MPTV Thinking Inside the Box

Gun Violence, Black History, and Women 'Makers' on MPTV

Wed, 6 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box" on mptv.org. We have several significant programming themes in our February schedules on Channels 10&36 that I'd like you to know about.

First,...

New Year, Lots of Terrific New Series on MPTV

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg, with more Thinking Inside the Box on mptv.org.

January marks the start of the Winter/Spring season on Milwaukee Public Television and I am truly excited by all the new series and...

Big Bird Survives Election Day

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box" on mptv.org.

Well, the 2012 election is finally over, and we've been so pleased with the positive comments we received about our complete coverage...

COLLEGE PLACE : 21st Century Diversity: What Does it Mean to You?

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

The MATC President's Diversity Council engages in discussion and dialogue to frame and cast a vision for diversity, with Dr. Damon Williams, Associate Vice Chancellor, Vice Provost and Chief Diversity...

Defunding Big Bird's a Bad Idea

Mon, 8 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box."

Mitt Romney's call for the elimination of federal funding for public broadcasting, during his first debate with President Obama -- specifically his...

A Great Fall Season on MPTV!

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more Thinking Inside the Box on mptv.org.

You know, to many the fall means the start of the school year, the pennant race, turning up the thermostat, watching the changing colors...

Saluting our Veterans and Seniors; Introducing a New Virtual College Lecture Hall

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box" on mptv.org. For some, August is a favorite month -- so many activities going on in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, a time for vacations,...

COLLEGE PLACE: MATC Media and Creative Arts- Digital Summit, May 2012

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Prior to the annual Portfolio Night that features MCA student works, the college and School of Media and Creative Arts sponsored a round-table discussion focusing on new digital media technologies and...

COLLEGE PLACE: William Symonds, Pathways to Prosperity

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Mr. Symonds shares insight on The Pathways to Prosperity Project, created in 2008 to find promising solutions to our increasing national failure to prepare many young adults for success. Mr. Symonds helped...

COLLEGE PLACE: 2012 Green Energy Summit: Harley's Matthew Levatich

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Harley-Davidson President and COO Matthew Levatich presents at the 2012 Green Energy Summit, held in Milwaukee and presented in part by the Milwaukee Area Technical College.

COLLEGE PLACE: 2012 Green Energy Summit: Ed Begley, Jr-- His Environmental Journey

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Hollywood actor and Green Activist Ed Begley, Jr. describes his journey to promote earth-friendly choices. 1970 marks the year Mr. Begley started fighting back against the smog and pollution of his LA...

COLLEGE PLACE: 2012 Green Energy Summit: David Garmen- The Water-Energy Nexus

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee Dean of the School of Freshwater Sciences, David E.J. Garman, presents a brief overview of water and water quality issues from existing generation systems in the US....

COLLEGE PLACE: 2012 Green Energy Summit: Will Allen, CEO Growing Power, Inc.

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Will Allen, son of a sharecropper, former professional basketball player, ex-corporate sales leader and now farmer, has become recognized as among the preeminent thinkers of our time on agriculture and...

COLLEGE PLACE: 2012 Green Energy Summit: UWM Chancellor Michael R. Lovell

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Michael Lovell was confirmed as the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents on May 2, 2011. He had served as Interim Chancellor since...

The Auction's Success -- and What's "Next"?

Mon, 14 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more Thinking Inside the Box on mptv.org. This time, I want to tell you about two major ongoing projects here at the station.

The first is THE GREAT TV AUCTION: if you were...

Art and The Great TV Auction

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more Thinking Inside the Box on mptv.org.

With spring comes a new season of baseball, April showers and May flowers and green grass -- and here in southeastern Wisconsin, a 43-year...

What's New for 2012

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box" on mptv.org.

We are very excited about 2012 here at Milwaukee Public Television: we're entering the year with several new and returning series...

COLLEGE PLACE: SMCA Artist Series, Jim Liban Duo

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

On May 4, 2011, legendary Milwaukee blues artist Jim Liban appeared with longtime cohort Jeff Dagenhardt at the inaugural session of the MATC School of Media and Creative Arts series featuring professional...

MPTV is Opening Your World

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Hi Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box" on mptv.org.

The advertising world uses a phrase called "brand promise." And although we're a noncommercial station, we do have a brand just like...

Prohibition's Coming to MPTV

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box" on mptv.org.

We've urged you before not to miss the latest mini-series or documentary by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ken Burns and his longtime...

MPTV Remembers 9/11

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box" on mptv.org.

It's one of those events you remember where you where and what you were doing. My memories of 9/11 -- September 11, 2001 -- are actually...

Sights of Summer: Television Worth Watching on MPTV

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box" on mptv.org.

For decades, a Sunday in mid-July in Milwaukee has meant the staging of the Great Circus Parade, the third largest parade in the...

Congress Listens -- and Continues Public Broadcasting Funding

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Hello, Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box."

