The public media WORLD service (broadcast only) launched nationally in 2007 has been re-branded, re-tooled, and added a broadband presence to reflect an expanded direction to increase interest from, viewership and engagement among more diverse and younger audiences. Still dedicated to delivering outstanding nonfiction, science, nature, news, public affairs and documentary programming the 24/7 television channel formerly known as PBS WORLD is now simply called “WORLD” as part of that change.  

For the first two years, PBS was charged with the distribution and marketing of the channel.  With the expansion of content and the development of broader audiences and innovative on-line visibility, WORLD will still draw from PBS' important inventory along with strong programming from American Public Television (APT) and the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA)  – while augmenting it with a greater variety of independent programming. WORLD is produced and distributed by Boston-based WGBH, New York’s WNET and APT in association with PBS and NETA.  The Web presence, created and managed by WGBH, is growing to become the cornerstone of the transmedia WORLD initiative. APT now manages WORLD’s  distribution, marketing and research tasks and assists in the curation of new content.

WORLDcompass offers the rich content seen on WORLD TV and much more including extras, and engaging with producers.  The dynamic new site embraces the continuing integration of broadcast, Web and mobile content by gathering new ideas from a wide variety of sources, including public media, independent filmmakers, online users and social communities. It serves as an all-inclusive platform for anyone with something interesting and thought-provoking to share.

In addition to providing national programming information and daily WORLD TV schedules, WORLDcompass features expanded content aggregated around the monthly, audience-engaging themes which are focused on timeless but life-relevant topics such as The Skin You’re In and The State of Our Unions.  These are the same themes applied to the television channel; however, on-line the themes are expanded, encouraging feedback and opportunities for the audience to share their own stories, experiences and relevant content as well as add their own timely, important topics.

AT WORLDcompass, users can connect with award winning content creators and dynamic audiences through social media, blogs and other tools featuring the best of public media’s interactive content. Enjoy feature-length documentaries, short videos, video blogs, podcasts, audio slideshows, stories of the day, works-in-progress and other innovative content.

SO, WELCOME! This site went beta on July 1st, so the party is just getting started. Think of our first theme (The Skin You’re In) as the hors d’oeuvres of sorts - we’ll be adding content and bringing out more themes in the near future, but in the meanwhile, peruse the offerings, call your friends to come by, and feel free to drop us a line to tell us how we’re doing. While you’re at it, have you checked out our Facebook and Twitter?

The work we are doing is underwritten by grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

MISSION: 
WORLD seeks to create a new model of content creation and delivery for public media 2.0, one that exemplifies diversity, digital media and dialogue. WORLD seeks to target a broad range of people interested in exploring the issues of the day -- individuals comfortable with a wide array of contemporary media tools. Through WORLDcompass in particular, the WORLD service hopes to increase engagement with the new American demographic in the 30-40 year- old range, while, at the same time, those aged 18-34 who are interested in the content and have ideas to share.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
WORLD has the unique advantage of a nationally-distributed documentary/non-fiction television channel, a powerful foundation upon which to build and test a multi-platform endeavor that actively involves:

• Users/viewers and communities
• Filmmakers and other content providers
• Partnerships within and outside public media
• Individual stations

WORLD uses the ideas and digital media tools of a participatory culture to reach audiences new to public media, to both engage them with new content and provide a platform through which their voices can be heard.  Those ideas and resources include:

• A vibrant force for encouraging people from across the nation’s demographic spectrum to engage around topics that animate their lives
• Theme-based (lifestyle related) program blocks and related online interactivity
• Videoblogging and user reviews

WORLD serves as a seedbed to foster new technologies and content models. It will function as:

• A workshop for program formats that draw on direct interactivity with user/viewers
• An incubator for content delivery across multiple media platforms, including mobile DTV
• A toolbox offering various ways for significant new voices to express themselves and connect with each other

See our list of themes here.
Stay Tuned and participate and let's create this new WORLD together!!

 

 

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Funding for WORLDCOMPASS.ORG provided by  The Corporation for Public Broadcasting