View source for Kentucky Educational Television

{{Short description|PBS member network serving Kentucky}}
{{Redirect|KET| |KET (disambiguation)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| name                = Kentucky Educational Television
| logo                = Kentucky Educational Television logo.svg
| logo_alt = The letters "KET" in blue in a stylized, inline sans serif.
| logo_size           = 150px
| location            = statewide [[Kentucky]]
| country             = US
| owner               = Kentucky Authority for Educational Television
| airdate             = {{Start date and age|1968|09|23|p=y}}
| affiliations        = [[PBS]], [[American Public Television|APT]]
| subchannels         = {{ubl|'''.1:''' KET|'''.2:''' KET2|'''.3:''' Kentucky Channel|'''.4:''' [[PBS Kids]]}}
| website             = {{URL|https://www.ket.org/|ket.org}}
}}

'''Kentucky Educational Television''' ('''KET''') is a statewide television network serving the U.S. [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|commonwealth]] of [[Kentucky]] as a member of [[PBS]]. It is operated by the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television, an agency of the [[Government of Kentucky|Kentucky state government]], which provides more than half of its annual funding. KET is the dominant public broadcaster in the commonwealth, with transmitters covering the vast majority of the state as well as parts of adjacent states; the only other PBS member in Kentucky is [[WKYU-TV]] (channel 24) in [[Bowling Green, Kentucky|Bowling Green]]. KET is the largest PBS state network in the United States; the broadcast signals of its sixteen stations cover almost all of the state, as well as parts of [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Missouri]], [[Ohio]], [[Tennessee]], [[Virginia]], and [[West Virginia]]. The network's offices, network center, and primary studio facilities are located at the O. Leonard Press Telecommunications Center on Cooper Drive in [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]; KET also has production centers in [[Louisville]] and at the [[Kentucky State Capitol|Kentucky State Capitol Annex]] in [[Frankfort, Kentucky|Frankfort]].

The plan for a statewide educational broadcaster was first conceived in 1959 by [[O. Leonard Press]], who served as the founding director for the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television when it was established in 1962 and remained with KET for three decades. Broadcasting began on September 23, 1968, and the network grew into a force in educational, cultural, and public affairs broadcasting in the state. Some of its educational programs, such as distance learning and adult education, attracted national interest. In 1997, KET took over [[WKPC-TV]], which had formerly been a separate public television station in Louisville; in the years that followed, KET became the first digital broadcaster in Kentucky. In addition to offering national programming from PBS and other distributors, KET produces programs on Kentucky public affairs and culture as well as educational content. One of its four channels is the [[Kentucky Channel]], which covers the [[Kentucky General Assembly]]. Beyond state government support, it receives funding from the [[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]] and supporting viewers.

==History==
[[File:2021 11 20 wkpc-wkmj 1 (51729318931).jpg|left|thumb|alt=A red-and-white tower topped by a red cylindrical antenna|The KET tower in [[New Albany, Indiana]], broadcasts [[WKPC-TV]] and [[WKMJ-TV]] to the Louisville area.]]

===Creation of the network===
Interest in educational television in Kentucky existed but was later compared to some other states. In 1953, an educational figure in Louisville told Bill Ladd of ''[[The Courier Journal]]'', "I just hope that Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee don't get so far ahead of us that we can't ever catch up. I hope that Kentucky doesn't start off 48th in educational television."<ref name="Cour531206">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305601/a-quick-jump-around-the-dial/|date=December 6, 1953|page=5:19|first=Bill|last=Ladd|title=A Quick Jump Around The Dial|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035829/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305601/a-quick-jump-around-the-dial/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> While [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], home to Louisville, began the process to build what became WFPK-TV (now [[WKPC-TV]]) on channel 15 in 1957, and the station signed on the next year,<ref name="Cour570516">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69202643/county-likely-to-seek-educational-tv/|date=May 16, 1957|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69202682/tv-channel-bid-expected-by-county/ 16]|first=Bill|last=Ladd|title=County Likely To Seek Educational TV Permit|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035828/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69202643/county-likely-to-seek-educational-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Cour580906">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69203011/educational-tv-opens-test-called-a/|date=September 6, 1958|page=2:2|first=Bill|last=Ladd|title=Educational TV Opens; Test Called A Success|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035834/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69203011/educational-tv-opens-test-called-a/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> the impetus for what became KET came on July 22, 1959, when O. Leonard Press, the director of the radio department at the University of Kentucky (UK)—owner of educational radio station [[WUKY|WBKY]], on air since 1940—proposed a statewide educational television network that would include studios at the university, interconnection with other universities, and a transmitter system to deliver educational programs to schools. This service was conceived along the lines of [[Alabama Public Television|Alabama Educational Television]], which had started in 1955 as the first statewide educational network.<ref name="Cour590723">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114322019/kentucky-wide-educational-tv-network/|date=July 23, 1959|page=2:1|first=Anne|last=Pardue|title=Kentucky-Wide Educational-TV Network Urged: U. K.'s O. Leonard Press Cites Growth Of Colleges And Shortage Of Teachers|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035834/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114322019/kentucky-wide-educational-tv-network/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Press touted a system incorporating WFPK-TV as well as complete coverage of the Commonwealth with the capacity to "stamp out illiteracy" and ensure universal teaching of basic school subjects.<ref name="Cour600913">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114322181/tv-boon-to-education-nearby-states-have/|date=September 13, 1960|page=2:2|first1=Bill|last1=Ladd|first2=O. Leonard|last2=Press|title=TV Boon To Education: Nearby States Have Networks; U. K. Has Similar Dreams Here|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051051/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114322181/tv-boon-to-education-nearby-states/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> He also pushed for the entire network to be built at once to ensure that rural areas, which most needed such a service, were just as well-served as Kentucky's population centers.<ref name="Mess911001">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427941/ket-founder-passes-torch-after-28-years/|date=October 1, 1991|pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427956/ket/ 3C]|first=Steve|last=Vied|title=KET founder passes torch after 28 years|newspaper=Messenger-Inquirer|location=Owensboro, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211014359/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427941/ket-founder-passes-torch-after-28-years/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

The network took an important step forward when the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) agreed to designate 10 new [[UHF television broadcasting|UHF]] television channels in the state for non-commercial educational use in August 1961; the original design did not include the transmitters at Elizabethtown or Owenton (as the existing WFPK-TV was included), though it did provide for programs to originate from Lexington, Louisville, or [[Murray, Kentucky|Murray]].<ref name="Cour610718">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305634/10-more-educational-channels-to-be/|date=July 18, 1961|page=2:2|first=Bill|last=Ladd|title=10 More Educational Channels To Be Requested For Kentucky|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035831/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305634/10-more-educational-channels-to-be/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The plan gained the support of governor [[Bert T. Combs]],<ref name="Cour611025">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114322265/educational-tv-for-state-given-boost/|date=October 25, 1961|page=5|first=Charles|last=Whaley|title=Educational TV For State Given Boost: Combs, Others At Conference Like Potential|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035830/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114322265/educational-tv-for-state-given-boost/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> and the 1962 [[Kentucky General Assembly]] passed a trio of bills to set up the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television, enable the State Board of Education to lease facilities, and allow the state to issue revenue bonds to finance construction.<ref name="Cour620215">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114322608/state-senate-votes-education-tv-bills/|date=February 15, 1962|page=8|first=Charles E.|last=Whaley|title=State Senate Votes Education-TV Bills|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035826/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114322608/state-senate-votes-education-tv-bills/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> It was hoped to begin KET broadcasts by December 1963,<ref name="Lexi621017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305739/target-date-is-set-for-educational-tv/|date=October 17, 1962|page=15|agency=Associated Press|title=Target Date Is Set For Educational TV|newspaper=The Lexington Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035825/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305739/target-date-is-set-for-educational-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> but difficulties mounted, including the refusal of the [[Midwest Program on Airborne Television Instruction]] (MPATI) to sign a contract to furnish programs until schools enrolled in its service.<ref name="Lexi630410">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305774/educational-tv-plan-runs-into-obstacle/|date=April 10, 1963|page=17|agency=Associated Press|title=Educational TV Plan Runs Into Obstacle|newspaper=The Lexington Herald|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035826/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305774/educational-tv-plan-runs-into-obstacle/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> In October 1963, the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television applied for the first construction permits to build the network after clarifying grant rules that initially seemed to make the state government ineligible for funding from the [[United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare]].<ref name="Cour631021">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305981/permit-filing-is-milestone-in/|date=October 21, 1963|page=18|title=Permit Filing Is Milestone In Educational TV Growth|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035826/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305981/permit-filing-is-milestone-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

