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Penn State Public Broadcasting Colorado broadcaster takes helm of public TV and radio
Theodore Krichels is Penn State Public Broadcasting’s new assistant vice president for outreach and general manager. photo by Howard Nuernberger Ag Information Services	After an extensive national search, Theodore Krichels, president and general manager of KBDI-TV of Denver, Colo., was named assistant vice president for outreach and general manager of Penn State Public Broadcasting in June.   “I am delighted to have a person of Ted’s caliber and experience named to this important post as we embark on the Digital Technology Age,” Dr. James H. Ryan, vice president for Outreach and Cooperative Extension, said. “Ted brings visionary leadership, broad experience and strong expertise to this very important position. In the coming years, the Digital Age will allow Penn State public radio and television to have an enhanced impact in the communities we serve. We are confident that Ted will be successful in forging effective partnerships between the region and the University to provide high-quality programming that can benefit audiences throughout the Commonwealth.”   Krichels is providing leadership to Penn State Public Broadcasting, a University-based media production and distribution organization that provides daily educational, cultural and entertainment programming to citizens of the Commonwealth. WPSX-TV provides more than 6,500 hours of public television programming to more than 1.2 million households in 29 counties, and WPSU-FM public radio reaches 430,000 listeners in northcentral Pennsylvania with 6,570 hours of programming. By 2003, Penn State Public Broadcasting also will offer digital television programming, broadcasting multiple digital channels and increasing programming opportunities for its viewing audiences.   “I am honored to be invited to join the Penn State team and be part of a vibrant and supportive community,” Krichels said. “The University is known throughout the world for its academic excellence, and Public Broadcasting is recognized for its quality programming. This unique combination provides a very fertile foundation to approach the future of public broadcasting in the Digital Age.”   Krichels has more than 20 years of experience with public television and has served as the general manager for KBDI-TV since 1984. Under his leadership, the Denver public TV station has become a model for public broadcasting in multistation markets. His efforts have brought KBDI together with other public service media in the area to achieve common goals.   KBDI collaborations include the Five Points Media Center, a partnership of public radio, public access and public television committed to increasing minority participation in media; a partnership with KUVO, Hispanic Public Radio, to provide programming for the Latino community; a joint digital television venture with KRMA public television in Colorado; and partnerships with community colleges to broadcast instructional programming.   Through his efforts, the station has grown significantly over the years and is watched by nearly 1 million people on a weekly basis and has generated approximately $2 million in annual gifts. In the past year, KBDI has reached its largest cumulative audience in history and enjoyed its single largest revenue month.   In addition, Krichels is widely respected for his work at the national level of public broadcasting. He was recently elected to the Executive Council of the newly formed National Forum of Public Television Executives. He also serves as a member of America’s Public Television Stations Legislative Agenda Group and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Task Force on Digital Funding. In this capacity, he provides national leadership in the changing public policy climate of public broadcasting.   Within his own community, Krichels also serves as a leader. In 1995, he was named “Colorado Broadcast Citizen of the Year” by the Colorado Broadcaster Association. His commitment to innovative, high-quality educational programming also has benefited the station. Under his leadership, the station was honored with the ACLU Award for First Amendment Television, two Emmy nominations and one Emmy Award. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has presented two awards to KBDI for “Best Locally Produced Informational Program” and one award for “Best Documentary. ” Under his leadership, the station also was recognized by the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver for the promotion of interracial understanding and by the Colorado Social Legislation Committee for outstanding peace programming.   Krichels completed a B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. from the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colo. He also has pursued doctoral studies through the University of Colorado, Boulder.   He and his wife, Patricia Howard, have two children.