Facts
Who we are
Eight specializes in the education of children, in-depth news and public affairs, lifelong learning, and the celebration of arts and culture — utilizing the power of noncommercial television, the Internet, educational outreach services, and community-based initiatives. The PBS station began broadcasting from the campus of Arizona State University on January 30, 1961. Now more than 80 percent of Arizonans receive the signal through a network of translators, cable and satellite systems. With more than 1 million viewers each week, Eight consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country. Arizonans provide more than 60 percent of the station's annual budget.
What we do
In addition to airing programs distributed nationally by PBS, Eight, Arizona PBS produces its own award-winning programs. Especially noteworthy are HORIZON, our nightly public affairs program, HORIZONTE, our weekly series examining Arizona issues through a Hispanic perspective and The Arizona Collection, an anthology of programs that celebrates the people, places and history of Arizona. Among the programs in this series are Over Arizona; Monumental Arizona; Barry Goldwater: Photographs & Memories; Thieves of Time; Seasons of a Navajo; River of Stone; Arizona Stories; Kolb Brothers: Grand Canyon Pioneers; and Under Arizona. Our Ask an Arizona Expert series was developed to address real-life issues and needs of our audience.
Our winning ways
Eight, Arizona PBS has garnered numerous local and national honors, including Emmy awards for Arizona Stories, Monumental Arizona, Over Arizona, Barry Goldwater: Photographs & Memories, Thieves of Time, and Read Earth. HORIZON received the 1996 Governor's Award from the Arizona Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This special Emmy is the chapter's highest honor. Over Arizona and Barry Goldwater: Photographs & Memories also received awards from the New York Festivals.
Eight's promotional campaign for Over Arizona garnered top honors in the PBS Advertising and Promotion Awards competition. Arizona Gives to Education and Read Earth, two of our community outreach campaigns, received national acclaim from PBS, and Read Earth won special recognition from the National Education Association.
Famous firsts
2010 -- January. First broadcast of a local production from our new facility on the downtown Phoenix campus of ASU.
2009 -- December. Broadcast signal moved from ASU campus in Tempe to the campus in downtown Phoenix.
2008 - May. First Be More Awards presented to Arizona nonprofit organizations.
2003 -- September. Debut of HORIZONTE, a weekly public affairs program examining Arizona issues through a Hispanic perspective. The program airs Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and is hosted by José Cárdenas, senior vice president and general counsel of Arizona State University.
2001 -- April. Channel 8 begins broadcasting simultaneously in analog (KAET) and digital (KAET-DT). The new equipment enables the station to multicast (broadcast multiple channels at the same time).
1996 -- Channel 8 hosts the first Arizona Presidential Preference Forum. HORIZON host Michael Grant moderates. Local commercial stations provide equipment and staff.
1989 -- KAET televises oral arguments before the Arizona Supreme Court, the first such broadcast in any state.
1988 -- KAET cameras record and televise the five-and-a-half week impeachment trial of Governor Evan Mecham before the Arizona State Senate.
1983 -- KAET broadcasts the first global, live-by-satellite, quadruple bypass heart surgery.
1981-- First broadcast of HORIZON, a public affairs program airing Monday - Friday. Host is Phoenix attorney Michael Grant.
We major in education
Our daily children's programming helps children start school ready to learn. Arizona Pre K-12 students benefit from outreach programs and educator professional development distributed by Eight’s educational outreach unit-ASSET. Eight's GED programs help adults get their high school diplomas, and many students earn college credits through Eight telecourses. LiteracyLink helps adults build the basic skills for lifelong learning. We also offer intern and employment opportunities for approximately 30 Arizona State University students who receive hands-on training working with our professional staff.
How we are funded
Our annual budget is approximately $12.3 million. More than 60% of our revenue comes from the local community, mainly through membership support and program underwriting.
Eight Production Services - Hire the pros at Eight
Searching for studio space for your next media project?
Full-service production and post-production facilities?
Award-winning scriptwriting, graphic design or web design? Hire the pros at Eight! Eight delivers outstanding creative solutions in a new state of the art digital media center.
Centrally located in the heart of the city, Eight's downtown Phoenix studios offer the newest, largest fully-equipped studio space in Arizona.
Friends of Eight
More than 50,000 viewers become contributing Friends of Eight each year. Eight Magazine, our monthly program guide, is mailed to more than 47,000 members who donate $40 or more.
Volunteer Friends of Eight
Volunteer Friends support the station by contributing their time and effort. These community volunteers help with membership campaigns, assist with community outreach projects and conduct studio tours.
Community Advisory Board
Eight's Advisory Board provides public input for the station's planning and decision-making process. Members meet quarterly to evaluate the station's progress and conduct an annual assessment of our programming and services.
The public is invited to attend.
The meetings begin at 8 a.m. and are held at the Cronkite/Eight building at 555 North Central (Room 444) in Phoenix.
Complete member roster | PDF file
2010 Meeting schedule:
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
What is Eight Production Services: KBAQ?
Eight Production Services:KBAQ, a service of Eight, records classical music performances and original commentary for broadcast on KBAQ 89.5 FM and nationally on National Public Radio and Public Radio International. The radio station is licensed to Arizona State University and the Maricopa Community College District.