September 2006 - 'Departures' Launches on KCET.org

In September, 2006 KCET's "Departures," an innovative web series on the cultural, social, historical, political, and artistic profiles of Los Angeles' diverse fabric of neighborhoods, launched on KCET.org.

Throughout KCET's history, the station has been on the forefront of covering local public affairs, from "Kaleidoscope" in the 1960s to today's "SoCal Connected," as well as informing and educating viewers on people, places, and events around Southern California, from "Citywatchers" to Huell Howser's various programs.

In 2005, the KCET.org website initially developed exclusive online content, to supplement the broadcast-related features it had carried for the past decade, making the website "not only a vehicle that is talking at people, but talking with them," said KCET Senior Vice President of Content Development and Production Juan Devis.

That year, KCET.org launched a section called "California Stories" (eventually re-named "Web Stories"), using the online web medium to capture the depth and interactivity on local subjects that a short television segment could not convey.

In May 2006, Devis, then a producer with the station, explored the Los Angeles' Boyle Heights neighborhood, the heart of L.A.'s Eastside, with a rich and culturally diverse history. After a month of taking photographs and meeting locals, he returned with a video crew and conducted interviews with residents.

By the mid-2000s, the online medium had matured via faster internet speeds, streaming media, and other technological innovations. KCET partnered with San Diego design firm Digitaria to create "Departures," designed as a hyper-local web documentary into Los Angeles' neighborhoods.

Since then, "Departures" has expanded to cover other communities, such as Venice, Little Tokyo, Leimert Park, and even linear communities such as the 710 Freeway Corridor and the Los Angeles River. In addition to geographical communities, "Departures" also tackles social justice issues, and youth education and empowerment.

"Departures" has garnered numerous awards, including the 2011 Japan Foundation President's Prize for educational media.