Alabama Public Television

What Alabama Public Television does

Alabama Public Television (APT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public broadcasting organization that operates nine FCC-licensed television stations across the State of Alabama, headquartered in Birmingham with a studio in Montgomery. Founded in 1953 and governed by the Alabama Educational Television Commission, APT delivers educational, cultural, and news programming through its main PBS-affiliated channel plus the Create, PBS KIDS, and APT World channels, and supplements linear broadcast with the APT Passport streaming platform for members who donate $60 or more annually. Original content production centers on the Emmy-winning "Discovering Alabama" nature documentary series, "Capitol Journal" weekly news program, and cultural series including Journey Proud, Garden Party, Muscle Shoals to Music Row, Monograph, and Subcarrier.

APT serves three primary customer segments: the general Alabama public (especially underserved rural communities seeking educational programming), educators and students (PreK through adult learners, supported through Learning Adventures webcasts, PBS KIDS EdCamps, and teacher professional development), and families with children (PBS KIDS and Sesame Street content, early literacy programs). The business model is a hybrid non-profit funding structure: individual viewer donations and memberships are the largest ongoing support, government grants (previously including Corporation for Public Broadcasting) and corporate sponsorships together comprise more than 30% of operating budget, with supplementary revenue from planned giving, vehicle and property donations (via Giving Property), and travel program partnerships with Collette Vacations. Corporate sponsors span multiple sectors including Alabama Power, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama, Medical Properties Trust, Wells Fargo, The Home Depot, Thompson Tractor, and Books-A-Million.

Following the July 2025 rescission of $1.1 billion in federal public media funding and the dissolution of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, APT lost approximately $2.8 million (about 13% of annual budget). The organization is currently navigating a contract renewal decision with PBS (expiring June 2026) while actively diversifying revenue through new product launches (America's Awesome Kids, Phoebe & Jay), new donation verticals (APT Pet Club, vehicle and real estate donations), travel partnerships, and expanded corporate sponsorship.

Name

Alabama Public Television

Legal name

Alabama Educational Television Foundation Authority

Website

https://aptv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alabama Public Television is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public broadcaster operating nine FCC-licensed stations across Alabama, delivering educational, cultural, and news programming to Alabama residents, educators, and families with children through broadcast, streaming, and original documentaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Broadcasting

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Media Digital Platforms & Streaming (Apps, On-demand, Podcasts) (MPABADAG), Public/Nonprofit Children’s Educational Broadcasters (MPABAKAF), Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning) (MPABADAH)

Keywords

• Public television broadcasting
• Educational programming
• Broadcast television networks
• Streaming media services
• Nonprofit media production

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Memberships: Individual contributions from viewers represent the largest source of ongoing support for APT. Members receive benefits including APT Passport streaming access for annual donors of $60 or more.
2. Government Grants: Grants from governmental sources including CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) and state agencies. After July 2025 federal funding cuts, APT lost $2.8 million (about 13% of annual budget) from CPB dissolution. These sources make up more than 30% of operating budget.
3. Corporate Sponsorship and Underwriting: Corporate sponsors provide financial support in exchange for visibility on APT programming. Examples include Thompson Tractor as a corporate sponsor.
4. Travel Program Revenue: APT partners with Collette Vacations for travel tours to destinations including Holland, Belgium, South Africa, Greece, and National Parks. Portions of travel fees support APT operations.
5. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Legacy Society allows donors to leave gifts to APT in their estate. Also includes Qualified Charitable Contributions from IRAs for donors over 70½.
6. Vehicle and Property Donations: APT accepts vehicle donations (cars, trucks, vans, RVs, boats on trailers, motorcycles) and real estate property donations (land, homes, commercial property) through partners like Giving Property.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Alabama Public Television operates nine statewide broadcast television stations providing educational, cultural, and entertainment programming to Alabama residents. Its core offerings include the APT broadcast network (main PBS channel, Create, PBS Kids, and World channels), the APT Passport on-demand streaming service for donors, and original local programming such as the Emmy-winning Discovering Alabama documentary series and the Capitol Journal news program. APT also distributes educational resources for teachers and families and produces children's content through the PBS KIDS partnership.

