The ground breaking PBS music series "Soundstage" is once again being produced, and all programs will be done under union contract. Last month Local 802 and the AFM signed HD Ready,Ltd., the series producer, to the national Public Television (PBS) contract.
On April 14, Tony-award winning star Idina Menzel taped her first television special at New York's Rose Hall, backed by Local 802 members.
The following night, Josh Groban, also at Rose Hall, taped a special television special for PBS broadcast later this year, again backed by Local 802 musicians, working under an AFM agreement.
Upcoming broadcasts include artists Tom Petty, Alison Krauss, Michael McDonald, and Lucinda Williams.
A new incarnation of the Electric Company will be produced under a union contract. The popular Children's Television Workshop show which was produced in the 70's, is being re-invented by Sesame Workshop. An AFM sideletter to the PBS agreement for a six-piece band was signed last month, similar to the existing terms for Sesame Street.
The show is designed to build reading skills and is aimed at 6 to 9 year olds "graduating" from Sesame Street. Slated for the fall this is a once a week show, while Sesame Street, now in it's 39th season is a daily show