However, a two-year setback was experienced in 1964 when the General Assembly—which budgets on a biennial basis—refused to fund construction of the transmitters.<ref name="Mess640208">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306032/billion-dollar-budget-ready-for-assembly/|date=February 8, 1964|page=1|agency=Associated Press|first=Bill|last=Neikirk|title=Billion-Dollar Budget Ready For Assembly|newspaper=The Messenger|location=Madisonville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209035833/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306032/billion-dollar-budget-ready-for-assembly/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Other state needs were prioritized: in education, these included issues in Jefferson County, low teacher pay, and transportation problems.<ref name="Lexi641123">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306172/fall-of-1967-is-official-target-date/|date=November 23, 1964|page=7|first=Bill|last=Neikirk|agency=Associated Press|title=Fall Of 1967 Is Official Target Date For Statewide Educational TV|newspaper=The Lexington Leader|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185736/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306172/fall-of-1967-is-official-target-date/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Planning activities continued during the period. The Elizabethtown transmitter had been added to the proposed network by 1965, when a feature article in the ''[[Lexington Herald-Leader|Sunday Herald-Leader]]'' noted that Kentucky's plan for transmitter construction had been adopted by other states, notably Georgia.<ref name="Lexi650808">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306301/projected-kentucky-etv-network-promises/|date=August 8, 1965|page=B-T-S 14, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306342/projected-kentucky-etv/ 22]|title=Projected Kentucky ETV Network Promises Comprehensive Coverage|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185740/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306301/projected-kentucky-etv-network-promises/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Schools, meanwhile, continued to depend on sources such as MPATI and commercial stations in bordering states, such as [[WSAZ-TV]] in [[Huntington, West Virginia]]. However, MPATI increased its fees,{{r|Lexi650808}} and WSAZ-TV dropped the mathematics program it was carrying due to scheduling difficulties, affecting 2,700 students in eastern Kentucky.<ref name="Lexi650823">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306408/tv-canceled-loss-keenly-felt-by-schools/|date=August 23, 1965|page=5|title=TV Canceled, Loss Keenly Felt By Schools|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185746/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306408/tv-canceled-loss-keenly-felt-by-schools/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Schools in south-central Kentucky continued to utilize educational programs from [[WNPT (TV)|WDCN-TV]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee]];<ref>{{cite news|first=Ray|last=Glenn|title=ETV Is Missing Good Segment Of Viewers|work=[[Kentucky New Era]]|location=Hopkinsville, Kentucky|date=March 9, 1970|page=8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pOYrAAAAIBAJ&dq=kentucky+etv+network&pg=PA11&article_id=1352,4551547|via=Google Books}}</ref><!--Mon--><ref>{{cite news|title=Trigg Sets Workshop On TV Use In School|work=Kentucky New Era|date=October 12, 1967|page=15|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nesrAAAAIBAJ&dq=kentucky+etv+network&pg=PA9&article_id=1210,928251|via=Google Books}}</ref><!--Thu--><ref>{{cite news|last=Willis Jr.|first=Finley|title=3-Year Setback In Educational TV Program In Kentucky|work=Park City Daily News|location=Bowling Green, Kentucky|date=July 4, 1965|page=22|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q-UeAAAAIBAJ&dq=kentucky+etv+network&pg=PA18&article_id=7091,308111|via=Google Books}}</ref><!--Sun--> [[Glasgow, Kentucky|Glasgow]] had been among the charter users of WDCN educational programming when it began in 1962,<ref name="Nash620914">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-18-systems-utilizing-et/127637039/|date=September 14, 1962|page=36|title=18 Systems Utilizing ETV, More Interested|newspaper=Nashville Banner|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2023|archive-date=July 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708081349/https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-18-systems-utilizing-et/127637039/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> and Bowling Green followed suit in 1964.<ref name="Tenn640823">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-etv-adds-4-school-areas/127637759/|date=August 23, 1964|page=11-A|first=Eugene|last=Dietz|title=ETV Adds 4 School Areas: 47 Midstate, Southern Kentucky Systems Set Television Courses|newspaper=The Tennessean|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 7, 2023|archive-date=July 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708082340/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-etv-adds-4-school-areas/127637759/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

The 1966 General Assembly budget provided the necessary funds to start work on building KET by including a $359,000 appropriation.<ref name="Lexi660130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306531/work-slated-on-states-etv-project/|date=January 30, 1966|page=29|title=Work Slated On State's ETV Project|newspaper=The Lexington Herald|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185742/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306531/work-slated-on-states-etv-project/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Another impetus was given by the Stuart Blazer Foundation, set up by [[Ashland Oil]] founder [[Paul G. Blazer]] in memory of his deceased son. The foundation began buying and deeding transmitter sites to the state, beginning with the Somerset site in April 1966.<ref name="Park660421">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306840/foundation-presents-etv-site-to-state/|date=April 21, 1966|page=6|agency=Associated Press|title=Foundation Presents ETV Site To State|newspaper=The Park City Daily News|location=Bowling Green, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185739/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306840/foundation-presents-etv-site-to-state/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Cour660518">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306874/7-education-tv-station-sites-in-hand/|date=May 18, 1966|page=B2|first=Bill|last=Ladd|title=7 Education-TV Station Sites in Hand|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185739/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306874/7-education-tv-station-sites-in-hand/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Federal matching funds were applied for and received from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and the [[Appalachian Regional Commission]],<ref name="Lexi660612">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306923/state-etv-authority-asks-million-plus/|date=June 12, 1966|page=1|title=State ETV Authority Asks Million Plus Federal Aid|newspaper=Sunday Herald-Leader|first=Ralph W.|last=Derickson|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185742/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306923/state-etv-authority-asks-million-plus/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> while the FCC granted the 12 construction permits later in the year.<ref>{{cite news|title=FCC Approves Kentucky ETV Network|work=[[Park City Daily News]]|location=Bowling Green, Kentucky|date=November 25, 1966|page=9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WOYcAAAAIBAJ&dq=kentucky+etv+network&pg=PA4&article_id=3140,2385150|via=Google Books|access-date=July 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=ETV Transmitters Approved|work=[[Williamson Daily News]]|location=Williamson, West Virginia|date=December 20, 1966|page=10|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eSNEAAAAIBAJ&dq=kentucky+etv+network&pg=PA6&article_id=2328,5768790|via=Google Books|access-date=July 9, 2023}}</ref> After awarding WCVN-TV in [[Covington, Kentucky|Covington]] in late September,<ref name="Padu661005">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114358120/permit-granted-for-educational-tv-at-cov/|date=October 5, 1966|page=2|title=Permit Granted For Educational TV At Covington|newspaper=The Paducah Sun|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051052/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114358120/permit-granted-for-educational-tv-at/|url-status=live}} <!--The history cards show a grant date of September 26, 1966--></ref><!-- Wed --> the commission awarded the remaining construction permits in November, the largest single award of permits to one applicant in its history.<ref name="Mess661125">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306970/education-tv-construction-permits-okd/|date=November 25, 1966|page=9|agency=Associated Press|title=Education TV Construction Permits OKd|newspaper=The Messenger|location=Madisonville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185737/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114306970/education-tv-construction-permits-okd/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Ground was broken on the Lexington production center in June 1967,<ref name="Padu670623">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307530/breathitt-cites-uses-of-educational-tv/|date=June 23, 1967|page=4-B|agency=Associated Press|title=Breathitt Cites Uses Of Educational TV|newspaper=The Paducah Sun|location=Paducah, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185738/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307530/breathitt-cites-uses-of-educational-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> followed by bids for the equipment needed at the studios and transmitters.<ref name="Cour670901">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307646/etv-net-bids-total-5-million/|date=September 1, 1967|page=B2|agency=Associated Press|title=ETV Net Bids Total $5 Million|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185744/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307646/etv-net-bids-total-5-million/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

By May 1968, work on the Lexington and Somerset transmitters had been completed,<ref name="Lexi680505">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307953/etv-system-building-nearly-done/|date=May 5, 1968|page=11|title=ETV System Building Nearly Done|newspaper=Sunday Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185743/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307953/etv-system-building-nearly-done/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> and KET had announced its initial array of 19 in-school programs, mostly for elementary school students.<ref name="Padu680501">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307922/educational-tv-program-may-begin-in/|date=May 1, 1968|page=11A|title=Educational TV Program May Begin In September|newspaper=The Paducah Sun|location=Paducah, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185741/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307922/educational-tv-program-may-begin-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Lexi680726">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114308001/kentuckys-educational-television/|date=July 26, 1968|page=6|title=Kentucky's Educational Television System To Open On Schedule With Schools This Fall|newspaper=The Lexington Leader|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209185743/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114308001/kentuckys-educational-television/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> However, site problems snarled work in Covington. Ashland Oil had provided property in the [[Taylor Mill]] area, though the city of Covington also provided sites.<ref name="Cinc670512">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307476/engineers-study-site-for-etv-in/|date=May 12, 1967|page=25|title=Engineers Study Site For ETV In Covington|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202657/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307476/engineers-study-site-for-etv-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> However, Taylor Mill met with citizen protest despite being approved by the city council, while sites in Covington would interfere with a new [[instrument landing system]] for the [[Greater Cincinnati Airport]].<ref name="Cinc670816">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307567/ky-tv-tower-site-delays-stations-start/|date=August 16, 1967|page=6|title=Ky TV Tower Site Delays Station's Start|newspaper=The Cincinnati Post|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307567/ky-tv-tower-site-delays-stations-start/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Cour670817">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307598/treatment-in-kind-elizabethtown/|date=August 17, 1967|page=B2|agency=Associated Press|title='Treatment in Kind': Elizabethtown Squabble Could Hold Up ETV|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202655/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307598/treatment-in-kind-elizabethtown/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> As a result, KET opted to return to Taylor Mill, in spite of opposition whipped up by a local housewife who fretted the facility would be a hazard to aviation and generate interference to reception of other TV stations.<ref name="Cinc680207">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307720/people-havent-been-apprised-of-the/|date=February 7, 1968|page=19|first=Ron|last=Schoolmeester|title='People Haven't Been Apprised Of The Situation': Taylor Mill Housewife Protests State ETV Tower|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202657/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114307720/people-havent-been-apprised-of-the/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

