Wyoming PBS

{{short description|PBS member network in Wyoming, United States}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox television station | name = Wyoming PBS | logo = WY-PBS logo 2023.svg | logo_alt = On the left, a badge on a sky blue background containing a stylized buffalo head and the letters WY in white, next to the PBS logo in royal blue and white | airdate = {{start date|1983|5|27}}{{efn|Wyoming PBS celebrates its launch on May 10, the date in 1983 when it first broadcast a signal,{{r|Casp830512}} though regular programming did not begin until May 27, 1983.{{r|Casp830527}} }} | country = United States | location = Wyoming | owner = {{nowrap|Central Wyoming College}} | virtual = 4, 8, 6 | subchannels = {{ubl|'''xx.1:''' PBS|'''xx.2:''' Create|'''xx.3:''' PBS Kids}} | website = {{URL|https://wyomingpbs.org}} | former_names = Wyoming Public Television | embedded = ''For technical information, see {{section link||Transmitters}}.'' }}

'''Wyoming PBS''' is the statewide public broadcaster for the U.S. state of Wyoming. A member of PBS, it is owned and operated by Central Wyoming College and originates from its campus on Peck Avenue in Riverton. Three high-power transmitters—'''KCWC-DT''' (channel 4) in Lander, '''KWYP-DT''' (channel 8) in Laramie, and '''KPTW''' (channel 6) in Casper—and 40 low-power translator stations broadcast the signal across the state.

Wyoming was the second-to-last state to receive a public television station. While efforts to bring educational television to Wyoming dated to the 1950s, state legislators on multiple occasions refused to fund proposed statewide educational stations or networks. Central Wyoming College, which already had a radio and television instruction program, moved forward with building its own station. It received a construction permit for KCWC-TV in December 1981 and began broadcasting on May 27, 1983.

Over the succeeding decades, KCWC-TV's signal slowly expanded by way of low-power translators in the rest of Wyoming, in conjunction with the state's cable providers. More ambitious expansion plans were curtailed by budget cuts. In the 2000s, it added higher-power transmitters to serve Casper and Laramie. Compared to other PBS member stations/networks, Wyoming PBS has limited availability on direct broadcast satellite. This is due to the network's reliance on translators and how most counties are assigned to out-of-state media markets such as Denver and Salt Lake City.

Wyoming PBS is funded by viewer contributions as well as state and college support. It produces local programming pertaining to Wyoming public affairs, culture, and nature.

== History == === Educational television proposals pre-1981 === Only one actual educational reserved channel was allotted to Wyoming, channel 8 at Laramie—home to the University of Wyoming. As early as 1951, the university was interested in filing to use the channel, but it had to wait until Wyoming's biennial legislature convened in 1953 to obtain permission. However, Wyoming legislators refused permission; the projected costs of establishing a proposed full-power educational station in Laramie were higher than those for launching what would be the state's first commercial station, KFBC-TV in Cheyenne. That station's principal owner, Tracy McCraken, was one of the university's trustees.<ref name="quest">{{Cite journal|journal=Annals of Wyoming|date=Summer 1998|pages=34–44|title=The Quest for Public Television|url=https://archive.org/details/annalsofwyom70141998wyom/page/n139/mode/1up?q=ques|first=Phil|last=Roberts}}</ref>{{rp|37}} In 1961, Casper's school board applied for the use of channel 6—an unused commercial channel.<ref name="Casp610110">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-school-board-votes-t/53538922/|date=January 10, 1961|page=1|title=School Board Votes to Apply For Television Channel Six|newspaper=The Casper Tribune-Herald|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061414/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-school-board-votes-t/53538922/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, governor Jack Gage expressed interest in activating the Laramie channel at a time when commercial interests in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, sought to have the channel moved there for their use.<ref name="Casp610607">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-morning-star-wyoming-educational/148579592/|date=June 7, 1961|page=4|title=Wyoming Educational TV Channel May Be Used Soon|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Casper Morning Star|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061413/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-morning-star-wyoming-educational/148579592/|url-status=live}}</ref> Senator Gale McGee protested the possible substitution of channel 11 at Laramie because station spacing restrictions prevented that channel from serving Cheyenne as well.<ref name="Casp620125">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-mcgee-protests-chann/148579762/|date=January 25, 1962|page=6|agency=Associated Press|title=McGee Protests Channel Change|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061413/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-mcgee-protests-chann/148579762/|url-status=live}}</ref>

