MR. WNET SUMS UP PBS CAREER

Program and institutional milestones under John Jay Iselin’s term as president of New York’s WNET:

1973

Coverage of the Watergate hearings produces 25,000 public contributions, and station membership climbs to 135,000, up from its 1971 level of 50,000.

1974

WNET launches $10-million campaign to establish a broadcast center.

Exxon provides underwriting grants exceeding $1 million.

“Great Performances” series launched.

1975

“The Robert MacNeil Report,” a forerunner to “The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour,” premieres.

“Dance in America” series launched.

Public subscriptions top 200,000.

1976

“Live From Lincoln Center” series launched.

“The Adams Chronicles” series premieres.

1977

“Live From the Met” series launched.

“The Dick Cavett Show” premieres.

1978

Its $10-million campaign fully funded, WNET settles into its permanent broadcast center in mid-Manhattan.

Public subscription reaches 300,000.

1980

“The Gala of Stars,” annual PBS fund-raising special, is launched.

Dial magazine begins publication.

1981

“I Remember Harlem” special series premieres.

1982

“American Playhouse,” first PBS series to be produced by a consortium of public television stations (WNET, KCET, WGBH, South Carolina ETV), premieres.

“Nature” series premieres.

1983

“The MacNeil/Lehrer News-Hour,” network television’s first hourlong nightly news show, premieres.

“Creativity With Bill Moyers,” one of several public television series hosted by the broadcaster under Iselin’s tenure, premieres.

Contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations top $20 million.

1984

“The Brain,” representing the first major series to be co-produced with foreign television (Japan, France, England and Canada), premieres.

“Adam Smith’s Money World” series is launched.

“Heritage: Civilization and the Jews” special series premieres.

“The Constitution: That Delicate Balance” premieres.

WNET annual budget tops $101 million, up from $18 million in 1971.

1985

“Academy on Computers,” first of several attempts at entrepreneurial enterprises aimed at finding alternative sources for PBS programming, premieres.

WNET viewing audience reaches all-time high: More than half of New York metropolitan-area households tune in one or more times each month.

1986

“American Masters” arts series launched.

“The Story of English” special series premieres.

334,000 public subscribers contribute a record $18.7 million to WNET.