===The O. Leonard Press years (1968–1992)===
KET finally went on the air for the first time on September 23, 1968,<ref name=khs18>{{Cite sign |title =KET: The Kentucky Network |date =September 18, 2018 |publisher =Kentucky Transportation Cabinet |location = |author =Kentucky Historical Society |url =https://history.ky.gov/markers/ket |access-date =June 14, 2023 |medium =Kentucky Historical Marker |archive-date =June 14, 2023 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20230614054716/https://history.ky.gov/markers/ket |url-status =live }}</ref> at 7:30&nbsp;a.m. [[Eastern Time]] (6:30&nbsp;a.m. [[Central Time Zone|Central Time]]).<ref name="dials">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70446733/|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70447883/ 16]|first=Blithe|last=Runsdorf|work=The Lexington Leader|title=Gov. Nunn 'Dials' ETV Into Being|date=September 23, 1968|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051053/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70446733/gov-nunn-dials-etv-into-being/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first broadcast started with Governor [[Louie B. Nunn]] speaking at the network's dedication ceremony;<ref>{{cite news | last = Truman | first = Cheryl | title = Once considered a 'novel notion,' state network celebrates its 50th anniversary | url = https://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/tv/article218664085.html | newspaper = [[Lexington Herald-Leader]] | date = September 24, 2018 | access-date = September 27, 2018 | archive-date = September 26, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180926133837/https://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/tv/article218664085.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|title=The KET Story|date=September 23, 2018|publisher=Kentucky Educational Television|via=KET.org}}</ref> Nunn himself turned the dial to officially put the network on the air.{{r|dials}} That first day, eight transmitters opened, at [[Ashland, Kentucky|Ashland]], [[Bowling Green, Kentucky|Bowling Green]], [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky|Elizabethtown]], Lexington, [[Madisonville, Kentucky|Madisonville]], [[Morehead, Kentucky|Morehead]], [[Owenton, Kentucky|Owenton]], [[Somerset, Kentucky|Somerset]], plus two dependent translators at [[Hopkinsville]] and [[Owensboro]].{{r|dials}} Initially unable to produce its own programs, the original set of courses broadcast by KET were leased or purchased from other producers.<ref name=ruralkyian1>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=New Kentucky Educational TV System Will Begin Broadcasting in September, 1968: Plans Now In Process |url=https://d2fxn1d7fsdeeo.cloudfront.net/kentuckyliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20104819/KLMAG_March1968_KET.pdf |magazine=[[Kentucky Living|Rural Kentuckian Magazine]] |location=[[Louisville, Kentucky]] |date=March 1968 |access-date=September 27, 2018 |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223844/https://d2fxn1d7fsdeeo.cloudfront.net/kentuckyliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20104819/KLMAG_March1968_KET.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ruralkyian2>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Programming for Educational Television Must Meet High Quality Standards |url=https://d2fxn1d7fsdeeo.cloudfront.net/kentuckyliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20091027/KET_April_1968.pdf |magazine=[[Kentucky Living|Rural Kentuckian Magazine]] |location=[[Louisville, Kentucky]] |date=April 1968 |access-date=September 27, 2018 |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223050/https://d2fxn1d7fsdeeo.cloudfront.net/kentuckyliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20091027/KET_April_1968.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.kentuckyliving.com/news/from-the-archives-the-beginnings-of-kentucky-educational-television-ket|title=From the archives: The beginnings of Kentucky Educational Television (KET)|work=[[Kentucky Living]]|date=September 20, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223312/https://www.kentuckyliving.com/news/from-the-archives-the-beginnings-of-kentucky-educational-television-ket|url-status=live}}</ref> The initial broadcast was viewed by about 1,400 schools.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WHdBAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=Kentucky+ETV+Network&article_id=4100,4285575&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiY4cy8w_KNAxWr48kDHV7dL1w4WhDoAXoECAQQAw#v=onepage&q=Kentucky%20ETV%20Network&f=false|title=State ETV Is Tuned In By Schools|date=September 24, 1968|agency=United Press International|newspaper=Middlesboro Daily News|page=1|access-date=June 14, 2025|via=Google Books}}</ref>

The [[Hazard, Kentucky|Hazard]], [[Murray, Kentucky|Murray]] and [[Pikeville, Kentucky|Pikeville]] transmitters, construction of which was delayed by weather, were not ready in time for the start of the network;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oesrAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=Kentucky+ETV+Network&article_id=6183,6690542&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjIp6rhv_KNAxUW38kDHanZMeoQ6AF6BAgMEAM#v=onepage&q=Kentucky%20ETV%20Network&f=false|title=Kentucky's ETV Network Gets Off to Flying Start|date=September 23, 1968|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Kentucky New Era|page=1|via=Google Books|access-date=June 14, 2025}}</ref> Murray went into service on October 7,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70453568/|accessdate=February 13, 2021|date=October 9, 1968|title=MSU TV Transmitter Goes On Air|page=1|work=Sun-Democrat|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051052/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70453568/msu-tv-transmitter-goes-on-air/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Hazard and Pikeville transmitters went on the air near the end of the year. WCVN-TV in Covington began broadcasting on September 8, 1969.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70456346/|accessdate=February 13, 2021|date=September 18, 1969|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|title=Little Eddie, 'Teach' Score Big|page=38|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051052/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70456346/pete-matthews-former-wcvn/|url-status=live}}</ref> Approximately 72 percent of the state's school districts were equipped to utilize KET programs at launch, a figure that grew to 85 to 90 percent within a year.<ref name="Cinc691022">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305374/how-goes-kentucky-educational-television/|date=October 22, 1969|page=10|title=How Goes Kentucky Educational Television? 'Good, But Could Be Better,' Says Director|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 8, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051053/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114305374/how-goes-kentucky-educational/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> After exclusively providing programs for schools, KET initiated evening broadcasting utilizing programs from [[National Educational Television]] on January 6, 1969, a delay that allowed time to train personnel and complete the studio setup.<ref name="Cour680905">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114308199/night-programs-delayed-daytime-etv-net/|date=September 5, 1968|page=B2|first=James|last=Doussard|title=Night Programs Delayed: Daytime ETV Net to Open Sept. 23|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202654/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114308199/night-programs-delayed-daytime-etv-net/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Cour690107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114308650/beamed-to-homes-first-time-how-was/|date=January 7, 1969|page=B2|first=James|last=Doussard|title=Beamed to Homes First Time: How Was Your Signal? KET Asks|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202657/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114308650/beamed-to-homes-first-time-how-was/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref>{{cite news|first=Margareet|last=Gentry|title=Educational TV Network Begins Night Programming|work=Park City Daily News|location=Bowling Green, Kentucky|date=January 7, 1969|page=2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WtIdAAAAIBAJ&dq=kentucky+etv+network&pg=PA2&article_id=5438,767833|via=Google Books|access-date=July 9, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --> KET transitioned to become a member station of PBS in 1970 upon its creation.{{r|Cour700817}} That same year, it debuted its first instructional series, the 17-lesson ''Kentucky Is My Land'' for use in 7th-grade history classes.<ref name="Cour700118">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114409692/first-ket-series-kentucky-story/|date=January 18, 1970|page=F1|first=James|last=Doussard|title=First KET Series: Kentucky Story|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202654/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114409692/first-ket-series-kentucky-story/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

After the initial twelve-transmitter network was completed, three more stations were added between 1970 and 1980. Network reception turned out to be poor in the Louisville area,<ref name="Cour690123">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114308708/tough-problem-louisville-not-getting/|date=January 23, 1969|page=B2|first=James|last=Doussard|title=Tough Problem: Louisville Not Getting Education Net's Signal|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202702/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114308708/tough-problem-louisville-not-getting/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> prompting the network to launch [[WKMJ-TV]] channel 68 on August 31, 1970.<ref name="Cour700817">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68610020/channel-68-begins-air-tests-today/|date=August 17, 1970|page=B2|first=James|last=Doussard|title=Channel 68 Begins Air Tests Today|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68610020/channel-68-begins-air-tests-today/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> In [[Paducah]], unsuccessful commercial station WDXR-TV was donated to the network; it was rebuilt and returned as [[WKPD]] in 1979,<ref name="Padu790910">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37636659/|accessdate=February 13, 2021|date=September 10, 1979|first=Bill|last=Bartleman|work=The Paducah Sun|title=Pride marks 'sign on' of transmitter|page=1|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051054/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37636659/pride-marks-sign-on-of-transmitter/|url-status=live}}</ref> and a full-power Owensboro transmitter, WKOH-TV channel 31,<ref name="Mess791026">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70459210/|title=Right on the beam|work=Messenger-Inquirer|first=John|last=Brosky|page=1-D|date=October 26, 1979|accessdate=February 13, 2021|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051055/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70459210/right-on-the-beam-after-5-years/|url-status=live}}</ref> started operating on February 14, 1980.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70459938/|accessdate=February 13, 2021|title=KET's Channel 31 will go on air today|date=February 14, 1980|work=Messenger-Inquirer|page=2C|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051057/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70459938/kets-channel-31-will-go-on-today/|url-status=live}}</ref> After the sign-on of WKOH, the network was broadcasting over a total of 15 transmitters throughout the state and on eight low-power translator stations, primarily in eastern Kentucky.{{sfn|Nash|1995|p=278}} By this time, however, the production of programs from studios at the state universities had ceased except for taped content, with Lexington serving as KET's only studio site.<ref name="Cour790911">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114424741/transmitter-brings-ket-into-focus-for/|date=September 11, 1979|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114424778/states-new-transmitter-brings-ket-into/ B3]|first=Bill|last=Powell|title=Transmitter brings KET into focus for Paducah|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211012754/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114424741/transmitter-brings-ket-into-focus-for/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> KET began to receive PBS programming via satellite on April 15, 1978.<ref>{{cite news|title=KET to receive network shows via satellite|work=[[Kentucky New Era]]|date=April 1, 1978|page=11|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XucwAAAAIBAJ&dq=Kentucky+Educational+Television&pg=PA16&article_id=3440,3677555|via=Google Books}}</ref>