Some two months ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would have eliminated all federal funding for public broadcasting;...

U.S. Senate Considers Public Broadcasting Funding

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with a special "Thinking Inside the Box."

You know, for almost four decades now public television and radio stations, which operate under non-commercial licenses different from...

Urgent: A Critical Congressional Vote on Public Broadcasting Funding

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with a special edition of Thinking Inside the Box -- with word that Congress is poised to take a critical vote very soon to eliminate ALL federal support for local public television...

170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box."

Take you back about year ago, February 7, 2010, to be specific. Television history was made that day -- on another network, CBS. That evening,...

The Threat to Defund Public Broadcasting

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with more "Thinking Inside the Box."

Among the debates that preceded the recent elections was a heated discussion which related to public television only indirectly -- well, we thought...

Highlights of the New Fall Season on MPTV!

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box."

Since the start of television network scheduling going back, really, to the `50s, the fall has been the season when broadcasting stations...

Can't Receive Channel 10? Here's a New Option!

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box."

You know, it's been a little over a year since all full-power broadcast TV stations switched from analog transmission to digital -- you...

Lots To Enjoy This Summer on MPTV

Mon, 5 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box."

I've mentioned before in this column how extensive I think the special events and festivals, the arts, the sports, the great cultural...

Arts, Cooking, Vietnam, and More: 5 New MPTV Programs

Wed, 12 May 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box."

During the spring and summer, you can see several broadcast and online projects we've been working on for months. I'm going to give you...

Breaking News: Our New Lineup

Fri, 2 Apr 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Hi again, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box."

You know, over the past year, we've done a series of town hall meetings in our broadcasting area -- the most recent one in March...

Public Media Today and Going Forward

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box."

You know, there's been a lot written recently about how television has been changing. The scheduling and business models for commercial...

Welcoming 2010: Unfinished Business and New Initiatives

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box," here today in front of our lovely holiday set in the MPTV studios, so I guess we can call this "the holiday edition." And it's a time to...

Celebrating Local on MPTV

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box."

You know, unlike cable networks, Milwaukee Public TV is locally owned and operated.

Of course, we're very proud to carry the best...

MPTV Personalities On Air and Around Town

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box." You know, the big programming event on public television this fall is, without question, Ken Burns' latest film, THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA'S...

Summertime at MPTV: A Transition, A Circus, and A Crisis

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box." For a lot of folks summertime may be a slow season at the office. We all know it's the perfect time to take some days off and travel, or...

MPTV Signs Off Analog Channels 10 and 36

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box." Some of us thought the day would never come, really: the day when we would finally sign off analog channels 10 and 36, and make that full...

Spring's a Busy Season at MPTV

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box." It's springtime, such a great season in Wisconsin. You can take walks by the lake again, catch a game at Miller Park, get the grill ready...

MPTV Analog Stations on the Air Until June

Mon, 9 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, Ellis Bromberg with another video 'Thinking Inside the Box.'

You know, for the last few years we've been telling you about the shutoff of our analog stations on February 17, 2009. Our staff has...

The Analog Years and Otto Schlaak

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Hi, I'm Ellis Bromberg, and this is another video "Thinking Inside the Box." We're recording this right before Christmas, so for those of you watching in 2008, let me wish you the happiest of holidays...

The New TV Season on MPTV

Mon, 3 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Hello again everyone, Ellis Bromberg with another video "Thinking Inside the Box."

You know it was just one year ago we were celebrating the 50th anniversary of Milwaukee Public Television: Channel...

New Digital Channels = More Viewing Options

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Hi again, Ellis Bromberg with another "Thinking Inside the Box" video column, this month in front of the new set for ADELANTE! our award-winning public affairs program for and about our vibrant Hispanic...

See You at the Fair -- at the DTV Trekker!

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Hi again, Ellis Bromberg with a new video "Thinking Inside the Box."

I've spoken before in this column -- actually a number of times -- about the transition to digital television, which is now about...

Summer at MPTV: Vision 2057 and New Productions

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Hi, I'm Ellis Bromberg, General Manager of Milwaukee Public Television, and this is the set of "I Remember," which airs Mondays at 6:30 on MPTV-10 and MPTV-HD.

It's hosted by Jim Peck who does a great...

Have $94 Wal-Mart Special and Converter Box Will Travel

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

by Ellis Bromberg
MPTV General Manager

In case you haven't heard, the television industry is undergoing one of the most significant changes in its history. The over-the-air TV stations we've enjoyed...

Putting up Some "Tent-Poles" in Early 2008

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:00:00 GMT

by Ellis Bromberg
MPTV General Manager

It's tough, this TV business! We had an incredibly successful 2007, but at holiday gatherings friends and family kept asking me, "So what's coming up in the...

THE MPTV-HD CHANGES

Mon, 5 Nov 2007 05:00:00 GMT

by Ellis Bromberg
MPTV General Manager

In September we made a change to our MPTV-HD channel that a few viewers have noticed. I thought I'd tell you a little more about it, as well as other tweaks...

