What PBS12 does

PBS12 (legal name: Colorado Public Television, Inc.) is a Denver-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) public television station founded in 1980 as KBDI Channel 12 and rebranded to PBS12 in February 2020. The station operates four over-the-air multicast channels—12.1 (Primary, PBS and local productions), 12.2 (Plus, PBS KIDS/music/cooking and FNX indigenous content), 12.3 (Deutsche Welle 24/7 international news), and 12.4 (NHK WORLD-JAPAN 24/7)—broadcasting from a transmitter on Mestaa'ėhehe Mountain at 11,525 feet elevation, the highest full-power TV transmitter in the United States. PBS12 reaches 85% of Colorado's population and extends coverage to Northern New Mexico through translator stations in Walsenburg, Trinidad, Raton, and Romeo/Alamosa/Taos.

The station's core products include PBS12 Passport (a sustainer-gated streaming service with 1,500+ episodes accessible across web, iOS/Android apps, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Hulu + Live TV), an award-winning slate of original local productions (Colorado Inside Out, Decode Colorado, Sounds on 29th, Studio Twelve, Colorado Soundstage, Street Level, Both Sides of the Story), and live event experiences including a Red Rocks Summer Concert Series, Telluride Bluegrass Festival ticket packages, and Italy artisan tours. Distribution layers include over-the-air broadcast, cable carriage, DirecTV/DISH satellite, the PBS Video app, and the dedicated PBS KIDS Video App.

PBS12 sustains operations through diversified nonprofit revenue streams: individual member donations and a sustainer program ($5+/month auto-deduction), 12 Trust major donor recognition ($1,000+/year), MemberCard benefit packages ($75+ donations), corporate sponsorships, foundation grants (Daniels Fund, Bonfils Stanton, Colorado Health Foundation, Virginia W Hill), planned giving/legacy gifts, vehicle donations, and event ticket sales. The organization employs 11-50 staff, has no parent company or VC backing, and is governed by an independent community board chaired by Dessa M. Bokides.

Name

PBS12

Legal name

Colorado Public Television, Inc.

Website

https://pbs12.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PBS12 is a Denver-based nonprofit public television station operating four multicast channels (12.1-12.4) and streaming platforms, serving 85% of Colorado's population with PBS, local, and international programming. Founded in 1980, it generates revenue from member donations, sponsorships, grants, and event ticketing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Television Broadcasting

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

National Public Television Networks & Member Stations (PBS-style) (MPABADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning) (MPABADAH), Public/Nonprofit Children’s Educational Broadcasters (MPABAKAF)

Keywords

• Public television broadcasting
• Nonprofit media
• Educational programming
• Multicast broadcasting
• Local journalism

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership/Donations: Individual donations from viewers, including monthly sustainer programs and one-time gifts. PBS12 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate partners sponsor specific programs, spots, and content in exchange for brand visibility and association with PBS programming.
3. Vehicle Donations: Accepts vehicle donations (cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles) as another giving mechanism.
4. Planned Giving/Legacy Gifts: Bequests, gifts of stock, retirement plan gifts, retained life estate gifts, gifts of life insurance, and tribute gifts for legacy planning.
5. 12 Trust Major Donor Program: Annual contributions of $1,000 or more, including planned giving arrangements, with special benefits and station tours.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PBS12 operates four free over-the-air broadcast channels (12.1 Primary, 12.2 Plus, 12.3 DW — Deutsche Welle, 12.4 NHK WORLD-JAPAN) serving approximately 85% of Colorado's population, complemented by a paid on-demand streaming benefit (PBS12 Passport) with 1,500+ episodes, a live web stream, and ticketed live events. The station produces original Colorado-focused programming (Colorado Inside Out, Decode Colorado, Sounds on 29th, Studio Twelve) and distributes national PBS, international, and children's educational content across broadcast, cable, satellite, web, and mobile streaming platforms.

