Community Representation Statement
Brief History of Public Television
Public television in the United States began in the 1950s with educational stations, and its reach expanded significantly with the passage of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. This landmark legislation established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and secured crucial government funding. The first public television station, KUHT-TV, began broadcasting in Houston in 1952, and Alabama Public Television launched as the first statewide network in 1955. In 1969, CPB founded PBS, which replaced National Educational Television (NET) as the primary provider of public television programming, bringing beloved shows such as Sesame Street and Masterpiece Theatre to millions of viewers. Today, public media reaches nearly 99% of the U.S. population, offering free programming, educational resources, and trusted news that resonate across all demographics.
Austin PBS: A Pillar of Community Support
Austin PBS is a proud, community-supported, and locally owned PBS station that has served Central Texas for over 60 years. With thousands of hours of on-air programming and extensive content available across multiple platforms, in addition to hosting hundreds of community events each year, Austin PBS stands as one of the few nonprofits in Central Texas capable of reaching nearly every household on a daily basis. We are committed to providing not only research-based learning resources but also compelling stories and in-depth journalism that reflect the diverse experiences of our community. Through it all, Austin PBS remains steadfast in its mission to educate, inspire, entertain, and foster dialogue within the ever-evolving media landscape. View our 2024 Local Content and Service Report to the Community.
At Austin PBS, we also play a critical role in public safety through PBS WARN (Warning, Alert, Response Network). As a backup for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), we ensure that essential messages—such as severe weather warnings and AMBER alerts—reach Central Texans without interruption. In times of crisis, reliability matters. If a cybersecurity threat or outage disrupts FEMA’s connection, Austin PBS steps in to keep emergency alerts flowing, particularly for underserved and rural communities. Beyond broadcasting, we work with local partners to educate and prepare families before emergencies occur. We’re proud to be a trusted resource in keeping our community informed and safe.
Our Efforts
As a non-profit and non-commercial media organization, Austin PBS is dedicated to producing, curating, and showcasing content that addresses the most pressing issues affecting the communities we serve. Aligned with our mission to deepen community understanding, foster dialogue, and inspire meaningful change, we remain committed to interrupting regular programming to address critical issues as they arise. For instance, during the pandemic, we partnered with the Texas Education Agency and local schools to bridge the educational gap, adjusting our broadcast schedule to support students' learning needs.
Our Commitments
At Austin PBS, we firmly believe that public media has both the platform and the responsibility to foster understanding, expand empathy, and build connections among our diverse Central Texas neighbors. We are unwavering in our commitment to champion policies and practices that align with this mission. Our organization is focused on creating an inclusive culture where individuals from all backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives are not only welcome but empowered to thrive.
As an equal-opportunity employer, Austin PBS takes pride in having a staff that reflects the rich makeup of our community. We actively offer internships to cultivate the next generation of talent for public media and regularly participate in job fairs and outreach initiatives. Additionally, we work closely with a community advisory board that represents a wide range of backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, geography, and professional expertise. This board provides invaluable insights into local issues, helping guide the station’s public service strategy.
For more than 60 years, Austin PBS has been an integral part of the fabric of Central Texas. We have remained steadfast in our commitment to addressing critical community issues, offering a safe space for civic discourse, and fostering mutual understanding. By bringing people together, we create opportunities for shared experiences that inform, educate, and inspire, ultimately uniting our community in the pursuit of common ground.
Below are links to a few examples of the content we feel best illustrates the impact of public media on the community: