About

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 1.3 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/KAET produces its own award-winning programs. Especially noteworthy are HORIZON, our nightly public affairs program, HORIZONTE, our newest weekly series examining Arizona issues through a Hispanic lens 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; and Kolb Brothers: Grand Canyon Pioneers, Monumental Arizona.

Our winning ways
Eight/KAET has garnered numerous local and national honors, including Emmy awards for 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
2003 -- February 6. Debut of "First Thursday: The Governor on HORIZON," a monthly interview with the governor of Arizona. KAET viewers are invited to submit questions for the broadcast.
2003 -- September. Debut of HORIZONTE, a weekly public affairs program examining Arizona issues through a Hispanic lens. The program airs Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and is hosted by Phoenix attorney José Cárdenas.
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 ASSET, Eight’s educational outreach unit. Eight's GED programs help adults get their high school diplomas, and many students earn college credits through Eight/KAET telecourses. LiteracyLink helps adults build the basic skills for lifelong learning. We also offer intern and employment opportunities for approximately 60 Arizona State University students who receive hands-on training working with our professional staff.

How we are funded
Our annual budget is approximately $13.9 million. More than 70% of our revenue comes from the local community, mainly through membership support and program underwriting.

Friends of Eight
More than 70,000 viewers become contributing Friends of Eight each year. Eight Magazine, our monthly program guide, is mailed to more than 40,000 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 the Eight-Cronkite Polls and 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 7:30 a.m. and are held at Karsten's Golf Course, 1125 East Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe.


What is KBAQ Production Studio?
KBAQ 89.5 FM broadcasts classical music and arts information for the Phoenix metropolitan area. The station is licensed to Arizona State University and the Maricopa Community College District. The KBAQ Production Studio , a service of Eight, records classical music performances and original commentary for broadcast on KBAQ and nationally on National Public Radio and Public Radio International.


FCC Public File
These files are to be used to provide the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with information pertaining to station activity to educate consumers on the transition to digital television (DTV).
The files will be posted as they become available.


FCC Form 388

March 31 , 2008 | KAET
March 31, 2008 | KAET-DT

April 1, 2008- June 30, 2008 | KAET
April 1, 2008- June 30, 2008 | KAET-DT

July 1, 2008 - September 30, 2008 | KAET
July 1, 2008 - September 30, 2008 | KAET-DT

October 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008 | KAET
October 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008 | KAET-DT

January 1, 2009 - March 31, 2009 | KAET
January 1, 2009 - March 31, 2009 | KAET-DT