During the 1970s, KET also matured in the area of programming and structure. Friends of KET, a non-profit volunteer organization supporting KET's fundraising, was incorporated in 1971.<ref name="milestones">{{Cite web|url = http://www.ket.org/about/milestones.htm|title = KET Milestones|date = 2014|access-date = February 6, 2015|website = Kentucky Educational Television|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715024840/http://www.ket.org/about/milestones.htm|archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> Three years later, ''Comment on Kentucky'', one of KET's flagship public affairs shows, debuted.<ref name="News741107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114410317/al-smith-is-host-comment-on-kentucky/|date=November 7, 1974|page=2|title=Al Smith is host: 'Comment on Kentucky' starts on TV Nov. 15|newspaper=News-Democrat and Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114410317/al-smith-is-host-comment-on-kentucky/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In March 1975, KET broadcast the network's first telethon, dubbed ''Festival '75'', a 10-day-long programming schedule that temporarily converted the network to an alternative channel to commercial outlets; this was done in hopes of expanding regular programming to a seven-day basis.<ref>{{cite news|title=KET network to begin different 'telethon'|work=Park City Daily News|date=March 6, 1975|page=5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TrsdAAAAIBAJ&dq=ket+network&pg=PA3&article_id=6892,807215|via=Google Books|access-date=July 24, 2023}}</ref> Three months later, KET began broadcasting seven days a week with the debut of a Saturday schedule.<ref name="McLe750612">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114410633/saturday-programming-on-ket-goes-statewi/|date=June 12, 1975|page=6|title=Saturday programming on KET goes statewide|newspaper=McLean County News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051057/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114410633/saturday-programming-on-ket-goes/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In 1978, KET initiated nightly coverage during the sessions of the Kentucky General Assembly.{{r|milestones}} In expanding its public affairs remit, KET had to deal with political controversy, notably around its legislative coverage.<ref name="Lexi780922">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114412011/10th-anniversary-ket/|date=September 22, 1978|page=D-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114412062/network-aired-legislature-aided-during/ D-4]|first=David|last=Reed|title=10th Anniversary KET|newspaper=The Lexington Herald|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202655/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114412011/10th-anniversary-ket/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

These increased public affairs and other programs did not detract from KET's educational mission. By 1977, 75 percent of Kentucky schools used KET programming, primarily in elementary classes, including 99.3 percent of the state's special needs students. The network produced a [[GED]] adult education series sold to stations in 25 states and the [[Department of Defense]].<ref name="Cour770327">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114411074/the-other-tv/|date=March 27, 1977|page=Magazine 8, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114411099/ket/ 10], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114411115/ket/ 11], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114411144/ket/ 13], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114411171/ket/ 14], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114411224/ket/ 15]|first=John Ed|last=Pearce|title=The Other TV|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210202655/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114411074/the-other-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The nationally regarded GED program in several iterations has continued to be a part of KET. In 1989, country musician [[Waylon Jennings]] earned his GED by watching tapes of the KET programs on his tour bus.<ref name="Lexi900127">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114451602/waylon-jennings-to-receive-ged-from/|date=January 27, 1990|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114451626/jennings/ C2]|first=Joseph S.|last=Stroud|title=Waylon Jennings to receive GED from Martha Wilkinson|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211164522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114451602/waylon-jennings-to-receive-ged-from/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

The early 1980s were a time of budget cuts for many public broadcasters, including KET. The network was in part insulated by a timing quirk: federal construction credits from the new facilities in Paducah and Owensboro accrued to KET in 1980 and 1981 and offset most of the state's budget cuts.<ref name="Padu850315">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114418865/transmitters-provided-monetary-edge-for/|date=March 15, 1985|page=A-12|first=Joe|last=Walker|title=Transmitters provided monetary edge for KET|newspaper=The Paducah Sun|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211012802/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114418865/transmitters-provided-monetary-edge-for/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Despite this environment, Press continued to push for ambitious expansion. KET etc. began broadcasting on Lexington's new cable system in 1981 with adult education programs as well as replays of KET programming.<ref name="Advo801012">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114425342/ket-goes-on-cable/|date=October 12, 1980|page=TV Parade 3|title=KET goes on cable|newspaper=The Advocate-Messenger|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211012801/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114425342/ket-goes-on-cable/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --><ref name="Lexi810501">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114425384/barry-moves-from-wlexs-weather-map-to/|date=May 1, 1981|page=D-8|first=Susan|last=White|title=Barry moves from WLEX's weather map to 'Noon Today' set|newspaper=The Lexington Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211012756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114425384/barry-moves-from-wlexs-weather-map-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> In order to make the service more widely available in Lexington and statewide on translators, KET applied for the then-open commercial channel 62 in the area,<ref name="Lexi810713">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114418462/ket-needs-another-channel-director-says/|date=July 13, 1981|page=C4|first=David|last=Reed|title=KET Needs Another Channel, Director Says|newspaper=The Lexington Herald|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211012804/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114418462/ket-needs-another-channel-director-says/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref name="Lexi811027">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114418524/whos-who-in-competition-for-channel-62/|date=October 27, 1981|page=C-1|first=Susan|last=White|title=Who's who in competition for Channel 62|newspaper=The Lexington Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211012759/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114418524/whos-who-in-competition-for-channel-62/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> but after three commercial groups also sought the channel,<ref name=KYNewEra09281981>{{cite news|title=KET Reports Problems With 'Second Network'|first=Charles|last=Wolfe|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Kentucky New Era|date=September 28, 1981|page=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4_YrAAAAIBAJ&dq=ket+network&pg=PA66&article_id=2717,2816352|via=Google Books|access-date=July 24, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> KET withdrew its proposal in June 1982.<ref name="Lexi820607">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71747981/ket-drops-out-of-competition-for-channel/|date=June 7, 1982|page=C-4|first=Jack|last=Brammer|title=KET drops out of competition for Channel 62|newspaper=The Lexington Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71747981/ket-drops-out-of-competition-for/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Despite budget cuts, Press was reluctant to cede to commercializing inroads. KET did not air regular annual pledge drives until 1981,<ref name="Lexi801114">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114418349/public-television-network-returns-to/|date=November 14, 1980|page=B-12|first=David|last=Reed|title=Public Television Network Returns to On-Air Fund Raising in March|newspaper=The Lexington Herald|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211014215/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114418349/public-television-network-returns-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> and underwriting announcements were modest and did not use company logos.<ref name="Lexi880919">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427172/ket-chief-bucking-trends-as-network-turn/|date=September 19, 1988|page=D3|first=Joseph S.|last=Stroud|title=KET chief bucking trends as network turns 20: O. Leonard Press keeps sponsors at arm's length|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427172/ket-chief-bucking-trends-as-network/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

{{Quote box
| quote = I think of us as an educational institution that uses television as its method of reaching its clientele. Our business is education, not broadcasting. Broadcasting is just our means of accomplishing our mission.
| author = O. Leonard Press{{r|Lexi860303}}
| align = right
| width = 250px
| salign = right
}}
Later in the decade, Press proposed that KET begin satellite delivery of its in-school programming directly to schools.<ref name="Lexi860303">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426263/a-stronger-ket-would-help-state-directo/|date=March 3, 1986|page=B3, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426347/ket-pushing-for-more-state-backing/ B5]|title=A stronger KET would help state, director says|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051604/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426263/a-stronger-ket-would-help-state/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> This system began to take shape in 1988 under the name KET Star Channels. Schools were outfitted with satellite dishes as well as keypads designed to provide two-way communication between instructors in Lexington and students throughout the state, inspired by a football play predictor game at a Lexington sports bar;<ref name=ket-dl>{{cite news |last=Teltsch |first=Kathleen |title=To Teach Distant Pupils, Educators in Kentucky Turn On Interactive TV |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/30/education/to-teach-distant-pupils-educators-in-kentucky-turn-on-interactive-tv.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 30, 1991 |access-date=January 25, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202052615/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/30/education/to-teach-distant-pupils-educators-in-kentucky-turn-on-interactive-tv.html |url-status=live }}</ref> KET reached an agreement with the maker, [[NTN Communications]], to use its technology.<ref>{{cite news|page=AA-1|title=Carlsbad firm makes popular games for TV, but no profits|first=Elizabeth|last=Douglass|date=April 12, 1990|work=The Evening Tribune|location=San Diego, California}}</ref> Additionally, ground was broken on an expansion to the KET facility.<ref name="Lexi880924">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426434/ket-giving-futuristic-look-to-learningk/|date=September 24, 1988|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426491/ket-giving-futuristic-look-to-learning/ C12]|first=Susan|last=White|title=KET giving futuristic look to learning—Kentucky's educational network launches one-of-a-kind program|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051604/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426434/ket-giving-futuristic-look-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The first Star Channels course, on statistics and probability, was taught in January 1989 to 24 Kentucky high schools and another 41 high schools in 16 states.<ref name="Advo890112">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426536/lincoln-in-pilot-program-for-new-ket-sat/|date=January 12, 1989|page=3|title=Lincoln in pilot program for new KET satellite classes|first=Emily|last=Morse|newspaper=The Advocate-Messenger|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051604/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426536/lincoln-in-pilot-program-for-new-ket/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Lexi890116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426629/ket-finds-key-that-revamps-tv-courses/|date=January 16, 1989|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426593/ket/ B7]|first=Mary Ann|last=Roser|title=KET finds key that revamps TV courses|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211012755/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426629/ket-finds-key-that-revamps-tv-courses/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The program was then rolled out statewide in the wake of the Kentucky Supreme Court finding the state's education system unconstitutional.<ref name="Cour891129">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426824/2-way-tv-helps-small-schools-do-big-thin/|date=November 29, 1989|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426802/2-way-tv-helps-small-remote-schools/ A9]|first=Gil|last=Lawson|title=2-way TV helps small schools do big things despite isolation|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051604/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426824/2-way-tv-helps-small-schools-do-big/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Star Channels attracted international attention, including delegations from China and Kuwait.{{r|ket-dl}}

In 1990, the General Assembly established the KET Fund for Independent Productions, a grant program to support the development of independent films in Kentucky.<ref name="Cour910326">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427720/grants-to-film-makers-help-preserve-vide/|date=March 26, 1991|page=B3|agency=Associated Press|title=Grants to film makers help preserve video art in TV documentaries|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051604/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427720/grants-to-film-makers-help-preserve/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

