PBS names chief programming exec

Sylvia Bugg promoted at Arlington-based Public Broadcasting Service

Published October 22, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Arlington-based Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) announced Tuesday that Sylvia Bugg has been promoted to chief programming executive and general manager of general audience programming, effective immediately.

Bugg most recently served as vice president of general audience programming, overseeing the PBS editorial team and leading the network’s strategy for news, public affairs, documentaries, history, science, natural history and arts programs.  In her new role, she will oversee all non-children’s content and lead PBS’s programming strategy for its broadcast and digital platforms. She will report directly to PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger.

“At a time when the work of public television is more important than ever, Sylvia is the ideal leader to take on this critical role,” Kerger said in a statement. “Throughout her impressive career, she has brought an extraordinary portfolio of programming to audiences across America, and she has been a passionate champion for PBS and our member stations.”

Before her time with PBS, Bugg was the vice president of diversity and TV content with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and spent 12 years in programming, production and operations for several Discovery Communications networks.

Bugg earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Old Dominion University, her master’s degree in journalism from American University and her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Maryland.

PBS has more than 330 member stations and on a monthly basis reaches 126 million people through television and 26 million people online.