Ex-WFLA-Ch. 8 anchor Irene Maher returns to local TV Friday on PBS

Longtime Tampa Bay area health reporter and anchor Irene Maher, who was laid off by WFLA-Ch.8 in July after 23 years at the NBC station, returns to the local airwaves Friday as host of a new public affairs show on WUSF-Ch. 16, Florida Matters.

The show -- planned as a TV version of WUSF-FM's 6 p.m. Friday radio show of the same name, hosted by Carson Cooper -- airs at 8 p.m. on the TV station. According to the press release announcing the program, both the radio and TV shows will tackle the same topics, with both platforms available on the show's Web site, with areas for the audience to comment and trade information.

Maher joins a handful of other bay area media figures who have moved into public TV work, including Angie Moreschi (ex-WFTS-Ch. 28), Cathy Unruh (ex-WTVT-Ch. 13) and Rob Lorei, who still works for WMNF-FM and WEDU-Ch. 3. 

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Click below to see the press release:

WUSF Public Broadcasting Expands Florida Matters

The popular public affairs show will now air on television and radio

TAMPA, Fla. (January 27, 2009) – WUSF Public Broadcasting announces its popular public affairs radio program, Florida Matters, will debut on WUSF TV/DT this week. The TV show will be hosted by Irene Maher, with contributions from Larry Elliston, and will air weekly on WUSF TV/DT on Friday evening at 8 p.m. beginning January 30, 2009 and will be rebroadcast Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. The radio show will continue to air on WUSF 89.7 on Friday evenings at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 10 a.m.

“Florida Matters has proven to be popular with our radio audience, which lead to the development of a TV series,” said JoAnn Urofsky, general manager for WUSF Public Broadcasting.  “The goal is to engage people in our community across all platforms – TV, radio, and the internet – and provide viewers and listeners with actionable information about their community and Florida. The stories and issues covered will give the audience a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State.”

The radio and television programs will address the same issues important to Floridians, but viewers and listeners will find new information on each media platform. Irene Maher and radio Florida Matters host Carson Cooper will visit on the major topic on both programs and WUSF’s website will contain segments and entire programs from both TV and radio, as well as provide a community forum for people to discuss topics of concern.

The first episode to utilize all three media platforms is entitled Innovators! The program will discuss why Florida is such a great place for innovation, who is pioneering the latest in technology, where you can still find quirky inventors working on their latest gadgets, and how a local hospital is bringing science fiction to life in hopes of saving lives. The show will also engage venture capitalists to find out what kinds of projects they’re funding and how much money is available for new ideas.

Florida Matters is underwritten in part by The Mosaic Company, the world's leading producer of potash and phosphate crop nutrients. Special thanks is given to Seescape Studios, Inc. and furniture for the set is provided by IKEA.