View source for KUAT-TV

{{Short description|Television station in Tucson, Arizona}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox television station dual
| name1 = KUAT-TV
| logo = File:Arizona Public Media logo.png
| logo_alt = The lowercase letters a z p m in blue. The a is single-story and has a yellow ring around it, part of which is a segment with three ring segments suggesting a signal.
| branding = PBS 6; AZPM
| digital1 = 30 ([[UHF]])
| virtual1 = 6
| translators = K20GG-D [[Duncan, Arizona|Duncan]]
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''6.1/27.1:''' [[PBS]]|'''6.2/27.2:''' [[PBS Kids]]|'''6.3/27.3:''' [[World Channel|World]]}}
| airdate1 = {{start date and age|1959|3|8|p=y|br=yes}}
| city1 = [[Tucson, Arizona]] ([[Mount Bigelow (Arizona)|Mount Bigelow]])
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning1 = University of Arizona Television<ref name="Tucs580830">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344336/kuatthats-ua-tv-signal/|date=August 30, 1958|page=5|title=KUAT—That's UA TV Signal|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043540/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344336/kuatthats-ua-tv-signal/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
| former_callsigns1 = KUAT (1959–1967)
| former_channel_numbers1 = '''Analog:''' 6 ([[VHF]], 1959–2009)
| owner = [[University of Arizona]]
| licensee = [[Arizona Board of Regents]] for the benefit of the University of Arizona
| sister_stations = {{hlist|[[KUAT-FM]]|[[KUAZ]]}}
| former_affiliations1 = {{ubl|[[National Educational Television|NET]] (1959–1970)|[[V-me]] (6.2, 2007–2011)|[[Create (TV network)|Create]] (6.3, until 2011)<ref name="crt0"/>}}
| erp1 = 667.5 [[kW]]
| haat1 = {{convert|1092.1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id1 = 2731
| coordinates1 = {{coord|32|24|55.4|N|110|42|54.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{url|https://www.azpm.org/}}
| name2 = KUAS-TV
| digital2 = 28 (UHF)
| virtual2 = 27
| airdate2 = {{start date and age|1988|7|22|p=y|br=yes}}
| city2 = Tucson, Arizona ([[Tumamoc Hill]])
| callsign_meaning2 = KUAT Secondary
| former_channel_numbers2 = '''Analog:''' 27 (UHF, 1988–2009)
| former_affiliations2 = {{ubl|V-me (27.2, 2007–2011)|Create (27.3, until 2011)<ref name="crt0"/>}}
| erp2 = 50 kW
| haat2 = {{convert|177.9|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id2 = 2722
| coordinates2 = {{coord|32|12|53.2|N|111|0|23.3|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KUAS-TV}}
}}
'''KUAT-TV''' (channel 6) is a [[PBS]] member [[television station]] in [[Tucson, Arizona]], United States. It is the television station of the [[University of Arizona]] (UA) and broadcasts from studios in the Modern Languages Building on the UA campus. Two high-power transmitters broadcast its programming: KUAT-TV itself on [[Mount Bigelow (Arizona)|Mount Bigelow]] and '''KUAS-TV''' (channel 27) on [[Tumamoc Hill]], west of downtown Tucson, which provides coverage to northwest Tucson and communities west of [[Mount Lemmon]] that are shielded from the Mount Bigelow transmitter. There is also a [[Broadcast relay station#Translator station|translator]] in [[Duncan, Arizona|Duncan]]. KUAT-TV and the UA's radio stations, [[KUAT-FM]] and [[KUAZ]], are grouped under the unified brand of [[Arizona Public Media]] (AZPM).

KUAT-TV is the oldest public television station in the state, beginning broadcasts in 1959. In addition to airing national PBS and public television programming, it produces several local shows focusing on southern Arizona life and issues.

