Kentucky Educational Television

What Kentucky Educational Television does

Kentucky Educational Television (KET) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public broadcasting organization founded in 1968 and operated by the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television from its headquarters at 600 Cooper Drive in Lexington, Kentucky. KET operates Kentucky's only statewide broadcast network, transmitting four 24/7 channels (KET, KET2, KET KY/The Kentucky Channel, and KET PBS KIDS) through 16 transmission towers that reach Kentucky and parts of seven surrounding states, supplemented by cable, satellite, and streaming distribution on YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Prime Video, DIRECTV STREAM, and native apps across iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Samsung, Android TV, and other connected TV platforms. The organization serves more than 2 million viewers weekly with a mix of PBS national programming and locally produced Kentucky content including news (Comment on Kentucky, Kentucky Edition), public affairs forums (KET Forums, Next Chapter Forums), outdoor programming (Kentucky Afield), and entertainment.

KET's underlying technology stack centers on statewide broadcast transmission infrastructure with backup generators capable of 72+ hours of continuous emergency operation, three production facilities generating hundreds of hours of original content annually, and a portfolio of mobile and connected-TV applications for direct-to-consumer streaming. The organization also operates the FastForward adult education platform (GED, HiSET, and TASC test preparation achieving a 90% pass rate and distributed nationally), KET Virtual Physics Labs, Workplace Essential Skills, and Professional Development courses delivered through PBS LearningMedia. KET serves as the FCC-designated State Primary Source for the Kentucky Emergency Alert System, providing communications infrastructure for FEMA, NOAA, Kentucky Emergency Management, Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky National Guard, and federal agencies.

KET's business model combines viewer donations and KET Passport memberships (a subscription-style member benefit with enhanced on-demand access), corporate underwriting and program sponsorships, foundation grants, and public appropriations. Educational services are used in every Kentucky school district, and the FastForward platform generates revenue nationally as the largest nonprofit GED education publisher in the country. The organization employs 251-500 staff and is led by CEO Shae Hopkins.

Name

Kentucky Educational Television

Legal name

Kentucky Educational Television

Website

https://ket.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Kentucky Educational Television (KET) is a non-profit statewide public broadcasting network operating four 24/7 channels via 16 transmitters across Kentucky, serving 2 million+ weekly viewers with PBS content, locally produced programming, educational services (FastForward GED), and FCC-designated emergency alert infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Broadcasting and Educational Media

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Educational & Curriculum-Aligned Learning Channels (K–12) (MPABAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Language Learning & Literacy Channels (MPABAKAG)

Keywords

• Public broadcasting
• Educational media
• GED preparation
• Emergency alert infrastructure
• Streaming television

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership and Donations: KET relies on viewer donations and membership support. KET Passport provides enhanced on-demand access for members, offering an expanded library of programs beyond standard free access.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships and underwriting for specific programs and content. Public Affairs programming includes sponsored segments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kentucky Educational Television (KET) is a statewide public broadcasting network that produces and distributes free educational, cultural, and public affairs television programming across four 24/7 channels (KET, KET2, KET KY, KET PBS KIDS), reaching more than 2 million viewers weekly via over-the-air, cable, satellite, and streaming platforms. In parallel, KET publishes online adult education curricula—most notably the FastForward GED/HiSET/TASC preparation system (90% pass rate, used nationwide)—along with PBS LearningMedia, Workplace Essential Skills, Professional Development courses, and KET Virtual Physics Labs for K-12 educators and learners. KET's 16-transmitter network additionally serves as the FCC-designated State Primary Source for Kentucky's Emergency Alert System.

Product overview

Kentucky Educational Television (KET) operates as a statewide public broadcasting network with four 24/7 channels (KET, KET2, KET KY/The Kentucky Channel, and KET PBS KIDS) reaching over 2 million weekly viewers. The network delivers PBS national programming alongside locally produced content including news (Comment on Kentucky, Kentucky Edition), public affairs forums (KET Forums, Next Chapter Forums), outdoor programming (Kentucky Afield), and entertainment (Grantchester, Downton Abbey). KET Passport provides an enhanced on-demand library for members. Complementing broadcast operations, KET delivers education services including FastForward GED preparation (90% pass rate, used nationwide), Workplace Essential Skills, Professional Development courses, and KET Virtual Physics Labs—all accessible through KET's digital platforms including dedicated mobile apps for video streaming, legislative coverage, and educational skill assessment. The network also supports critical infrastructure through its 16-transmitter emergency alert system serving as Kentucky's state primary EAS source.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KET Passport: Member benefit offering extended on-demand access to KET and PBS programs
• KET FastForward
• KET Education
• KET PBS KIDS
• KET2
• KET KY (The Kentucky Channel)
• KET Forums
• Next Chapter Forums