Product overview

PBS12 is a multi-channel public television station based in Denver, Colorado, offering four over-the-air broadcast channels (12.1 Primary, 12.2 Plus, 12.3 DW, 12.4 NHK WORLD-JAPAN) plus a live stream, an extensive on-demand streaming platform (PBS12 Passport), original local productions, a podcast, and live event ticketing. The core offering is its four broadcast channels delivering PBS national programming, international news feeds, and award-winning local productions including Colorado Inside Out, Decode Colorado, Sounds on 29th, Studio Twelve, Colorado Soundstage, and Street Level. PBS12 Passport serves as the primary digital on-demand product, accessible across web, mobile apps (iOS/Android), and major streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV), with membership tiers providing additional benefits including the MemberCard and 12 Trust donor recognition program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PBS12 Channel 12.1 (Primary Channel) PBS12's flagship over-the-air and cable broadcast channel airing a diverse mix of local, national, and international programming including PBS shows, children's programming, music, documentaries, public affairs, and local productions. Broadcasts 24/7 to the Denver Metro area, Northern Front Range, and Eastern/Northeastern Colorado on VHF Channel 13. Free to viewers.
• PBS12 Channel 12.2 (PBS12 Plus) Multi-format auxiliary channel featuring PBS children's programming, music, travel, exercise, cooking, and public affairs from 4am–4pm, and FNX (First Nations Experience) programming reflecting Native American and indigenous cultures from 4pm–4am. Free to viewers.
• PBS12 Channel 12.3 (DW — Deutsche Welle) 24/7 international news and documentary channel from Germany's Deutsche Welle, providing continuous news, special features, and talk shows covering business, science, politics, culture, and sports. Free to viewers.
• PBS12 Channel 12.4 (NHK WORLD-JAPAN) 24/7 international programming channel from Japan's NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), offering live international news from Tokyo and programs covering Japanese society, politics, science, culture, history, food, and lifestyle. Free to viewers.
• PBS12 Livestream Live web stream of PBS12's flagship Channel 12.1, accessible directly in web browsers and via the PBS App on mobile and TV streaming devices. Free to viewers.
• PBS12 Passport A membership benefit providing extended on-demand access to 1,500+ episodes of PBS programs and local PBS12 productions, including Masterpiece series, NOVA, local shows, and international dramas. Available via the PBS Video app on desktop, mobile, and major streaming devices. Requires $5/month sustainer donation or one-time $60+ annual donation.
• PBS12 Sustainer Program Monthly recurring donation membership enabling ongoing support for PBS12 programming with automatic bank or card payments starting at $5/month. Provides continuous membership with no renewal notices and includes access to PBS12 Passport.
• PBS12 MemberCard Digital membership reward card offered to donors of $75 or more annually, providing 2-for-1 savings at local Colorado restaurants, museums, and attractions, plus travel benefits including car rental, hotel, and theme park discounts (Disney, Universal).
• 12 Trust Major Donor Program Elite donor recognition program for annual contributions of $1,000 or more, or those who have established a planned giving/estate arrangement. Includes invitations to station events, private station tours, special ticket offers, and public acknowledgment.
• PBS12 Red Rocks Summer Concert Series PBS12-organized live concert series at Red Rocks Amphitheater featuring tribute performances to iconic rock acts including Brit Floyd (Pink Floyd tribute), Killer Queen (Queen tribute), and Get The Led Out (Led Zeppelin tribute). Tickets sold separately.
• Italy Made with Love: Artisan Tour Travel experience event organized by PBS12 in partnership with the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Italy Made with Love, offering curated artisan tours of Italy including truffle hunting, jewelry making, wine and olive oil tasting. Ticketed paid experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 85% of Colorado's population across multiple broadcast channels and digital platforms
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Wowza (Elliot Miller appointment)minorOthers · 25 March 2026Wowza's Chief Legal Officer and Head of Operations Elliot Miller appointed to PBS12 Board of Directors, serving on Finance Committee. Recognizes 14 years of experience in media technology and broadcast operations.
• Daniels FundcoreOthersMajor foundation partner supporting PBS12's mission. Logo featured prominently on Partners page.
• The Office of Economic Development & International Trade (Colorado)coreOthersColorado state government partner supporting economic development through PBS12 content.
• Bonfils Stanton FoundationcoreOthersPhilanthropic foundation partner supporting PBS12 operations and programming.
• Colorado Gives FoundationcoreOthersPartners with Colorado Gives Day initiatives and charitable giving programs.
• Colorado Health FoundationcoreOthersHealth-focused foundation partner supporting health-related content and programming.
• Eldorado Natural Spring WaterminorOthersCorporate sponsor providing water products for station events.
• Grand CountyminorOthersColorado county partner featured on Partners page.
• Collegiate Peaks BankminorOthersColorado banking institution partner.
• Colorado Environmental and Film FestivalminorOthersFilm festival partner promoting environmental content.
• Colorado Media ProjectcoreOthersMedia-focused initiative supporting local journalism and public media.
• Downtown Denver PartnershipminorOthersDowntown Denver business association partner.
• Gary CommunityminorOthersCommunity organization partner.
• IbottaminorOthersDenver-based technology company corporate sponsor.
• Virginia W Hill FoundationminorOthersPhilanthropic foundation partner.
• Chook ChickenminorOthersLocal restaurant/business partner.
• Colorado Behavioral Health AdministrationminorOthersState agency partner for behavioral health content initiatives.
• In BankminorOthersColorado banking institution partner.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB): OPB operates PBS, NPR, and digital services across Oregon and southern Washington with statewide coverage focus. Closely comparable to PBS12 as a state-focused public broadcaster relying on member donations, corporate sponsorships, and local content production.
• Colorado Public Radio (CPR): CPR is Colorado's primary public radio network, sharing the same geographic market and donor base as PBS12. Comparable as a fellow Colorado nonprofit public media organization competing for the same member and corporate sponsorship dollars.
• WTTW / Chicago PBS: WTTW is a PBS member station in Chicago operating multiple channels (WTTW, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create, WTTW Kids) with significant local productions and Passport streaming. One of the closest direct peers given its similar multi-channel strategy, major-market focus, and comparable scale.
• CET / ThinkTV (Greater Dayton): ThinkTV is a regional PBS member station serving the Dayton/Ohio region with multiple channels and Passport streaming. Comparable as a similarly-sized public broadcaster with multi-channel distribution, local productions, and donation-driven revenue.
• Rocky Mountain PBS (KRMA): RMPBS is the other PBS member station in Colorado (Denver's primary PBS affiliate based in Denver). Closest direct peer to PBS12 in the same market, offering comparable multi-channel PBS broadcasting, Passport streaming, local productions, and donation-based funding model.

