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| Type | Non-commercial educationalbroadcast television and radio network |
|---|---|
| Branding | OPB |
| Country | United States |
First air date |
|
Broadcast area |
|
| Owner | Oregon Public Broadcasting |
| see§ Television stations | |
| Affiliations | |
Formeraffiliations | NET (1957–1970) |
Official website | www |
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is the primarypublic media organization for most of the U.S. state ofOregon, as well as southernWashington. It provides news, information, and programming via television stations, dozens ofVHF orUHFtranslators, on more than 20radio stations, and via opb.org and other digital platforms. TV broadcasts include local and regional programming as well as programs from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) andAmerican Public Television (APT), and radio programs from National Public Radio (NPR),American Public Media (APM),Public Radio Exchange (PRX), and theBBC World Service, among other distributors. Its headquarters and television studios are located inPortland, Oregon.
The part of southwestern Oregon not served by OPB, includingMedford andKlamath Falls, is served byJefferson Public Radio, andSouthern Oregon PBS.
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OPB traces its roots back to January 23, 1923, when KFDJ signed on from the campus of Oregon Agricultural College (nowOregon State University) inCorvallis. From 1923 to 1981, the OAC/Oregon State campus served as the base of operations for educational broadcasting in Oregon. Charles B. Mitchel, a first-year speech professor at OAC, was instrumental in bringing Oregon's first public radio station to the state. physics instructor Jacob Jordan is credited with building the station's first radio transmitter near campus in 1923.[1][2] It was one of several AM stations signed on byland-grant colleges in the early days of radio.
The radio station's call letters were changed toKOAC on December 11, 1925. In 1932, KOAC became a service of theOregon State Board of Higher Education General Extension Division.[3]
During the mid-1950s, the university constructed KOAC's first television studios insideGill Coliseum. On October 7, 1957, KOAC-TV signed on as Oregon's first educational television station. For nearly 60 years, faculty and students at Oregon State University broadcast news, information and entertainment programming across the state from the Corvallis studios.[4] First known as Oregon Educational Broadcasting, the public network became the Oregon Educational and Public Broadcasting Service (OEPBS) in 1971.[5]
KOAC won its firstPeabody Award forOutstanding Public Service by a Local Station in 1942 forOur Hidden Enemy,Venereal Disease.[6][7] KOAC won a secondPeabody Award in 1972 forConversations withWill Shakespeare and Certain of His Friends.[6]
In the late 1950s, KOAC's broadcast signal was shared across the state by microwave transmitters and receivers. KOAC also added satellite studios for radio broadcasting inEugene,Monmouth,Salem, and Portland. In the 1960s, satellite TV studios were added in Portland and Eugene. The Portland studio was located in a leased building at what is now 2828 SW Naito Parkway. A full-time satellite of KOAC-TV began broadcasting on February 6, 1961 as KOAP-TV (for KOAC Portland); KOAP-FM followed in 1962. The Eugene studio was located on theUniversity of Oregon campus, in Villard Hall. Up until 1965, all programs from the KOAC satellites were live, due to a lack of video recording equipment. Both studios operated twoRCA TK31 cameras for live broadcasts.
On December 6, 1964, KTVR-TV began broadcasting inLa Grande. The station started primarily as acommercial television station, affiliated withNBC andABC. KTVR-TV operated as a semi-satellite ofKTVB inBoise, Idaho. The La Grande studio was located at 1605 Adams Ave. and produced nightly newscasts and other local programming. However, by 1967, the La Grande studio and office were closed and KTVR became a full-fledged satellite of KTVB. KTVR was unique in thePacific Time Zone, because as a repeater of aMountain Time Zone station, its "prime time" schedule was broadcast from 6 to 9 p.m. OEPBS bought KTVR on August 31, 1976, and converted it to PBS on February 1, 1977. At first, KTVR rebroadcast programming from two Washington stations—KWSU-TV inPullman andKSPS-TV inSpokane—until OEPBS completed a transmission link to La Grande. On September 1, 1977, OEPBS took KTVR off the air for transmitter repairs, due to increasing technical problems. KTVR returned to the air on January 1, 1978, carrying OEPBS programming for the first time.
KOAB-TV inBend began broadcasting on February 24, 1970, as KVDO-TV, a commercialindependent station licensed to Salem. Channel 3 struggled to compete withPortland's established independent,KPTV (channel 12), and in 1972, the station was purchased by Liberty Communications, then-owners of Eugene's ABC affiliateKEZI (channel 9). The intention was to make KVDO a full-power satellite of KEZI. During the sale,KATU (channel 2), Portland's ABC affiliate, objected over duplication of programming, and there were also objections to Liberty's common ownership of local cable systems and the television station. As a result, theFederal Communications Commission (FCC) allowed Liberty to buy KVDO-TV on the condition that it sell the station within three years.
