KCTS-TV

KCTS-TV is a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member television station located in Seattle, Washington, owned by Cascade Public Media. It serves the Puget Sound region, including Tacoma, Washington, Bellevue, Washington, and Everett, Washington. The station is a member of the PBS network, which includes other notable stations such as WGBH-TV in Boston, Massachusetts, WNET in New York City, and WTTW in Chicago, Illinois. KCTS-TV is also affiliated with National Public Radio (NPR) and American Public Media (APM), and broadcasts programs from BBC Studios, ITV Studios, and CBC Television.

● History

KCTS-TV was founded in 1954 by Seattle Public Schools and began broadcasting as an National Educational Television (NET) affiliate. In the 1960s, the station became a member of the newly formed Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and began airing programs such as Sesame Street, Masterpiece Theatre, and Nova. Over the years, KCTS-TV has undergone several ownership changes, including a merger with KCTS Radio in 1998, and is currently owned by Cascade Public Media, a non-profit organization that also operates Crosscut, an online news site. The station has also partnered with other organizations, such as the University of Washington, Seattle University, and the Seattle Times, to produce local programming and provide educational resources.

● Programming

KCTS-TV broadcasts a wide range of programs, including PBS NewsHour, Frontline, and Antiques Roadshow. The station also airs local programming, such as Pie, a documentary series that explores the Puget Sound region, and In Close, a public affairs program that features interviews with local leaders and newsmakers, including Jay Inslee, Patty Murray, and Maria Cantwell. KCTS-TV also broadcasts programs from other PBS stations, such as WGBH-TV's Nova and Frontline, and WNET's Nature and Great Performances. The station has also partnered with other organizations, such as the Seattle Symphony, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Seattle Art Museum, to produce arts and cultural programming.

● Digital television

KCTS-TV began broadcasting in digital in 2002, and currently operates on channel 9. The station's digital signal is available to viewers in the Puget Sound region, including those in King County, Washington, Pierce County, Washington, and Snohomish County, Washington. KCTS-TV also offers a range of digital subchannels, including PBS Kids, Create, and World. The station's digital signal is also available to viewers through cable television providers, such as Comcast Xfinity and Charter Spectrum, and through satellite television providers, such as DirecTV and Dish Network.

● News and public affairs

KCTS-TV produces a range of news and public affairs programs, including In Close, a weekly program that features interviews with local leaders and newsmakers, and Pie, a documentary series that explores the Puget Sound region. The station also airs national news programs, such as PBS NewsHour and Frontline, which feature reporting from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. KCTS-TV has also partnered with other organizations, such as the Seattle Times, the Tacoma News Tribune, and the Everett Herald, to produce local news and public affairs programming. The station's news team has won numerous awards, including Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards, for their coverage of local and national issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 United States presidential election.

● Technical information

KCTS-TV operates on channel 9 and has a transmitter located on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington. The station's signal is available to viewers in the Puget Sound region, including those in King County, Washington, Pierce County, Washington, and Snohomish County, Washington. KCTS-TV also offers a range of digital subchannels, including PBS Kids, Create, and World. The station's technical team is responsible for maintaining the station's broadcast equipment and ensuring that the signal is available to viewers 24/7. The station has also partnered with other organizations, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in broadcasting technology.

● Awards and recognition

KCTS-TV has won numerous awards for its programming and community service, including Emmy Awards, Edward R. Murrow Awards, and Peabody Awards. The station has also been recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, including awards from the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. KCTS-TV has also been named one of the Best Places to Work by the Seattle Business Magazine and has received awards from the United Way of King County and the Seattle Foundation for its community service and outreach efforts. The station's staff has also been recognized for their individual achievements, including awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio and Television Digital News Association.