By 1965, commercial station KTWO-TV in Casper was airing the only educational programs on Wyoming television, and the Community Television cable system imported KRMA-TV from Denver. In late 1964, the Casper school board filed another application for channel 6.<ref name="Casp650325">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-educational-televisi/53539019/|date=March 25, 1965|page=1|title=Educational Television Station Here Discussed|newspaper=The Casper Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061413/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-educational-televisi/53539019/|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon, the locus of activity shifted to a committee formed by governor Clifford Hansen, which authorized a study<ref name="Casp650422">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-morning-star-statewide-educationa/53539030/|date=April 22, 1965|page=18|title=Statewide Educational TV Launched|newspaper=Casper Morning Star|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061413/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-morning-star-statewide-educationa/53539030/|url-status=live}}</ref> and applied for channels 6 in Casper and 8 in Laramie in December 1965.<ref name="Casp651208">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-committee-applies-fo/148580312/|date=December 8, 1965|page=1|title=Committee Applies for 2 Wyoming ETV Channels|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061413/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-committee-applies-fo/148580312/|url-status=live}}</ref> Hansen's successor, Stan Hathaway, signed a law in February 1967 establishing an educational television commission,<ref name="Casp670227">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-governor-signs-bills/148580461/|date=February 27, 1967|page=1|agency=UPI|title=Governor Signs Bills Into Law|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061414/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-governor-signs-bills/148580461/|url-status=live}}</ref> but legislators that year rejected a funding proposal.{{r|quest|p=40}} The head of the commission gave a 1971 target date for initiating broadcasts, contingent on approval of the governor and the 1969 Wyoming Legislature.<ref name="Casp680117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-1971-target-date-set/148580566/|date=January 17, 1968|page=15|title=1971 Target Date Set on Schools TV|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|agency=UPI|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024}}</ref> However, legislators did not fund the system at that time,<ref name="Casp790203">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-public-broadcasting/148581197/|date=February 3, 1979|page=4|title=Public broadcasting needed|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061926/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-public-broadcasting/148581197/|url-status=live}}</ref> partly because the Wyoming portion of federal matching funds under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 was too large.{{r|quest|p=42}} Ten years later, in 1979, another gubernatorial commission requested that the Wyoming Legislature appropriate funds to start a public broadcasting station for Wyoming, which would be based in Casper and rebroadcast to the rest of the state.<ref name="Casp781218">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-public-television-sy/148581132/|date=December 18, 1978|page=18|title=Public television system would bring 'little gain'|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061922/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-public-television-sy/148581132/|url-status=live}}</ref> Neither the 1979 nor 1981 Legislatures took steps to establish public television in the state.<ref name="Casp810313">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-cwc-plans-to-build-o/148581374/|date=March 13, 1981|page=B3|title=CWC plans to build own public TV station|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061924/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-cwc-plans-to-build-o/148581374/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the meantime, KRMA and KUED from Salt Lake City were available in different parts of Wyoming.<ref name="Bill910409">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-public-tv-network-f/149048421/|date=April 9, 1991|page=6A|agency=Associated Press|title=Public TV network for state proposed|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|location=Billings, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061925/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-public-tv-network-f/149048421/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Construction of KCWC-TV=== Central Wyoming College (CWC) was formed at Riverton in 1968, and its initial curriculum included radio and television instruction, one of two such programs in the state. Students broadcast local community programming seen on cable in Riverton.<ref name="Casp720326">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-riverton-college-exp/148584889/|date=March 26, 1972|page=14|title=Riverton college expands radio-tv course|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061924/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-riverton-college-exp/148584889/|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 1980, CWC held a conference on "Telecommunications for Wyoming". Jerry Garber, who headed the college's broadcasting program, convinced the college to apply for television channel 4 in Lander as part of a seven-transmitter system and statewide microwave transmission network.<ref name="Casp801107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-cwc-hosting-conferen/148581310/|date=November 7, 1980|page=A5|agency=UPI|title=CWC hosting conference today on educational TV|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061925/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-cwc-hosting-conferen/148581310/|url-status=live}}</ref> When the 1981 Legislature refused to fund a public TV station, CWC went ahead with its plans.{{r|Casp810313}} At the same time, KCWY-TV (channel 14), a new commercial station in Casper, applied for channel 4 in Lander as a satellite station. Even when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) informed the college that channel 5 could be added there, CWC refused the offer because it feared a channel change would affect its planning for federal grant money.<ref name="Casp810606">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-kcwy-owners-tangle-w/53658946/|date=June 6, 1981|page=A3|first=Greg|last=Bean|title=KCWY owners tangle with CWC over Lander channel|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=October 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029130842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-kcwy-owners-tangle-w/53658946/|url-status=live|quote=But if the college has to resubmit an application to the FCC for Channel 5 and resubmit a construction grant to the NTIA, it could be a long time before educational programming becomes available, St. Pierre said.}}</ref> Likewise, KCWY feared that switching its application to channel 5 could lead to competition for the newly vacated channel.<ref name="Casp810623">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-cwc-lambastes-kcwy-i/53658909/|date=June 23, 1981|page=A3|first=David|last=Ansley|title=CWC lambastes KCWY in fight for channel|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610061926/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-cwc-lambastes-kcwy-i/53658909/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The FCC granted the Central Wyoming College application in December 1981, shortly after the college received a federal grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration—the largest grant for a new TV station startup—with a planned launch date of January 1983.<ref name="Casp811118">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-cent-wyoming-colleg/148581487/|date=November 18, 1981|page=B3|agency=Associated Press|title=Cent. Wyoming College gets television grant|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610062436/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-cent-wyoming-colleg/148581487/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Casp820309">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-public-tv-station-sc/148581538/|date=March 9, 1982|page=B1|first=Sally Ann|last=Michalov|title=Public TV station scheduled to go on air in January|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610062429/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-public-tv-station-sc/148581538/|url-status=live}}</ref> To secure the grant, CWC president Richard St. Pierre appropriated $325,000 in funds to provide the local match; this decision ultimately caused CWC faculty to vote no confidence in St. Pierre and led to his resignation.{{r|quest|p=44}} In spite of an earlier denial, the college received permission from the United States Forest Service to locate the transmitter on Limestone Mountain.<ref name="Casp820523">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-state-may-get-first/148581588/|date=May 23, 1982|page=B4|agency=UPI|title=State may get first PBS station|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610062439/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-state-may-get-first/148581588/|url-status=live}}</ref> KTWO-TV donated the tower for the Lander transmitter.<ref name="hist">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/establishing-public-tv-wyoming|website=WyoHistory.org|first=Doug|last=McInnis|title=Establishing Public TV in Wyoming|date=August 21, 2016|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=December 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211055027/https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/establishing-public-tv-wyoming|url-status=live}}</ref> KCWC-TV aired its first test pattern on May 10, 1983,<ref name="Casp830512">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-states-first-public/53663263/|date=May 12, 1983|page=B1|agency=Associated Press|title=State's first public TV station signs on|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610062430/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-states-first-public/53663263/|url-status=live}}</ref> and began regular broadcasting on May 27.<ref name="Casp830527">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-riverton-public-tv-g/148581695/|date=May 27, 1983|page=A3|agency=Associated Press|title=Riverton public TV goes on air today|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610062442/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-riverton-public-tv-g/148581695/|url-status=live}}</ref> This made Wyoming the 49th state with a public television station (only Montana still lacked one).{{r|Casp830512}}

