producer

Director/Post Production Category
Frank Borres, Director, CPTV/Borres Productions
Mary Ann Shanahan, Director, CPTV
Karyl Evans, Director, CPTV/Karyl Evans Productions, LLC
Bonnie Dickinson, Director, CPTV

Editor Program Category
Neal Carter, Editor, CPTV/DsignDigital LLP

Musical Composition/Arrangement Category
A.J. Gundell, Composer/Arranger, CPTV

On-Camera Talent Program-Host/Moderator Category
Jason Hawkins, Host, CPTV/DsignDigital LLP

Writer Program Category
Frank Borres, Writer, CPTV/Borres Productions

About Connecticut Public Television
CPTV is a media service of the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN, www.cpbn.org). It is a locally and nationally recognized producer and presenter of quality public television programming, including UConn Women's Basketball, original documentaries and educational programming. CPTV has built a reputation as a leader in children’s programming, including playing a historic role in bringing Barney & Friends™, Bob the Builder™ and Thomas & Friends™ to public television. The station offers 11 hours of positive, nurturing children’s programs each weekday, reaching 50,000 to 70,000 households daily. The Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network also includes WNPR, an affiliate of National Public Radio, Public Radio International and American Public Media. WNPR serves over 200,000 listeners weekly in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island with news and information. Its award-winning local programming includes The Faith Middleton Show and Where We Live. Overall, the network brings a broad spectrum of public affairs, entertainment, sports and educational programming to viewers, listeners and readers. For more information, visit www.cptv.org and/or www.wnpr.org.

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