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Arkansas Educational Television Network (or AETN) is a simulcast network of educational, public television stations, affiliated with the PBS covering the state of Arkansas. The network is operated by the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, an agency of the Arkansas state government that holds the licenses for all the PBS member stations in the state. It broadcasts from the R. Lee Reaves Center for Educational Telecommunications at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway via AETN's microwave interconnection relay system to six digital broadcasting transmitters across the state.
The network's six transmitters cover most of Arkansas, as well as parts of Missouri, Louisiana and Mississippi.
[edit] History
AETN was originally created as the Arkansas Educational Television Commission in 1961, following a two-year legislative study to assess the state’s need for educational television. KETS, the flagship station, signed on in 1966 as the nation's 124th educational television station. In the early years, KETS was associated with National Educational Television, the forerunner of the current PBS. The early days saw black-and-white broadcasting only, with color capabilities being achieve in 1972. Limited hours of operation focused primarily on instructional programming for use in Arkansas classrooms.
During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, AETN became an educational resource for public school and college educators through the use of Instructional Videos with teacher guides and supplements for K-12 Classrooms (used over the Internet in 90%+ of all Arkansas classrooms), College Tele-Courses, and GED-ON-TV.
[edit] Mission Statement
The mission of AETN is to offer lifelong learning opportunities to all Arkansans; to supply instructional programs to Arkansas' schools; to provide programming and services to improve and enhance the lives of Arkansas' citizens; and to illuminate the culture and heritage of Arkansas and the world. To accomplish this mission, AETN, through the creative use of telecommunications, will present a high-quality public television service designed to inform, educate, motivate, entertain, enlighten and inspire.
[edit] Stations
Notes:
- 1. Virtual channel (PSIP).
- 2. The Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook says KEMV signed on November 11, while the Television and Cable Factbook says it signed on November 16.
[edit] Digital transition
During 2009, leading up to the analog shutdown that would ultimately come on June 12, AETN closed down its analog transmitters on a piecemeal basis. The dates below show the final shutdown dates for AETN's analog channels.[1]
- January 25, 2009: KETS
- February 17, 2009: KTEJ
- June 12, 2009: KEMV, KAFT and KETG
KETZ signed on in 2006 as a digital-only station, though that station also had to endure temporary closures in preparation for the transition.
[edit] KATV Tower (former KETS analog tower)
The KETS analog tower in Redfield, before the collapse.
[edit] Digital Channels
In addition to its main network, AETN offers two additional subchannels, one featuring educational programming for schools and colleges; and another for children's programming.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