Press announced his retirement from KET effective June 30, 1992.<ref name="Cour910423">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427803/ket-director-press-to-retire-next-year/|date=April 23, 1991|page=B3|title=KET director Press to retire next year|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211014216/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427803/ket-director-press-to-retire-next-year/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> He would be replaced by Virginia Gaines Fox of [[Campbellsville]], whom Press had hired to KET at the network's launch in 1968.<ref name="Mess910717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427868/ket-selects-new-director/|date=July 17, 1991|page=1C|title=KET selects new director|newspaper=Messenger-Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211014213/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427868/ket-selects-new-director/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> By his retirement, Press had been honored as national public television manager of the year{{r|Lexi921003}} and had also served as chair of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters and the PBS board of directors and the vice chair of the National Association of Public Television Stations.<ref name="Lexi871122">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427032/ket-director-sees-loss-of-teaching-role/|date=November 22, 1987|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427051/ket-chief-says-public-tv-losing-mission/ E2]|title=KET director sees loss of teaching role|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211015749/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114427032/ket-director-sees-loss-of-teaching-role/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> That October, KET opened a {{convert|67000|ft2|m2|adj=on}} expansion of its Lexington facility, which was dedicated as the O. Leonard Press Telecommunications Center in this honor.<ref name="Lexi921003">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114428230/new-ket-building-open-to-public-today/|date=October 3, 1992|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114428285/ket-new-building-open-to-public-today/ B6]|first=Susan|last=White|title=New KET building open to public today|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211015749/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114428230/new-ket-building-open-to-public-today/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

===Acquisition of WKPC-TV and digitalization===
{{Main|WKPC-TV}}
Since opening WKMJ-TV in 1970, KET had competed with Louisville's [[WKPC-TV]] for viewers and supporters in that market. Attempts in the 1980s to reduce the duplication of programming between WKPC and KET had been largely unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68611156/|access-date=January 26, 2021|date=December 31, 1982|title=Changing their image: Channels 15, 68 agree to end duplicate programs|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|work=Courier-Journal|page=C5|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051604/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68611156/changing-their-image-channels-15-68/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69205461/wkpc-ket-clash-wastes-hundreds-of/|title=WKPC-KET clash wastes hundreds of thousands of dollars|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69205420/wkpc-ket-clash-wastes-thousands-of-dolla/ B4]|date=April 24, 1985|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|work=Courier-Journal|accessdate=February 3, 2021|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208050850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69205461/wkpc-ket-clash-wastes-hundreds-of/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, WKPC's owner, locally based Fifteen Telecommunications, Inc., had suffered a series of financial mishaps in the 1990s.<ref name="bust">{{cite news|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68613908/channel-15s-forays-proved-costly/ A7]|title=Channel 15's grand plans went bust|first=John|last=Voskuhl|work=Courier-Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68613786/how-channel-15s-grand-plans-went-bust/|date=September 28, 1996|accessdate=February 3, 2021|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211015750/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68613786/how-channel-15s-grand-plans-went-bust/|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, in April 1996, the WKPC-TV board of directors opted to begin pursuing a merger into KET.{{r|bust}}

An agreement was reached between WKPC-TV and the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television in December 1996,<ref name="willrun">{{cite news|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68614602/ A7]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68614562/|title=KET will run PBS station in Louisville|date=December 12, 1996|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|work=Courier-Journal|access-date=January 26, 2021|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68614562/ket-will-run-pbs-station-in-louisville/|url-status=live}}</ref> by which KET acquired certain technical assets, including the land on which their shared transmission tower in [[New Albany, Indiana]], sat, and the license.<ref name="day">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68615767/|access-date=January 26, 2021|date=August 2, 1997|title=A new day for public TV|first=Virginia G.|last=Fox|work=Courier-Journal|page=A7|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68615767/a-new-day-in-public-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 1, 1997, KET's main programming moved to WKPC-TV. WKMJ-TV simultaneously suspended operations for a transmitter overhaul;<ref name="overhaul">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68614787/|access-date=January 26, 2021|date=June 11, 1997|title=Public-TV station WKPC becomes history July 1|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|work=Courier-Journal|page=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68614947/ D2]|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68614787/public-tv-station-wkpc-becomes-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> it returned a month later at increased power, carrying a new service called KET2, which was designed with the Louisville metropolitan area in mind and initially featured additional children's programs, adult education programming and local productions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68615927/|date=July 31, 1997|title=KET2, too|page=C1|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|work=Courier-Journal|access-date=January 26, 2021|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68615927/ket2-too/|url-status=live}}</ref> Outside of Louisville, KET2 was seen on cable systems statewide,{{r|day}} and it replaced the former KET Etc. channel in Lexington.<ref name="Lexi970729">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426127/ket-rechannels-part-of-lineup-cable/|date=July 29, 1997|page=Today 3|first=Heather|last=Svokos|title=KET rechannels part of lineup: Cable offspring will have younger, more urban flavor|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211015751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114426127/ket-rechannels-part-of-lineup-cable/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The state network also added to its schedule several programs that WKPC-TV had aired in the Louisville area but not KET in the rest of the state.{{r|overhaul}}

KET was the first Kentucky television station to begin digital broadcasts, with WKPC-DT in Louisville being activated on August 19, 1999, by governor [[Paul E. Patton]] as part of the opening day festivities of the [[Kentucky State Fair]].<ref name="Cour990819">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114184361/digital-tv-arrives-in-kentucky-few-noti/|date=August 19, 1999|page=E2|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|title=Digital TV arrives in Kentucky; few notice|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 6, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114184361/digital-tv-arrives-in-kentucky-few/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> This transition also placed KET among the first 10 public broadcasters to begin digital broadcasts.<ref>{{cite magazine|id={{ProQuest|203760369}}|via=ProQuest|title=Making every blade shine in the Bluegrass State|first=Douglas I.|last=Sheer|pages=45–46|magazine=Television Broadcast's DigitalTV|date=May 2002|volume=24|issue=5}}</ref> By late 2002, KET had completed digital rollout from all of its main transmitters and had begun multicasting four channels.<ref name="Cour020912">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114429365/executive-director-of-ket-to-retire/|date=September 12, 2002|page=E2|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|title=Executive director of KET to retire|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211022416/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114429365/executive-director-of-ket-to-retire/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

Gaines Fox retired at the end of 2002, having led KET through its digital television deployment and increased private support for the broadcaster. Local programming funding had tripled from 1989 to 2002, and the Kentucky independent film program ranked among the national leaders; 11,000 Kentucky high school students were enrolled in KET's distance learning classes.<ref name="Lexi021227">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114429099/ket-original-virginia-fox-signs-off-dir/|date=December 27, 2002|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114429033/ket-shes-always-way-ahead-of-us/ A10]|first=Heather|last=Svokos|title=KET original Virginia Fox signs off: Director, CEO led network into the future|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114429099/ket-original-virginia-fox-signs-off/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Fox was replaced by Malcolm "Mac" Wall, the executive director of the [[Oklahoma Educational Television Authority]].<ref name="Cour030307">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114429726/wall-of-oklahoma-to-replace-fox-at-ket/|date=March 7, 2003|page=C1|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|title=Wall of Oklahoma to replace Fox at KET|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211022417/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114429726/wall-of-oklahoma-to-replace-fox-at-ket/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Wall sought to improve engagement with Louisville by hiring a director of Louisville operations, the network's first executive based in the city, and opening an office there in addition to sharing studios with the Jefferson County school system.<ref name="Cour040126">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114429807/ket-opens-office-in-louisville-plans-mo/|date=January 26, 2004|page=B3|first=Sheldon S.|last=Shafer|title=KET opens office in Louisville, plans more local programming|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051606/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114429807/ket-opens-office-in-louisville-plans/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The network ceased analog broadcasting from all main transmitters on April 16, 2009.<ref name="Lexi090415">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114184395/ket-wkyt-go-digital-thursday-public-br/|date=April 15, 2009|page=D3|first=Scott|last=Sloan|title=KET, WKYT go digital Thursday: Public broadcast station delayed switch after ice storm hit state|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 6, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051606/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114184395/ket-wkyt-go-digital-thursday-public/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Later that year, KET opened a high-definition TV production center in Lexington.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ket.org/about/macwall.htm|title=The Digital Transition: The Malcolm (Mac) Wall Years|website=KET|publisher=Kentucky Educational Television|access-date=February 6, 2015|archive-date=June 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625033501/http://www.ket.org/about/macwall.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> However, KET was one of the harder-hit PBS members by the [[Great Recession]]; in 2008, it lost $1.8 million in funding from the state of Kentucky and cut its staff by 18 percent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://current.org/timeline-the-history-of-public-broadcasting-in-the-u-s/|work=Current|title=Timeline: The History of Public Broadcasting in the U.S.|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928161240/https://current.org/timeline-the-history-of-public-broadcasting-in-the-u-s/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Shae Hopkins leadership===
To replace Wall, KET tapped Shae Hopkins, who had been a senior executive for the network and had been a staff member since 1986; unlike with Wall, executives opted not to conduct a national search in order to save money during major state budget cuts.<ref name="Lexi091022">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430087/ket-looks-inside-for-new-leader/|date=October 22, 2009|page=C7|first=Scott|last=Sloan|title=KET looks inside for new leader|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211024646/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430087/ket-looks-inside-for-new-leader/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Lexi100118">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430232/ket-says-experience-counts-in-new-leader/|date=January 18, 2010|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430266/ket-hopkins-began-at-station-in-1986/ A2]|first=Scott|last=Sloan|title=KET says experience counts in new leader|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211024648/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430232/ket-says-experience-counts-in-new-leader/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

