WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 23, 2016 – America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) announced on Sunday the renewal of their historic 2005 Public Television Digital Cable Carriage Agreement with the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA). The renewal of this agreement ensures that local public television stations' multicast digital programming will be carried on cable systems serving the vast majority of the nation's cable subscribers.
“This agreement benefits the millions of public television viewers who receive this programming over cable,” said APTS president and CEO Patrick Butler. “In a rapidly changing media environment, the renewal of this agreement is a testament to the faith these parties have in one another and in our future of service to the American people.”
“We are extremely pleased that this critical agreement has been renewed,” said PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger. “Cable carriage is an indispensable part of reaching the American public, and this partnership ensures that the programming viewers rely on from their local public television stations – including news, public affairs, performing arts, educational children’s media, local productions, emergency messaging and more – is accessible to audiences across the nation. I’d like to thank the NCTA and APTS for making this continued collaboration possible.”
“NCTA is pleased to extend our partnership with APTS and PBS to ensure that U.S. cable customers will continue to enjoy the quality programming provided by local public television stations,” said NCTA president and CEO Michael Powell. “Public television has long been an important part of cable’s video service and we are pleased that it will continue to be in the future.”
About APTS
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1979. APTS represents the overwhelming majority of the 171 public television licensees nationwide. The mission of APTS is to conduct - in concert with member stations - advocacy, planning, research and communications activities to foster strong and financially sound noncommercial television. APTS also works to ensure member stations' commitment and capacity to perform essential public service missions in education, public safety and civic leadership for the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
About PBS
PBS, with 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
About NCTA
NCTA is the principal trade association for the U.S. cable industry, representing cable operators that deliver advanced digital services to consumers and businesses throughout urban and rural America, and more than 200 cable program networks that produce TV's most creative and popular shows. The U.S. cable industry is the largest provider of high-speed Internet access, serving more than 59 million customers, after investing $245 billion since 1996 to build robust fiber optic networks that reach 93 percent of American homes. The cable industry supports 2.7 million American jobs and there are at least 300 cable employees in every congressional district.
Contacts:
Jan McNamara
PBS
jmcnamara@pbs.org
703-739-5028
Stacey Karp
APTS
skarp@apts.org
202-654-4222
