Joanne Whitehead, CPTV’s senior director of television programming and operations, was named the Charles Impaglia Programmer of the Year on May 10, 2015.
Whitehead received this award from TRAC Media Services and the Public Television Programmers’ Association (PTPA), who stated that Whitehead was being honored, in part, to recognize “a programmer who is a role model for all (public television programmers). Candidates for Programmer of the Year must demonstrate excellent programming skills in their local market, proven creative and effective programming within the (public television) mission, and a willingness to share their experience and knowledge with others in the PBS system.”
“Surprise doesn’t even begin to say what I was – I’m stunned,” she said. “This was an award I have always aspired to, but I didn’t believe I would get it. There are a lot of really talented people out there.”
According to PTPA, the Programmer of the Year award is also “For keeping public media viewers at the center of all scheduling strategies and ensuring that they find consistent and enticing content across multiple channels.” These channels include CPTV, as well as CPTV4U, CPTV’s sister station, and CPTV Sports, CPTV’s 24/7 local sports channel.
“I am so proud,” Joanne beamed. “I think this demonstrated that we have a really diverse schedule. We do everything we can to engage our community and for them to be more engaged with us.”
Whitehead has been with CPTV since 1987. She was named CPTV’s director of programming in 2002 and has served in her current role as senior director of television programming and operations since 2009.