==History==
Tucson had been allocated noncommercial educational channel 6 in 1952, but it was not until 1958 that the [[University of Arizona]] (UA) applied to build a television station to use it. They proposed to initially broadcast two hours a night, five nights a week.<ref name="Tucs580503">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105374935/ua-will-make-classroom-out-of-tucson-wit/|date=May 3, 1958|page=3|first=John|last=Riddick|title=UA Will Make Classroom Out Of Tucson With TV|newspaper=[[Tucson Daily Citizen]]|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072824/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105374935/ua-will-make-classroom-out-of-tucson/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The university had already remodeled Herring Hall to house radio and television studios,<ref name="Ariz580503">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105374252/ua-granted-permission-to-build-video-sta/|date=May 3, 1958|page=4B|title=UA Granted Permission To Build Video Station|newspaper=[[Arizona Daily Star]]|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072825/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105374252/ua-granted-permission-to-build-video/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> with the latter occupying a space once used as part of a gymnasium and auditorium.<ref name="Ariz590417">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105376401/young-crew-staffs-young-tv-station/|date=April 17, 1959|page=1C|first=June|last=Caldwell|title=Young Crew Staffs Young TV Station|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105376401/young-crew-staffs-young-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Filed on April 3, the application and permit were granted by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) on July 16,<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=83171 |title= History Cards for KUAT-TV|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}} ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Radio Stations/History Cards|Guide to reading History Cards]])<!--Converted from {{FCC letter}}--></ref> sending $40,000 {{USDCY|40000|1958}} from the [[Ford Foundation]] to the university for equipment.<ref name="Ariz580717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105375715/university-tv-station-approved-fcc-auth/|date=July 17, 1958|page=5A|title=University TV Station Approved: FCC Authorizes Channel 6 Use|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072826/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105375715/university-tv-station-approved-fcc/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> After the university rejected the first two bids for the job as too high and re-bid the task out,<ref name="Tucs580906">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344412/university-tv-tower-bids-high/|date=September 6, 1958|page=10|title=University TV Tower Bids High|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043540/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344412/university-tv-tower-bids-high/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Tucs581016">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344502/lang-will-build-uas-tv-tower/|date=October 16, 1958|page=26|title=Lang Will Build UA's TV Tower|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043519/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344502/lang-will-build-uas-tv-tower/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> the tower was erected in November to support the antenna for the new station;<ref name="Ariz581120">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344529/new-landmark-rises-video-antenna-is-ins/|date=November 20, 1958|page=1B|title=New Landmark Rises: Video Antenna Is Installed On Campus|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072826/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344529/new-landmark-rises-video-antenna-is/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> while that happened, the university made its first telecast—a [[Closed-circuit television|closed-circuit]] event in which a [[pharmacology]] class watched a demonstration of techniques to measure [[blood pressure]].<ref name="Ariz581210">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344578/ua-to-put-its-new-tv-station-to-work-on/|date=December 10, 1958|page=7C|title=UA To Put Its New TV Station To Work On Closed Circuit|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344578/ua-to-put-its-new-tv-station-to-work-on/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

The first test pattern went out on February 6,<ref name="Tucs590206">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344600/university-tv-station-on-the-air/|date=February 6, 1959|page=1|title=University TV Station On The Air|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043524/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344600/university-tv-station-on-the-air/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> and KUAT launched on March 8, 1959, as the first public television station in Arizona.<ref name="Ariz590305">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344706/kuat-tv-takes-air-sunday-regular-progra/|date=March 5, 1959|page=1B|title=KUAT TV Takes Air Sunday: Regular Programs Starting Monday|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072828/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105344706/kuat-tv-takes-air-sunday-regular/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> It was an affiliate of [[National Educational Television]] (NET) from 1959 until 1970, when NET was replaced by [[PBS]].<ref name="Tucs590307">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105376564/tv-goes-educational/|date=March 7, 1959|page=On the Town 16|title=TV Goes Educational|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043537/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105376564/tv-goes-educational/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> In addition to university programs, the [[Tucson Unified School District]] was part of its operation, with a weekly show summarizing school activities.<ref name="Ariz590424">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377030/kuats-new-and-thriving-too/|date=April 24, 1959|page=1C|first=June|last=Caldwell|title=KUAT's New, And Thriving, Too...|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043539/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377030/kuats-new-and-thriving-too/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> That fall, the first daytime educational broadcasts were made, consisting of university classes.<ref name="Ariz590802">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105376712/ua-will-offer-courses-via-tv-subject-in/|date=August 2, 1959|page=21|title=UA Will Offer Courses Via TV: Subject In Chemistry, Spanish, Art Will Be Taught On Video In Daytime|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072829/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105376712/ua-will-offer-courses-via-tv-subject/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

