Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission appoints Robert J. Shuman president/CEO of Maryland Public Television.

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 1996--Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission Chairman David H. Nevins announced Thursday the appointment of Robert J. Shuman as president and chief executive officer of Maryland Public Television network (MPT), following a nationwide search.

The appointment is effective Oct. 15.

Shuman, who is currently president/CEO and co-founder of Civic Network Communications Inc., in Washington, D.C., has a distinguished background in educational television, administration, programming and community service.

He was president/COO and a member of the board of directors of The Learning Channel, which he co-founded in 1980 and nurtured to be one of the nation's most respected cable channels at the time of its sale to Discovery Communications in 1991.

"The Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission and I were seeking an executive who combined entrepreneurial, leadership and management skills with a vision of how educational television can affect quality of life in the region. We're delighted to have found these skills in nationally-known television executive Robert Shuman, who is also from Maryland," said Nevins.

"It's a great honor to be appointed to lead a station with such a long and distinguished record," said Shuman. "With the support of MPT's esteemed board and dedicated staff, I believe we can look to the future and create a vision for public television in Maryland that serves the people of Maryland and can be a model for the nation."

Under Shuman's ten-year leadership, The Learning Channel grew to be one of cable's most prestigious channels, providing educational programs to millions of subscribers nationwide. He also served as vice president and subsequent president of the American Community Service Network (ACSN) of Washington, D.C., the founding organization of The Learning Channel.

During his tenure at ACSN he created many educational and public television projects, including Civic Network Communications-Civic Network Television; the educational TV series "The Merrow Report" and "Learning Matters" with distinguished media journalist John Merrow; "The Independents," a showcase for independent film makers and Member Direct TV.

Shuman was active in the early development of distance learning when he served as deputy director and producer for the Appalachian Educational Satellite Project (which evolved into the ACSN). This telecommunications project helped pioneer the use of satellite technology to serve teachers in isolated regions. Prior to that he was a project director at the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Shuman participates in a broad range of civic activities, including serving as co-chairman of the Network for Instructional TV Inc., a member of the advisory boards of the American News Service and the Learning Institute, honorary chairman of Cable Positive and is past governor of the National Academy of Cable Programming. His awards include the CableACE for "The Independents," which he executive-produced.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Catholic University and Master of Science from American University. He lives with his family in Potomac, Md.

Shuman will be the fourth executive to head MPT since it was founded in 1969. The position reports to the 11-member Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, which is appointed by the Governor of Maryland and holds the broadcast license.

Maryland Public Television (MPT) is the fourth largest producing center within the U.S. public television system. In addition to such programs as "Wall $treet Week With Louis Rukeyser," and "Kratts' Creatures," the six-station network provides programming to schools, colleges and universities throughout Maryland and the nation. MPT also produces major national educational series on literature, math and science.

CONTACT: Maryland Public Television, Baltimore

Sharon Philippart, 410/581-4083