THE BEST IS YET TO COME -- IN OCTOBER AND BEYOND

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT

It's finally here: the 50th anniversary of Milwaukee Public Television! As many of you know, our first station, WMVS/Channel 10, signed on the air October 28, 1957.

Since early this year, and continuing...

THE WAR: ORDINARY LIVES, EXTRAORDINARY STORIES

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

In all the decades of writing and reporting, for print and video, about World War II, is it possible something, anything, hasn't been covered? Are there angles yet to be explored, stories yet to be told?

Maybe,...

IT'S A WHOLE NEW WORLD FROM MPTV

Tue, 7 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

From the mailbox:

"Could you add a showing of CHARLIE ROSE in the afternoon? It's my favorite show but it's on too late."

"The best time for THE NEWSHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER would be during...

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF GREAT PUBLIC TELEVISION!

Wed, 6 Jun 2007 04:00:00 GMT

WMVS, better known to most as Channel 10, signed on the air as Milwaukee Public Television's first station on October 28, 1957, and we have begun to celebrate our 50th anniversary with a variety of great...

V-ME: A NEW LANGUAGE FOR MPTV! -- ¡UN NUEVO LENGUAJE PARA MPTV!

Mon, 7 May 2007 04:00:00 GMT

(The English language version of the column may be found below, under the Spanish language version.)

Es muy notable en el sureste de Wisconsin -- un inequívoco ritmo latino.

Usted puede escucharlo...

YOUR FAVORITE MPTV PROGRAMS NOW "ON DEMAND"

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:00:00 GMT

It used to be that we would broadcast a TV program, and that would be it. If you didn't see it, you'd have to wait for it to be repeated.

If you knew how to program your VCR, you'd have a fighting...

TV's TWO-YEAR WARNING

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

It's February 17, 2009.

People are still talking about Brett Favre leading the Packers to that dramatic victory in Super Bowl XLIII (known forevermore as Ice Bowl II).

It looks as if the Golden Eagles,...

RECAPPING A VERY GOOD YEAR

Thu, 7 Dec 2006 05:00:00 GMT

To paraphrase the song written by Ervin Drake and popularized by Frank Sinatra: "When we were 49, it was a very good year!"

This past October, Milwaukee Public Television turned 49 years old. We are...

THE MAKING OF: THE MAKING OF MILWAUKEE

Thu, 5 Oct 2006 04:00:00 GMT

When I was hired as General Manager of Milwaukee Public Television six years ago, the best gift I received, from a member of our Friends group, was the book "The Making of Milwaukee" by John Gurda. My...

MPTV'S NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH DISCOVERY WORLD

Fri, 1 Sep 2006 04:00:00 GMT

I just got off the phone with an old friend from my days as manager of the public television station in central Illinois, urging her to come up to visit Milwaukee. The last time she was here was for one...

TELEVISION CONTENT THAT'S NOT REALLY TELEVISION

Wed, 9 Aug 2006 04:00:00 GMT

I attended a meeting of public television officials last month at which there was very little talk about traditional television.

Oh, we talked about the types of programming our viewers want to see,...

TELL CONGRESS THAT MPTV MATTERS!

Wed, 5 Jul 2006 04:00:00 GMT

You may have noticed a new link on our homepage: Tell Them Public Matters!

If you clicked on it, you were redirected here. And when you are through reading this, I hope you'll click on the underlined...

WHY "THERE'S NOTHING COMMERCIAL ABOUT IT"

Thu, 6 Apr 2006 04:00:00 GMT

The other day I received a call from a viewer inquiring about a phrase we use in some of our promotional materials: "MPTV...there's nothing commercial about it!" The caller noted that we air underwriting...

CRIPPLING CUTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET

Wed, 1 Mar 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Ignoring an overwhelmingly negative response from the American people to proposed federal funding cuts last June, the Bush Administration has once again targeted public broadcasting.

The renewed attack...

OUR COMMITMENT TO LOCAL PRODUCTION

Wed, 1 Feb 2006 05:00:00 GMT

I've written before in this column about the importance of local production at Milwaukee Public Television. We produce more local programming than most other public television stations. We are also the...

CREATE-ING A NEW MPTV DIGITAL CHANNEL

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 05:00:00 GMT

I suspect some of you received a digital TV as a gift this holiday season, and you've no doubt been admiring the gorgeous pictures and sounds you're now able to receive.

Digital TV offers many advantages...

DECEMBER MEANS -REALLY- GREAT PERFORMANCES ON MPTV!

Tue, 29 Nov 2005 05:00:00 GMT

Front row seats to the best in performance featuring exceptional talents and arts institutions. That's one of the hallmarks of our programming all year long.

With the holiday season, though,...

KEEP FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 04:00:00 GMT

What should be the criteria for public funding of a national program? This summer, Congress reviewed one such service, and heard impressive testimony about it:

The program works well and has earned...