In 1964, the university prepared an expansion of the initial facility, which had an effective radiated power of 944 watts.{{r|hc}} The university applied to move its transmitter to [[Tumamoc Hill]], which would increase coverage from a {{convert|21|mi|km|adj=on}} to a {{convert|65|mi|km|adj=on}} radius, and new studios were planned in the forthcoming Modern Languages Building.<ref name="Tucs641121">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377265/for-65-mile-radius-ua-seeks-tv-expansio/|date=November 21, 1964|page=11|title=For 65-Mile Radius: UA Seeks TV Expansion|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072830/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377265/for-65-mile-radius-ua-seeks-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The [[Federal Aviation Administration]] approved the tower site,<ref name="Tucs650614">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377420/proposed-ua-tv-tower-given-okay/|date=June 14, 1965|page=27|title=Proposed UA TV Tower Given Okay|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377420/proposed-ua-tv-tower-given-okay/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> but the university decided to relocate its main transmitter to [[Mount Bigelow (Arizona)|Mount Bigelow]], already in use by the three commercial stations in town, after protests from the [[Air Line Pilots Association]] over the proximity of the mast to the [[Tucson International Airport]].<ref name="Ariz660104">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377488/kuat-seeks-to-move-tower-to-mt-bigelow/|date=January 4, 1966|page=5A|title=KUAT Seeks To Move Tower To Mt. Bigelow Location|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043537/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377488/kuat-seeks-to-move-tower-to-mt-bigelow/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The new studios and transmitter would be capable of [[Color television|broadcasting in color]].<ref name="Ariz660623">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377610/coverage-expanded-universitys-tv-to-ad/|date=June 23, 1966|page=1B|first=Bob|last=Thomas|title=Coverage Expanded: University's TV To Add Color|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072830/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377610/coverage-expanded-universitys-tv-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The [[Arizona Board of Regents]] approved the plans in April 1967,<ref name="Ariz670409">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377658/approved-by-regents-kuat-receives-full/|date=April 9, 1967|page=5A|first=Pete|last=Cowgill|title=Approved By Regents: KUAT Receives Full Color OK|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043538/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377658/approved-by-regents-kuat-receives-full/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> and color transmission from the new studios and transmitter began on October 1, 1968.<ref name="Ariz680920">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377916/color-broadcast-slated-at-university-sta/|date=September 20, 1968|page=23|title=Color Broadcast Slated At University Station: First Offering Planned Oct. 1|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072831/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377916/color-broadcast-slated-at-university/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> In preparation, K71BQ, a channel 71 translator, was built at the Tumamoc Hill site to serve neighborhoods in northwest Tucson that are shaded from Mount Bigelow by terrain.<ref name="Tucs680222">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377780/kuat-using-channel-71-translator/|date=February 22, 1968|page=18|title=KUAT Using Channel 71 Translator|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043519/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105377780/kuat-using-channel-71-translator/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> A day before the color conversion, on September 30, 1968, the University of Arizona returned to radio for the first time since the 1920s after receiving the donation of KFIF (1550 AM), which became KUAT (and is now [[KUAZ]]), from John Walton.{{r|Ariz680920}} In 1977, construction work began on a satellite dish in a vacant swimming pool south of the Bear Down Gymnasium, allowing the station to receive PBS programming via satellite<ref name="Tucs780406">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105378728/television-shows-via-satellite-soon-real/|date=April 6, 1978|page=11B|title=Television shows via satellite soon reality for Channel 6|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072832/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105378728/television-shows-via-satellite-soon/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> when it began use the next year.<ref name="Ariz780601">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-kuat-switching-to-hea/173159819/|date=June 1, 1978|page=4C|first=David|last=Hatfield|title=KUAT switching to heavens|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 26, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

