Digital West premiers and explores the ongoing revolution in technology. In May, KQED-TV enters the digital age by broadcasting a high definition television (HDTV) signal on channel 30. KQED-FM launches Pacific Time with Nguyen Qui Duc and focuses on the connections between the Bay Area and the Pacific Rim. KQED receives the largest ever bequest in its history for $8 million from Dora Donner Ida. The top rated shows for the year are Antiques Roadshow, Moyers on Death and Dying, and American Experience: Eleanor Roosevelt.
2001
KQED launches its Campaign for the Future to fund conversion to digital technologies and support innovative TV and radio programming. The goal is $70 million. KQED-FM's Forum is carried nationwide on the Sirius satellite network. KQED-TV broadcasts the first locally produced HDTV show, Sin, Fire and Gold!, about the history of San Francisco. KQED-TV also produces Beautiful Bay Area III (HDTV), The Fillmore, Jacque Pepin Celebrates!, and The Making of Dead Man Walking. Digital West is morphed into Springboard. The top rated TV show is Jazz. KQED bids farewell to Jon Rice, one of its founders. Fred Rogers hangs up his sweater (and donates it to the Smithsonian). KQED-FM erects a repeating transmitter in Santa Rosa. KQED-FM is most listened to in the country with 568,000 listeners. The top-rated FM shows are Morning Edition, Car Talk and All Things Considered. KQED wins an Emmy for community service.
2002
Now with Bill Moyers premieres. KQED-TV goes satellite on the DirecTV and Echostar. Julia Child turns 90. KQED-TV produces Lonely Island: Hidden Alcatraz. Belva Davis, host of This Week in Northern California, throws out the first pitch at a Giants game (the Giants lost). California Connected is launched by the major California PBS affiliates. KQED-FM starts sending its signal out over the Internet and is picked up in places like Seoul, Korea and Hamburg, Germany. FRONTLINE/World, produced jointly at KQED, premiers. The best-rated TV shows are Mark Twain, Mystery! Skywalkers, Frontier House and Nova: Why the Towers Fell. The highest rated FM shows are Morning Edition, Car Talk, and Weekend Edition. Mary Bitterman leaves after an eventful 8 years. In August, Jeff Clarke takes over the helm of KQED. KQED wins a prime time Emmy for Sweeney Todd.
2003
KQED-TV begins production of Spark, a series on the Bay Area arts scene. KQED's Web site becomes the third media platform for KQED. KQED-FM's Forum celebrates 15 years on the air. Michael Krasny has been behind the microphone for the last 10 years. KQED-TV produces Big Band Magic!, about the relationship between Big Band music and the Bay Area. In May, KQED-FM comes to the Sacramento valley and starts broadcasting over KQEI-FM 89.3. KQED produces Othello in conjunction with Dance in America and the San Francisco Ballet. Imagemakers, a KQED production about the independent filmmaking community, premiers. KQED hits a rough patch of road financially -- there are some staff reductions and working hours are trimmed. KQED-TV takes advantage of the latest HDTV technology and launches five new digital channels: KQED HD, KQED Encore, KQED World, KQED Life, and KQED Kids.
A special thanks to Jay Yamada, longtime KQED volunteer and former Board member,
for use of his Chronological History of KQED 40th Anniversary Edition, 50th Anniversary Edition, and archival
photograph collection.
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