As we look back on the accomplishments of the past year, we are struck by how much your support has contributed to the successes, both great and small, that we share. Together, we continue to adapt to circumstances that just a few years ago were unimaginable. Through it all, we continue to be grateful for your constant support and encouragement.
Last year’s accomplishments demonstrate Arizona Public Media’s (AZPM) focus on connecting the Southern Arizona community to global events through a local perspective and serving the community with distinctive television, radio, and online content, activities, and resources.
Even as Arizona schools began to reopen, Arizona At-Home Learning continued to provide K-12 digital resources and educational television programs aligned with state curriculum standards to students, teachers, and parents. AZPM’s popular Library Night Out partnership with the Pima County Public Library became Library Night In as it was adapted to a virtual format. Likewise, Global Arts Showcase, which celebrates the diverse communities, cultures, and people that make Southern Arizona special, migrated to a virtual format. Attendance at these virtual events seemed to indicate the community is hungry for connection and engagement. If anything, the virtual versions of these events were even better attended than the live events of this kind in the past. It is humbling to realize that AZPM was a consistent and reassuring source of human interaction as in-person contact became impossible for many of our neighbors during the pandemic.
Viewers and listeners relied on AZPM’s television, radio, and online news programs for information on local and national elections, public affairs, world news, and issues that affect Southern Arizona. Their confidence in AZPM’s coverage was confirmed by ratings, community acclaim, and industry peers. AZPM’s PBS 6 was the top-rated public television station for cumulative (per capita) audience among the nation’s 56 largest television markets in 2020. NPR 89.1 achieved #1 overall ranking in radio in the Tucson Metro area in both Nielsen’s 2020 summer survey and its 2020 Continuous Diary Market trend report for September and October, and was voted the best radio station for news by readers of the Tucson Weekly for the 10th year in a row. AZPM staff earned eight individual Emmy® awards in 2020 and nearly doubled that in the fall of 2021, with an additional 15 Emmy® awards, more than any other station in Tucson and, in 2021, more than any other public media organization in the four-state region. In addition, AZPM was recognized with six regional Edward R. Murrow awards for journalistic excellence in 2020.
Arizona Public Media is generously provided as a community service of the University of Arizona. Your continued support makes it possible for AZPM to share the rich heritage and unique cultures of Southern Arizona throughout the region and, digitally, with audiences around the globe. We are humbled by and grateful for your continued investment in Arizona Public Media.
Thank you for your support!
AZPM’s television programming remains a source of entertainment and independent information. Viewers especially relied on AZPM for extensive political reporting during the election season. The PBS NewsHour provided coverage of both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions and live coverage all day on election day. In November, AZPM partnered with Arizona PBS (KAET) and the Arizona Republic to produce the only live, televised state-wide Senatorial Debate. Your Vote 2020 - Arizona U.S. Senate Debate: Martha McSally vs Mark Kelly was the most viewed program of 2020 on PBS 6.1
PBS 6 offers fan favorites like PBS NewsHour, Finding Your Roots, NOVA, and MASTERPIECE. Arizona 360 delivers weekly news and current events while Arizona Illustrated brings art and culture home for Southern Arizona.
PBS 6 children’s programming, airing weekday mornings, makes learning fun.
PBS 6 PLUS provides an alternative schedule to what’s on PBS 6. With an emphasis on how-to programming, viewers can cook, garden, or armchair travel the world. Current affairs, news, music, the arts, drama, and a dose of exercise round out PBS 6 PLUS schedules.
PBS KIDS programs make a positive impact through curriculum-based entertainment with affirmative role models and content designed to nurture a child’s total well-being. Education-based programming like Molly of Denali, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and Wild Kratts is available 24/7.
Anyone with an internet connection can easily access programming and information via AZPM’s growing lineup of digital services. Visitors to azpm.org can stream live TV and radio programs, search schedules, find out about events, access educational materials, and get the latest news updates from AZPM’s digital newsroom. AZPM’s original offerings can also be found across social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, often with special behind-the-scenes extras.
AZPM PASSPORT USAGE UP 743% FROM 2018AZPM Passport offers eligible members extended access to thousands of titles on any smart TV or streaming device. Exclusive content is available on demand, allowing members to binge-watch their favorite programs, explore new titles, catch up on news, or take a front-row seat at arts and cultural performances. AZPM Passport usage grew 85% over 12 months and has increased 743% since 2018.
Free streaming of current PBS titles via the PBS Video app is available for a limited time following a program’s broadcast date. Use of the free PBS Video App grew by 147% in the first three months of 2021.
In the fall of 2020, more than 115,600 people 12 and older tuned in to NPR 89.1. The service achieved the #1 overall ranking in radio in the Tucson Metro area in both Nielsen’s 2020 summer survey and its 2020 Continuous Diary Market trend report for September and October.1NPR 89.1 continued to earn top rankings during weekday morning drive hours, even with fewer people commuting to work.