[[File:KUAT_logo,_1972-2014.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Abstract blocks forming the letters K U A T next to a thin, geometric "6"|KUAT-TV used a carved-block logo representing its call letters from 1981 to 2009.]]
In the 1980s, KUAT upgraded its service to the northwest side. As early as 1982, plans existed to replace K71BQ with a higher-power translator on channel 27.<ref name="Tucs820127">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105380862/kuat-to-clear-up-its-signal-for-hard-to/|date=January 27, 1982|page=11B|title=KUAT to clear up its signal for hard-to-reach viewers|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072832/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105380862/kuat-to-clear-up-its-signal-for/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> This became reality as K27AT in December 1985.<ref name="Tucs851213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105153909/northwest-siders-kuat-now-on-channel-27/|date=December 13, 1985|page=4D|title=Northwest Siders: KUAT now on Channel 27|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711043538/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105153909/northwest-siders-kuat-now-on-channel-27/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> As channel 27 had been designated for noncommercial full-power use, the university filed to build out a full-power facility on channel 27 in 1985; this was completed as KUAS-TV in July 1988.<ref name="azpm.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.azpm.org/sixtyyears/|title=Celebrating Sixty Years of Service|publisher=Arizona Public Media|access-date=April 14, 2019|archive-date=April 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414124528/https://www.azpm.org/sixtyyears/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1994, KUAT-TV launched the UA Channel, a [[public-access television|public access]] channel featuring university content and lectures.<ref name="azpm.org"/>

After the university received a $671,000 grant {{USDCY|671000|2002}},<ref name="Tucs011016">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105153976/grant-upgrades-kuat-towers/|date=October 16, 2001|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105153956/grant-of-671k-to-give-kuat-digital/ 3B]|first=Teya|last=Vitu|title=Grant upgrades KUAT towers|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 12, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072929/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105153976/grant-upgrades-kuat-towers/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> the two transmitters were converted to digital in 2002 and 2003, with KUAS-TV on Tumamoc Hill being switched first and becoming the first digital television service in Tucson.<ref name="Ariz030916">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104743544/digital-comes-to-local-tv-channels/|date=September 16, 2003|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104743557/ A9]|first=Mary|last=Vandeveire|title=Digital comes to local TV channels|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701065435/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104743544/digital-comes-to-local-tv-channels/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="azpm.org"/> The Arizona Public Media umbrella name for KUAT radio and television was adopted in 2009.{{r|azpm.org}}

Steep budget cuts to higher education in Arizona strongly affected Arizona Public Media's budget during the [[Great Recession]], as 26 percent of it came from the university. ''Arizona Illustrated'', a formerly daily program, converted to being taped three times a week, alongside other cost-cutting measures.<ref name="Ariz090405">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105451353/kuat-deals-with-cuts-focuses-on-content/|date=April 5, 2009|page=E6–7|first=Gerald M.|last=Gay|title=KUAT deals with cuts, focuses on content|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 12, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072930/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105451353/kuat-deals-with-cuts-focuses-on-content/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> After providing $2.6 million in cash to AZPM in the 2013–2014 school year, the University of Arizona planned cuts for 2014–2015 of $400,000 and continued cuts until 2019.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Alaimo|first1=Carol Ann|title=Public broadcaster faces steep UA funding cut|url=http://tucson.com/news/local/education/college/public-broadcaster-faces-steep-ua-funding-cut/article_c2580a42-dc6d-5332-b285-5a6dd5b2ee37.html|access-date=September 12, 2017|work=Arizona Daily Star|date=June 17, 2014|language=en|archive-date=September 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913044655/http://tucson.com/news/local/education/college/public-broadcaster-faces-steep-ua-funding-cut/article_c2580a42-dc6d-5332-b285-5a6dd5b2ee37.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2021, the UA announced it was exploring the possibility of constructing a $45 million complex for AZPM south of the campus at The Bridges, home to a UA tech park, having already raised 75 percent of the projected cost without launching a public campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tucson.com/news/local/ua-looks-to-build-45-million-facility-for-arizona-public-media/article_64d618da-1182-11ec-830b-3bdfb71adff6.html|work=Arizona Daily Star|date=September 9, 2021|first=Kathryn|last=Palmer|title=UA looks to build $45 million facility for Arizona Public Media|access-date=July 12, 2022|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913140647/https://tucson.com/news/local/ua-looks-to-build-45-million-facility-for-arizona-public-media/article_64d618da-1182-11ec-830b-3bdfb71adff6.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The university released renderings of the proposed facility, the Paul and Alice Baker Center for Public Media, in September 2023.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://about.azpm.org/p/about-press/2023/9/8/217544-azpm-unveils-cutting-edge-public-media-facility/|date=September 8, 2023|title=AZPM Unveils Cutting-Edge Public Media Facility|website=Arizona Public Media|access-date=September 26, 2023|archive-date=September 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927053026/https://about.azpm.org/p/about-press/2023/9/8/217544-azpm-unveils-cutting-edge-public-media-facility/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ground was broken on the structure in January 2024, by which time the cost had increased to $65 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wichner |first=David |date=2024-01-23 |title=Arizona Public Media breaks ground on new Tucson broadcast center |url=https://tucson.com/news/local/business/university-arizona-public-media-groundbreaking-center/article_78dca9dc-b957-11ee-9366-c3950057909d.html |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Arizona Daily Star |language=en |archive-date=December 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215191838/https://tucson.com/news/local/business/university-arizona-public-media-groundbreaking-center/article_78dca9dc-b957-11ee-9366-c3950057909d.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Local programming==
In 1980, KUAT began producing ''Arizona Illustrated'', its flagship weekly [[newsmagazine]] on local public affairs issues, at a time when its local program production was seen as minimal outside of Tucson city council meetings.<ref name="Ariz800829">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105419570/kuat-to-finally-illustrate-whats-goin/|date=August 29, 1980|page=8C|first=Sherry|last=Stern|title=KUAT to finally 'illustrate' what's going on in Arizona|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072931/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105419570/kuat-to-finally-illustrate-whats/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Initially aired daily, it evolved from a features show to a news and analysis program.<ref name="Tucs861007">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105419286/arizona-illustrated-more-news-analysi/|date=October 7, 1986|page=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105419436/ 3D]|first=Dan|last=Sorenson|title='Arizona Illustrated': More news analysis and a new set at Tucson's venue for news junkies|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072932/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105419286/arizona-illustrated-more-news/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> University students handle most of the production of ''Arizona Illustrated''.{{r|Ariz090405}}