KET consolidated its separate Louisville offices and studios in 2011, adding the second streetside studio in American public television to its Main Street facility.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://current.org/2011/08/ket-announces-move-to-street-side-studio-facilities-in-downtown-louisville/|date=August 18, 2011|title=KET announces move to street-side studio facilities in downtown Louisville|work=Current|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211030910/https://current.org/2011/08/ket-announces-move-to-street-side-studio-facilities-in-downtown-louisville/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 29, 2014, the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] awarded KET a [[Grant (money)|grant]] worth $357,700, as part of its Public Television Digital Transition Grant program, to upgrade 20 analog [[Microwave transmission|microwave relays]] for WKSO, WKMR, WKHA and WKPI to digital, in order to provide digital television service to rural areas of Kentucky.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.current.org/2014/01/2-5-million-in-grants-will-help-rural-stations-complete-dtv-transition/#sthash.AGxBHkNM.dpuf|author-first1=Dru|author-last1=Sefton|title=$2.5 million in grants will help rural stations complete DTV transition|date=January 30, 2014|access-date=May 8, 2014|work=Current|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224043/http://www.current.org/2014/01/2-5-million-in-grants-will-help-rural-stations-complete-dtv-transition/#sthash.AGxBHkNM.dpuf|url-status=live}}</ref>

KET's distance learning offerings transitioned to online-only delivery before being discontinued in 2018 after 30 years due to state budget cuts in Kentucky. Enrollment had dwindled to 648 students; four full-time and 14 part-time employees lost their jobs as a result.<ref name="Lexi180504">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114455204/ket-distance-learning-program-cut/|date=May 4, 2018|page=A5|first=Cheryl|last=Truman|title=KET distance learning program cut|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211175415/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114455204/ket-distance-learning-program-cut/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

On September 18, 2018, the Kentucky Historical Society dedicated a historical marker at the network's studio facility in observance of the network's 50th anniversary.{{r|khs18}}

==Funding==
In fiscal year 2022–23, KET raised $32.5&nbsp;million in operating revenue, 52% of which was represented by $16.8 million in funding from the Kentucky state government. The [[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]] accounted for another 12% of revenue, with the remainder split between grants (15%) and private donations (21%).<ref name="lcsr23">{{Cite web|url=https://portal.ketcloud.ket.org/20240216105748/FY23-Annual-Impact-Report.pdf|title=Fiscal 2023 Local Content and Service Report to the Community|website=KET|access-date=February 18, 2024|archive-date=February 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218082221/https://portal.ketcloud.ket.org/20240216105748/FY23-Annual-Impact-Report.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> KET had 35,883 members in fiscal year 2021–22.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portal.ketcloud.ket.org/20230302130051/FY2022-KET-Annual-Financial-Report-AFR.pdf|title=Annual Financial Report, Fiscal Year 2022|website=KET|access-date=February 18, 2024|archive-date=April 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403082234/https://portal.ketcloud.ket.org/20230302130051/FY2022-KET-Annual-Financial-Report-AFR.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Programming==
{{Main|List of programs broadcast by Kentucky Educational Television}}
[[File:Defense.gov photo essay 080502-N-0696M-708.jpg|right|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|Bill Goodman interviews chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff [[Michael Mullen]] on KET's ''One on One'' in 2008]]

KET's local programs generally center around one of three topics: Kentucky public affairs, Kentucky history and culture, and education.

===Public affairs===
On November 15, 1974, KET debuted ''Comment on Kentucky'', a weekly public affairs program and political roundtable hosted by Al Smith, a newspaper publisher from [[Russellville, Kentucky|Russellville]].{{r|News741107}} Smith hosted the program from 1974 to 1979 and again from 1982 to 2007, taking leave from KET when he was named to co-chair the [[Appalachian Regional Commission]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2021/03/19/comment-kentucky-al-smith-host-ket-public-affairs-show-dies/4661598001/|work=The Courier Journal|first=Deborah|last=Yetter|date=March 19, 2021|access-date=December 10, 2022|title=Al Smith, journalist and founding host of KET's 'Comment on Kentucky' dies at 94|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051556/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2021/03/19/comment-kentucky-al-smith-host-ket-public-affairs-show-dies/4661598001/|url-status=live}}</ref> By the time of his retirement, Smith was the longest-tenured host of a public affairs program on public television. The program was credited with bringing the state together, utilizing KET's statewide reach to discuss Kentucky issues.<ref name="Cour071116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430037/al-smith-era-ends-comment-on/|date=November 16, 2007|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430006/smith-era-ends-as-host-leaves/ E6]|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|title=Al Smith era ends: 'Comment on Kentucky' pulled state together|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211163424/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430037/al-smith-era-ends-comment-on/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> After Smith's retirement, Ferrell Wellman hosted ''Comment on Kentucky'' until 2013;<ref name="Lexi130622">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430913/wellman-steps-down-as-host-of-kets/|date=June 22, 2013|page=A5|title=Wellman steps down as host of KET's 'Comment on Kentucky'|first=Jack|last=Brammer|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211163423/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430913/wellman-steps-down-as-host-of-kets/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> he was replaced, first on an interim and then on a permanent basis, by Bill Bryant, news anchor for Lexington commercial station [[WKYT-TV]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 20, 2015 |title=Bill Bryant named permanent 'Comment on Kentucky' host |language=en |work=[[WLKY]] |url=https://www.wlky.com/article/bill-bryant-named-permanent-comment-on-kentucky-host/3756752 |access-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211163423/https://www.wlky.com/article/bill-bryant-named-permanent-comment-on-kentucky-host/3756752 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Comment on Kentucky'' was joined in 1994 by ''Kentucky Tonight'', which originally was a nightly statewide newscast before being retooled into an interview program.<ref name="Lexi940604">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114452033/ket-throws-its-hat-into-daily-news-ring/|date=June 4, 1994|page=Today 3, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114452062/ket-news-show-to-make-debut-on-monday/ 6]|first=Tom|last=Carter|title=KET throws its hat into daily news ring|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211165529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114452033/ket-throws-its-hat-into-daily-news-ring/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Lexi940903">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114452129/louisville-local-djs-make-bet-on-game/|date=September 3, 1994|page=Today 3, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114452098/on-the-air-gladiator-to-be-in-town/ 15]|first=Nancy|last=Crane|title=Louisville, local DJs make bet on game|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211165528/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114452129/louisville-local-djs-make-bet-on-game/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> In addition to ''Kentucky Tonight'', KET public affairs director Renee Shaw hosts ''Connections'', a community affairs and interview program that began production in 2005,<ref name="Lexi050901">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114452581/new-show-on-ket-sticks-close-to-the-comm/|date=September 1, 2005|page=D2|first1=Jamie|last1=Gumbrecht|first2=Rich|last2=Copley|title=New show on KET sticks close to the community|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051606/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114452581/new-show-on-ket-sticks-close-to-the/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> and ''Kentucky Edition'', a new nightly news program that premiered in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Jennifer P. |date=June 1, 2022 |title=KET is launching a nightly news program with host Renee Shaw |language=en-US |work=Hoptown Chronicle |url=https://hoptownchronicle.org/ket-launching-kentucky-edition-with-host-renee-shaw/ |access-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211163423/https://hoptownchronicle.org/ket-launching-kentucky-edition-with-host-renee-shaw/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

KET also organizes political debates. Its first gubernatorial debate took place in 1975 and was moderated by Smith.<ref name="Park751013">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114436207/sunday-on-ket-gubernatorial-debate-is-s/|date=October 13, 1975|page=10|first=Sy|last=Ramsey|agency=Associated Press|title=Sunday on KET: Gubernatorial debate is set|newspaper=The Park City Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051606/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114436207/sunday-on-ket-gubernatorial-debate-is/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref name="Lexi870912">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114450653/gubernatorial-hopefuls-agree-to-debate-t/|date=September 12, 1987|page=B1|first=Jack|last=Brammer|title=Gubernatorial hopefuls agree to debate twice|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051607/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114450653/gubernatorial-hopefuls-agree-to-debate/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> In each gubernatorial election year from 1979 through 1995, KET organized and broadcast two gubernatorial debates; in [[1999 Kentucky gubernatorial election|1999]], incumbent governor Paul E. Patton faced weak opposition, and no debate was organized.<ref name="Cour030724">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114450732/fletcher-eyes-single-statewide-tv-debate/|date=July 24, 2003|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114450778/fletcher-eyes-one-statewide-tv-debate/ B3]|first=Al|last=Cross|title=Fletcher eyes single statewide TV debate|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211163422/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114450732/fletcher-eyes-single-statewide-tv-debate/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

===History and culture===
In 1985, KET began airing ''[[Kentucky Afield]]'', an outdoors show produced by the [[Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources]]. The program had been on the air for more than 30 years and was previously syndicated for air by local commercial stations around the commonwealth.<ref name="Mess850719">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114451826/kentucky-afield-now-on-ket/|date=July 19, 1985|page=5|title='Kentucky Afield' now on KET|newspaper=The Messenger|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211165528/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114451826/kentucky-afield-now-on-ket/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

