Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > AETN will become Arkansas PBS Feb. 28
Posted 14 Feb 2020
Building on a rich 50-year history as AETN, the statewide public media network is changing its name with a renewed commitment to put Arkansas and Arkansas stories first. Executive Director and CEO Courtney Pledger announced today that beginning Feb. 28, AETN will become Arkansas PBS.
"We hope our new name encompasses everything you've come to love about your statewide public media station while allowing audiences to more easily identify and connect with us on all the platforms where our content can be found," Pledger said. "We will continue to be a daily and essential source of education, community connection and entertainment for Arkansans of all ages.
"We look forward to illuminating the people, places and stories Arkansans are eager to experience through fresh, local content from The Natural State and the PBS programs you've trusted for decades."
The Arkansas network has been a PBS member station since the service was created in 1970 and audiences are familiar with seeing the PBS logo alongside AETN's. Now they can expect to see a refreshed look that aligns with PBS's update to its national brand, which was announced in the fall, with the goal of providing a consistent viewer experience. Arkansas PBS will feature a redesigned logo, a bold color palette and a modern, custom typeface designed to better speak to Arkansans across platforms, from televisions to mobile devices.
"For more than 50 years AETN has been a place for every Arkansan," Arkansas Educational Telecommunications Commission Chair Skip Holland said. "We hope you will come with us as we continue to grow, evolve and respond to your interest about the great state of Arkansas and the world."
The new name will be adopted across all of the network's channels – AR PBS Create, AR PBS KIDS and AR PBS WORLD – and digital platforms like Arkansas PBS Passport and Arkansas PBS LearningMedia.
Pledger also assures viewers that while AETN will be changing its name to Arkansas PBS, they will still find their favorite programs wherever they have become accustomed to watching them.
"Our commitment remains to Arkansans in Arkansas," Pledger said. "That will never change."
In conjunction with the name change, the AETN Foundation will become Arkansas PBS Foundation.
Arkansas PBS is Arkansas's only statewide public media network, which enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. Arkansas PBS delivers daily, essential, local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through multiple digital platforms, including on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. Arkansas PBS depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at myarkansaspbs.orgg. Arkansas PBS is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).