College support was abruptly withdrawn for a time after KCWC-TV began broadcasting. Fremont County, which contains Lander and Riverton, lost an iron mine and a uranium mine—keys to its local economy—causing a collapsed housing market and depleting county revenue sources.{{r|hist}}

===Statewide expansion=== Over the 1980s and 1990s, KCWC-TV slowly supplanted other stations that had been imported into the state and expanded its coverage beyond the Lander area. In 1981, Casper College had started a broadcast translator for KRMA-TV from Denver on channel 6,<ref name="Casp811213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-public-television-ge/148581508/|date=December 13, 1981|page=A3|title=Public television gets a boost|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610062442/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-public-television-ge/148581508/|url-status=live}}</ref> which switched to rebroadcasting KCWC-TV in 1987.<ref name="Casp871215">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-cc-translator-now-br/53661466/|date=December 15, 1987|page=A3|first=Brigid|last=Schulte|title=CC translator now broadcasting KCWC|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610062435/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-cc-translator-now-br/53661466/|url-status=live}}</ref> Even then, Casper's TCI cable system continued to carry KRMA-TV and did not add KCWC to its offerings until December 1992.<ref name="Casp921231">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-wyoming-public-telev/149037305/|date=December 31, 1992|page=D3|type=Advertisement|title=Wyoming Public Television is a '10'|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610063506/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-wyoming-public-telev/149037305/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the late 1980s, CWC received a donated microwave system along with a federal grant for additional microwave links.<ref name="Casp890912">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-federal-grants-boost/148585491/|date=September 12, 1989|page=B1|first=Tom|last=Duncan|title=Federal grants boost KCWC-TV coverage|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610063440/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-federal-grants-boost/148585491/|url-status=live}}</ref> These resulted in the station's expansion to new areas. In 1990, KCWC, by then branding as Wyoming Public Television, debuted in the Jackson Hole area with three new translators.<ref name="Jack901010">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/jackson-hole-news-jackson-hole-can-now-t/149048053/|date=October 10, 1990|page=57|first=Liz|last=Monson|title=Jackson Hole can now tune in to local PBS|newspaper=Jackson Hole News|location=Jackson, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610063441/https://www.newspapers.com/article/jackson-hole-news-jackson-hole-can-now-t/149048053/|url-status=live}}</ref> The network added a translator in Sheridan in 1991 with the assistance of U. S. Senator Malcolm Wallop.<ref name="Bill911008">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-public-television-s/149048533/|date=October 8, 1991|page=4-B|first=Pat|last=Blair|title=Public television station dedicated in Sheridan|newspaper=The Billings Gazette|location=Billings, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610063441/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-public-television-s/149048533/|url-status=live}}</ref> After a 1993 effort to fund statewide expansion and build a full-power TV transmitter in southeast Wyoming was scrapped in light of a budget deficit, Wyoming Public Television increased its statewide coverage beginning in 1994 by way of agreements with TCI and KTWO-TV, being added to cable systems in Cheyenne, Laramie, Green River, and Rock Springs.<ref name="Casp940830">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-statewide-public-tv/149037283/|date=August 30, 1994|page=B1|first=Kerry|last=Drake|title=Statewide public TV project revived: Scaled-down version uses commercial, cable facilities|newspaper=Casper Star-Tribune|location=Casper, Wyoming|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 10, 2024}}</ref>

Wyoming Public Television survived an attempt to cut all state funding in 1999, which would have reduced its budget by a third.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lawmakers take aim at public TV|work=Wyoming Tribune-Eagle|first=Chris|last=George|page=A1|date=August 4, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=September 16, 1999|title=Public TV, fair safe for now|work=Wyoming Tribune-Eagle|first=Chris|last=George|page=A1}}</ref> Wyoming PBS's endowment was created in 2008 and made permanent by state legislators in 2015, providing annual interest payments to fund local production.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 1, 2016|work=The Riverton Ranger|title=Growing together: Wyoming PBS benefits citizens, students from Riverton campus}}</ref>

As early as 2003, Wyoming Public Television was broadcasting in digital to the Lander area.{{r|audit}} In November 2004, it began broadcasting higher-power analog signals over-the-air to Laramie and Cheyenne with the launch of KWYP on channel 8.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Wyoming Public TV to boost its signal|date=January 8, 2005|first=Michelle|last=Dynes|page=A5|work=Wyoming Tribune-Eagle}}</ref> In March 2007, the Casper translator was replaced with full-power KPTW on channel 6.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://americanbandscan.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-low-band-vhf-tv-station.html | work=American Bandscan|first=Doug|last=Smith|title=New low-band VHF TV station | date=March 6, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708022858/https://americanbandscan.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-low-band-vhf-tv-station.html | archive-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref> Wyoming Public Television rebranded as Wyoming PBS on January 1, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.wyomingpbs.org/about-wyomingpbs/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Wyoming PBS |language=en |archive-date=June 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601000158/https://www.wyomingpbs.org/about-wyomingpbs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It ceased all analog broadcasting by the original digital transition date of February 17, 2009, and flash-cut the Laramie and Casper transmitters to digital.<ref>{{cite news|page=A3|first=Jodi|last=Rogstad|work=Wyoming Tribune-Eagle|title=Want all your channels? Keep the antennae and get a converter|date=February 11, 2009}}</ref>