The state government approved the purchase of KVDO-TV in 1975, with OEPBS taking control of the station on February 19, 1976. Nine days later, on February 28, a disgruntled viewer protesting KVDO's sale to OEPBS cut guy wires, toppling the channel 3 transmitter tower. On September 20, 1976, KVDO signed back on the air with a new tower; from then until March 31, 1981, the station broadcast an alternate program lineup to KOAP-TV and KOAC-TV, featuring time-shifted OEPBS programs, shows for the Spanish-speaking population in theWillamette Valley, and several local productions in Salem. OEPBS consistently eyed moving the station elsewhere to reduce duplication, which became more acute when budget cuts prompted KVDO-TV to drop its separate programs in 1981. The network pursued and won approval from the FCC to move the channel 3 allocation and license toBend, which had no PBS coverage. KVDO-TV ceased broadcasting in Salem on July 31, 1983; on December 22, channel 3 signed back on the air as KOAB. The call letters were modified to KOAB-TV when KOAB-FM signed on the air on January 23, 1986.
In 1981, OEPBS was spun off from theOregon State System of Higher Education and became a separate state agency, Oregon Public Broadcasting. As part of the network overhaul, KOAP-FM-TV became the flagships of the OPB network and central operations were relocated from Corvallis to Portland. The Portland stations changed their calls to KOPB-FM-TV in 1989.
KEPB-TV in Eugene began operation on February 27, 1990, as Eugene's first public television station, bringing most of Eugene a clear signal for PBS programming for the first time ever. Although KOAC-TV had long claimed Eugene as part of its primary coverage area (Corvallis is part of the Eugene market), it only provided rimshot coverage to most of Eugene itself and was marginal at best in the southern portion of the city. Most of Eugene could only get a clear picture from KOAC-TV on cable.[citation needed]
In the early 2000s, OPB installed Oregon's first digital transmitter, taking a critical first step in the digital television transition.[8]
For 2001 and 2002, the Oregon state government provided about 14 percent of OPB's operational budget; for 2003 and 2004, it was cut to 9 percent.[9]
On December 4, 2007, OPB launched opbmusic, a 24-hour online radio channel spotlighting Pacific Northwest musicians.[10] As of December 11, 2020, OPB discontinued the opbmusic HD radio and online audio stream and integrated opbmusic multimedia content into its broader arts and culture reporting.[11]
In March 2009, theCorporation for Public Broadcasting chose OPB to manage thepilot version of American Archive, CPB's initiative to digitally preserve content created by public broadcasters.[12]
Notes:
OPB Television is available on all cable providers in its service area. OnDish Network, KOPB-TV, KEPB-TV, and KOAB-TV are available on the Portland, Eugene and Bend local broadcast station lineups, respectively. KOPB-TV and KEPB-TV are available on the Portland and EugeneDirecTV broadcast station lineups.
OPB's first digital channel was OPB CREATE (an affiliate of theCreate network), announced in January 2006; its availability was limited to certain Comcast digital cable customers and on Clear Creek Television inOregon City.[13]
In December 2008, in anticipation of the original February 18, 2009, deadline forswitching to all-digital broadcasting, OPB announced the launch of three digital subchannels: OPB, which would air OPB programming with an "improved picture for viewers with traditional sets", OPB HD, airing programming in "high definition with the highest-quality picture and sound", and OPB Plus, which offered "more choices in viewing times and added programs in news, public affairs and lifestyle."[14]
OPB currently offers four digitalmultiplex channels:[15]
| Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| xx.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | OPB | PBS[15] |
| xx.2 | World | OPB World[15][17] | ||
| xx.3 | 480i | OPBKids | OPB Kids[18] | |
| xx.4 | Audio only | OPB-FM |
| |
OPB was one of the partners ofThe Oregon Channel, apublic affairs network that began with the 74th Oregon Legislative Assembly in 2007. Programming consisted of Oregon legislative sessions and other public affairs events. The Oregon Channel was discontinued in 2011.
All of OPB's digital channels are also available on cable providersComcast Xfinity,Charter Spectrum andZiply Fiber (grandfathered TV subscribers), and three other providers serving specific regions and communities in Oregon: Clear Creek (a cooperative serving theRedland area ofOregon City),BendBroadband (servingCentral Oregon), and Crestview Cable Communications (servingMadras,Prineville, andLa Pine).[14]
On July 6, 2011, OPB combined OPB and OPB SD into one high-definition channel feed on the main channel of its digital stations. OPB Plus moved from the third digital subchannel to the second subchannel and OPB Radio moved from the fourth digital subchannel to the third subchannel.
On January 26, 2023, OPB ended broadcasting of OPB Plus and replaced it with OPB World.
