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KCPT

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KCPT virtual channel 19 is a Public television station in Kansas City, Missouri serving the greater Kansas City metropolitan area as a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member station.

The station broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 18, using its former analog assignment of channel 19 as its virtual digital channel via PSIP. On cable, KCPT can be seen in standard definition on channel 7 on Sunflower Broadband and RESNET Cable in Larwence and channel 1011 on Time Warner Cable and Surewest, and in high definition on digital channel 207 on Sunflower Broadband, digital channel 1011 on Time Warner Cable and digital channel 601 on Surewest.

History

The station signed on for the first time as KCSD on March 29, 1961, owned by the Kansas City School District. The school district put the license on the market in 1971. A group of civic leaders formed "Public Television 19" and bought the license. The station relaunched in January 1972 as KCPT. That fall, it began broadcasting PBS shows in color for the first time. In 1973, the station held its first televised auction.

From studios located in downtown Kansas City, KCPT produces local programs such as Kansas City Week in Review, Rare Visions & Roadside Revelations and Ruckus, a political affairs program. Newer programs include Check, Please! Kansas City and The Local Show. KCPT's studios were once home to KCMO-TV (now KCTV), and their trademark transmission tower still rises above the building.

In 2002, KCPT won a National Emmy Award for Best Documentary for Be Good, Smile Pretty. The film documents Tracy Droz Tragos' journey to find the father she lost in Vietnam.

In 2008, KCPT began broadcasting in high definition, in addition to launching two digital channels KCPT2 and KCPT Create.

The list of former on-air hosts at KCPT includes John Masterman (the host of Kansas City Illustrated) and Laurel Defoe, who moved there from commercial station WDAF-TV.

Digital television

Channel Video Aspect Name Programming
19.1 720p 16:9 KCPT Main KCPT programming / PBS
19.2 480i 4:3 KCPT2 PBS Encore
19.3 KCPT Create Create