1995 saw the debut of ''[[Kentucky Life]]'', a feature magazine originally hosted by Byron Crawford of ''The Courier-Journal'' and later by Dave Shuffett from 1999 to 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.kentucky.com/2014/10/06/3466611_kets-dave-shuffett-retiring-but.html?rh=1|title = KET's Dave Shuffett retiring, but 'Kentucky Life' to continue|last = Truman|first = Cheryl|date = October 6, 2014|access-date = February 5, 2015|newspaper = [[Lexington Herald-Leader]]|archive-date = February 5, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150205172256/http://www.kentucky.com/2014/10/06/3466611_kets-dave-shuffett-retiring-but.html?rh=1|url-status = live}}</ref> From 2015 to 2022, former baseball player [[Doug Flynn]] was host;<ref name="Lexi150828">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430974/baseballs-flynn-to-host-kets-kentucky/|date=August 28, 2015|page=A8|title=Baseball's Flynn to host KET's 'Kentucky Life'|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051607/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114430974/baseballs-flynn-to-host-kets/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> he was replaced by Chip Polston, a frequent on-air volunteer during KET's pledge drives, starting with season 28 in January 2023.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ket.org/pressroom/release/kentucky-life-welcomes-new-host-chip-polston-ahead-of-new-season/|title=Kentucky Life welcomes new host Chip Polston ahead of new season|date=October 17, 2022|work=KET|access-date=October 18, 2022|language=en-US|archive-date=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018170235/https://www.ket.org/pressroom/release/kentucky-life-welcomes-new-host-chip-polston-ahead-of-new-season/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other KET productions over the years have covered diverse aspects of Kentucky culture. In 2020, KET debuted ''The Farmer and the Foodie'', an educational food show with hosts traveling the state.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/food/2022/04/25/kets-the-farmer-and-foodie-returns-season-2/7386725001/|work=The Courier Journal|first=Dahlia|last=Ghabour|title=KET's 'The Farmer and the Foodie' returns to showcase the best of life, food in Kentucky|date=April 25, 2022|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110051557/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/food/2022/04/25/kets-the-farmer-and-foodie-returns-season-2/7386725001/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Education===
While most of KET's educational content is now delivered outside of television, its production continues at KET. The network was one of the first PBS LearningMedia partners when the service was created in its present form in 2011;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://current.org/2011/05/pbs-digital-learning-library-graduates-into-larger-learningmedia/|work=Current|date=May 18, 2011|title=PBS Digital Learning Library graduates into larger LearningMedia|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213183430/https://current.org/2011/05/pbs-digital-learning-library-graduates-into-larger-learningmedia/|url-status=live}}</ref> KET content on PBS LearningMedia generated 3.5 million views, more than half outside of Kentucky, in KET's 2020–21 fiscal year. KET also continues to offer GED education services under the brand FastForward.<ref name="lcsr21">{{Cite web|url=https://portal.ketcloud.ket.org/20220217170718/2020-2021-FY21-Annual-Report.pdf|title=Fiscal 2021 Local Content and Service Report to the Community|website=KET|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211174840/https://portal.ketcloud.ket.org/20220217170718/2020-2021-FY21-Annual-Report.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1987, the KET Enterprises unit began syndicating ''[[Learn to Read]]'', an adult literacy program produced by commercial station [[WXYZ-TV]] in [[Detroit]] for people with a fourth-grade education or less, to public television stations.<ref name="Mess870705">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114440286/ket-uses-tv-to-help-adults-earn-high/|date=July 5, 1987|page=3C|first=Mike|last=Embry|agency=Associated Press|title=KET uses TV to help adults earn high school diplomas|newspaper=Messenger-Inquirer|location=Owensboro, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211180656/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114440286/ket-uses-tv-to-help-adults-earn-high/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

==Stations==
KET broadcasts from 16 main transmitters and three low-powered translators on the [[ultra high frequency]] (UHF) band. In the Louisville area, KET has two transmitters: [[WKPC-TV]] (channel 15) and [[WKMJ-TV]] (channel 68), a legacy of when WKPC-TV was a separate station before being bought by KET in 1997. The latter converted to [[ATSC 3.0]] (NextGen TV) operation on September 19, 2022. WCVN-TV in Covington began ATSC 3.0 broadcasts on June 5, 2023, as part of a partnership with [[Public Media Connect]], the public broadcaster serving the Cincinnati area; KET provides transmission capacity in 3.0 format for [[WCET (TV)|WCET]] and [[WPTO]] (as well as datacasting capabilities for both organizations) and vice versa in 1.0 format, with fiber delivering signals between Lexington and [[Dayton, Ohio]]. This was the first partnership between separately owned public broadcasters.<ref name="Curr230417">{{Cite news|url=https://current.org/2023/04/cross-border-partnership-brings-nextgen-tv-to-cincinnati-northern-kentucky-market/|date=April 17, 2023|first=Scott|last=Fybush|title=Cross-border partnership brings NextGen TV to Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky market|work=Current|access-date=June 6, 2023|archive-date=June 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606065554/https://current.org/2023/04/cross-border-partnership-brings-nextgen-tv-to-cincinnati-northern-kentucky-market/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{geoGroup}}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|+ Kentucky Educational Television transmitters
! scope = "col" | Station
! scope = "col" | [[City of license]]
! scope = "col" | {{ubl|Channel|[[Virtual channel|TV]] ([[Digital terrestrial television|RF]])}}
! scope = "col" | [[Facility ID]]
! scope = "col" | [[effective radiated power|ERP]]
! scope = "col" | [[HAAT]]
! scope = "col" | Transmitter coordinates
! scope = "col" | First air date
! scope = "col" class=unsortable| Public license information
|- style="background-color: #bdbdff"
! scope = "row" | WCVN-TV
| [[Covington, Kentucky|Covington]]
| 54 (22)
| 34204
| 39.9&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|132|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|39|1|51|N|84|30|23|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WCVN-TV}}
| {{dts|1969|9|8}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WCVN-TV|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34204|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKAS
| [[Ashland, Kentucky|Ashland]]
| 25 (36)
| 34171
| 63.2 [[kW]]
| {{convert|156|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|38|27|44|N|82|37|12|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKAS}}
| {{dts|1968|9|23}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKAS|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34171|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKGB-TV
| [[Bowling Green, Kentucky|Bowling Green]]
| 53 (29)
| 34177
| 32.4&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|248.3|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|37|5|23|N|86|38|5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKGB-TV}}
| {{dts|1968|9|23}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKGB-TV|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34177|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKHA
| [[Hazard, Kentucky|Hazard]]
| 35 (33)
| 34196
| 55.9&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|384.8|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|37|11|35|N|83|11|17|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKHA}}
| {{dts|1968}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKHA|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34196|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKLE
| [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]
| 46 (35)
| 34207
| 35.8&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|268|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|37|52|45|N|84|19|33|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKLE}}
| {{dts|1968|9|23}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKLE|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34207|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKMA-TV
| [[Madisonville, Kentucky|Madisonville]]
| 35 (31)
| 34212
| 36.7&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|316|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|37|11|21|N|87|30|49|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKMA-TV}}
| {{dts|1968|9|23}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKMA-TV|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34212|3=LMS}}}}
|- style="background-color: #bdbdff"
! scope = "row" | [[WKMJ-TV]]
| Louisville
| 68 (34)
| 34195
| 40&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|257|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|38|22|1|N|85|49|54|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKMJ-TV}}
| {{dts|1970|9|2}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKMJ|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34195|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKMR
| [[Morehead, Kentucky|Morehead]]
| 38 (30)
| 34202
| 60.5&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|297.2|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|38|10|38|N|83|24|17|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKMR}}
| {{dts|1968|9|23}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKMR|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34202|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKMU
| [[Murray, Kentucky|Murray]]
| 21 (17)
| 34174
| 32.7&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|199.8|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|36|41|34|N|88|32|11|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKMU}}
| {{dts|1968|10|7}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKMU|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34174|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKOH
| [[Owensboro]]
| 31 (17)
| 34205
| 37.3&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|142|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|37|51|7|N|87|19|44|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKOH}}
| {{dts|1980|2|14}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKOH|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34205|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKON
| [[Owenton, Kentucky|Owenton]]
| 52 (24)
| 34211
| 28.7&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|231|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|38|31|32|N|84|48|39|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKON}}
| {{dts|1968|9|23}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKON|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34211|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | [[WKPC-TV]]
| [[Louisville]]
| 15 (30)
| 21432
| 58&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|266.1|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|38|22|1|N|85|49|54|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKPC-TV}}
| {{dts|1958|9|8}}{{efn-la|As a separate non-commercial educational station. WKPC-TV joined KET on July 1, 1997.}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKPC-TV|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|21432|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | [[WKPD]]
| [[Paducah]]
| 29 (23)
| 65758
| 90&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|159|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|37|5|40|N|88|40|20|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKPD}}
| {{dts|1971|5|31}}{{efn-la|As commercial independent station WDXR-TV, which operated until October 22, 1975. The license was sold to KET and the facility rebuilt and returned to service as WKPD on September 9, 1979.{{r|Padu790910}}}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKPD|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|65758|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKPI-TV
| [[Pikeville, Kentucky|Pikeville]]
| 22 (23)
| 34200
| 45.1&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|427.7|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|37|17|6|N|82|31|28|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKPI-TV}}
| {{dts|1968}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKPI-TV|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34200|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKSO-TV
| [[Somerset, Kentucky|Somerset]]
| 29 (17)
| 34222
| 49.1&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|452|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|37|10|3|N|84|49|30|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKSO-TV}}
| {{dts|1968|9|23}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKSO-TV|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34222|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | WKZT-TV
| [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky|Elizabethtown]]
| 23 (23)
| 34181
| 33.7&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|192.8|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|37|40|55|N|85|50|31|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WKZT-TV}}
| {{dts|1968|9|23}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|WKZT-TV|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|34181|3=LMS}}}}
|}

{{notelist-la}}

=== Translators ===
KET also operates three translator stations:<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2021|title=List of TV Translator Input Channels|url=https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195336/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|archive-date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+ KET translators
! scope="col" | City of license
! scope = "col" | Call sign
! scope = "col" | Channel
! scope = "col" | [[Facility ID]]
! scope = "col" | [[effective radiated power|ERP]]
! scope = "col" | [[HAAT]]
! scope = "col" | Transmitter coordinates
! First air date
! Translating
|-
| [[Augusta, Kentucky|Augusta]]
! {{FCC-LMS-Facility|167571|3=W16EB-D}}
| 16
| 167571
| 0.8 [[kW]]
| {{convert|-18.2|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|38|46|4.2|N|84|0|34.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=W16EB-D}}
| {{dts|2007|10|11}}
| WKMR
|-
| [[Falmouth, Kentucky|Falmouth]]
! {{FCC-LMS-Facility|167570|3=W23DM-D}}
| 23
| 167570
| 0.8&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|26.7|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|38|40|9.2|N|84|19|34.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=W23DM-D}}
| {{dts|2007|1|12}}
| WKON
|-
| [[Louisa, Kentucky|Louisa]]
! {{FCC-LMS-Facility|167569|3=W32FD-D}}
| 32
| 167569
| 0.12&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|21.8|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|38|6|36.3|N|82|36|34.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=W32FD-D}}
| {{dts|2007|1|12}}
| WKAS
|}

