PBS Western Reserve Wins Two Emmy Awards

PBS Western Reserve, which operates TV channels WNEO and WEAO, has won two 2024 Emmy awards from the Central Great Lakes Region of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The Master Craftsman and The World According to Polka each received awards on Saturday, June 22, at the Great Lakes Emmy Awards ceremony held in Cleveland.

For the independent production The Master Craftsman, filmmaker and director Phillip Sieb and director of photography Philip Leiter won in the Lifestyle category. The 30-minute program had its broadcast premiere on PBS Western Reserve. It provides a close-up view of local artist Richard Grell, showcasing his exceptional woodworking abilities in handcrafting Windsor chairs. 

Jacob Kouwe received the award in the category Talent: Performer, Host, Narrator for The World According to Polka. This six-part PBS Western Reserve series follows Ohio’s Chardon Polka Band across Northeast Ohio and beyond as it explores the rich history and lively culture surrounding polka. 

“We are proud to share these awards as the presenting station for two excellent productions,” said Natalie Pillsbury, PBS Western Reserve president and CEO. “They demonstrate our organization’s commitment to telling the stories of the people and places in the greater Northeast Ohio region.”

PBS Western Reserve received five regional Emmy nominations in 2024: two for The Master Craftsman, two for The World According to Polka and one for City Centric. All three productions can be livestreamed at PBSWesternReserve.org.
 

Phillip Sieb, producer/director, The Master Craftsman

Jake Kouwe, Chardon Polka Band, The World According to Polka

(L-R) Mitch Lawrence, Chardon Polka Band; Natalie Pillsbury, PBS Western Reserve; Jake Kouwe, Chardon Polka Band; Jeff Grau, co-creator, The World According to Polka; Phillip Sieb, producer/director, The Master Craftsman; Ryan Donchess, PBS Western Reserve; Fred Barrett, PBS Western Reserve.