Austin PBS Officially Opens the Austin Media Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Austin, TX)--August 24, 2022--Austin PBS is celebrating the official opening of the Austin Media Center, the station’s new HQ and studios. Together with partners, Austin Community College, Austin PBS strives to connect a diverse and changing Central Texas community through meaningful communication and engagement.

The Austin Media Center, located on the ACC Highland campus, is a 45,000-square-foot, state-of-the art facility that features three TV studios, including the 6,600 sq. ft. Pfluger Keller Community Soundstage, an advanced studio for ACC’s public access channel, ACCTV, and a shared studio space. With over 100 miles of cabling to support broadcast functionality, the Austin Media Center is the largest 12G facility in the United States.

“This amazing facility allows Austin PBS to be more accessible, facilitating purposeful engagement around educational, social, civic and cultural content in a flexible environment,” said Luis Patiño, President and CEO of Austin PBS. “We are looking forward to inviting the community in, collaborating with local creators and sharing stories from our diverse and fascinating city–not just locally, but also nationally and globally.”

Patiño and Board Chair Ryan Nixon will be joined by Mayor Steve Adler, Austin City Council Member for District 4, José ‘Chito’ Vela, State Representative Sheryl Cole, Austin Community College Chancellor Dr. Richard Rhodes and ACC Board of Trustees Vice Chair, Dr. Nora DeHoyos Comstock for a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday August 27.

“ACC is leading the nation in transforming how students learn. The college believes deeply in equity, diversity and inclusion. Like Austin PBS, ACC places the community as its primary focus, making the partnership a natural fit,” said Dr. Rhodes. “This partnership also creates opportunities for ACC students to gain real-world experience working with both ACCTV and Austin PBS to build a highly-skilled and homegrown workforce.”

The ribbon cutting begins a Grand Opening Community Day that is free and open to the public, taking place between 10 a.m and 6 p.m. on Saturday. Programming includes appearances by PBS KIDS characters, a live interview with Mayor Adler from Overheard with Evan Smith host Evan Smith, storytime with special guests including Luci Baines Johnson and host of The Daytripper, Chet Garner, and performances by Zilker Summer Musical, DJ Chorizo Funk, School of Rock, Deezie Brown, Briscoe and Darkbird.

ABOUT AUSTIN PBS

Since 1962, Austin PBS has been a part of Central Texas, delivering programs that educate, entertain, and inspire. As the only locally-owned and operated nonprofit public television station in Central Texas, Austin PBS uses its unique position to serve as a bridge to the community and provide essential services to 3 million potential viewers in more than 20 counties across the region.