MARYLAND PUBLIC BROADCASTING COMMISSION

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission began in 1966 as the Maryland Educational-Cultural Television Commission (Chapter 202, Acts of 1966). In 1967, it was reformed as the Maryland Educational-Cultural Broadcasting Commission (Chapter 645, Acts of 1967). The Commission became the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission in 1969 (Chapter 405, Acts of 1969). Later that year, public television in Maryland first was broadcast from Owings Mills.

Maryland Public Television, 11767 Owings Mills Blvd., Owings Mills, Maryland, January 2002. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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A system for educational and cultural television and radio programming throughout Maryland is developed, operated, and maintained by the Commission. The Commission also is responsible for programs for the general public and, with the approval of the State Board of Education, for programs used in public schools (Code Education Article, sec. 24-205). In addition, the Commission holds the federal license for broadcasting stations operated by Maryland Public Television (MPT).

The Commission's eleven members are appointed for five-year terms by the Governor. Two members are designated by the State Board of Education. One member is the State Superintendent of Schools. The Governor names the chair and vice-chair (Code Education Article, secs. 24-201 through 24-206).

MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION

Channel 22 (WMPT-TV), Annapolis
Channel 28 (WCPB-TV), Salisbury
Channel 31 (WWPB-TV), Hagerstown
Channel 36 (WGPT-TV), Oakland
Channel 62 (WFPT-TV), Frederick
Channel 67 (WMPB-TV), Baltimore

Beginning in 2003, Maryland Public Television will offer both analog and digital transmission, with full conversion to digital TV by 2010. Digital channels will include:

Channel 28 (WFPT-DT), Frederick
Channel 29 (WMPB-DT), Owings Mills/Baltimore
Channel 42 (WMPT-DT), Annapolis/Crownsville
Channel 44 (WWPB-DT), Hagerstown
Channel 54 (WGPT-DT), Oakland
Channel 56 (WCPB-DT), Salisbury

OPERATIONS

ADMINISTRATIVE & TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
Under the Administrative and Technology Division are six departments: Engineering; Facilities and Human Resources; Finance and Accounting; Information Technology Services; Internal Auditing and Financial Reporting; and Production Operations.

CONTENT ENTERPRISES DIVISION
The Content Enterprises Division is responsible for three departments: Content Enterprises; Interactive Media; and Maryland Public Television (MPT) Networks.

MARKETING, DEVELOPMENT, & EDUCATION DIVISION
The Marketing, Development, and Education Division heads eight departments: Education and Community Outreach; Foundation Support; Major and Planned Gifts; Membership; On-Air Fundraising; Special Marketing Projects; Station Relations; and Video Promotion and Creative Services.

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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us