Though Wyoming PBS is the only public television station in the state, it is not available to all satellite subscribers in Wyoming. Satellite providers are not required to carry low-power stations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-lptvs-cant-demand-satellite-carriage|title=FCC: LPTVs can't demand satellite coverage|first=John|last=Eggerton|publisher=Broadcasting & Cable|date=September 21, 2021}}</ref> Additionally, most of Wyoming's counties are drawn into media markets primarily contained in other states, such as Denver, Salt Lake City, and Rapid City, South Dakota.{{r|hist}} Satellite providers do not offer Wyoming PBS in the Cheyenne market. Presently, the only satellite subscribers who can receive the station are Dish Network subscribers in the Casper market, which contains 5 of the state's 23 counties.{{r|hist|histsite}} In 2009, the station supported proposed legislation that would have modified rules to allow Wyoming PBS to be made available to in-state viewers in the other designated market areas.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 4, 2009|first=Mead|last=Gruver|agency=Associated Press|url=https://trib.com/news/state-regional/bills-target-access-to-wyo-pbs/article_3d1ade91-fbd3-52c0-9d3b-7f591412cf5b.html|work=Casper Star-Tribune|title=Bills target access to Wyo PBS}}</ref> The station streams on its website and the PBS app, as well as on YouTube TV.<ref name="histsite">{{cite web|url=https://www.wyomingpbs.org/about-wyomingpbs/|title=About Wyoming PBS|publisher=Wyoming PBS|access-date=November 29, 2024}}</ref>

==Funding== For fiscal year 2024, federal appropriations from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting represented $1.32 million or 33 percent of Wyoming PBS's budget, with the state supplying another 48 percent (approximately $1.92 million).<ref name="lcsr23">{{Cite web|title=Local Content and Service Report FY23|website=Wyoming PBS|url=https://www.wyomingpbs.org/bento-api/filer-file-download/352947/}}</ref> In fiscal year 2023, Wyoming PBS received $4.98 million in revenue. This included a state appropriation of $1.81 million and $1.05 million in funding from Central Wyoming College.<ref name="audit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wyomingpbs.org/bento-api/filer-file-download/335342/|title=KCWC-TV (a/k/a Wyoming PBS), A Public Telecommunications Entity Operated by Central Wyoming College, Financial Report, June 30, 2023 and 2022|author=((McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP))|date=November 21, 2023|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610064504/https://www.wyomingpbs.org/bento-api/filer-file-download/335342/|url-status=live}}</ref> With the 2025 defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Wyoming PBS's remaining revenues come from state and college appropriations as well as donations and leases of tower space.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Clair |last=McFarland |title=As Corp. For Public Broadcasting Shuts Down, Wyo. PBS and Public Media Press On |url=https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/08/01/as-corporation-for-public-broadcasting-shuts-down-wyoming-pbs-others-still-going/ |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Cowboy State Daily |language=en}}</ref> The Hughes Charitable Foundation issued a $500,000 challenge grant to Wyoming PBS in August 2025 with the intent to establish an endowment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyd-Fliegel |first=Sophia |date=2025-08-27 |title=Wyoming PBS announces $500k grant from Hughes Charitable Foundation |url=https://891khol.org/hughes-charitable-foundation-gives-500000-to-wyoming-pbs/ |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=KHOL |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Local programming== In fiscal year 2023, Wyoming PBS produced 27 hours of local programming including the series ''Wyoming Chronicle'', ''Our Wyoming'', ''Nature WY'', and ''A State of Mind: Confronting Our Mental Health Crisis''. It also provided livestreaming of state legislative activities.{{r|lcsr23}}

==Transmitters== Wyoming PBS is broadcast from three full-power transmitters: KCWC-DT in Lander/Riverton, KWYP-DT in Laramie/Cheyenne, and KPTW-DT in Casper. They are augmented by a network of low-power translators that bring the network's signal to the state's other population centers, with a stated combined footprint of 95 percent of the state's population.{{r|histsite}}

Two translators directly repeat KWYP, while the others directly repeat KCWC. Two of KCWC's translators are digital replacement translators serving areas that lost over-the-air coverage after the digital transition.

