Election 2002. In Massachusetts, the governor's race was big news: Romney versus O'Brien in a dead heat to the end. Greater Boston covered it the way it tackles all local news: in a comprehensive, in-depth manner. The program not only interviewed the candidates, but also explored complex ballot issues such as bilingual education. It's that approach -- thorough, thoughtful -- that has quadrupled Greater Boston's audience since its January 1997 debut. "We look for topics that let us explore different opinions, delve into things more deeply," says host and executive editor Emily Rooney. "We're not so much news-driven, as news-reflective."

As WGBH's nightly public affairs show, Greater Boston puts a Boston-based lens on important national and regional issues, drawing on the community's resources to provide insight and local perspective. "Our audience has demonstrated that there is an interest in public policy and public affairs," says executive producer John Carroll. "These stories often don't air on the commercial channels. As the state struggles with budget issues and wrestles with priorities, it's our business to help our viewers know what's being done on Beacon Hill so they can make informed decisions."

Next: Explaining education reform