No longer produced but still in reruns on some PBS stations is the nature documentary series ''The Desert Speaks'', co-produced with the [[Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum]] from 1990 to 2018. It was the successor to a previous program that aired on [[KVOA]] and later [[KOLD-TV]], which had been in production since 1953.<ref name="Tucs000202">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105451393/the-desert-speaks-kuat-tv-series-celebr/|date=February 2, 2000|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105451399/ 3B]|first=A.J.|last=Flick|title=The Desert Speaks: KUAT-TV series celebrates 10 years of broadcasts around the world|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 12, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072933/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105451393/the-desert-speaks-kuat-tv-series/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

In 2007, KUAT produced the documentary ''Phoenix Mars Mission: Ashes to Ice'', covering the mission of the ''[[Phoenix (spacecraft)|Phoenix]]'' spacecraft, which the next year became the first of the station's productions to air nationally on PBS.<ref name="Ariz071105">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-kuat-tv-sees-mars-mis/171621863/|date=November 5, 2007|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-ashes-to-ice/171621831/ A4]|first=Dan|last=Sorenson|title=KUAT-TV sees Mars mission sans gloss|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 3, 2025}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref name="azpm.org"/>

==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
The stations' signals carry the same multiplex of subchannels:
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of KUAT-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KUAT#station|title=RabbitEars TV query for KUAT-TV|access-date=July 11, 2022|website=[[RabbitEars]]|archive-date=October 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023073646/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KUAT#station|url-status=live}}</ref> and KUAS-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KUAS#station|title=RabbitEars TV query for KUAS-TV|access-date=July 11, 2022|website=[[RabbitEars]]|archive-date=October 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023013259/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KUAS#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" colspan="2"|[[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|[[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|[[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|Short name
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|Programming
|-
! scope = "col" | {{small|KUAT-TV}}||{{small|KUAS-TV}} 
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.1 || 27.1 
| [[720p]] || rowspan=3| [[16:9]] || PBS HD || [[PBS]] 
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.2 || 27.2 
| rowspan=2| [[480i]] || KIDS || [[PBS Kids]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 6.3 || 27.3 
| PBS 6+ || PBS 6 Plus
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope = "row" | [[KHRR|40.1]] || 40.11 
| 1080i || rowspan=2|16:9 || KHRR-DT || [[Telemundo]] ([[KHRR]])
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6;"
! scope = "row" | 40.2 || 40.22
| 480i || Exitos || [[TeleXitos]] (KHRR)
|}
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}