{| class="wikitable" |+ Wyoming PBS full-power transmitters ! scope = "col" | Station ! scope = "col" | City of license ! scope = "col" | RF and virtual channel ! scope = "col" | First air date ! scope = "col" | {{abbr|ERP|Effective radiated power}} ! scope = "col" | {{abbr|HAAT|Height above average terrain}} ! scope = "col" | {{abbr|FID|Facility ID}} ! scope = "col" | Transmitter coordinates ! scope = "col" | Public license information |- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" ! scope = "row" | KCWC-DT | Lander | 8 (VHF), virtual 4 | May 27, 1983 | 60 kW | {{convert|432|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | 10036 | {{coord|42|34|57.5|N|108|42|35.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KCWC-DT}} | {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KCWC-DT|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|10036|3=LMS}}}} |- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" ! scope = "row" | KWYP-DT | Laramie | 8 (VHF), virtual 8 | November 2004 | 13 kW | {{convert|308|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | 10032 | {{coord|41|17|16.7|N|105|26|44.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KWYP-DT}} | {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KWYP-DT|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|10032|3=LMS}}}} |- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" ! scope = "row" | KPTW | Casper | 8 (VHF), virtual 6 | March 2007 | 2.3 kW | {{convert|568|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | 82575 | {{coord|42|44|25.7|N|106|21|36.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KPTW}} | {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KPTW|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|82575|3=LMS}}}} |- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;" |}

