PBS Reno Celebrates 40th Anniversary
September 29, 2023 marks four decades of public television, award-earning local productions,
and Curiosity Classroom Workshops for thousands of local students annually
RENO, NV (September 29, 2023) — Today PBS Reno celebrates its 40th anniversary of service on the air. From Channel 5, to KNPB, to PBS Reno – the station’s mission to Entertain Your Curiosity has never wavered.
At 2:59 p.m. on Thursday, September 29, 1983, Channel 5 launched its broadcast signal to the public; the first minute featured the bright bars and tone for calibration. At 3 p.m., the familiar tune of Sesame Street began to play. That episode was followed by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and later in the day, the MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour.
In its infancy, Channel 5 was one channel with eight hours of programming daily, broadcasting from the Edmund J. Cain Hall on the east side of the University of Nevada, Reno campus, in a space shared with KUNR, the local NPR member station. Channel 5 staff members were grateful for the accommodations, but eventually required a bigger space.
A robust capital campaign for a new building began in 1990 and resulted in $2.5 million in private donations coupled with $300,000 in federal funding. Channel 5 – then KNPB – broke ground at 1670 N. Virginia Street, just north of the Nevada Historical Society. Every dollar of the necessary funding was raised before the first shovel hit the dirt. The first date of broadcasting from KNPB’s new home was January 29, 1996.
To expand its storytelling, coverage of current events, politics and more, KNPB produced several local and original productions including Silver State, The Nevada Experience, Book Talk, A Gathering of Governors, House with a History, Living the Big Empty, Cooking from the Heart, Legends of the Lake, and Lights Camera Auction!
In 2019, KNPB rebranded itself as PBS Reno, and today, the station provides three broadcast channels (PBS Reno channel 5.1 – Reno CREATE on channel 5.2 – PBS KIDS on PBS Reno channel 5.3), a YouTube channel, a livestream, a presence on YouTube TV and Hulu, and a growing presence on several social media platforms (TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram) plus educational services that include thousands of Curiosity Classroom Workshops in local classrooms and digital online services utilized by teachers and parents every day. Local productions include Wild Nevada, ARTEFFECTS, STEM Works, FoodNotes*, Refugee’s Daughter, and JOYful Moments.
Without financial support from its viewers, organizations, grants, corporate support, and underwriting, PBS Reno would not be what it is today. During the 2022 fiscal year, 82% of PBS Reno’s budget came from individual donations; the remaining 18% stemmed from government sources that uniformly cushion public media entities through the United States.
“PBS Reno is unique among its peers due to the exceptional support we receive from the region we serve,” said Kurt Mische, PBS Reno President and CEO. “That support takes many forms; from viewing our content, utilizing our off-air services, and supporting the station financially. That is not automatic; there are many PBS stations in the nation who would give anything to have the community support we enjoy. That tradition began over 40 years ago and continues today, and for that, we are grateful.”
“Looking back on the 40 years since we pushed that button that turned on Channel 5, I am very proud of how the organization has grown and evolved over the years to become such an indispensable part of our community,” said Jim Pagliarini, who served as PBS Reno’s first President and CEO (1981-1998). “It is hard to believe that 40 years has passed since we built PBS Reno. At its beginning, Channel 5 was fortunate to receive extraordinary support from individuals, the University, local businesses, and foundations. And today I continue to see that same support which has made PBS Reno one of the best PBS stations in America.”
“With over 330 member stations in our public media system, there is great work underway across the country,” said Paula Kerger, PBS President and CEO. “But when I look at our stations there are a few that are truly exceptional; I would say legendary. PBS Reno happens to be one of those. From programs like Wild Nevada, ARTEFFECTS, and Classical Tahoe, to the essential work being done in local elementary schools, PBS Reno embodies the best of our public television system. While I’m immensely proud of all that PBS Reno has accomplished over the last four decades, I truly believe the best is yet to come.”
About PBS Reno
As of February 2023, PBS Reno Channel 5.1 is watched weekly by more than 98,377 people in approximately 67,400 households in northern and central Nevada and northeastern California, with viewership on multicast channels Reno Create 5.2 and PBS KIDS Reno 5.3. PBS Reno channels are also available on cable, satellite services, and via livestream on YouTube TV. PBS Reno provides PBS national programming and award-earning, locally-produced content, with many local segments posted weekly to PBS Reno’s YouTube Channel. PBSReno.org provides engaging interactive content, including the video portal at watch.PBSReno.org that streams all locally-produced content and most PBS national content. PBS Reno serves students, teachers, parents and caregivers through immersive educational services including Curiosity Classroom Workshops that bring classroom lessons to life with standards-based lessons and activities. Through the support of local corporations and foundations, as well as thousands of individual members, PBS Reno has been delivering public television and educational services to the communities it serves since 1983.
Contact us:
Membership Questions: membership@pbsreno.org
Programming Hotline: programming@pbsreno.org
Phone: 775.600.0555
Address: 1670 N. Virginia St. • Reno NV 89503