Broad incumbents

• KQED: KQED is a large PBS/NPR member station in San Francisco serving the Bay Area with multiple TV channels, radio stations, and digital platforms. Comparable as a fellow independent public broadcasting member station with multi-channel broadcast and Passport-style streaming services, though larger and serving a different geography.
• WNET / Thirteen: WNET Group operates Thirteen (WNET) in New York, the largest PBS station by reach. Comparable as a PBS member station operating multiple broadcast channels (THIRTEEN, WLIW21, etc.) with local productions and Passport streaming serving a major metro market.
• NPR (National): NPR is the national nonprofit radio and digital media organization. Comparable as part of the broader public media ecosystem that PBS12 affiliates with; while radio-focused, NPR shares the public broadcasting funding model (memberships, underwriting, foundations).
• KUSA 9News (TEGNA): 9News is the dominant commercial local TV broadcaster in Denver, where PBS12's new GM Bobby Springer previously worked for 18 years. Comparable as a Denver-area broadcast competitor for local news audiences, sponsorships, and viewership, though operating as a commercial network affiliate.
• WGBH / WETA (GBH): GBH (formerly WGBH) is a major PBS member station in Boston producing significant national programming (Frontline, NOVA, American Experience). Directly comparable as a public broadcasting member station producing both local and national content with multi-channel distribution and Passport membership.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PBS12_CO
• YouTubeyoutube.com/PBS12
• Facebookfacebook.com/PBS12.CO
• Instagraminstagram.com/pbs12_co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PBS12