The Arkansas Educational Television Network reported today that a rigging contractor has been selected for the installation of the KETS emergency antenna and the process is underway to finalize a contract in accordance with Arkansas state law.

The rigging contractor has 10 days from the bid opening date to meet all regulations in order to be granted a contract.

"Work will be scheduled as soon as the contract is in place," AETN Executive Director Allen Weatherly said. "Right now, we have not established a timeframe for the actual installation.

"Crews are getting extremely busy now, but the rigging contractor will do everything they can to slip us in between large projects once they have a contract in hand."

The antenna will be installed on the KASN tower at approximately 1,000 feet. After it’s installed, KETS will be able to resume broadcasting on analog channel 2 until Feb. 17, 2009, when analog broadcasting will be replaced by 100 percent digital broadcasting. Additional information on the digital transition can be found at www.aetn.org.

Weatherly notes that the analog KETS will be operating on an emergency, lower power configuration to reach as many viewers as possible until the digital conversion. The reach of the new transmitter has not yet been determined, which leaves the potential for some viewers to be without access to AETN. However, anyone who watches over the air would still be able to watch AETN’s digital broadcasts on a digital television. Viewers in Southeast Arkansas are encouraged to tune into KETZ DT 12.

"We appreciate the patience of our viewers," Weatherly said. "This was quite unexpected, and we apologize to our audience and supporters who are currently unable to watch."

AETN lost its KETS analog transmitter when the KATV 7 tower in Redfield collapsed on Jan. 11 while undergoing maintenance procedures to replace several sets of large guy wires. The transmitter was the first in the AETN system, having been placed in 1966, and still served the network’s largest audience. AETN’s KETS digital service was not affected because its transmitter is housed at Clear Channel Communications.

Little Rock and Conway cable customers and subscribers to Dish Network and Direct TV satellite services did not lose AETN programming because those providers were already using the KETS digital signal in anticipation of the February 2009 analog shutoff. Other cable companies are encouraged to switch to the AETN digital feed as soon as possible.

The Arkansas Educational Television Network (www.aetn.org) provides lifelong learning opportunities, improves and enhances Arkansans’ lives and celebrates the unique culture of Arkansas through its programming and services. AETN’s digital and analog transmitters and numerous cable system connections give it statewide reach.

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