KMOS-TV Honored for Community Programming

WARRENSBURG, MO – KMOS-TV, the University of Central Missouri's public television station, received two awards in recognition of excellence in content and for marketing of “The Story of Us: A KMOS American Portrait Special.” Presented in a virtual ceremony on Jan. 25 by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA), these awards celebrate stations’ work in education, community engagement, marketing/communications and content.

Work on this program began with a grant from PBS to participate in the national American Portrait project, facilitating work with local community partners and audiences to develop a localized companion program for the national series. The focus of the local program was to highlight and tell the stories of individuals in our communities that are living with disabilities, showing that they are important members of our society and are part of the rich tapestry that makes up America.

KMOS collected and incorporated responses from viewers and station partners to create the program which was broadcast on KMOS-TV and online in January 2021. KMOS received over 90 video submissions from more than 50 individuals, including those submitted through West-Central Independent Living Solutions (WILS) in Warrensburg, and Services for Independent Living (SIL) in Columbia. The project included special screenings and panel discussions to answer questions about the struggles that individuals living with disabilities work through, and to provide resources and assistance for individuals and those seeking to help.

The programs and station activities were judged by a group of expert panelists from within the public media system, as well as industry professionals working outside of public media. Winners were announced during the 53rd Annual Public Media Awards Gala presented by Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) as part of the NETA Conference and CPB Public Media Thought Leader Forum.

KMOS serves the citizens of 38 central Missouri counties with high quality, educational content and experiences online, over-the-air and in our communities. The station is integral to engaged learning as a professional learning lab for students from a variety of disciplines at the University of Central Missouri.
KMOS-TV broadcasts programming on four channels full of programs for all ages on 6.1, lifestyle and how-to programs on 6.2, international news, documentaries and dramas on 6.3, and a full schedule of kids’ programming to fit the schedule of every busy family on 6.4.

NETA is a member organization for public television and radio stations designed to provide member stations with programming, coordinate education and engagement resources, and provide professional development resources to help stations better serve their respective communities.