Through multicasting, public television stations will use digital technology to broadcast not only one stream of high definition digital programming, but also multiple streams of standard definition digital television programming at a visual quality better than the current analog standard. Multicasting enables digital public television stations to expand upon the rich diversity of high-definition, educational and children’s programming they provide.

When APTS and PBS entered into the digital cable carriage agreement with the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), APTS President & CEO John Lawson predicted that this unprecedented distribution guarantee, combined with the duplication limits, would stimulate the creation of a new generation of content and services from public television. That expectation is becoming a reality, as Viva TV, Create, and World are the next generation of public television programming slated to be made available as part of local public television stations’ multicast offerings.

Some of these innovative services target communities and interests that were under-represented in the single channel world. This exciting programming will be available for free to anyone with a DTV receiver and to digital cable subscribers. Over the next few years, even more services with different programming that appeal to different audiences will be developed and presented by digital public stations. Download examples of local public television stations' multicast offerings targeted to the needs of local communities.

Public television is bullish on DTV, and the services we’re announcing today justifies that optimism.”Local public television stations are introducing a new generation of programming and services that meet the educational and public safety needs of the communities they serve. Please visit Multicasting to learn more.