Iowa PBS wins Public Media Award

Iowa PBS was honored with a Public Media Award from the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) Tuesday. The network took home an award in the short form content category for Iowa PBS Explores: The Polio Epidemic. The digital short investigates the polio epidemic, the communities and families it affected, and how the state worked with the nation to bring the disease under control.

Individuals recognized for their work on Iowa PBS Explores: The Polio Epidemic include:

●      Cameron McCoy, producer/director and writer

●      Debra Herbold, senior producer/director

“This feature is so impactful in our current climate — and clearly draws a throughline from one significant disease outbreak to another,” said Iowa PBS Executive Director and General Manager Molly Phillips. “I couldn’t be more proud of the Iowa PBS team for continuing to produce relevant, educational and meaningful content as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. NETA elevates excellence in education in public television, and it’s an honor to be recognized by such an incredible organization.”

Formerly known as the NETA Awards, the Public Media Awards are an annual recognition of public broadcasting’s finest work, a tradition established in the 1960s. Each year, the awards honor public television’s best work in education, community engagement, marketing and communications, and content. NETA is a professional association representing 275 member stations in 46 states, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.

Public television stations compete within their appropriate divisions based on their station size. Awards are judged by a group of expert panelists within the public media system, as well as industry professionals outside of public media. The 52nd Public Media Awards ceremony took place during the NETA Conference and CPB Thought Leader Forum held virtually in January 2021.

In addition to its statewide broadcast, Iowa PBS .1 is available to livestream on iowapbs.org/watch, pbs.org/livestream, the PBS Video App and YouTube TV. Iowa PBS programs, behind-the-scenes extras and more can be enjoyed on iowapbs.org, Facebook and YouTube. Viewers can also stream their favorite shows on demand using the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android and many streaming devices.