USDA Announces $15 Million In Public Television Station Digital Transition Grants

[Gregg Lengling]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2004 – Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the selection of 16 recipients in 13 states to receive $15 million in grant funds to finance the conversion of television services to digital broadcasting for small rural public television stations.

   "These grants will help bring digital-age broadcasting to rural America," Veneman said. "Many rural communities depend on public television stations for services ranging from educational course content in their schools to local news, weather and agricultural reports. The recipients selected for the competitive grant program have significant need in their communities."

   As part of the nation's transition to digital television, the Federal Communications Commission required all television broadcasters to initiate the broadcast of a digital television signal by May 1, 2003, and to cease analog television broadcasts on December 31, 2006. About half of the nation's 357 public television stations did not meet the deadline to initiate digital broadcasting, and have received extensions to May 1, 2004. To assist stations with the transition, Congress recommended in the USDA Rural Development 2003 appropriation bill that $15 million of the $51.9 million in distance learning and telemedicine funds be utilized in support of the transition effort. Since 2001, the Bush Administration has invested over $88 million to enhance access to rural education, and health care technology through the distance learning and telemedicine program.

   To meet the requirements of transition to digital broadcasting, a station must install a new antenna, transmitter or translator, and new digital program management facilities. If a station is to perform a program origination, which many do, digital cameras, editing and mastering systems are also required. In Kansas, Smoky Hills Public TV will receive $1.4 million to assist in providing a new tower, building, digital transmission equipment and the associated processing, monitoring, and test equipment. This will enable Smokey Hills to continue to provide children's programs, educational programs, state legislative news and regular PBS programs to the 52 counties in Northwestern Kansas.

   Applicant Name Station or Network ID State Grant
University of Alaska - Fairbanks KUAC AK $703,000
Redwood Empire PTV KEET CA $350,548  
Florida State University  WFSU FL $575,000
Smoky Hills Public TV KOOD, KSWK, KDCK  KS $1,470,094
Kentucky Auth. for Educational TV KET KY $619,008
Western Kentucky University WKYU KY $760,000
West Central Illinois WQEC IL $554,400
Central Michigan University WCMW MI $791,016
St. Lawrence Valley Educational TV WNPI NY $1,999,659
Prairie Public Broadcasting KSRE, KWSE, KDSE ND $2,000,000
Penn State University WPSX PA $940,814
South Dakota Educational TV KPSD SD $391,118
South Dakota Educational TV KZSD SD $391,118
Upper Cumberland Broadcast Council WCTE TN $851,069
West TN Public TV Council WLJT TN $943,156
WV Educational Broadcast Authority WVEBA WV $1,660,000


   Funds will be provided through the USDA Rural Development Telecommunications Program. Funding of selected applicants will be contingent upon meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.