TUCSON, Ariz. (June 23, 2009) – Public television viewers in the Eastern Arizona communities of Duncan and Safford who are ready for digital television will get an upgrade in broadcast channel selection when their analog television programming ceases July 9.

PBS-HD will be available in digital broadcast on channel 6-1 along with “V-me,” the public television channel in Spanish, on 6-2, and the “Create” channel for quality cooking, gardening, home improvement and travel enthusiasts on 6-3. Digital television program service with the two additional channels from Arizona Public Media begins July 9.

Viewers in the Duncan/Safford area using a set-top or rooftop antenna to watch Channel 20 will need a digital-ready TV or a digital converter box to continue receiving PBS on 6-1 on July 9. Viewers watching KUAT Channel 6 via cable provider or satellite television are not affected. Arizona Public Media encourages viewers to use digital converter boxes designed with the ability to receive signals in both analog and digital, connected to a UHF/VHF outdoor antenna. The antenna should point toward Guthrie Peak, east of Safford.

Broadcast TV viewers who have questions about the digital switch can call Arizona Public Media toll-free at 1-800-521-5828, or they can call the national DTV helpline at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). Additional information is also available from the Arizona Public Media Digital TV Preparation Page at www.AZPM.org

Arizona Public Media® is a member-supported non-profit media organization of The University of Arizona, this year celebrating 50 years of public broadcasting service to Southern Arizona. Arizona Public Media (AZPM) station KUAT Channel 6 offers Channel 6-1 PBS-HD; 6-2 V-me (en español); 6-3 Create; and KUAS Channel 27 offers Channel 27-1 PBS-HD; 27-2 PBS Kids; 27-3 PBS World; the UA Channel (Cox 116/Comcast 76), classical music station KUAT-FM 90.5/89.7; NPR affiliate KUAZ 1550AM/89.1 FM; and the Ahora channel (en español) on KUAZ-HD2. AZPM also produces award-winning original local programming from its digital studios on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. More information on programming and community events can be found at www.AZpublicmedia.org

Arizona Public Media is a registered trademark of the Arizona Board of Regents.