By Jeff Murphy,
November 15, 2022
Longtime KMOS-TV Program Director Michael O鈥橩eefe was honored by the Public Television
Station Programming Association.
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 Having dedicated 40 years to public television at the University
of Central Missouri, KMOS-TV staff member Michael O鈥橩eefe was honored as the Public
Television Station Programming Association鈥檚 (PTPA) Programmer of the Year. The UCM
alumnus who serves as the KMOS program director was recognized in a ceremony Nov.
14 in Naples, Florida.
PTPA is an organization dedicated to the professional development of public television
programming professionals by providing resources that enrich, inspire and educate.
The association names the Programmer of the Year based on the quality of a public
television station鈥檚 programming schedule, and how the station utilizes local and
national programming to make possible high-quality public media programming within
the communities it serves.
The 2022 award presentation was made during a recognition dinner that took place during
PTPA鈥檚 annual Fall Meeting, Nov. 14-16. With the exception of 2020 and 2021, the award
has been presented to deserving individuals continuously since 1992.
O鈥橩eefe graduated from UCM in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting, and
went on to complete his Master of Arts in Environmental Studies in 2014. During the
four decades he has served as KMOS-TV鈥檚 program director, O鈥橩eefe has been responsible
for the station鈥檚 programming and promotional efforts including the scheduling of
all four KMOS channels, the creation of the monthly program guide, 鈥淐ontact,鈥 and
the design and maintenance of the KMOS .
Among his many achievements, O鈥橩eefe鈥檚 played a significant role in helping the station
transition from a single channel to a multiple channel broadcast platform. These efforts
have enabled KMOS to increase its viewership and recognition within Central Missouri
and the PBS system.
According to Josh Tomlinson, director of broadcasting services and general manager
of KMOS, O鈥橩eefe 鈥渉as also been a constant driver of student success, continually
hiring, training and mentoring UCM students in many fields.鈥
In addition to being highly dedicated to students and his professional craft, in his
spare time O鈥橩eefe is an ardent outdoorsman. He is passionate about wildlife, and
has a particular interest in birds. He volunteers with many nature organizations and
educational groups.
As a member of PTPA, O鈥橩eefe is part of an organization that is considered a trusted
partner and essential resource for programming professionals in the ever-changing
industry he represents. In their working environment, members of the organization
make decisions on a daily basis with regard to broadcast and digital curation, distribution,
and consumer viewing trends. PTPA promotes an atmosphere in which members can trade
best practices and network, and utilize professional development and mentoring opportunities
that will help them connect the public television stations they represent to the communities
they serve.
KMOS serves the citizens of 38 central Missouri counties with high-quality, educational
content and experiences online, over-the-air and in various communities. The station
is integral to engaged learning as a professional learning lab for students from a
variety of disciplines at the UCM. KMOS broadcasts programming on four channels full
of programs for all ages on 6.1, lifestyle and how-to programs on 6.2, international
news, documentaries and dramas on 6.3, and a full schedule of kids鈥 programming to
fit the schedule of every busy family on 6.4.
Learn more about UCM鈥檚 public television station at . To learn more about PTPA, visit ptpa.tv.