American Public Television facts for kids
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Formerly
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Eastern Educational Network (1961–1980) Interregional Program Service (1980–1992) American Program Service (1992–1999) |
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| Nonprofit | |
| Industry | Public television Television syndication |
| Founded | February 9, 1961 |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
American Public Television (often called APT) is a special kind of organization in the United States. It's a nonprofit group, which means it doesn't try to make money for owners. Instead, it helps share TV shows with public television stations all across the country. APT makes sure that stations like those connected to PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) and other educational channels get great programs. It also helps run TV channels like Create and World.
Contents
History of APT
Early Days as EEN
APT started way back in 1961. It was first known as the Eastern Educational Network (EEN). At the beginning, EEN was a group that helped a few TV stations in the eastern U.S. share programs with each other.
EEN was one of the first groups to share famous shows across the whole country. These included The French Chef with Julia Child (starting in 1962), Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and Washington Week in Review.
EEN also brought America's first live, daily news show that didn't have commercials. It was called Newsfront and began in 1970. EEN also introduced Wall Street Week in November 1970. Later, PBS started showing it nationwide in January 1972.
In 1974, EEN began bringing shows from other countries to America. They imported programs from the BBC in the UK and the CBC in Canada. One very popular show they brought over was Monty Python's Flying Circus. In 1978, EEN started a service called the Free Library.
Becoming American Program Service
In 1980, the Eastern Educational Network changed its name. It became the Interregional Program Service (IPS). IPS started a new service called Premium Service in 1989. One of the first shows from this service was U.S. Chronicle. This show was made with help from public TV stations and hosted by Jim Lehrer.
The company became well-known when IPS started sharing The Nightly Business Report across the country in 1981. In 1992, the organization changed its name again to American Program Service (APS).
American Public Television Today
The American Program Service changed its name one last time in April 1999. It became American Public Television (APT), which is what it's called today. Around this time, APT also started an international part called APT Worldwide. This part helps share shows with TV stations around the world.
When TV stations started using digital signals, APT began helping with new channels. In January 2006, APT started sharing the Create channel. Later, on July 1, 2009, they also began sharing the World channel.
APT has different ways it helps public TV stations get programs.
- APT Exchange (which used to be called the Free Library) started in 1978. This service helps stations get shows that are already paid for. Stations can use these programs for free. Shows like Rick Steves' Europe (since 2000), Nightly Business Report, and America's Test Kitchen are available through this service.
- APT Worldwide is the part of APT that sells shows to other countries. They even sell some programs from channels like A&E and Discovery. Their clients include Discovery, National Geographic, Japan's NHK, and the UK's ITV.
- Premium Service provides special programs for stations. These are often shows that encourage viewers to donate money to the station. They might be music performances or self-help shows. One of the first successful shows from this service was the first Three Tenors concert.
- Syndication is a service where APT gets finished TV shows and shares them. Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World, bought in 2002, was a very popular show through this service. The BBC's Battlefield Britain series was also a hit.
TV Channels APT Helps With
APT also helps distribute two digital TV channels. They work with WGBH, WNET, and NETA to do this.
- Create offers shows about lifestyle topics. This includes cooking, travel, home and garden, arts and crafts, and fitness. Many of these shows come from APT's own collection. Create started in January 2006. Local public TV stations, including PBS stations, can show Create. Some cable companies also carry Create through agreements with local stations. Popular shows on Create include Lidia's Kitchen, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, Bob Ross: The Joy of Painting, and America's Test Kitchen from Cook's Illustrated.
- World Channel is a 24-hour digital channel. It shows public television programs that focus on real-life stories, science, nature, news, and documentaries.
Popular Shows from APT
APT shares more than 300 new TV shows every year. These include documentaries, talk shows, music performances, dramas, comedies, how-to programs, children's series, and classic movies.
Some of the many shows APT has shared include:
- The Open Mind
- Rick Steves' Europe
- Live from the Artists Den
- Jacques Pepin: Heart & Soul
- America's Test Kitchen and its related show Cook's Country
- Yan Can Cook
- Barbecue University with Steven Raichlen
- The Big Comfy Couch
- Pati's Mexican Table
- Doc Martin
- Rudy Maxa's World
- Sara's Weeknight Meals
APT also shares international news shows like Asia Insight and NHK Newsline from Japan's NHK. They also distribute the business news program Nightly Business Report.
APT has also shared special shows that help public television stations raise money. These include programs like Frank Sinatra: Voice of Our Time, Anne of Green Gables, Carreras Domingo Pavarotti, Celine Dion: A New Day, and Tony Bennett Duets: The Making of an American Classic.
In 2000, APT was the first company to bring a high-definition (HD) TV series to public television. This was the show Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa. HD means the picture quality is much clearer and more detailed.
From January 1, 2018, until December 26, 2021, the PBS Kids 24/7 channel showed Peep and the Big Wide World and Pocoyo, which were distributed by APT.
See also
In Spanish: American Public Television para niños
