William Baker, PhD

Dr. William Baker is President Emeritus of Educational Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), licensee of Thirteen/WNET New York and WLIW21 New York. Stepping down as Chief Executive Officer in February 2008, he served as the head of EBC since 1987. Thirteen/ WNET is the premier national public television program producer, and the most-watched public television station in the United States. It is also the largest producer of cultural and arts programming in America.

Dr. Baker previously served a dual role as President of Westinghouse Television, Inc. (from 1979) and Chairman of Group W Satellite Communications (from 1981). He began his broadcasting career while still a student, and held a variety of programming and general management positions in radio and television in Cleveland, Baltimore, Los Angeles and New York.

Dr. Baker was honored with the 1987 Trustees Emmy Award of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He also received the Gabriel Personal Achievement Award, two duPont Columbia Journalism Awards and six Emmy Awards. In 2004 he was inducted into Broadcasting & Cable’s Hall of Fame, and in 2005 was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame and elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. In 2007 he received the Mark Schubart Award from the Lincoln Center Institute.

Dr. Baker serves on an array of boards, including the Public Broadcasting Service; Freedom Communications, Inc; and the National Park System. He is a former president of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Baker received his B.A., M.A. and PhD degrees from Case Western Reserve University, and is the recipient of honorary degrees from numerous schools, including New School University and Seton Hall.