Product overview

Alabama Public Television (APT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public broadcasting network operating nine television stations statewide. The core offering is broadcast television programming across multiple channels (APT main channel, Create, PBS Kids, and World), supplemented by the APT Passport streaming service for members. Original programming includes Emmy-winning nature documentary series Discovering Alabama, political news program Capitol Journal, and cultural series Journey Proud, Muscle Shoals to Music Row, Monograph, and Subcarrier. APT provides educational resources through its Education platform spanning Professional Development, Early Childhood, K-12, Parents, and Adult Learners. Membership programs include Family Membership, APT Circle major donor recognition, APT Pet Club, and APT Legacy Society planned giving. Travel programs through Collette Vacations offer international trips with portions supporting APT. The organization also produces children's programming through PBS KIDS including original series America's Awesome Kids. Funding comes from viewer donations (over 30% of operating budget), government grants, and corporate support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• APT Passport: A streaming membership benefit for donors who contribute $60 or more annually, providing extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming.
• APT Circle
• APT Legacy Society
• APT Education
• Longleaf Studios

Products and services

• APT Broadcast Channels Statewide broadcast television network comprising nine Alabama stations across four channels: APT main PBS channel, Create (lifestyle), PBS Kids, and APT World. Delivered over-the-air and through cable/satellite providers, free of charge to viewers across Alabama.
• APT Passport Streaming On-demand streaming service for donors giving $60 or more annually, providing extended access to the PBS content library and member-only episodes. Available via video.aptv.org and PBS digital platforms with activation code authentication.
• Discovering Alabama Emmy-winning original documentary series hosted by Doug Phillips exploring Alabama's natural history, ecosystems, forests, rivers, wildlife, and environmental conservation. Produced by Longleaf Studios in partnership with the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
• Capitol Journal Weekly Alabama-focused news program covering state government, legislative updates, and interviews with newsmakers. Distributed across broadcast, web video, news articles, podcast, and the Capitol Journal Mobile app.
• Garden Party Cooking and gardening lifestyle series hosted by Trace Barnett featuring Southern recipes, gardening tips, and home and garden content for general audiences. Currently in Season 4.
• Journey Proud Original cultural documentary series exploring Alabama's folklife, traditions, folk pottery, herbal medicine, hunting traditions, and regional dialects.
• Muscle Shoals to Music Row Original music documentary series showcasing Southern musical heritage, profiling musicians and artists connecting Muscle Shoals, Alabama to Nashville's Music Row.
• Monograph Original documentary series profiling Alabama artists, musicians, and cultural creators including Joe Minter, Standard Deluxe, and regional music scenes.
• Subcarrier Original music video series featuring independent and alternative Alabama musicians including Birmingham-based artists such as Cash Langdon.
• APT Educational Programs Education platform serving Alabama teachers, students, and parents with resources spanning Professional Development, Early Childhood, K-12, Parents, and Adult Learners. Includes Learning Adventures webcasts, Ready to Learn seminars, and PBS KIDS EdCamp teacher training.
• PBS KIDS Programming Children's educational programming block on APT featuring PBS KIDS shows including Sesame Street, Wild Kratts, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and specialty content such as America's Awesome Kids mini-documentaries celebrating America's 250th birthday.
• APT Travel Programs Group travel experiences operated in partnership with Collette Vacations to international and domestic destinations, including Holland, Belgium, South Africa, Victoria Falls, Greece, and U.S. National Parks. A portion of travel fees supports APT operations.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)coreTechnology or IntegrationNational public broadcasting network providing programming content and distribution infrastructure to APT. Current contract expires June 2026 and is under review by the Alabama Educational Television Commission. APT's future relationship with PBS remains uncertain as the commission evaluates new contract costs while prioritizing educational programming for Alabamians.
• Alabama Department of Human ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency sponsoring PBS KIDS programs on APT.
• Alabama Power CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor for PBS KIDS programming on APT.
• Books-A-MillionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor for Young Heroes scholarship program.
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield of AlabamaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor for Be My Neighbor Day and Young Heroes programs supporting community engagement and youth recognition.
• Medical Properties TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor for Young Heroes scholarship award program.
• Fred Rogers Productions/PNCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor for Be My Neighbor Day community event promoting early childhood development.
• WNET-CPBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Sesame Street in Communities educational program supporting early childhood learning.
• Alabama Bicentennial CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState commission supporting Learning Adventures educational webcasts for Alabama's bicentennial celebrations.
• Alabama Humanities FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState program of National Endowment for the Humanities supporting Learning Adventures educational content.
• Alabama State Council on the ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState program of National Endowment for the Arts supporting Learning Adventures.
• U.S. Space & Rocket CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor for Learning Adventures educational programming.
• Wells Fargo FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation sponsor for Learning Adventures educational webcast programs.
• Community Foundation of South AlabamaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor for PBS KIDS EdCamp professional development for educators.
• Sybil Smith FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor for Young Heroes scholarship and PBS KIDS EdCamp programs.
• GBHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBH Kids produces America's Awesome Kids series featuring 25 mini-documentaries from children across America as part of PBS KIDS Across America initiative.
• Collette VacationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel partner organizing APT travel programs to destinations including Holland/Belgium river cruises, South Africa/Victoria Falls, National Parks, and Greece. Portions of travel fees support APT operations.
• Thompson TractorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Alabama Public Television with recognition in sponsor spotlight.
• The Home DepotminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding for Ask This Old House home improvement program broadcast on APT.
• Giving PropertyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization processing real estate donations to benefit Alabama Public Television, accepting any property type in any location.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• WETA (Washington DC): PBS member station that produces PBS NewsHour and serves as a comparable large public broadcaster with educational programming and member-supported revenue.
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS): National public television network that supplies APT with programming, distribution, and Passport streaming infrastructure. Direct counterparty in APT's most important commercial relationship, with APT's contract expiring June 2026.
• WGBH (Boston): Major PBS-producing station that produces America's Awesome Kids for APT, plus national series like Frontline and NOVA. Larger and more production-focused than APT, but a key content supplier.
• WNET (New York): Large PBS member station producing major national programs and serving as a content partner. Comparable non-profit public TV governance and PBS partnership, but at significantly greater scale.

