Statement From Ovation TV In Response To President Trump's Plan To Defund The National Endowment for the Arts And National Endowment for the Humanities

LOS ANGELES, March 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "The decision to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities is a new low point for the current Administration. By ignoring the voices of millions of Americans, and focusing on the ill-informed advice of organizations like The Heritage Foundation, President Trump has taken an ax to one of the best investments the federal government makes year in and year out. Rather than the short-sighted point of view that the arts are a frivolity or a luxury not worthy of federal funding, this Administration fails to recognize the well-documented fact that arts and culture industries generate $22.3 billion in revenue to local, state and federal governments every year, and create 4.13 million full-time jobs, generating $86.68 billion in household income. The arts are also one of America's biggest exports. So, if the contention is that eliminating the NEA and NEH budgets are somehow going to save the federal government money, then someone needs to check the batteries in their calculator. According to 21^st century economists, the arts are a valuable commodity for U.S. consumers, as well as a strong contributor to America's economic vitality. "

— Liz Janneman, Executive Vice President, Network Strategy, Ovation TV.

About Ovation TV

Ovation is an independent television and digital media company dedicated to celebrating and supporting all forms of arts and culture. Ovation TV selectively curates and airs arts-related series, specials, documentaries and films.  The network also offers viewers an exciting line up of original productions, including Versailles, Rachel Hunter's Tour of Beauty, and The Art Of. Ovation TV is available to nearly 50M subscribers via cable, satellite and telco systems including Comcast Cable/Xfinity, DIRECTV/AT&T U-verse, SPECTRUM, Verizon FiOS, Bright House Networks, and many other smaller providers, as well as on VOD.  Through The Ovation Foundation, the company is committed to advocating for the arts, nationally and locally, and has provided more than $15M in contributions and in kind support to arts institutions and arts education. You can follow Ovation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and OvationTV.com.

SOURCE Ovation TV