AETN digital subchannels to be off air temporarily in early November

Posted on 13 Nov 2012

CONWAY, Ark. (AETN) — The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) announced today that AETN Create (AETN-2), AETN Plus/World (AETN-3) and the Arkansas Information Reading Service for the Blind (AIRS, AETN-4) audio channel will be temporarily unavailable beginning the week of Nov. 5. AETN is working quickly to assure that any broadcast interruptions are minimal. The station must interrupt broadcasts to relocate equipment used to send programming signals from the network headquarters in Conway to transmitters around the state.

The exact timing of this interruption depends upon tower rigging crew scheduling and weather, and the outage is expected to last only a few days. AETN-1 (AETN-PBS) will remain on air, but all programming will temporarily be broadcast in standard definition rather than high definition.

“We’re working to keep our primary channel, AETN-1, on air and available statewide,” AETN Executive Director Allen Weatherly said. “Unfortunately, our digital subchannels must be off air for a few days while we move the equipment from our current host site to a new, permanent site and reestablish broadcast service.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this outage may cause and plan to have AETN Create, AETN Plus/World and AIRS back on air as soon as possible.”

All AETN programming should return to normal by the Thanksgiving holiday at the latest, though the transition likely will require only one to two weeks. Subscribers to Conway Corporation Cable in Conway will not be affected by this outage.
Status updates for this project will be posted at aetn.org.

The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansas's statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit www.aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at www.aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).