PBS Ax Falls on Two Series for Children

The long-running children’s series “Wonderworks” and “Newton’s Apple” have failed to receive PBS funding for fiscal year 1991, meaning they will leave the noncommercial network in December, 1991.

They joined the series “Travels” Monday in becoming the first shows to be axed under the aegis of PBS programming chief Jennifer Lawson, who took over as programming chief in January during a restructuring of the Public Broadcasting Service that placed the power to renew series in the hands of one executive for the first time.

In previous years, decisions to cancel existing series and to create new programs were made through a complicated procedure in which the PBS stations voted on what they wanted to fund. That has been disbanded in favor of having the programming chief decide, based on input from the stations.

In a prepared statement, Lawson gave no specific reason for cancellation of the three series, saying only that “new programming is vital in improving our public service and positioning us within the media landscape.”

Another childrens’ series, “Long Ago and Far Away,” which joined the schedule in 1989, is also on the list of shows that will not receive funding from PBS, but that series has received full corporate funding in the past so may return. The other three could also return if they found corporate backing, but such a possibility is considered unlikely.

But the network said that it will continue providing support to such staples as “Sesame Street,” “Nova,” “Great Performances” and “The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour.”

“Newton’s Apple,” a science series, has been part of the PBS schedule since 1983. “Wonderworks,” a dramatic anthology, began airing as a weekly series in 1984, then was revamped this season to a two-hour movie format, broadcast monthly.

John Grant, a PBS vice president and deputy to Lawson, called the cancellation of “Wonderworks” and “Newton’s Apple” a “very difficult decision,” but said that some shows had to go to provide funds for development, including a special effort to come up with new childrens’ shows. One such project in development is “Where in the World Is Carmen San Diego?,” a game show based on the popular computer game about geography.

“Our goal in making this round of funding decisions was to ensure funding for the series that the majority of our stations felt were essential to their program schedule,” Grant said. “Also--and this is equally important--to ensure the funding for new, innovative programming options, which, unfortunately, we are not ready to announce at this time.”

PBS has developed a “Programming for the Future” plan that includes comprehensive coverage of the 1992 elections; development of new pre-school children’s programming; new series that reflect the cultural diversity of the United States; dramatic miniseries that examine important issues; and more programs exploring American popular culture, including a pop music series.

Jay Rayvid, senior executive producer and creator of “Wonderworks,” said that he had been told that Lawson decided to terminate his series because its family format did not fit in with PBS’ new push to target dramatic programs at specific age groups: children, youth and adults.

“I think she’s trying to hit targets, and has clearly said to me that she was thinking that drama should be aimed at specific audiences,” Rayvid said.