{| class="sortable wikitable" |+ Translators of Wyoming PBS ! scope = "col" | City of license ! scope = "col" | Call sign ! scope = "col" | Translating ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | {{abbr|ERP|Effective radiated power}} ! scope = "col" | {{abbr|HAAT|Height above average terrain}} ! scope = "col" | {{abbr|FID|Facility ID}} ! scope = "col" | Transmitter coordinates |- || Big Piney, etc. ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167599|3=K33JQ-D}}'''{{efn|Owned by Sublette County.}} || rowspan=2|KCWC-DT || 33 || 0.02 kW || {{convert|167|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167599 || {{coord|42|34|10.7|N|109|54|41.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K33JQ-D}} |- || Buffalo ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167618|3=K19GX-D}}'''|| 19 || 0.2 kW || {{convert|94|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167618 || {{coord|44|05|10.9|N|106|40|23.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K19GX-D}} |- || Cheyenne ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|128524|3=K36JO-D}}'''|| KWYP-DT || 36 || 6 kW || {{convert|53|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 128524 || {{coord|41|09|34.5|N|104|43|19.8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K36JO-D}} |- || Chugwater ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|182338|3=K16IO-D}}'''|| rowspan=11|KCWC-DT || 16 || 0.9 kW || rowspan=2|{{convert|101|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 182338 || {{coord|41|46|8.8|N|104|49|0.8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K16IO-D}} |- || Clareton ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|182314|3=K31LF-D}}'''||31 || 0.245 kW || 182314 || {{coord|43|44|40.1|N|105|28|03.0|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K31LF-D}} |- || Clark ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167617|3=K23IX-D}}'''||23 || 0.25 kW || {{convert|-47|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167617 || {{coord|44|56|19.8|N|109|07|2.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K23IX-D}} |- || Clarks Fork||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|51612|3=K02LH-D}}'''||2 || 0.04 kW || {{convert|-332|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 51612 || {{coord|44|53|36.8|N|109|38|24.6|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K02LH-D}} |- || Cody, Powell ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|51616|3=K19LM-D}}'''||19 || 1.0 kW || {{convert|17.1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 51616 || {{coord|44|35|13.8|N|108|51|10.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K19LM-D}} |- || Crowheart ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|181744|3=K18JJ-D}}'''||18 || 0.335 kW || {{convert|117|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 181744 || {{coord|43|08|06.2|N|108|55|1.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K18JJ-D}} |- || Douglas ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|181738|3=K29JO-D}}'''||29 || 1.1 kW || {{convert|102|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 181738 || {{coord|42|43|25|N|105|18|24|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K29JO-D}} |- || Dubois, etc. ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167620|3=K16LT-D}}'''||16 || 0.3 kW || {{convert|381|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167620 || {{coord|43|29|57.8|N|109|41|18.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K16LT-D}} |- || Evanston ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|74269|3=K23DS-D}}'''|| 23 || 0.23 kW || {{convert|407|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 74269 || {{coord|41|21|0.8|N|110|54|18.6|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K23DS-D}} |- || Freedom ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|38920|3=K31DC-D}}'''{{efn|Owned by the Lower Star Valley TV Association}}||31 || 0.2 kW || {{convert|684|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 38920 || {{coord|43|07|7.7|N|111|7|48.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K31DC-D}} |- || Gillette ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167621|3=K26NL-D}}'''|| 26 || 5.8 kW || {{convert|117|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167621 || {{coord|44|18|17|N|105|33|55|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K26NL-D}} |- || Glendo ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|127144|3=K21HQ-D}}'''|| KWYP-DT || 21 || 0.25 kW || {{convert|161|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 127144 || {{coord|42|20|43.8|N|105|1|55.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K21HQ-D}} |- || Glenrock ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|182697|3=K24MK-D}}'''|| rowspan=26|KCWC-DT || 24 || 0.4 kW || {{convert|64|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 182697 || {{coord|42|53|28.2|N|105|52|5.8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K24MK-D}} |- || Greybull ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167623|3=K19KW-D}}'''||rowspan=2|19 || 1.15 kW || {{convert|162|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167623 || {{coord|44|24|46.8|N|107|59|51.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K19KW-D}} |- || Jackson ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|10033|3=K19FG-D}}'''||0.23 kW || {{convert|232|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 10033 || {{coord|43|27|44.7|N|110|45|5.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K19FG-D}} |- || Kemmerer ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|128712|3=K24GT-D}}'''|| 24 || 0.37 kW || {{convert|267|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 128712 || {{coord|41|50|17|N|110|30|14|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K24GT-D}} |- || La Barge ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167614|3=K29HV-D}}'''|| 29 || 0.25 kW || {{convert|571|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167614 || {{coord|42|09|26.7|N|110|19|41.