KAET

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = KAET
city =
station_
station_slogan = Eight is...
station_branding = Eight, Arizona PBS
analog = 8 (VHF)
digital = 29 (UHF)
other_chs = (see article)
affiliations = PBS
network =
founded =
airdate = January 30, 1961
location = Phoenix, Arizona
callsign_meaning = Arizona
Educational
Television
(AET also resembles the pronunciation of eight)
former_callsigns =
former_channel_numbers =
owner = Arizona State University
licensee = Arizona Board of Regents
sister_stations =
former_affiliations = NET (1961-1970)
effective_radiated_power = 316 kW (analog)
1000 kW (digital)
HAAT = 536 m (analog)
527 m (digital)
class =
facility_id = 2728
coordinates = coord|33|19|59.2|N|112|3|51.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000
homepage = [http://www.azpbs.org/ www.azpbs.org]

KAET is a full-service television station in Phoenix, Arizona, owned by the Arizona Board of Regents and operated by Arizona State University (ASU) as a PBS member station. It broadcasts in analog on VHF channel 8 and in digital on UHF channel 29 in the Phoenix metropolitan area from its transmitter on South Mountain. KAET can be viewed by approximately 80% of the households across the state through a network of over fifteen translators, or through cable and home satellite delivery systems. The station originates from Stauffer Hall on the Tempe campus of ASU, but is scheduled to relocate to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication building at ASU Downtown Phoenix in 2009.

History

KAET was launched on January 30, 1961. Its programming originally consisted of educational programming directed at students attending ASU, but its focus eventually widened along with that of PBS. In the mid-1990s, when the Phoenix market was undergoing a significant realignment of network affiliations, KAET was one of two major English-language stations (the other being KPNX) that did not change. In June 1999, KAET was issued a permit to construct digital television facilities on UHF channel 29. KAET-DT went on the air in April 2001 and was licensed on June 12, 2001, becoming the fifth licensed digital television station in Arizona.

In 2006, the station underwent a major rebranding campaign, which saw the end of the long-used "Channel 8" on-air identity. The station moniker, now known as Eight, Arizona PBS revives the "ei8ht" logo concept originally used by stations like KFMB-TV in San Diego, WJW in Cleveland and WMTW in Portland, Maine. The official website of the station identifies the station as "Eight/KAET". The moniker, when spoken, is also similar to Five in the United Kingdom.

KAET today

Eight consistently remains one of the most-viewed PBS stations, per capita, in the nation. More than 66% of the station's funding comes from its [https://secure.ga3.org/03/member_services members] . The station advertises its close association with ASU, identifying as "a service of Arizona State University", along with the inclusion of the ASU name on the bottom of the station "bug" logo.

Programming

Eight produces several of its programs in-house. It is well known for its current events program, Horizon, its Hispanic-focused current events counterpart, "Horizonte", and its Arizona Collection documentaries about the people, places and history of the state. The Emmy Award-winning "Over Arizona," produced in 1995 with KCTS (Seattle), is an aerial adventure over Arizona's diverse landscapes and was the first high-definition television program produced by an Arizona broadcast entity.

Digital television

KAET-DT has been on-air since 2001 on channel 29 and carries four subchannels, under the "Eight Digital Broadcasting" brand. Channel 8.1, Eight HD, broadcasts in the 720p high-definition format and carries a simulcast of analog channel 8, in high-definition when available and upconverted from standard-definition otherwise. Channel 8.2, Eight Create, carries mostly lifestyle programs on topics such as travel and cooking, from the "Create" network. Digital channel 8.3, Eight World, was launched on November 1, 2007, and broadcasts current affairs and documentary programs from "PBS World". Channel 8.4, Eight Classical, simulcasts local Classical music station KBAQ. At the completion of the digital transition, scheduled for February 2009, KAET will move its digital broadcast to channel 8.

tation names and slogans over the years

*KAET TV-8: Arizona's Very Own Public Station (1970s)
*KAET TV-8: TV Worth Watching (1980s)
*KAET TV-8: Turn to Us (Early 1990s)
*KAET Channel 8, Phoenix: The Station You Support (Until 2000s)
*KAET Channel 8: Programs You Count On -- Count On You! (Until 2005)
*Channel 8, Arizona PBS (2005-2006)
*Eight is more than just a number (2006)
*Eight, Arizona PBS (2006-present)
*Eight is a service of Arizona State University supported by viewers like you. (2006-present)
*Eight is [insert program genre here] (2006-present)

Translators

KAET is rebroadcast on a network of more than fifteen translator stations:

External links

* [http://www.pbs.org PBS website]
* [http://www.azpbs.org KAET website]
*TVQ|KAET
*BIA|KAET|TV|TV
*TitanTV|KAET