MotorWeek Television Celebrates 25 Years Entertaining and Informing

OWINGS MILLS, Md. Sept. 9, 2005, The Auto Channel reported that, what began a quarter-century ago as one man's passion and a fledgling public television show now spans broadcast and cable television, and stands poised to deliver picture-perfect quality to viewers nationwide. Celebrating its 25th anniversary year beginning in fall 2005, MotorWeek has become one of the nation's leading sources for automotive industry news, new car information and entertainment, focusing on consumers' needs and driving experience.

MotorWeek premieres its 25th anniversary season on PBS on September 9, 2005 and on cable's SPEED Channel later in the month (check local listings). Produced by Maryland Public Television, MotorWeek is nationally sponsored by The Stanley Works and Dunlop. Additional sponsors are expected to be announced in the near future.

"Most automotive television shows come and go with the trends," said John Davis, MotorWeek host, creator and executive producer. "The difference for MotorWeek has been our inborn passion for what we do and always keeping our audience at the forefront of our minds. Our staff works hard to be precise and cover the subject matter very thoroughly, something that is rather unusual for today's 10-second sound-byte television."

MotorWeek catapults into its next 25 years using television technology to enhance the viewer experience. Starting with a new 16x9 widescreen format in September, MotorWeek will be seen with the characteristically rectangular picture used by the movie industry and now migrating to television. For viewers with high-definition/digital receivers or set-top boxes, a high-definition version of MotorWeek will be available beginning in September on the PBS HD Channel. High definition will offer sharper detail and closer views of the vehicle features consumers want to see. MotorWeek also sports an all-new show opening sequence.

The series debuts a fun, fast-paced lifestyle segment on the trendiest automotive gear available. Gear features everything from the latest car gadgets that make driving easier and more enjoyable to matching luggage for that cool sports car to trendy apparel and jewelry. Anqoinette Crosby's monthly segment covers the booming after-market accessory business and the growing culture of personalizing cars and showing affinity for drivers' favorite vehicles.

Gear joins the popular lineup of segments including: Goss' Garage with Pat Goss, FYI with Anqoinette Crosby, Over the Edge with Henry Kopacz, MotorNews with Jessica Choksey, and Two Wheelin' with Dave Durso.

A MotorWeek 25th Anniversary special episode will air in February 2006, taking a look back over 25 years of entertaining and informative automotive industry coverage.

MotorWeek, the original automotive magazine series on television, celebrates its 25th year of providing consumers with timely automotive industry news and entertainment features. The award-winning series, seen on PBS and Speed Channel, is nationally sponsored by The Stanley Works and Dunlop. For information, visit www.pbs.org/motorweek.