Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Broadcasting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mississippi Public Broadcasting seeks $18.15M, highlights distance‑learning partnership with MDE
Summary
Mississippi Public Broadcasting asked the committee for $18,153,000 to support operations, digitization and programming, and described an expanding distance‑learning partnership ('e‑glass') with the Department of Education that MPB says will serve roughly 500 students next semester.
Royal (S10), representing Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB), asked the committee for an appropriation of $18,153,000 and walked lawmakers through the allocation: roughly $4.8 million from the general fund, $2.1 million in the Education Enhancement Fund, $4.7 million in state supported funds (CEF) and about $6.3 million in special funds. Royal requested the committee re‑appropriate $522,000 for an ongoing digitization project the agency seeded with prior funds.
Royal framed MPB’s request around public service and statewide reach. “On MPB TV over a course of a year, just shy of 1,000,000 people watch MPB,” he said, and he cited app usage and radio audience metrics as evidence of statewide penetration. He also highlighted program development and partnerships, including a 13‑week show called Southern Dish he said would feature chefs across the state and a television companion to the Thacker Mountain literary series.
On education, Royal described a distance‑learning pilot using an “e‑glass” technology in partnership with the Department of Education that taught five districts and 230 students in a prior semester and that MPB expects to expand to roughly 500 students in the upcoming term; MPB provides the classroom technology while the Department of Education supplies teachers. Royal said the e‑glass program is “game changing,” citing interactive features that keep students engaged.
Committee members asked about tower maintenance and rising capital needs; Royal said many transmitters and tower structures are aging and that tower and transmitter replacement will be an ongoing cost. He also confirmed MPB absorbed a $2.3 million federal funding loss and is pursuing fundraising and cost offsets rather than asking for immediate replacement of that amount in the current appropriation request.
MPB staff answered operational questions about licensing and CEU fees — Anna (S13) said the CEU charge is minimal (about $100) for workshops — and said some classroom videos are available on MPB’s YouTube channel for free. Royal said he would pursue further coordination with other state tower owners to reduce maintenance costs where feasible. The committee recessed after follow‑up questions.
