WUNC-TV on PBS's 'Out in America' - 'no current plans to broadcast the program in the near future'

This is beyond disappointing. Our state-wide PBS station here in NC, WUNC-TV, decided not to run the highly-touted "Out in America" last night.

Emmy award-winning director Andrew Goldberg and PBS, in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting, today announced a new national PBS special, OUT in America. The one-hour film will make its national premiere on Wednesday, June 8 at 8:00 pm ET/PT on PBS, in conjunction with National Gay & Lesbian Pride Month.

Instead, viewers here were treated to:

6/8 8:00 pm John Sebastian Presents: Folk Rewind (My Music) UNC-TV

6/8 8:00 pm Jews and Baseball UNC-MX

6/8 8:00 pm Curious George Shipwrecked with Hundley/Chasing Rainbows UNC-KD

6/8 8:00 pm Wonders of the West Cowboy Territory UNC-EX

One area viewer, Katherine K. was astonished at the decision not to air the program and asked the Blend to publish her letter to WUNC and the station's response. She wrote:

My partner and I had planned our schedules around watching "Out in America" on PBS last night, assuming that our local UNC station would be carrying it.  We sat down with our dinner, turned on the TV, and ... nothing.  We also could not find it anywhere in future listings, although the PBS website stated that most markets would be airing it last night, or during the month of June.  (Utah being the notable exception.)

I just wrote to UNC-TV and received an immediate (canned?) response that this is a "pledge drive" program and is not scheduled anytime in the near future (see their reply below).  They advised to check back in September.

What gives?  While the NC legislature is considering the hideous anti-lgbt bills, it seems this would be a good time to serve the community by airing the program for their viewers/supporters.

The email exchange between Katherine and WUNC:

From: "katherine k."

To: viewer@unctv.org, rwatson@unctv.org, spalzewicz@unctv.org

Sent: Thursday, June 9, 2011 9:35:42 AM

Subject: Out in America

Comments/Questions/Suggestions: When will "Out in America" be broadcast on UNC-TV?  Many PBS affiliates broadcast it last night (6/8).

And this is the jaw-dropping reply:

From: Viewer viewer@unctv.org

To: katherine k.

Sent: Thu, June 9, 2011 9:39:12 AM

Subject: Re: Out in America

Dear Ms. Kent:

Thank you for your message and interest in UNC-TV. In response to your inquiry, this is a "pledge drive" program and we have no current plans to broadcast the program in the near future. Please check back with us closer to September when we finalize our September pledge drive. Your request have been noted for review by the Programming Department.

If you should have any further questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to reply to this email or call the UNC-TV's Customer Care Department directly at 1-888-292-7070.

UNC-TV's unique programs and services provide people of all ages with enriching, life-changing television.Thank you for watching member-supported UNC-TV, North Carolina's statewide public television network.

Sincerely,

J. Malley

Customer Care Representative

1-888-292-7070    

UNC-TV

Support UNC-TV by DONATING NOW- https://secure.unctv.org/pledge/index.do

Sign-up for the UNC-TV e-guide

http://pbsmail.org/unctv/join.html?r=2day2d61mPJyE

http://www.facebook.com/unctv

http://www.twitter.com/unctv

So I guess North Carolinians are left to wonder whether the program will make WUNC's pledge drive air list. This is absurd. I guess it's time to leave some inquiries on the WUNC Facebook page.