On July Fourth, America’s national Independence Day celebration honors our country’s birthday with an all-star salute. Airing at 8:00pm with an encore at 9:30p, this top-rated extravaganza features coverage from 20 cameras positioned around Washington, D.C., ensuring viewers are front and center for the greatest display of fireworks in the nation.
Included are performances and tributes by: Jimmy Buffett, Alan Jackson, Pentatonix, Gladys Knight, Ali Stroker, Laura Osnes, Christopher Jackson, the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction Jack Everly, and Renée Fleming who opens the show with a special performance of the national anthem.
WPSU Radio Highlights
In Case You Missed It . . .
As Pa. House Advances Doomed Election Overhaul, Senate GOP Charts Different Course To Voter ID
Marie Albiges of Spotlight PA reported on legislative action in Harrisburg where the Pennsylvania House passed an election overhaul bill that creates stricter voter ID requirements and early voting in 2025, despite opposition from most Democrats and a promised veto from Gov. Tom Wolf. The state Senate is poised to take up the measure in the coming days, but Republican lawmakers in the chamber are charting a separate path that would advance the priorities of county election officials while putting stricter voter ID requirements on a future ballot. Full article here.
Take Note: Guy Winch On The Disenfranchised Grief Experiences Of Romantic Heartbreak And Pet Loss
Psychologist Guy Winch is a leading advocate for integrating the science of emotional health into our daily lives. He’s written several books, including How to Fix a Broken Heart. Winch talked with WPSU's Lindsey Whissel Fenton about the disenfranchised grief experiences of romantic heartbreak and the death of a beloved pet and about what we can do for ourselves and for each other during these experiences. Listen here.
WPSU Television Highlights
Midsomer Murders “A Dying Art”— Thursday, July 1 at 8:00 pm
Art comes to the picturesque Midsomer village of Angel's Rise with the opening of a new Sculpture Park. But when its launch is marred by murder, DCI Barnaby and DS Nelson have to get creative to crack a case where art imitates death, and everything has a deeper meaning. Guest Star Denis Lill (Rumpole of the Bailey).
Love Me As I Am — Friday, July 2 at 9:00 pm
Straight-talking Australian relationship coach Liz Dore helps six young adults with intellectual disabilities find love and acceptance on their own terms. From awkward first dates to managing a relationship, it's a rollercoaster ride of vulnerability, honesty, and joy.
A Capitol Fourth 2021 - Sunday, July 4 at 8:00 pm (repeats at 9:30 pm)
The 41st edition of America's Independence Day celebration features performances by top stars from pop, country, R&B, classical and Broadway, capped off with patriotic classics and a spectacular fireworks display over the Washington, DC skyline.
Great Performances “Gloria Estefan: Sangre Yoruba” — Friday, July 9 at 9:00 pm
Adventure through three of Brazil's most influential cities with the GRAMMY Award-winning singer as she explores the origins of its music through its people and offers an inside look at the creation of her new Brazilian-influenced album.
Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II: The Golden Queens - Sunday July 11 at 7:30 pm
Two of Britain’s greatest ever monarchs are placed side by side to see if, despite the centuries, they share any surprising similarities.
Unforgotten on Masterpiece “Episode 1” — Sunday July 11 at 9:00 pm
Cassie and Sunny investigate a cold case with alarming links to the police force. Can the force ever really be trusted, and will Cassie and Sunny find themselves on the wrong side of the law?
Professor T (British Version) “Anatomy of a Murder” - Sunday July 11 at 10:00 pm
Professor Jasper Tempest (Ben Miller) is obsessed with cleanliness, structure and order. But his genius for solving crimes means he constantly has to get his hands dirty, helping the police to crack their most difficult cases. Professor T is based on the hit Belgian series of the same name.
Industry News
HD Radio The Latest Victim Of Ongoing Chip Shortage.
The nationwide semiconductor chip shortage is having a negative impact on HD Radio. General Motors says it will exclude HD Radio from certain 2021 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups due to a lack of hardware. The change reportedly will also effect all 2022 model year Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD pickups. Full article here.
Audacy on Audio: ‘Understand The Consumer Mindset.’
“How Listeners Tune Into Audio,” the latest in Audacy's Insights series, focuses on key differences between over-the-air radio, streaming audio and podcasts in terms of how they're used by listeners, which commands the highest level of listener attention, and where they stand with Gen Z. “Over-the-air radio, streaming audio and podcasts all have nuance that drive audience and listening habits in different ways,” Audacy’s Idil Cakim says. Read more.
CPB Board Boosts CSG Funds By Delaying Healthy Network Initiative For Second Year
CPB’s board of directors voted unanimously Monday to postpone distributing funds from the corporation’s Healthy Network Initiative, which was created to streamline station operations and reduce infrastructure costs. The $1 million initiative was delayed last year during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s vote delays the initiative an additional year and will instead add the funds to the pool of money distributed as Community Service Grants to public TV stations. Read more.
PBS FY22 Budget Increases Station Dues, Spending On Content And Marketing
PBS’ board approved a fiscal year 2022 budget Wednesday that increases station dues and includes higher expenses for content and marketing. The FY22 budget allots $243.4 million for content and marketing, a $9.3 million increase over the previous year. It also projects station dues revenue at $203.7 million, a $2 million increase. Dues remained level last year. PBS CFO and Treasurer Tom Tardivo said Tuesday during a Finance Committee meeting that the “modest increase” in dues recognizes “that some stations still face challenges due to the pandemic. This additional funding will enable us to increase our investment in distinctive content and help us manage the increased costs of doing business in this extremely competitive digital environment.”
That’s A Wrap
Man Recaptures World Record For Wrapping Wife In Plastic Wrap - An Idaho man recaptured a Guinness World Record by covering his wife's body in plastic wrap in only 1 minute and 2.44 seconds. David Rush, who has broken more than 150 Guinness records to promote STEM education, originally set the record in 2019, when he covered his wife, Jennifer, in plastic wrap in 1 minute and 57 seconds. The couple's record was taken by another pair, who managed the feat in 1 minute, 29 seconds. Rush said it took nine rolls worth of plastic wrap to practice for their latest attempt, and the couple managed to refine their technique to accomplish the feat in 1 minute, 2.44 seconds. Video of the feat here.
Quotables
"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself." -- Jim Morrison
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