When KUAT and KUAS first began digital broadcasting, they did not carry all the same subchannels. Initially, four subchannels were broadcast during the day and then closed down at night to allow the transmission of one high-definition channel.{{r|Ariz030916}}

With the dropping of PBS Kids in 2005, KUAT programmed its own children's channel, KUAT Kids.<ref name="crt0">{{cite news|last1=Sefton|first1=Dru|title=Multicasts tailored to local priorities|url=https://current.org/2012/06/multicasts-tailored-to-local-priorities/|access-date=September 12, 2017|work=Current|date=June 11, 2012|archive-date=September 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913091635/https://current.org/2012/06/multicasts-tailored-to-local-priorities/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6.3, [[V-me]] started broadcasting on November 30, 2007, while .1 and .2 were PBS in high and standard definition.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schuster|first1=John|title=Media Watch|url=https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/media-watch/Content?oid=1089736|access-date=September 12, 2017|work=Tucson Weekly|date=November 29, 2007|archive-date=July 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701193909/https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/media-watch/Content?oid=1089736|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 1, 2011, the station's affiliation with [[Create (TV network)|Create]] was dropped for an independent lifestyle channel branded Ready TV.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schuster|first1=John|title=Media Watch: AZPM Switches Alternate Channel|url=https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/media-watch/Content?oid=3189970|access-date=September 12, 2017|work=Tucson Weekly|date=December 1, 2011|archive-date=September 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913091614/https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/media-watch/Content?oid=3189970|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="crt0"/> 

On October 11, 2016, AZPM began broadcasting the same subchannels from both transmitters. V-me moved to cable only from 6.2, making way for PBS Kids from the Mount Bigelow transmitter, while the UA Channel became an online-only service. ReadyTV and World programming would share the same channel .3, while PBS Kids would be on .2.<ref>{{cite web|title=Changes to AZPM Television Channel Lineup|url=https://tv.azpm.org/s/42060-changes-to-the-azpm-television-channel-lineup/|website=AZPM|access-date=September 12, 2017|language=en|archive-date=September 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913044437/https://tv.azpm.org/s/42060-changes-to-the-azpm-television-channel-lineup/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the third subchannel was changed again, this time to a new complementary service known as PBS 6 Plus, featuring re-airs of PBS and local programs and thematic program blocks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://about.azpm.org/p/about-press/2017/6/30/113358-arizona-public-media-launches-new-24-hour-lifestyle-channel/|date=June 30, 2017|title=Arizona Public Media Launches New 24-Hour Lifestyle Channel|publisher=Arizona Public Media|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072942/https://about.azpm.org/p/about-press/2017/6/30/113358-arizona-public-media-launches-new-24-hour-lifestyle-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!--
KUAT-TV is part of the participating consortium for [[ATSC 3.0]] (NextGen TV) in the Tucson area, which launched from [[KHRR]] on May 23, 2024. KHRR's first and second subchannels are hosted by KUAT-TV and KUAS-TV.-->

===Analog-to-digital transition===
While Arizona Public Media had intended to shut off the analog signals of both KUAT-TV and KUAS-TV on June 12, 2009, the national digital transition date, KUAT-TV was removed from analog service 10 weeks earlier than expected on March 31 due to damage to the analog equipment on Mount Bigelow.<ref name="Ariz090330">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105153878/kuats-channel-6-switching-to-digital/|date=March 30, 2009|page=A15|first=Jack|last=Gibson|title=KUAT's Channel 6 switching to digital 10 weeks early|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2022|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712072935/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105153878/kuats-channel-6-switching-to-digital/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The stations' digital signals remained on their pre-transition [[UHF]] channels 30 and 28, respectively, using [[virtual channel]]s 6 and 27.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> The KUAS-TV transmitter was used as part of the [[SAFER Act]] to broadcast transition information announcements until July 12.<ref name="FCC Nightlight">{{cite web|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-291375A1.pdf|title=UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=June 4, 2012|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201225603/http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-291375A1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{URL|https://www.azpm.org/|Official website}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|2736|K20GG-D}}

{{Tucson TV}}
{{PBS Arizona}}
{{University of Arizona}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kuat-Tv}}
[[Category:1959 establishments in Arizona]]
[[Category:PBS member stations]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1959]]
[[Category:Television stations in Tucson, Arizona|UAT-TV]]
[[Category:University of Arizona]]