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[[underlined]] Television [[/underlined]]

As the Regents have been informed over the years, one of the Institution's highest priorities has been to accomplish some part of its mandate for the "diffusion of knowledge" through the medium of television. In the past the Smithsonian has experimented with a variety of arrangements for television productions and has seen results in both commercial and public television shows. Most recently the Institution has developed a monthly magazine-format television series entitled [[underlined]] Smithsonian World [[/underlined]] to bring the manifold activities of the Institution to the attention of viewers on public television; financing for this series is still undetermined, though a recent challenge grant from the National Science Foundation has revivified fund-raising efforts.

During the past year considerable thought has been given to launching Smithsonian efforts in the somewhat uncharted waters of cable television and related video-communication technologies (video cassettes, disks, etc.) for viewers at home, in schools, and in other educational institutions. A great variety of programs would be possible for specialists and generalists in all areas of Smithsonian expertise in history, art, and science.

The Secretary is currently soliciting outside advice to supplement staff expertise on telecommunications. A proposal to the Secretary should soon evolve to launch the effort formally. Start-up costs may amount to approximately $350,000, which sum might be redirected from the Regents' Educational Outreach Fund in the current and ensuing fiscal years.

The Regents will be kept informed of future developments.

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