Celebrating Arizona PBS’ 65th Anniversary

On January 30, 1961, KAET signed on the air for the first time, becoming the 56th public television station in the United States.

More than six decades and countless hours of quality programming later, Arizona PBS is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its founding.

Throughout 2026, the station’s 65 years of service will be woven into station events and community engagement activities.

In an effort to involve the many loyal Arizona PBS viewers, the station will be encouraging its audience to share favorite programs and other station memories from over the last 65 years on social media and at azpbs.org/connect.

As Arizona PBS has evolved, so have the programs we know and love

“Day in Review News” debuted in 1962 and served as KAET’s first nightly news show

“Arizona Horizon” made its first appearance in 1981 and is now the longest-running local news show in Arizona

“Over Arizona,” an aerial series, started in 1995 and became one of KAET’s most successful pledge programs

“Horizonte” became one of Arizona PBS’s staple shows in 2003 and continues to cover issues of importance through a Hispanic lens

“Check, Please! Arizona” first went live in 2010 and has been taking viewers across the state to find their new favorite restaurant

A lot has changed since Arizona PBS first signed on to air

In 1968, KAET purchased its first color studio camera

Then in 1981, KAET covered Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s U.S. Senate confirmation hearings

As the calendar flipped to 2001, KAET began broadcasting in HD and launched digital channels, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3

In 2010, KAET started calling the new Central Avenue facility home

2015 saw a huge change when the station rebranded from Channel 8 to Arizona PBS

In 2010, AZPBS and AZPM partnered to provide at-home learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

Stay tuned for more information about the station’s 65th anniversary and how you can get involved. In the meantime, we’re celebrating Arizona’s anniversary with programs all about the great 48th state. From the Grand Canyon and National Parks to varied cultures, food and communities, our passions are all reasons to celebrate our state.