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A Syracuse-based political talk show is going national. “Balancing Act with John Katko,” hosted by former U.S. Rep. John Katko, has been picked up by the WORLD Channel, which is distributed by more than 188 PBS member stations across America. The retired Republican congressman will also post a new podcast and launch an expanded presence on YouTube. “Balancing Act” premiered last October on WCNY-TV (Channel 24), a local PBS station in Syracuse, N.Y., with a six-episode pilot run. Katko says his goal is to discuss national issues in politics and policy beyond partisan talking points, including AI regulation, redistricting, National Guard deployments, and the government shutdown. “These are the most important issues of the day and it’s about time we try and approach them as Americans, not just from the left and right,” Katko said in a statement. “We’re encouraged and motivated by the initial pilot run and ready to offer the show to a much wider audience on TV to create more ways for viewers to understand the most important issues of the day in a way that breaks the partisan divide.” Katko, 62, is a Republican who represented Central New York in Congress for eight years from 2015 to 2022. He was consistently ranked among the most bipartisan lawmakers in the House. After leaving Congress, he began working as a lobbyist for HillEast Group in Washington, D.C. His clients have included Syracuse University and Syracuse Hancock International Airport. A rep for WCNY said Katko is not currently being paid for the series. Mitch Gelman, president and CEO of WCNY, told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that Katko would disclose any potential conflicts of interest between his lobbying job and issues covered on the show. “Balancing Act with John Katko” will air Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m. ET on WORLD starting this weekend, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Episodes can also be streamed on pbs.org and the free PBS App. WORLD is a television network owned and operated by the WGBH Educational Foundation, primarily airing on PBS member stations’ digital subchannels. Viewers can find their local WORLD channel at worldchannel.org or wcny.org/wheretowatch. Katko will continue to film “Balancing Act” at WCNY’s studio in Syracuse. “At a time when PBS funding is under attack, we felt like it was important to make a statement that today, despite the headwinds, we can offer post-partisan information and solutions to the issues dividing the U.S.,” Gelman said Tuesday. “It’s encouraging that after a short pilot run in our local market, there was demand to make this production universally accessible through our enhanced partnership with WORLD and to launch on digital platforms.”
