EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG PEOPLE

One of the challenges public television faces is attracting – and engaging – younger viewers, and I don’t mean the friends of Clifford, Curious George and Mr. Rogers. The pre-school set is already onboard thanks to Moms and Dads who trust that PBS will help their children become ready to learn. No, I’m talking about 25 to 34 year-olds who lead busy lives and have a gazillion entertainment choices at their fingertips. What will it take to capture those viewers? Gee… I don’t know… how about programs which are relevant and meaningful to them?

Well, fasten your seatbelts. Beginning Sunday, April 27 at 9 p.m. ET, and continuing for five consecutive nights, WTVS Detroit Public TV proudly presents CARRIER, a revealing story of daily life on a United States aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz. Imagine a floating city, 24 stories high, three football fields long, carrying 85 military aircraft and more than 5,000 Navy personnel, with an average age of 19. Stop and think about that. An average age of 19. One minute you’re in high school and the next, you’re sailing to the Persian Gulf performing extremely dangerous work.



Check out this preview of CARRIER and see if this isn’t reality television at its finest. You have to give the U.S. Navy credit for giving a 17-person camera crew unprecedented access to the ship and its crew.

The young men and women who are risking their lives in military service deserve our respect and gratitude, of course. But after watching CARRIER, I have a new appreciation for these extraordinary individuals who could have chosen an easier path, but instead, have decided to sacrifice personal comforts to embark on an amazing journey rich with new friends, adventure, and purpose. It doesn’t get more relevant and meaningful than that. Please enjoy CARRIER.

Dave Devereaux
VP, Communications & Brand Management
Detroit Public TV