{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.019457956914523976, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.7924528301886795, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 1, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Developing more effective needs assessment and programming strategies for public television

The thesis is written in the form of a report to a client, the WGBH Educational Foundation (WGBH) a nonprofit, public television broadcasting outlet located in Boston, Massachusetts. WGBH is required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as are all public and commercial television broadcasters, to perform an ongoing process of community needs assessment, officially termed "ascertainment". The ascertainment process was founded in the spirit of television licensees as trustees of the public interest. The theory of ascertainment is that by maintaining a regular dialogue with the community regarding its problems, needs and interests, broadcasters can provide programming which is more targeted and responsive to their communities. The research considers the current attitudes and practices of WGBH as it follows the cycle of ascertainmentto-programming. The thesis proposes several alternative ascertainment methods and programming strategies with evaluative criteria for judging improvements. Finally, the advice to the client is offered in the form of recommendations that might assist WGBH in the development of improved needs assessment methods and the implementation of more responsive programming strategies. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Lawrence E. Susskind Title: Department Head, Urban Studies and Planning TABLE OF CONTENTS Page