Story by Chris Graham
WVPT’s financial woes have led to more changes in the local program lineup.
After axing “Virginia Viewpoints” earlier this week, the Harrisonburg-based public-television station announced today that it is canceling “Garden Views with The Viettes,” “Local Lens” and the long-running “Pop Quiz.”
The station is also cutting back on the number of broadcasts of “Consider This,” hosted by interim general manager Richard Parker.
WVPT will continue producing and airing “Virginia Farming” and “WVPT Cooks with Tassie Pippert” – a pair of weekly shows.
“Some of the programs affected have been on the air for years and have very loyal audiences. We know they will be missed by their fans, but the action is necessary in light of reduced state and federal funding, the necessity to upgrade equipment for digital telecasting and subsequent increased costs,” said Brad Roof, chairman of the WVPT Board of Directors.
“The station will be operating in a much leaner fashion as a result of the changes. All areas of the operations are affected to varying degrees, but WVPT will continue to provide the highest level of programs available to us, and we anticipate generating new local productions in the future,” interim GM Parker said.
Chris Graham is the executive editor of The Augusta Free Press.