Public Media Giving Days - May 1st & 2nd

Over these two days, supporters like you and public media stations across the country are coming together to spread the word about all that public media means! And we need you to be a part of it!

Your donation today supports WCTE's local productions. Thank you for donating, sharing your story, and helping WCTE PBS make an impact in our communities.

WCTE is Free & Accessible Broadcasting 
WCTE PBS is committed to ensuring access to high-quality, educational content for everyone — regardless of income or internet access. Broadcasting four distinct channels—PBS, World, Create, and PBS Kids—WCTE reaches homes across approximately 22,700 square miles in the Upper Cumberland region and beyond. This free, over-the-air service is critical in a region where nearly 1 in 4 households lack broadband internet, allowing families to stay connected to trusted educational and cultural programming without subscription fees.

Early Childhood Education & Family Support - Through the nationally recognized Ready-to-Learn initiative, WCTE supports early childhood development with family workshops, interactive events, and hands-on learning experiences designed for children ages 2 to 8. These programs focus on building foundational skills in literacy, math, and science, especially targeting children in low-income and underserved areas, where access to quality preschool or Head Start programs is often limited. Only 47% of Tennessee’s 3- and 4-year-olds are enrolled in pre-K, and that number drops even further in rural counties—highlighting the importance of free, accessible programs like
those provided by WCTE.

Community & Workforce Development
WCTE partners with local organizations, including Empower Upper Cumberland, to deliver programs that support both educational advancement and economic opportunity. By offering school-readiness resources, train-the-trainer workshops, and lifelong learning content, WCTE plays an active role in breaking the cycle of poverty and equipping families with the tools they need to succeed. Workforce development and educational attainment are closely linked, and in some counties in WCTE’s viewing area, over 15% of adults lack a high school diploma — making community-
focused education is more crucial than ever. 

Local Storytelling & Cultural Preservation
WCTE is more than a broadcaster—it’s a storyteller for the Upper Cumberland. Original programming like; Wish You Were Here It’s Your Business, and Where Stories Live; showcase the people, places, and traditions that make this region unique. These series preserve local history, celebrate cultural heritage, and spotlight small businesses and entrepreneurs, ensuring that the voices of the community are heard, seen, and remembered. Over 80% of Americans say local stories and culture are important to their community identity—WCTE ensures those stories are shared far and wide.

Educational Outreach & Community Impact
WCTE PBS is dedicated to supporting lifelong learning across the Upper Cumberland. Our
outreach efforts have reached thousands of educators, families, and children—providing free, high-quality educational materials, workshops, and classroom tools. In rural and underserved communities, where fewer than 50% of children attend pre-k programs, WCTE steps in to bridge the gap. With 24/7 PBS Kids programming backed by research and a proven curriculum, we help ensure children are ready for school and beyond.
From Ready to Learn; resources to Head Start partnerships and teacher training workshops, WCTE is helping to build stronger educational foundations where they’re needed most.

Community Events & Engagement
WCTE also brings people together through a variety of engaging community events. Signature programs like the Academic Bowl, Stations of Imagination, and the Haunted Half Marathon inspire learning, curiosity, and community spirit in people of all ages. By combining fun with education, WCTE fosters a deeper connection to learning and community engagement, making a meaningful impact across the region.

Public Safety and Emergency Communication
WCTE PBS plays a vital role in public safety across Upper Cumberland. As the only public station in Tennessee broadcasting in ATSC 3.0—the next-generation broadcast standard—WCTE is leading the way in testing innovative technologies to enhance emergency communication. These advancements include real-time closed captioning in Spanish and a Signing Avatar to ensure critical alerts are accessible to more people. In rural areas where communication can be limited during disasters, WCTE provides real-time emergency alerts, weather warnings, and crisis updates, helping keep communities informed and safe. WCTE also houses Putnam County’s EMS tower at its transmitter site, working closely with local emergency management. During the devastating Putnam County tornado, WCTE provided a direct line to local leadership by getting county mayors on-air to speak to the public. Similarly, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, WCTE served as a trusted source of information for isolated residents, broadcasting timely updates and community resources.

Please help us spread the word about Public Media Giving Days by sharing our posts on social media! 

Join the conversation by telling us "what does public media mean to you?" and using the hashtag #PublicMediaGives and our website wcte.org/givingdays . Tag WCTE PBS, we'd love to hear your stories! 

*You can also download the image to share letting your friends know you supported!