During 2009, OPB shut down the analog transmitters of the stations on a staggered basis. The station's digital channel allocations post-transition are as follows:[19][20]
Low-power translators inElkton,Glendale,Mapleton,Myrtle Point,Newport,Oakland,Oakridge, andSwisshome have been discontinued.[when?]
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | Facility ID | Class | Power (W) | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOAC-FM | 89.7 FM | Astoria | 81807 | A | — | 180 | 321 m (1,053 ft) |
| KOBK | 88.9 FM | Baker City | 94195 | C3 | — | 600 | 559 m (1,834 ft) |
| KOAB-FM | 91.3 FM | Bend | 50609 | C1 | — | 75,000 | 199 m (653 ft) |
| KOBN | 90.1 FM | Burns | 174446 | A | — | 600 | 274 m (899 ft) |
| KOAC | 550 AM | Corvallis | 50587 | B | 5,000 | — | — |
| KOTD | 89.7 FM | The Dalles | 173179 | A | — | 50 | 589 m (1,932 ft) |
| KETP | 88.7 FM | Enterprise | 174467 | A | — | 100 | 535 m (1,755 ft) |
| KOPB | 1600 AM | Eugene | 841 | B | 5,000 day 1,000 night | — | — |
| KOGL | 89.3 FM | Gleneden Beach | 91095 | A | — | 210 | −14 m (−46 ft) |
| KHRV | 90.1 FM | Hood River | 90769 | A | — | 65 | 227 m (745 ft) |
| KOJD | 89.7 FM | John Day | 174221 | A | — | 900 | −39 m (−128 ft) |
| KTVR-FM | 89.9 FM | La Grande | 94194 | C2 | — | 400 | 760 m (2,490 ft) |
| KOAP | 88.7 FM | Lakeview | 93285 | A | — | 170 | −180 m (−590 ft) |
| KOPB-FM[a] | 91.5 FM | Portland | 50607[21] | C0 | — | 73,000 | 470 m (1,540 ft) |
| KRBM | 90.9 FM | Pendleton | 50608 | C2 | — | 25,000 | 180 m (590 ft) |
| KTMK | 91.1 FM | Tillamook | 91082 | A | — | 140 | 356 m (1,168 ft) |
Notes:
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | Facility ID | Class | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K283BT | 104.5 FM | Astoria | 142734 | D | 70 | 107.4 m (352 ft) |
| K276BU | 103.1 FM | Corvallis | 50601 | D | 15 | 326 m (1,070 ft) |
| K214AQ | 90.7 FM | Mount Vernon | 50603 | D | 25 | 383 m (1,257 ft) |
| K293BL | 106.5 FM | Nedonna Beach | 50610 | D | 10 | 396.9 m (1,302 ft) |
| K298AC | 107.5 FM | Ontario | 50611 | D | 62 | 120 m (390 ft) |
| K228DT | 93.5 FM | Pacific City | 50614 | D | 10 | 677 m (2,221 ft) |
| K212AQ | 90.3 FM | Riley | 50598 | D | 50 | 524.7 m (1,721 ft) |
| K252DL | 98.3 FM | Walton | 92367 | D | 8 | 489.8 m (1,607 ft) |
Since the spring of 2009, OPB has operated jazz radio stationKMHD; the station is owned byMount Hood Community College, but operates out of OPB's studio facilities in Portland.
Currently only KMHD and KOPB-FM carry HD radio content.
The OPB HD radio channels are:
| Channel | Programming |
|---|---|
| OPB FM HD-1 | Main OPB radio programing |
| KMHD-FM HD-1 | KMHD "Jazz Radio"[22] |
OPB produces original audio and video content for distribution across multiple channels including TV, radio, and online podcasting or streaming services.
Notable podcast series includeBundyville, a deep-dive investigation of the beliefs and politics behind the 2014Bundy standoff, the 2016Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and thesovereign citizen movement.[23] Its second season aired in 2019 with a broadened focus onright-wing and anti-government extremism in the United States.[24] Long-running programs includeOPB Politics Now[25] andThink Out Loud,[26][27] both of which have been on air since 2008. The newest seriesThe Evergreen is a weekly podcast highlighting stories from across the Pacific Northwest.
Notable TV and video productions includeOregon Field Guide andOregon Art Beat, which first premiered in 1990 and 1999 respectively.
| Title | Release date | Subject | Ended? | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Science. No Fiction. | April 18, 2022 | Science and Nature | No | [28] |
| Class of 2025 | December 11, 2013 | Education | No | [29] |
| Oregon Art Beat | 1999 | Art and Culture | No | [30] |
| Oregon Experience | June 16, 2006 | History | No | [31] |
| Oregon Field Guide | April 16, 1990 | Nature | No | [32] |
| Superabundant | November 23, 2021 | Food | No | [33] |
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