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From the Ozarks to the Delta, Arkansas PBS is more than just television—it’s the heartbeat of the Natural State, connecting residents with a world of knowledge, entertainment and community spirit.
Arkansas PBS, the state’s public broadcasting network, is a vital resource for education, entertainment and community engagement for residents across the state. With its mission to empower, educate and inspire, Arkansas PBS delivers high-quality programming and services to audiences of all ages, from rural communities to bustling city centers. The network features four distinct channels and provides a diverse range of content designed to enrich the lives of Arkansans statewide.
A Network for Every Need
Arkansas PBS caters to the state’s diverse interests through its four specialized channels:
- Arkansas PBS: The flagship channel offers a wide variety of national PBS programming, including beloved series like “Masterpiece Theater, Antiques Roadshow and Nature.” It also airs local productions that spotlight the state’s unique culture, history and current events.
- Arkansas PBS Create: This channel, which focuses on creativity and skill-building, is perfect for viewers who love cooking, crafting, home improvement and travel. It provides hours of how-to and lifestyle programming that inspires learning and exploration.
- Arkansas PBS Kids: This channel ensures Arkansas families can access trusted educational content for children, offering programs like “Sesame Street”, “Curious George” and “Wild Kratts.” Broadcasting 24/7, Arkansas PBS Kids supports early learning, literacy and promotes school readiness.
- PBS World: Focused on thought-provoking documentaries, public affairs programs and global news, PBS World fosters a greater understanding of complex issues and encourages civic engagement.
As Arkansas’s statewide PBS affiliate, Arkansas PBS ensures every corner of the state has access to these high-quality resources, regardless of geographical location or income level. Find your local channels and affiliated streaming, or pull from On-Demand and livestream experiences.
Local Programming for Arkansas Families
Arkansas PBS goes beyond national broadcasts by producing original programming specifically for Arkansas families. These locally created shows reflect the state’s unique character and address the needs of its residents:
- Mystery League: An interactive program that challenges viewers to solve fun, family-friendly mysteries while encouraging problem-solving and teamwork. The videos are ready on demand through the website or YouTube channel. Several downloadable learning resources make interacting with the content easy for K2 classrooms and home-school curricula. Additional programming invites them to play detective, play online math-solving games and meet the three detectives.
- Blueberry’s Clubhouse: A whimsical children’s series that brings Arkansas’s natural beauty and cultural diversity to life through storytelling, music, and adventures hosted by a lovable puppet, Blueberry.
- Arkansas Week: This long-running public affairs program provides an in-depth analysis of the state’s most pressing issues, featuring local experts, policymakers and journalists. The program is produced weekly, with updates stored online.
Essential Programming for Arkansas Families
In addition to its local productions, Arkansas PBS provides access to a wide array of national and state-specific programming that benefits Arkansans in meaningful ways:
- PBS Kids: Arkansas PBS ensures families can access trusted educational content by purchasing and broadcasting high-quality national children’s programs. Many of the shows on PBS Kids meet educational algorithms for pre-K education. Knowing every community does not have public access to preschool, having shows like “Curious George,” which introduces science and math, “Daniel Tiger,” working through social skills and emotional health, “Pinkalicious,” solving problems with math, or “Molli of Denali” with access to Geography and social studies.
- AR CAN: Arkansas PBS connects residents to their state government through AR CAN, a live channel broadcasting Arkansas legislative sessions, other state meetings and educational programs. This fosters transparency and civic participation.
- Arkansas Quiz Bowl: Each April, Arkansas PBS airs the Arkansas Quiz Bowl live. The event showcases the intellectual talents of high school students from across the state and offers a community connection when fans can’t travel.
- AR PBS Sports Network: Sports enthusiasts can tune in to the Arkansas Sports Network, which broadcasts live coverage of Arkansas State Championship competitions for multiple sports.
Programs That Strengthen Arkansas Communities
Arkansas PBS’s commitment to creating opportunities for lifelong learning and community support has built the largest online classroom. Some of its initiatives include:
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- Read to Succeed: This program focuses on improving literacy rates among Arkansas children by providing families and educators with tools to build reading skills. They partner with local “Imagination Library” coordinators in each county across Arkansas and host family literacy programs in 10 cities. Imagination Library brings families in for reading time and connects the story with an activity. Then, they are sent home with a snack and the materials for continued education with their new book.
- Ready to Learn: is an early childhood education experience designed to prepare children for success in school and life. This initiative emphasizes literacy, STEM learning and social-emotional development across generations within the same family.
- AR PBS STEM Girls: This inspiring program encourages girls in Arkansas to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It aims to close gender gaps in STEM fields. Special programs for Girl Scouts creatively share unique opportunities for females in STEM-related career fields.
- Arkansas IDEAS: an innovative online platform offering continuing education and professional development opportunities tailored to Arkansas teachers. These programs are free to certified Arkansas teachers. Arkansas IDEAS is a great way to access top-level courses, especially in communities that cannot afford extra support or teachers on maternity leave who are extending their certifications.
- Arkansas Civics: free educational resources for parents and educators introducing elementary and secondary school children to the political process and civic duties as Arkansas citizens.
- Total Eclipse Educational Programming: Arkansas PBS was a lead partner in developing educational programming for the 2024 solar eclipse. Making resources accessible to families and educators statewide, with materials continually available. Its public broadcast in Russellville opened access to the path of totality for public viewing.
- Arkansas by Region – an educational resource for learning about Arkansas
Reaching All Arkansans
Arkansas PBS plays a unique role in fostering equity and access to resources throughout the state. Whether in urban areas or remote rural communities, the network’s programs are designed to ensure that every Arkansan can benefit from its services. By addressing audiences from birth to senior citizens, Arkansas PBS creates a sense of unity and shared purpose across diverse populations.
For families and community leaders in rural areas, Arkansas PBS often serves as a primary source of educational content. It provides children with high-quality programming that might not otherwise be available. Its STEM initiatives, literacy programs and live legislative coverage help bridge gaps in access and create opportunities for lifelong learning, civic engagement, and personal growth.
As a statewide network, Arkansas PBS is committed to enhancing the lives of all Arkansans through its programming and community-focused initiatives. By combining national PBS content with local productions, educational resources and live event coverage, Arkansas PBS creates a network that reflects the state’s values, history and aspirations.
Accessing Arkansas PBS Resources
Website – myarkansaspbs.org
Facebook | Instagram – stay up to date with event announcements and upcoming programs
YouTube – extended programs and classroom resources
download the PBS Kids app for educational games and online learning
Arkansas IDEAS – educator continuing ed
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