Direct peers

• Mississippi Public Broadcasting: Statewide public television and radio network serving Mississippi, operating under the same CPB-loss and PBS-renewal dynamics as APT. Closest comparable on station count, funding mix, and rural-educational mission.
• Georgia Public Broadcasting: GPB operates nine TV stations and one radio station across Georgia with a similar non-profit public broadcasting model, PBS affiliation, and education platform. Highly comparable scale and programming strategy.
• Louisiana Public Broadcasting: Statewide public television network in Louisiana operating multiple stations with PBS programming and local content production. Comparable funding model and federal-cut exposure.
• Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET): Statewide public TV/radio network for Nebraska with similar multi-station PBS affiliate structure, educational mission, and rural community focus. Comparable scale and funding mix.
• Tennessee Public Television Council (Nashville Public Television): Nashville-area PBS member station with comparable regional public broadcasting mission, state-level funding exposure, and educational programming focus. Adjacent geographic peer.

Others

• National Public Radio (NPR): Parallel public media organization for radio. APT is not a member of NPR, but the two share the same federal funding mechanism, donor base patterns, and political exposure that drove the 2025 CPB rescission. Useful comparable for understanding the public media funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AlabamaPublicTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/PublicTelevision
• Instagraminstagram.com/ALPublicTV
• Xx.com/APTV

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Alabama Public Television