1. Source: Nielsen Audio, Inc. AQH Share, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid, September, 2020 and October, 2020Discover the most important stories, wherever they are happening. NPR 89.1 offers the most listened to radio news programs in America: Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as original local productions like The Buzz and Arizona Spotlight.
Unwind with 24 hours of classical music from the middle ages to the present day. Programs like Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin invite you to delve into the stories behind the music.
Jazz 89.1 HD2 brings you 24 hours of creative melody, harmony, and rhythm. Tune in any time to enjoy music by artists like Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and Pat Metheny.
Catch up on interviews, news, and analysis of the day’s global events, any time, every day from world-renowned journalists and storytellers on the 24-hour BBC World News channel.
AZPM’s team of award-winning journalists, producers, editors, videographers, and technical experts deliver original content for and about Southern Arizona every week.
AZPM offers community activities to foster conversation, collaboration, and connection between people across Southern Arizona. In 2020, the organization pivoted to engage the community with a series of virtual activities. To learn more about AZPM in the community, visit about.azpm.org/community.
JANUARY 8TH – TEN YEARSOn January 8th, 2011, nineteen people were shot, including U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. Six people were killed. Arizona Illustrated host Tom McNamara met with a survivor, a surgeon, and witnesses to discuss the tragedy’s impact and legacy.
UA VIRTUAL EVENT SERIES: UNDERSTANDING THE BIGHORN FIREIn a three-week virtual series, UA researchers, firefighters, and ecological professionals discussed the Bighorn Fire within the context of invasive species, previous burns and fire cycles of the Catalinas, and climate change. The event was followed by a special Arizona Illustrated segment, “Fire and the Future: Tucson’s Bighorn Fire One Year Later.”
GLOBAL ARTS SHOWCASE SERIESThe Global Arts Showcase is a partnership between Arizona Public Media and the Pima County Public Library to bring people together in celebration of the diverse communities that make Southern Arizona special. This virtual series introduced attendees to Middle Eastern, Asian American, and Latinx artists who live and create in Southern Arizona.
LIBRARY NIGHT INAZPM partnered with various organizations to present Library Night In as a COVID-safe alternative to Library Night Out during Native American Heritage Month. The virtual, family-friendly, cultural experience featured traditional cooking demonstrations, two episodes of the PBS Kids’ show Molly of Denali, and a conversation with Pascua Yaqui Elder Ms. Martha Yrigolla.
AZPM works with the educational community to develop the next generation of critical thinkers.
AT-HOME LEARNINGPart of the public media mission is to ensure all kids have access to free educational resources at home. In response to the pandemic-related closure of Arizona schools, Arizona Public Media offered broadcast programming and accompanying digital resources that adhere to Arizona state curriculum standards. The At-Home Learning service continued through May of 2021.
K-12 LEARNING PARTNERSHIPSFree videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more are available on PBS LearningMedia. These learning resources are aligned to Arizona standards and were curated by AZPM especially for Arizona parents and educators. Relationships with the University of Arizona, Tucson Unified School District, Arizona Science Teacher’s Association, and the Pima County Superintendent’s Office have resulted in the training of thousands of K-12 educators on how to access and use PBS LearningMedia in and out of the classroom. More than 4,000 new Southern Arizona users joined the platform this year. AZPM also provided a series of family-friendly online activities, including the Global Arts Showcase series and Library Night In.
STUDENT EMPLOYEESAZPM’s student employees are offered unique opportunities to enter the media landscape with hands-on training in television and radio production, marketing, information technology, business administration, and fundraising. These work opportunities provide University of Arizona students the chance to explore, understand, and contribute to the Southern Arizona community.
The following graphs illustrate the operating and non-operating revenues and expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. AZPM’s audited financial statements are available at: about.azpm.org/financial.
More than 30,000 people across Southern Arizona support Arizona Public Media by being an annual member. Given the events of this past year, membership has meant more to AZPM’s success and its future than ever before. Whether you joined for the first time or renewed your annual gift, thank you for being with us to celebrate this year’s milestones.
LEADERSHIP GIVING SOCIETY MEMBERSDonors who give $2,500 annually are automatically enrolled in the Leadership Giving Society. Your generous donations ensure that everyone in the community continues to have access to public media, regardless of income.
LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERSA planned gift can be a donor’s largest and most significant contribution, and can make an enduring impact on AZPM. Legacy Society donors have designated AZPM in their estate plans.
UNDERWRITERSHundreds of businesses and organizations choose to support AZPM and engage potential customers. By purchasing program sponsorships, underwriters help make AZPM’s programming possible.
VOLUNTEERSVolunteers are an essential part of achieving AZPM’s mission. This year, volunteers donated their time answering calls, responding to print and online inquiries, and supporting virtual events.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARDThe Arizona Public Media Community Advisory Board is composed of community volunteers who represent the diverse interests of audiences throughout Southern Arizona. The 30-member board advises AZPM management on a variety of strategic issues related to the needs and interests of the communities AZPM serves.