During KET’s WinterPledge 2014, Nov. 28 through Dec. 7, viewers have the opportunity to help KET carry out its mission of guiding all Kentuckians on an exciting and fulfilling journey through life to explore Kentucky and the world.

Plus, those who donate during this special event will have the opportunity to receive tickets to a wide range of concerts and experiences that KET offers as thank-you gifts.

“For more than 45 years, KET has been serving Kentuckians with rich and diverse educational resources and programming,” said Shae Hopkins, KET executive director and CEO. “The contributions from more than 37,000 members help KET purchase programs such as Antiques Roadshow, Downton Abbey, Doc Martin, Nature, Nova, Sesame Street and many more. We invite everyone that values KET to join with us during WinterPledge to help ensure that we’ll continue to have the funds to purchase, produce and provide the quality programs and services we all enjoy.”

During KET’s WinterPledge, viewers may call 1-800-866-0366 or go online at ket.org/donate to contribute. These gifts allow KET to continue to deliver programming that provides insights, discoveries, issues, culture, excitement and entertainment to communities throughout the state — as well as provide a safe haven for the Commonwealth’s youngest citizens through award-winning PBS children’s programming.

 

Program highlights:

Using clips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, Downton Abbey Rediscovered features moments from the first four seasons of the popular, award-winning Masterpiece series and tantalizing previews of season five. Downton Abbey Rediscovered airs Sunday, Nov. 30 at 9/8 pm and Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 10/9 pm on KET and Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 11:30/10:30 pm on KET2.

In Classic Hollywood: Musicals, Kentucky’s own Nick Clooney hosts a journey across the Golden Age of movie musicals, with a look at the behind-the-scenes stories of five of Hollywood’s most beloved musicals: The Wizard of Oz, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Singin’ in the Rain, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Viva Las Vegas. Classic Hollywood: Musicals airs Saturday, Nov. 29 at 9:30/8:30 pm on KET and Sunday, Nov. 30 at 2/1 pm on KET2.

Fans of “Old Blue Eyes” won’t want to miss American Masters: “Bing Crosby Rediscovered” a new documentary exploring the life of the legendary entertainer through never-before-seen footage and interviews with Crosby’s immediate family and fellow singer Tony Bennett. Thirty-seven years after his death, Crosby remains the most recorded performer in history with nearly 400 hit singles, an achievement no one — not Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley or the Beatles — has come close to matching. Narrated by actor Stanley Tucci, the program airs Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8/7 pm on KET.

And, for viewers looking to get their finances under control in the new year, Suze Orman’s Financial Solutions for You offers tips on investing, saving for retirement, selecting the right life insurance and more – all explained in easy-to-understand, tangible examples by Orman, one of America’s leading experts in personal finance. The program airs Sunday, Nov. 30 at 2/1 pm on KET and at 8/7 pm on KET2.

 

Musical performances for all ages and musical tastes

With specials featuring Big Band, rock, pop and classical performances, WinterPledge 2014 features a star-studded lineup of musical greats from across the genres.

Emmy and Tony Award-winner Kristin Chenoweth kicks off KET’s WinterPledge with an intimate performance of some of her best-loved Broadway, television and film hits from her hometown in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Kristin Chenoweth – Coming Home includes hits like “Popular” and “For Good” from Wicked, songs from her performances on the TV series Glee and beloved music from Les Miserables. The program airs Friday, Nov. 28 at 9/8 pm on KET.

Immediately following at 10:30/9:30 pm on KET, Straight No Chaser – Songs of the Decades showcases the phenomenal group’s ability to reinvent a cappella music on the modern pop landscape.

Finally, viewers can ring in the holiday season with the powerhouse voices of hit Irish recording group Celtic Thunder in Celtic Thunder Christmas, premiering Saturday, Nov. 29 at 8/7 pm and Sunday, Nov. 30 at 4/3 pm on KET. The program captures the magic of the group’s live performances of classic holiday songs including “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Silent Night” and many more

 

Ticketed events

Viewers who make a donation may request, as a thank-you gift, tickets to concerts and experiences scheduled in Kentucky. Ticketed events include:

 

-Trans-Siberian Orchestra: December 11 at Rupp Arena, Lexington

-Straight No Chaser: December 17 at EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond

-Wild Kratts Live: January 25 at EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond

-Celtic Thunder: March 31 at Norton Center for the Arts, Danville

-Fabby Abbey (a celebration of all things Downton): April 25 at Spindletop Hall, Lexington

-Kentucky Collectibles Appraisal Fair: May 30, Frazier History Museum, Louisville

KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, serving more than one million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization on Twitter @KET and facebook.com/KET and at KET.org.

Contact:

Todd Piccirilli
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
859-258-7242
tpiccirilli@ket.org