Phil's Friday Facts: 10/02/26

Phil Meyer, CEO of SOPBS, here.

Welcome to Phil's Friday Facts, where I share station news, programming highlights and industry trends.

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Donor Advised Fund Day Is October 8th

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) giving saw dramatic increases from 2024 to 2025. You can help continue the momentum this year. Use your DAF today to supercharge organizations whose work you value, like SOPBS.

Thursday of next week is the third National Donor-Advised Fund Day. This is an ideal time to unleash the power of your Donor-Advised Fund (should you have one) to help SOPBS serve you and the communities of Southern Oregon and Northern California.

And if you don't yet have one of these powerful tools for giving and tax savings, celebrate by exploring their advantages — maybe even establish one for yourself. Setting up a DAF lets you do good for the community, while doing well for yourself through a potential income tax deduction.

We hope you’ll take a few moments to recommend a grant to SOPBS with your Donor-Advised Fund, by going here.

Julie Gillis Named Ashland.news Interim Executive Director

Julie has worked at Southern Oregon PBS, Rogue Workforce Partnership, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Julie Gillis has joined Ashland.news as Interim Executive Director.

Julie will oversee all aspects of Ashland.news outside of day-to-day editorial operations: business operations, fundraising and grants, reader revenue, sponsorship, community relations, hiring, and administration. Executive Editor Bert Etling will continue to lead the newsroom, working in close partnership with Julie.

Read the Ashland.news announcement here.

Merged Paramount Warner Brothers Discovery Will Now Be Called Skydance

"We wanted a name that would give the combined company an identity of its own while allowing Paramount and Warner Bros. — and all our extraordinary brands — to remain in the spotlight.”

After the expected close of their merger, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will together be known as Skydance.

CEO David Ellison revealed the new name Friday in a post on X. The $110 billion merger is projected to be finalized on Tuesday (10/6) after a year-long pursuit by Ellison and a two-month delay caused by antitrust lawsuits by 12 states and the Writers Guild of America.

Read the Deadline story here.

Sunny Side Up

News from this week that will hopefully bring a smile to your face.

The air is about to get sweet(er): A Sesame Street film is in development, from Rideback and Sesame Workshop. In addition, more season 57 episodes are set to premiere on November 23 on PBS KIDS and Netflix.

ICYMI: FCC Head Says Taxpayer-Funded Trump Ads ‘Don’t Raise Any Red Flags’

Brendan Carr said the ads are “normal-course public service announcements” and nothing that would “merit any sort of” review by the Federal Communications Commission.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr said Wednesday that new pro-Trump TV ads paid for with government funds don’t “merit any sort of FCC review.”

“It doesn’t strike me as anything at all out of the ordinary,” Carr said of the ads, which have aired across the country in recent weeks.

The use of federal funds to pay for the ads has drawn bipartisan criticism, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-SD, saying they “shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars” and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, calling them an “absolute violation of what democracy is supposed to look like.”

Read the NBC News story here.

Program Highlights

This week's best and brightest.

Passport Pick: Magpie Murders - Special Streaming Update. The entire season of Magpie Murders is available to stream on the PBS app and on PBS.org until 10/24/26. A successful author dies under suspicious circumstances, his last book unfinished. What happened to him? And how does his latest potboiler end? Based on Anthony Horowitz’s bestselling novel. Stream the six episodes here. As a Passport Member of SOPBS, your support gets you exclusive access to content like this.

Friday, October 2 at 9pm N E W

39th Hispanic Heritage Awards

Celebrate the recipients of the 39th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards.

Saturday, October 3 at 7pm

OREGON CONTENT

Us As We Are: Four Corners of Oregon

Our team ventures out to find what interesting stories exist on the borders of Oregon, sometimes digging deep into the wilderness to do so. We found most of our fun and educational opportunities emerged through unplanned side-stops and encounters with friendly Oregonians.

NEW DRAMA SUNDAY

Sunday, October 4

8pm: The Marlow Murder Club N E W

When a popular but tempestuous celebrity chef is murdered during his cookbook launch, there's no shortage of suspects for Judith, Suzie and Becks.

9pm: Marble Hall Murders N E W

Framed for murder, Susan goes to Blakeney for help finding clues hidden inside a Pünd novel.

10pm: Trespasses N E W

As Michael speaks out boldly in public, Cushla and his friends fear for him. Cushla and Michael's love deepens amid secrets and danger.

Monday, October 5 at 10pm N E W

Independent Lens: My Omaha PICK OF THE WEEK

Nick Beaulieu explores his hometown's justice movement while trying to reconnect with his father.

Tuesday, October 6 at 9pm N E W

American Masters: American Pachuco - The Legend of Luis Valdez

The legacy of filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez.

Wednesday, October 7 at 9pm N E W

NOVA: Space Wars

Orbits are turning into a high-stakes-battleground as countries race to weaponize space.

Thursday, October 8 at 8pm N E W

OREGON CONTENT

Oregon Art Beat

Newberry award-winning author Renee Watson teaches girls to be their boldest selves. Indigenous punk band 1876 rocks Portland and beyond. Hike the Tillamook forest with software-engineer-turned-painter Bhavani Krishnan.

Click here for the full schedules for all four SOPBS Channels.

Community Events

Look for our weekly installment of On The Calendar on Mondays on our Facebook Page. On The Calendar is produced in conjunction with Jefferson Public Radio.

Click here to submit your community event.

They Said It

“Well done is better than well said.” — Benjamin Franklin

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