Products and services

• KET (Main Broadcast Channel) Kentucky's primary statewide broadcast channel delivering PBS national programming and locally produced content to more than 2 million viewers weekly.
• KET2 Second 24/7 broadcast channel providing additional programming from the KET network.
• KET KY (The Kentucky Channel) Third 24/7 broadcast channel focused on Kentucky-specific content and public affairs programming.
• KET PBS KIDS Fourth 24/7 broadcast channel dedicated to PBS KIDS educational programming for children and families.
• KET Passport A KET donor/member benefit offering extended on-demand access to KET and PBS programming via KET.org and the PBS App.
• KET FastForward An online adult education service providing high school equivalency test preparation (GED, HiSET, TASC) with a 90% pass rate, used nationwide and the largest nonprofit GED education publisher in the U.S.
• PBS LearningMedia (KET hosted) Educational media platform hosted by KET providing classroom-ready resources for K-12 educators and learners.
• Workplace Essential Skills Adult education courses for contextualized basic skill improvement, part of KET's educational services portfolio.
• KET Professional Development Online professional development courses for educators covering Early Childhood Education, K-12, and Adult Education.
• KET Virtual Physics Labs Simulated virtual physics lab environment for students and teachers providing interactive physics education experiences.
• KET App Native mobile application for iOS and Android that lets users watch favorite KET and PBS programs live and on demand, view TV schedules, and set program reminders.
• KET Legislative Coverage App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling users to follow the Kentucky General Assembly with live and archived video of legislative committee meetings and chamber sessions.
• FastForward Skills Check App Mobile application that helps users assess readiness for the GED, HiSET, or TASC test through practice questions in language arts, social studies, science, and math.
• KET Podcasts Audio podcasts featuring KET program episodes such as Comment on Kentucky, distributed via KET.org and major podcast platforms.
• KET Emergency Alert System Support Statewide emergency alert broadcasting service providing emergency communications support for the National Weather Service, first responders, and law enforcement via KET's 16-transmitter network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 million+ viewers weekly
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKET is the PBS member station for Kentucky, providing access to PBS national programming including Masterpiece, Nature, PBS News Hour, and PBS KIDS content. This partnership provides KET viewers access to nationally-produced educational and entertainment programming.
• PBS KIDScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKET broadcasts the PBS KIDS channel and programming, available to every child and family regardless of circumstances, providing early childhood educational content.
• Kentucky Emergency ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKET partners with Kentucky Emergency Management as part of the state's emergency communications infrastructure. KET's transmission network serves as the State Primary Source for the Kentucky Emergency Alert System (EAS), approved by the FCC.
• National Weather Service / NOAAcoreTechnology or IntegrationKET's infrastructure supports NOAA National Weather Service broadcasts as part of the emergency communications network, enabling weather alerts and public safety information distribution.
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKET participates in the federal government's National Emergency Alert System in collaboration with FEMA, supporting national emergency communications.
• Advanced Warning and Response Network (AWARN)coreTechnology or IntegrationKET participates in AWARN, the Advanced Warning and Response Network, as part of its emergency alert capabilities.
• PBS WARN/Wireless Emergency AlertscoreTechnology or IntegrationKET participates in PBS WARN/Wireless Emergency Alerts system for distributing emergency information to the public.
• Kentucky State PolicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKET supports Kentucky State Police communications through its statewide transmission network infrastructure.
• Kentucky National GuardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKET infrastructure supports Kentucky National Guard emergency communications.
• Kentucky Division of ForestryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKET supports forest fire emergency communications for the Kentucky Division of Forestry.
• Secret ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Secret Service utilizes KET's transmission infrastructure for emergency communications.
• FBIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Bureau of Investigation utilizes KET's statewide transmission infrastructure for emergency communications.
• Streaming Platform Partners (YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Prime Video, DIRECTV STREAM)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKET distributes its broadcast channels through major internet streaming platforms, making content available to cord-cutters and viewers who prefer streaming over traditional TV.
• Protect My Public MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational organization recognizing the essential local service public media stations provide, encouraging support for restoring federal funding to help protect the future of local public media stations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WGBH (Boston PBS): Major PBS member station producing significant national content (Frontline, American Experience, NOVA) with a much larger production operation and revenue base than KET, but sharing the public broadcasting/educational media model.
• WTTW (Chicago PBS): Major metro PBS member station producing original content with larger budget than KET. Comparable in broadcast operations and educational programming mix, though more localized to a single metro area than KET's statewide footprint.
• WETA (Washington, DC PBS): Larger flagship PBS member station producing national programming (including PBS NewsHour) with broader geographic scope and more extensive production operations than KET, but overlapping in broadcast and educational services.

Direct peers

• Mississippi Public Broadcasting: Statewide public broadcasting network serving Mississippi with similar broadcast infrastructure, K-12 educational content, and emergency alerting roles. Highly comparable structure and mission to KET.
• Iowa PBS: Statewide Iowa public television network with educational services, locally produced programming, and PBS affiliation. Operates multiple channels with similar educational mission to KET.
• Tennessee Public Television (WNPT Nashville): Statewide Tennessee public broadcasting network delivering PBS content and educational services. Comparable scale and focus on statewide K-12 educational resources.
• Wisconsin Public Television: Statewide public television network operating multiple channels, educational services for K-12, and PBS programming. Comparable broadcast scale and educational programming model.
• West Virginia Public Broadcasting: Statewide West Virginia public broadcasting network serving a rural population with comparable broadcast scale, educational services, and similar Appalachian/Southern regional demographic dynamics to KET.
• Arkansas PBS ( Arkansas Educational Telecommunications Network): Statewide Arkansas public television network with educational programming, PBS KIDS carriage, and broadcast infrastructure comparable in scale and mission to KET.
• Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA): Statewide Oklahoma public television broadcaster with educational programming and PBS affiliation. Closely aligned mission, scale, and operating structure to KET.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ket
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/KETVideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/ket
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ket
• Instagraminstagram.com/kentuckyeducationaltv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Kentucky Educational Television