AMERICAN PUBLIC TELEVISION SHOWS CONTINUE TO EARN INDUSTRY HONORS

Rick Steves’ Iran, Richard Bangs’ Adventures With Purpose, Travelscope Win American Society of Travel Writers Awards

BOSTON (Oct. 22, 2009) ­– American Public Television (APT), the leading distributor of lifestyle programs for public television, announces that three of its best-known programs have been recognized by the American Society of Travel Writers at the 2009 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition.

The APT Exchange special RICK STEVES’ IRAN was awarded a Gold Medal in the “Special Package / Project” category. The special, which chronicles acclaimed world traveler Rick Steves’ journey to one of the world’s most controversial countries, was recognized for its comprehensive multimedia and personal components – including its Web site, Vodcasts, online discussion boards and printed journal.

Another APT Exchange special, RICHARD BANGS’ ADVENTURES WITH PURPOSE NORWAY: QUEST FOR THE VIKING SPIRIT, won a Gold Medal in the category of “Travel Broadcast – Video.” The APT Exchange series TRAVELSCOPE was awarded a Silver Medal in the same category. Bangs will release his new travel special, RICHARD BANGS’ ADVENTURES WITH PURPOSE GREECE: QUEST FOR THE GODS, in 2010.

The recognition from this competition comes during a fruitful awards year for APT programs. Earlier in the year, three APT programs were also recognized at the 2009 Emmy Awards, television’s top honors. The long-running cooking show favorite GOURMET’S DIARY OF A FOODIE won an Emmy for “Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Editing.” EQUITREKKING, featuring host Darley Newman’s horseback expeditions across the world, won for “Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Photography.” BIZ KID$ – an innovative series that teaches financial responsibility, work readiness and entrepreneurship to young children – won for “Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Graphic Design.”

These television programs are distributed by APT and are broadcast nationally on public television stations. For information and photos on any of these programs please contact Lorenzo_Petruzziello@APTonline.org or 617-338-4455, ext 133.

About American Public Television:
American Public Television (APT) has been a leading distributor of high-quality, top-rated programming to America’s public television stations since 1961. Among its 300 new program titles per year are prominent documentaries, dramatic series, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies, including Spain...on the road Again, Rick Steves' Europe, Worldfocus, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, America's Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Lidia's Family Table, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, Murdoch Mysteries, Doc Martin, Rosemary and Thyme, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, Liza’s at the Palace…. and John Denver: The Wildlife Concert. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. In 2006, APT launched Create™ – the TV channel featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming. For more information about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.

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