WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 9, 2018 – America’s Public Television Stations today praised the launch of a project in Phoenix with Arizona PBS and Pearl TV to demonstrate the enhanced interactive learning capabilities made possible by the Next Generation (ATSC 3) broadcast standard.
“The collaboration between Arizona PBS and Pearl TV in the Phoenix Model Market launching today represents an important step forward in the educational mission of public television,” said Lonna Thompson, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of America’s Public Television Stations (APTS). “The Model Market Project will place Arizona PBS’ popular kids channel (8.4) on the new ATSC 3 tower, enabling interactive learning during program viewing and providing a richer experience for the viewer."
Arizona PBS KIDS is a channel that features an array of popular PBS KIDS programming to help young children master important skills, ranging from reading and basic math and science to problem-solving and emotional skills. The programs focus on innovative, impactful programs designed for children from preschool through early elementary school to develop a strong educational foundation.
Thompson continued, “This groundbreaking partnership is the first step in the implementation of ATSC 3, which holds significant improvements in store for public television’s public service missions of education, public safety and civic leadership. The new broadcast standard will significantly improve local public television stations' ability to provide interactive, personalized education content and resources to the American people. And television viewers in the Phoenix region are about to be amazed by the new standard’s revolutionary picture and sound quality.”
“APTS looks forward to sharing the results of this cutting edge project with stations throughout the country, and we congratulate Arizona PBS and Pearl TV on this bold step forward into the future of television and public service.”
About APTS
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization ensuring a strong and financially sound public television system and helping member stations provide essential public services in education, public safety and civic leadership to the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
About Arizona PBS
Arizona PBS is one of the country’s largest public television stations, reaching 1.9 million households each week on four digital channels and a website. The station has focused on fostering lifelong learning through quality programming, in-depth news and public affairs and critical educational outreach services. Arizona PBS is a member-supported community service of Arizona State University, based at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
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Contact: Stacey Karp
202-654-4222
skarp@apts.org