Charlottesville - We are pleased to announce that Black Fiddlers, featuring Rhiannon Giddens and Earl White, will be available to all PBS stations across the United States starting February 1st. This release coincides with the beginning of Black History Month educational programming. The film’s distribution is facilitated by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA), an American educational broadcast television network originally funded by the Ford Foundation and later co-owned by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
NETA is a leading service organization dedicated to strengthening and amplifying public media's educational mission. As a 501(c)(3) membership organization, NETA provides leadership, support, and services to public media licensees, affinity groups, and the broader public media system.
About Public Television in the United States
Public television in the U.S. is a diverse ecosystem comprising over 340 individually owned and operated stations, with some markets featuring multiple public television stations. Local and regional interests, along with other factors, play a significant role in the programming strategies of individual stations.
Contrary to common misconceptions, "PBS" does not refer to the entire public television system. The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is not a network like NBC or FOX; it is a member-based association of public television stations that collaborates to acquire and distribute programming.
While PBS publishes a recommended primetime schedule for several weeknights, individual stations curate additional programming for other time slots, including evenings, late fringe, and fundraising drives. For these programming needs, many stations turn to NETA.
About Black Fiddlers
Slug: An American cultural tradition deeply rooted in history and heritage.
Short Description: Black Fiddlers traces the history of African American violinists in the U.S. Featuring performances by descendants of this tradition, including Joe and Odell Thompson, and contemporary artists such as David Roberts, Earl White, and Rhiannon Giddens, the documentary revives 300 years of Black music with insights from historians and authors.
Long Description: Black Fiddlers explores the legacy of African Americans who have shaped the cultural landscape of American folklore. Directed by Eduardo Montes-Bradley, the documentary traces the personal and family stories of violin players of African descent, uncovering common threads and historical connections.
Notable performers, including David Roberts, Earl White, and Rhiannon Giddens, share their journeys and music. Insights from local historians and academics deepen the understanding of American folk music and culture. The documentary goes beyond music, examining the violin as a tool for economic and social advancement, particularly for enslaved individuals.
The film highlights how the violin served as a lifeline, enabling some to escape captivity and find freedom in states like Ohio and beyond, reaching as far as Wisconsin and Canada.
With support from The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation and the Early Music Access Project, Black Fiddlers provides a comprehensive account of America’s rich musical history as told by Black Fiddlers today.
Refer to the full NETA Marketing & Engagement Kit PDF for additional resources