Contact: Madeline Myers, Public Relations and Communications Specialist
330-474-5032
Press release images available at pbswesternreserve.org/press/photos
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PBS Western Reserve Celebrates Goodyear Blimp’s 100th Anniversary with Live Documentary Premiere
“Icon in the Sky: 100 Years of the Goodyear Blimp” will premiere live on PBS Western Reserve on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m.
Kent, OH — Nov. 24, 2025 — Learn the century-long history of an aerial legend. “Icon in the Sky: 100 Years of the Goodyear Blimp” tells the story of the famous airship through the eyes of its dedicated crew and devoted fans, capturing the profound nostalgia and wonder the airship inspires around the globe. The documentary will premiere on PBS Western Reserve on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. during a live pledge drive for the public media organization.
PBS Western Reserve will be live on air at 7:45 p.m. following “PBS News Hour,” kicking off a celebratory evening that will include an interview with a Goodyear pilot and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a ride on the Goodyear Blimp.
While only one lucky winner and a friend will win a cruise on the blimp, PBS Western Reserve will feature other limited-time thank-you gifts, including trading cards, crew keychains, magnet sets, baseball hats and more.
“We extend our deepest thanks to Goodyear for their collaboration and generosity,” said PBS Western Reserve President and CEO Natalie Pillsbury. “We’re grateful to be a part of celebrating this momentous achievement.”
“The Goodyear Blimp is like a regional monument,” said Ryan Donchess, PBS Western Reserve’s chief content officer. “We all have memories of seeing the blimp fly over Northeast Ohio, and we see sharing this story as part of upholding our commitment to local storytelling.”
Donations made to PBS Western Reserve support the organization’s ability to serve up to 1.8 million households across Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania with free, accessible programming and educational services that foster lifelong learning and connection.
Learn more and donate to PBS Western Reserve by calling 1-800-672-4549 or visiting PBSWesternReserve.org. Following its broadcast premiere, “Icon in the Sky: 100 Years of the Goodyear Blimp” will be available on-demand through the PBS Western Reserve website, PBS App and YouTube.
PBS Western Reserve is a community organization that empowers Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania through the impact of accessible public media and educational services to foster connection and lifelong learning. We present to our region cultural, scientific and artistic programming for awareness and enjoyment; local storytelling and access to trusted regional, state and national public affairs; experiential opportunities and community outreach for people of all ages; and educational initiatives that support the healthy development of our youth.
PBS Western Reserve operates two separately licensed public television stations (WNEO and WEAO) and an Educational Services division operating under one 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc. (NETO). WNEO was established in 1971, is licensed to the city of Alliance and serves the Youngstown designated television market. WEAO went on the air in 1975, is licensed to the city of Akron and serves the Cleveland-Akron-Canton designated television market. All programming is simulcast on the two stations.
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