KWSU

[ssetta]

I’ve been wondering about the extremely obscure PBS station, KWSU in Pullman. I have not seen any schedule listings for it, and it always seemed to be very different from other PBS stations. But I got thinking about it because a relative recently sent me some Sesame Street episodes taped from that station. It seemed to be called “Northwest Public Broadcasting.” But whenever I looked at the listings for KWSU, it didn’t seem to have Sesame Street or any of the popular PBS kids shows. Does anyone know anything about the history of KWSU or listings for it?

 

[crainbebo]

KWSU and KTNW Tri-Cities are simulcasts and have always been Northwest Public Television. Albeit KTNW did not sign on until 1987. I assume since KUID (Idaho Public TV) and KSPS (Spokane) were nearby, that KWSU aired different programming instead of duplicating the same kids shows. I suppose KWSU may have aired a lot of straight educational programming during the daytime since they were owned by WSU. Maybe telecourses or such. I'd have to find a TV Guide from the '70s or '80s to make sure, and eastern WA TV Guides are so hard to find even here in Yakima.
On the other hand, KBTC in western WA has aired some children's programming that never saw the light of day on KCTS, the primary PBS station in Seattle-Tacoma. They may have been the only PBS station in the U.S. to clear the Canadian series 'The Toy Castle,' around late 2004. Also, when Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman was on the air, KBTC aired it (through the whole 5-season run) while KCTS did not. But both have always aired Arthur, Clifford, Sesame Street, etc. - maybe KCTS passed some of those shows due to funding costs or quality.

 

[seatownmedia]

KWSU and KTNW Tri-Cities are simulcasts and have always been Northwest Public Television. Albeit KTNW did not sign on until 1987. I assume since KUID (Idaho Public TV) and KSPS (Spokane) were nearby, that KWSU aired different programming instead of duplicating the same kids shows. I suppose KWSU may have aired a lot of straight educational programming during the daytime since they were owned by WSU. Maybe telecourses or such. I'd have to find a TV Guide from the '70s or '80s to make sure, and eastern WA TV Guides are so hard to find even here in Yakima.
On the other hand, KBTC in western WA has aired some children's programming that never saw the light of day on KCTS, the primary PBS station in Seattle-Tacoma. They may have been the only PBS station in the U.S. to clear the Canadian series 'The Toy Castle,' around late 2004. Also, when Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman was on the air, KBTC aired it (through the whole 5-season run) while KCTS did not. But both have always aired Arthur, Clifford, Sesame Street, etc. - maybe KCTS passed some of those shows due to funding costs or quality.

Yes KWSU is simulcasted on KTNW Tri-Cities. Charter/Spectrum offers both KTNW and KCTS (via Yakima, origin from Seattle in the Tri). The programming between KCTS and KWSU/KTNW can be similar or exactly the same, or completely different. Generally, prime time is the same, but not always! In other words, there are local programming decisions that are made so there is atleast "some" variety between the KCTS signal and the KWSU/KTNW signal. Check you local listings, as they say.