Eight installs digital translator in Show Low, bordering areas, offering residents HD and additional channels

Eight, Arizona PBS launches HD signal and expanded channel access to Show Low residents

WHAT:  Eight, Arizona PBS will convert our existing analog transmitter (translator) to digital on April 23.  This digital translator serves Show Low area residents, providing a digital high definition video broadcast signal and expanded channel access to viewers through ‎either a set-top converter box or a digital TV.
This service upgrade will:

• Bring television viewers within the area free over-the-air access to Eight HD (DTV 8.1) programming in full high definition video;
• Also provide free over-the-air access to Eight’s other digital channels, including Eight Life (DTV 8.2), Eight World (DTV 8.3) and Eight Classical (DTV 8.4);
• Bring Eight’s broadcast signal to Show Low area residents within an expanded coverage area, including Pinetop, Lakeside, Snowflake and Taylor.
• Provide access to the SunSounds reading service for the visually impaired via 8.4 secondary audio.

Eight, Arizona PBS has also provided informational resources on its website at www.azpbs.org/digital, including step-by-step instructions for channel re-scanning, information about use of antennas and other technical support.

WHO:  Eight, Arizona PBS

WHERE:  Pinetop, Lakeside, Snowflake, Taylor and Show Low, Arizona, and surrounding areas

WHEN:  April 23 – the digital switchover is scheduled to occur by mid-afternoon. Beginning April 15, Eight will broadcast a crawl on air every hour, announcing the conversion.

Acquisition and installation of these digital translators and the resulting service expansion was made possible by grant funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Digital Distribution Fund and The Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation.

For more information about the new channels, including program schedules, and how viewers can access the channels on their television, visit www.azpbs.org, or call Eight, Arizona PBS Viewer Services at 602-496-2308.

Media Contact:  Colleen O’Donnell Pierce
[email protected]
(602) 496-0579
(602) 478-3867 (cell)
Visit azpbs.org/pressroom

About Arizona PBS

Arizona PBS is a trusted community resource.  For over 52 years, the PBS station has focused on educating children, reporting in-depth on public affairs, fostering lifelong learning and celebrating arts and culture. Arizona PBS achieves its mission through the power of non-commercial television, the Internet, educational outreach and community-based initiatives. Its signal reaches 80 percent of the homes in Arizona. With more than 1 million viewers weekly, Arizona PBS consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country. For more information, visit azpbs.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest or Tumblr.

Arizona PBS is a member-supported community service of Arizona State University and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.