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K29HV-D}} |- || Lander ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|10036|3=KCWC-DT (DRT)}}'''|| 16 || 0.12 kW || {{convert|7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 10036 || {{coord|42|54|20.8|N|108|42|21.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KCWC-DT (DRT)}} |- || Lovell ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167622|3=K27OU-D}}'''|| 27 || 1.2 kW || {{convert|82|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167622 || {{coord|44|51|36.1|N|108|29|47.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K27OU-D}} |- || Lucerne ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167591|3=K22NJ-D}}'''|| 22 || 0.35 kW || {{convert|41|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167591 || {{coord|43|42|45.9|N|107|53|1.3|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K22NJ-D}} |- || Meeteetse, etc. ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167615|3=K29IH-D}}'''||29 || 1.25 kW || {{convert|72|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167615 || {{coord|44|12|44.2|N|108|51|30|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K29IH-D)}} |- || Mountain View ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|27129|3=K36OU-D}}'''|| 36 || rowspan=2|0.3 kW || {{convert|310|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 27129 || {{coord|41|06|19.2|N|110|12|38.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K36OU-D)}} |- || Mountain View, etc. ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|27130|3=K16NU-D}}'''|| 16 || {{convert|14|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 27130 || {{coord|41|06|19.2|N|110|12|38.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K16NU-D)}} |- || Newcastle ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|181516|3=K15II-D}}'''|| 15 || 0.23 kW || {{convert|-27|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 181516 || {{coord|43|50|23.9|N|104|12|4.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K15II-D)}} |- || North Fork, etc.||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167626|3=K32IF-D}}'''|| 32 || 0.2 kW || {{convert|599|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167626 || {{coord|44|29|36.8|N|109|10|9.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K32IF-D)}} |- || Pinedale ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167598|3=K19HJ-D}}'''|| 19 || 0.1 kW || {{convert|185|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167598 || {{coord|42|55|8.7|N|110|00|54.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K19HJ-D)}} |- | rowspan=2|Rawlins ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|56610|3=K15MP-D}}'''|| 15 || 2.75 kW || {{convert|292|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 56610 || {{coord|41|40|52.6|N|107|14|13.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K15MP-D)}} |- ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167613|3=K19MG-D}}'''|| 19 || 0.32 kW || {{convert|67|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167613 || {{coord|41|46|15.7|N|107|14|16.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K19MG-D)}} |- || Rock Springs ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167610|3=K28JU-D}}'''|| 28 || 0.5 kW || {{convert|372|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167610 || {{coord|41|34|43|N|109|19|14|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K28JU-D)}} |- || Sage Junction||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|182684|3=K17NG-D}}'''|| 17 || 2 kW || {{convert|93|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 182684 || {{coord|41|49|8.3|N|110|58|26.8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K17NG-D}} |- || Sheridan ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167612|3=K15HK-D}}'''|| rowspan=2|15 || 4 kW || {{convert|368|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167612 || {{coord|44|37|25.7|N|107|07|5.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K15HK-D}} |- || Sundance ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|181532|3=K15KM-D}}'''||0.92 kW || {{convert|270|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 181532 || {{coord|44|23|16.9|N|104|22|36.8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K15KM-D}} |- || Sunlight Basin||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167609|3=K29IG-D}}'''|| 29 || 0.22 kW || {{convert|482|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167609 || {{coord|44|45|14.2|N|109|22|30|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K29IG-D}} |- || Teton Village ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167611|3=K16LM-D}}'''|| rowspan=2|16 || 0.5 kW || {{convert|741|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167611 || {{coord|43|35|47.4|N|110|52|10.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K16LM-D}} |- || Thermopolis ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|10036|3=KCWC-DT (DRT)}}'''|| 0.09 kW || {{convert|71.8|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 10036 || {{coord|43|39|7.8|N|108|15|7.3|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KCWC-DT (DRT)}} |- || Torrington ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|181528|3=K18JD-D}}'''|| 18 || 0.23 kW || {{convert|-12|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 181528 || {{coord|42|04|34.8|N|104|11|29.8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K18JD-D}} |- || Wood River||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167608|3=K31JO-D}}'''|| 31 || 0.25 kW || {{convert|218|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 167608 || {{coord|44|04|29.8|N|108|56|12.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K31JO-D}} |- || Wright ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|181734|3=K25LI-D}}'''|| 25 || 0.9 kW || {{convert|223|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 181734 || {{coord|43|43|25.9|N|105|53|6|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K25LI-D}} |}

