• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, July 6, 2007

Frontline, PBS's flagship public affairs series, is undertaking a digital overhaul thanks to a grant worth $5 million from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

The funding is expected to allow the series to expand its production and online presence, and explore new media distribution platforms over the next five years.

Indeed, the grant "will allow us to take the next big steps to integrate our documentary production online, enrich the user experience with new original content, and reach both new audiences and our loyal viewers on this new media platform," said David Fanning, executive producer of Frontline.

In collaboration with PBS, Frontline plans to develop a series of online video initiatives, including a new player to view video of programs on the Web, with embedded additional content.

The funding is also expected to help launch projects that will encourage audiences to engage in the series' online content, as well as make Frontline's online properties more easily searchable.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation controls assets of over $6 billion, and grants and program-related investments totaling approximately $225 million annually.