WHRO, Hampton Roads’ public broadcaster, announced today that it has received the inaugural Education Center Enterprise Innovation Award from the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA), a professional association that serves public television licensees and educational entities in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The award, the first given by NETA, recognizes the evolution of public broadcasting into public media, and the reorganization of public broadcasters’ educational services for measurable impact, efficiency, cost-savings, and stronger market position. The NETA Education Center Enterprise Innovation Award reflects the evolution from legacy services to public media.

In presenting the Award, NETA noted that “[WHRO] has long been an innovator. In 1995, this station was featured as a model Station for the 21st century in the CPB annual report to Congress, and they’ve continued to build on their educational vision. In their own words, the station’s goal is to be the best and preferred provider of non-commercial, technology-based, educational
products and services for their educators and students…”

“All of us at WHRO are proud of this recognition,” said Bert Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer. “It’s particularly gratifying coming from NETA, such a well-respected industry leader.”

WHRO is a public service media company that promotes education, culture and citizenship to the citizens of Hampton Roads, Virginia through a variety of telecommunications services. Thousands of viewers and listeners tune in to broadcast programming on WHRO’s four public television and seven public radio stations every day. Since its founding in 1961 to support education, WHRO has employed creativity and technology to serve its mission to enrich audiences through content that engages, educates and entertains. Owned by 18 local school divisions, WHRO delivers educational and new media services to 286,000 students and 25,000 educators per month as well.

The National Educational Telecommunications Association is a professional association that serves public television licensees and educational entities in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. NETA connects people and ideas, by providing quality programming, educational resources, professional development, management support, and national representation.