==Subchannels== {| class="wikitable" |+ Subchannels of KCWC-DT,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCWC#station|website=RabbitEars|title=TV Query for KCWC-DT|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610064510/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCWC#station|url-status=live}}</ref> KWYP-DT,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KWYP#station|website=RabbitEars|title=TV Query for KWYP-DT|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=May 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522014744/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KWYP#station|url-status=live}}</ref> and KPTW<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KPTW#station|website=RabbitEars|title=TV Query for KPTW|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610064511/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KPTW#station|url-status=live}}</ref> ! scope = "col" colspan="3"|Channel ! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|Res. ! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|Aspect ! scope = "col" colspan="3"|Short name ! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|Programming |- ! scope = "col" | {{small|KCWC-DT}}||{{small|KWYP-DT}}||{{small|KPTW}} || scope = "col" | {{small|KCWC-DT}}||{{small|KWYP-DT}}||{{small|KPTW}} |- ! scope = "row" | 4.1 || 8.1 || 6.1 | 1080i || rowspan=4| 16:9 || KCWC-HD || KWYP-HD || KPTW-HD || PBS |- ! scope = "row" | 4.2 || 8.2 || 6.2 | rowspan=3| 480i || KCWC-SD || KWYP-SD || KPTW-SD || Create |- ! scope = "row" | 4.3 || 8.3 || 6.3 | style="text-align: center;" colspan=3|KIDS-SD || PBS Kids |- ! scope = "row" | 4.4 || 8.4 || 6.4 | style="text-align: center;" colspan=3| || First Nations Experience |}

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Cheyenne TV}} {{Casper/Riverton TV}} {{SLC TV}} {{Denver TV}} {{PBS Wyoming}} {{Public broadcasting in the United States}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wyoming Pbs}} Category:PBS member networks Category:Television stations in Wyoming Category:Central Wyoming College Category:Television channels and stations established in 1983 Category:1983 establishments in Wyoming