By Lynn Elber, Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --PBS' average prime-time household rating for the 2013-14 season was up 5 percent over the year before, the public TV service said Wednesday.
Among all broadcast and cable networks, PBS said it ranked fifth in the Nielsen audience measurement, compared with eighth for the previous season and 11th for 2011-12.
Two prominent families, the Roosevelts and the Crawleys, helped out. Ken Burns' documentary series "The Roosevelts: An Intimate History," and season four of "Downton Abbey" aired during the 12-month period concluding last month.
"The Roosevelts" earned PBS its biggest audience in two decades, while British drama "Downton Abbey" ranked as the highest-rated drama in public TV's history. The British soap opera returns Jan. 4.
Beth Hoppe, PBS' chief programming executive, said the audience growth also reflects a strong overall schedule, one that groups programs of similar genres on the same night to keep viewers tuned in.
While blockbusters like "The Roosevelts" count, it's about "paying attention to every time slot every day of the week," Hoppe said.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More