tower project
Our tower upgrade reaches planning phase: Here’s how you can help
Updating our tower equipment is critical for Arizona PBS to continue connecting Arizonans with quality programming, expanding educational outreach efforts and supporting emergency communications. Learn more below, then consider becoming one of our “Tower Supporters!”
The challenge
Arizona PBS has been on the air and part of the community for over six decades. Unfortunately, the station’s broadcast infrastructure atop South Mountain has been in use for many of those decades and still is today. The existing tower was constructed in 1984 to replace a 97-foot tower originally installed in the 1960s.
Not only is this aging equipment incompatible with today’s technology, it’s also become increasingly difficult to find replacement parts. Updating this equipment is critical for Arizona PBS to continue connecting Arizonans with quality programming, expanding educational outreach efforts, and supporting emergency communications.
Recognizing the urgent need for a new tower system, Arizona PBS donors Susan Hart-Wadley and Searle Wadley announced a transformational $5 million gift toward the tower replacement
project. Because of their generosity, the station has been able to move forward with the planning phase of the project and is currently pursuing approval from the City of Phoenix.
With the commitment from the Wadleys and our early tower supporters like Jerry Cox, this
project is just $2 million away from being fully funded.
The difference
Once Arizona PBS upgrades the tower, antenna and translators, the station will be able to implement NextGen TV services, allowing residents to access enhanced programming and educational resources.
With one in five Arizonans living without broadband access, this upgrade will empower underserved students and transform educational equity. Further, the new tower system will allow Arizona PBS to better support the state’s emergency communications efforts, as well as
continue to connect us all through beloved programs like, “Nature,” “NOVA,” “Masterpiece,” and “Arizona Horizon.”
How you can help
Consider making a one-time gift of $100 toward the completion of the tower. When you do, you will become an official “Tower Supporter!”
Another way to support the tower upgrade is through planned giving. Consider including Arizona PBS in your estate planning. Or gift an asset such as an old vehicle, property that
you no longer need or stock.
In whatever way you choose to support the tower project, we thank you for your generosity as Arizona PBS continues to serve the public as a trusted source of news, information and entertainment for people across our state. Your support makes that possible!