KET previously had translators in other communities throughout the state. The original network design included translators at Hopkinsville and Owensboro.<ref name="Cour680922">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-kentuckys-new-etv-n/114308285/|date=September 22, 1968|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-kentuckys-etv-netwo/114308339/ E3]|first=Bill|last=Ladd|title=Kentucky's New ETV Network: Fifteen-year dream comes true Monday as transmission begins|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 17, 2024|archive-date=February 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217031327/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-kentuckys-new-etv-n/114308285/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Another four were added by 1973, including [[Barbourville, Kentucky|Barbourville]], Cowan Creek, [[Pineville, Kentucky|Pineville]], and [[Whitesburg, Kentucky|Whitesburg]].<ref name="Cour730304">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-ket-adds-sixth-low-p/141193952/|date=March 4, 1973|page=136|title=KET adds sixth low-power unit to reach Louisa|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 17, 2024|archive-date=February 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217031326/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-ket-adds-sixth-low-p/141193952/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The Owensboro translator was taken out of service in 1974 when its location, the Daviess County Vocational School, was demolished; no good local KET signal was available there until WKOH-TV was built in 1979.{{r|Mess791026}}

=== Network map ===
{{Location map+ |USA Kentucky |float=none |width=600 |caption=Map of all of KET's satellites in Kentucky |places=
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky |lat=38.250000  |long=-85.766667 |label='''[[Louisville, Kentucky|<span style="color:black;">Louisville</span>]]'''|mark=Location dot black.svg|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky |lat=38.029722  |long=-84.494722 |label='''[[Lexington, Kentucky|<span style="color:black;">Lexington</span>]]'''|mark=Location dot black.svg|position=}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky |lat=39.100000  |long=-84.516667
|label='''[[Cincinnati|<span style="color:black;">Cincinnati</span>]]'''|mark=Location dot black.svg|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky |lat=38.420833  |long=-82.423611
|label='''[[Huntington, West Virginia|<span style="color:black;">Huntington</span>]]'''|mark=Location dot black.svg|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky |lat=36.166667  |long=-86.783333
|label='''[[Nashville, Tennessee|<span style="color:black;">Nashville</span>]]'''|mark=Location dot black.svg|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky |lat=37.977222  |long=-87.550556
|label='''[[Evansville, Indiana|<span style="color:black;">Evansville</span>]]'''|mark=Location dot black.svg|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky |lat=36.981667  |long=-86.444444
|label='''[[Bowling Green, Kentucky|<span style="color:black;">Bowling Green</span>]]'''|mark=Location dot black.svg|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky |lat=35.972778  |long=-83.942222
|label='''[[Knoxville, Tennessee|<span style="color:black;">Knoxville</span>]]'''|mark=Location dot black.svg|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky |lat=37.309167  |long=-89.546389 
|label='''[[Cape Girardeau, Missouri|<span style="color:black;">Cape Girardeau</span>]]'''|mark=Location dot black.svg|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot light blue, blue ring.png |lat=38.76783333  |long= -84.00963889|label={{small|W16EB-D}}|position=right|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot light blue, blue ring.png |lat= 38.66922222 |long= -84.32630556|label={{small|W23DM-D}}|position=bottom|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot light blue, blue ring.png |lat= 38.11008333 |long= -82.60958333|label={{small|W32FD-D}}|position=bottom|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|39|1|51|N|84|30|23|W}}|label=WCVN|position=below|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|38|27|44|N|82|37|12|W}}|label=WKAS|position=top|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|37|5|23|N|86|38|5|W}}|label=WKGB|position=top|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|37|11|35|N|83|11|17|W}}|label=WKHA|position=left|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|37|52|45|N|84|19|33|W}}|label=WKLE|position=below|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|37|11|21|N|87|30|49|W}}|label=WKMA|position=top|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|38|10|38|N|83|24|17|W}}|label=WKMR|position=top|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|36|41|34|N|88|32|11|W}}|label=WKMU|position=left|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|37|51|7|N|87|19|44|W}}|label=WKOH|position=bottom|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|38|31|32|N|84|48|39|W}}|label=WKON|position=top|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|38|22|1|N|85|49|54|W}}|label=[[WKPC-TV]], [[WKMJ-TV]]|position=left|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|37|5|40|N|88|40|20|W}}|label=[[WKPD]]|position=bottom|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|37|17|6|N|82|31|28|W}}|label=WKPI|position=right|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|37|10|3|N|84|49|30|W}}|label=WKSO|position=top|background=#fff}}
{{Location map~ |USA Kentucky|mark=Location dot blue.svg|coordinates={{coord|37|40|55|N|85|50|31|W}}|label=WKZT|position=left|background=#fff}}
|}
}}

==Subchannels==
KET's transmitters broadcast four subchannels in most areas:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ket.org/tv-channels/|website=KET|title=TV Channels|access-date=December 5, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206055955/https://www.ket.org/tv-channels/|url-status=live}}</ref>

* The main KET channel;
* KET2, a secondary service created in 1997 in the wake of the Louisville merger, with an emphasis on how-to and travel programs and replays of PBS programs;
* The [[Kentucky Channel]] (KET KY), established in 2008,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.ket.org/about/overview.htm|title = Today's KET|date = 2014|access-date = February 6, 2015|website = KET|publisher = Kentucky Educational Television|archive-date = February 15, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150215170133/http://www.ket.org/about/overview.htm|url-status = live}}</ref> which covers the [[Kentucky General Assembly]] and broadcasts programs about Kentucky topics and independently produced programs;
* and KET [[PBS Kids]], which was introduced in 2017.<ref name=lexapr17>{{cite news |last=Horsley |first=McKenna |title=KET announces 24-hour channel dedicated to children's programming |url=http://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article142853509.html |newspaper=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]] |date=April 5, 2017 |access-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406173011/http://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article142853509.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ATSC 3.0 transmitters at Louisville and Covington also make available the [[World Channel]] as subchannel 5.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ KET multiplex<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKAS#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKAS|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224806/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKAS#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKGB#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKGB|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017042941/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKGB#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKHA#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKHA|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017082123/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKHA#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKLE#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKLE|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508222800/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKLE#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKMA#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKMA|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017043004/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKMA#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKMR#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKMR|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224253/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKMR#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKMU#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKMU|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017083656/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKMU#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKOH#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKOH|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017083608/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKOH#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKON#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKON|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326190259/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKON#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKPC#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKPC|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=October 20, 2016|archive-date=October 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021004624/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKPC#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKPD#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKPD|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224504/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKPD#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKPI#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKPI|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224607/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKPI#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKSO#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKSO|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017082145/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKSO#station|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKZT#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKZT|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224848/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKZT#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | xx.1 
| rowspan="2" |[[720p]]|| rowspan="4" |[[16:9]]|| KET || Main KET programming / PBS
|-
! scope = "row" | xx.2{{efn-ua|In Louisville, 68.1 instead of 15.2}}
| KET2 || KET2
|-
! scope = "row" | xx.3 
| rowspan="2" |[[480i]]|| KETKY || Kentucky Channel
|-
! scope = "row" | xx.4 
| KETKIDS ||[[PBS Kids]]
|}

{{notelist-ua}}

In northern Kentucky, WCET broadcasts subchannels 54.1 and 54.3 of WCVN-TV in ATSC 1.0 format, while WPTO broadcasts subchannels 54.2 and 54.4.{{r|Curr230417}}
{{#section:WKMJ-TV|wkmjtable}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of WCVN-TV{{r|Curr230417}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCVN#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WCVN|website=RabbitEars.info|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224724/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCVN#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Short name
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.1 
|rowspan="5"|[[720p]]|| rowspan="5" |[[16:9]]||  || KET
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.2
|  || KET2
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.5 
| <!-- rowspan="1" |[[480i]]-->  || [[World Channel|World]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 14.1
|  || [[WPTO]] 14.1
|-
! scope = "row" | 48.1
|  || [[WCET (TV)|WCET]] 48.1
|}

From 2007 to 2010, KET broadcast KET ED, the Education Channel, which provided professional development and instructional programming.<ref name="KET1117">{{cite web|url=http://www.ket.org/about/ontheair.htm|title=TV Channels|publisher=Kentucky Educational Television|access-date=November 17, 2009|archive-date=October 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023224145/http://www.ket.org:80/about/ontheair.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Until 2008, dedicated KET5 and KET6 subchannels carried live coverage of the [[Kentucky House of Representatives]] and [[Kentucky Senate|Senate]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ket.org/watch/stations_ket5.htm |title=KET Channels-KET5 |publisher=Kentucky Educational Television |access-date=January 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928065058/http://www.ket.org/watch/stations_ket5.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2006 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ket.org/watch/stations_ket6.htm |title=KET Channels-KET6 |publisher=Kentucky Educational Television |access-date=January 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928065058/http://www.ket.org/watch/stations_ket6.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2006 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}

===Books===
* {{cite book|last=Press|first=O. Leonard|year=2008|title=The KET Story: A Personal Account|publisher=The Clark Group|location=Lexington, Kentucky|isbn=978-1-883589-89-9}}
* {{Cite book|last=Nash|first=Francis M.|date=1995|title=Towers Over Kentucky: A History of Radio and TV in the Bluegrass State|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Towers-Over-Kentucky-Nash-1995.pdf|publisher=Host Communications, Inc.|access-date=December 10, 2022|archive-date=April 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427222252/https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Towers-Over-Kentucky-Nash-1995.pdf|url-status=live|isbn=978-1-879688-93-3}}
{{Refend}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|United States|Television}}
*{{Official website|www.ket.org}}

{{Navboxes
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{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kentucky Educational Television| ]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Education in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Educational and instructional television channels]]
[[Category:Legislature broadcasters in the United States]]
[[Category:PBS member networks]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1968]]
[[Category:Television stations in Kentucky]]