AZPM

What AZPM does

AZPM (Arizona Public Media) is a non-profit public media organization serving Southern Arizona, operating as an editorially independent service of the University of Arizona. Founded in 1959 and headquartered at the Paul & Alice Baker Center for Public Media in Tucson, AZPM broadcasts three television channels — PBS 6, PBS 6 Plus, and PBS Kids — alongside four radio streams: NPR 89.1, Classical 90.5, Jazz 89.1 HD2, and BBC World Service. The organization produces original local programming including the long-running Arizona Illustrated, Arizona 360, Arizona Spotlight, and a portfolio of award-winning podcasts such as The Buzz, Tapped, Arizona Science, and Navigating Our Financial Times. All FCC broadcast licenses are held by the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona, providing a regulatory moat that underwrites AZPM's broadcast operations.

AZPM's technology footprint is built on broadcast TV/radio infrastructure, the AZPM Passport video-on-demand streaming service, and a digital distribution stack spanning web (azpm.org), mobile apps, and the playpbs.azpm.org streaming platform. Distribution reaches Southern Arizona via over-the-air broadcast and is extended through additional FM frequencies in Catalina, SaddleBrooke, and Nogales, plus an FCC-permitted new FM station at 89.1 MHz in St. Johns. Partnerships with PBS, NPR, and BBC World Service deliver national and international programming, while fee-for-service production capabilities (Production Services) generate commercial revenue.

AZPM is funded through a diversified public-media revenue model: 30,000+ annual members, recurring Passport subscriptions starting at $5/month, corporate program underwriting (e.g., Banner Health), grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (previously), and direct/in-kind support from the University of Arizona. The organization reports it is now 100% funded by viewers, listeners, and local program underwriters. The go-to-market is community-led, anchored in member recruitment, community events, and educational outreach to K-12 schools and University of Arizona students.

Name

AZPM

Legal name

Arizona Public Media

Website

https://azpm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

AZPM is a Tucson-based non-profit public media organization operating PBS television and NPR/Classical/Jazz radio channels plus the AZPM Passport streaming service, serving Southern Arizona with member, underwriting, and university-supported funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Broadcasting and Media Services

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning) (MPABADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus) (MPAIAEAB), Public/Nonprofit Radio Networks (NPR-style) (MPABABAB), Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE)

Keywords

• Public television broadcasting
• Public radio broadcasting
• Educational media services
• Digital news production
• Video on demand streaming

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership and Donations: AZPM receives support from annual and sustaining members through donations and membership fees. The organization has over 30,000 annual members who contribute to fund operations.
2. Program Underwriting: The business community supports AZPM through program underwriting, where businesses sponsor specific programs or time slots on radio and television.
3. Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports public media operations.
4. University of Arizona Support: Direct and in-kind support from the University of Arizona, including facilities and administrative resources.
5. Fee-for-Service Production: Fee-for-service production activities generate revenue through creating content for other organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AZPM (Arizona Public Media) is a nonprofit public media organization that broadcasts three television channels (PBS 6, PBS 6 Plus, PBS Kids) and four radio stations (NPR 89.1, Classical 90.5, Jazz 89.1 HD2, BBC World Service) to Southern Arizona audiences. It produces original local news, television programs, and podcasts, and provides the AZPM Passport video-on-demand streaming service to members. The organization also delivers K-12 educational resources and community programming, funded primarily through member donations, corporate underwriting, and grants.

Product overview

AZPM (Arizona Public Media) is a multi-platform public media organization offering a portfolio of three television channels (PBS 6, PBS 6 Plus, PBS Kids), four radio stations (NPR 89.1, Classical 90.5, Jazz 89.1 HD2, BBC World Service), the AZPM Passport streaming service, and multiple original podcasts including The Buzz, Tapped, Navigating Our Financial Times, Arizona Science, and The Press Room. The organization also provides educational outreach programs like Arizona At-Home Learning and produces local programming such as Arizona Illustrated and Arizona Spotlight. Services are funded through member support, program underwriting, CPB grants, and University of Arizona backing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PBS 6: Primary television program service broadcasting PBS content
• PBS 6 Plus
• PBS Kids
• NPR 89.1
• Classical 90.5
• Jazz 89.1 HD2
• AZPM Passport
• Navigating Our Financial Times
• The Buzz
• Arizona Illustrated
• Arizona 360
• Tapped
• Arizona Science
• Arizona Spotlight

Products and services

• PBS 6 Primary PBS television channel providing national PBS programming, local news, and original AZPM productions to Southern Arizona viewers.
• PBS 6 Plus Secondary television channel offering additional PBS programming beyond the main PBS 6 schedule.
• PBS Kids Children's educational programming channel featuring PBS Kids shows aligned with curriculum standards, reaching 66% of kids 2-8 in the viewing area.
• NPR 89.1 Full-time news and information radio station featuring NPR national programming (All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Fresh Air) and local news coverage; ranked #1 among Tucson radio stations.
• Classical 90.5 Classical music radio station serving Southern Arizona with curated classical programming.
• Jazz 89.1 HD2 HD radio secondary channel featuring 24/7 jazz programming.
• AZPM Passport Membership benefit providing streaming access to PBS programming, including exclusive content before broadcast, available on multiple devices; over 350,000 streams in fiscal year 2019-2020.
• The Buzz Award-winning AZPM podcast providing in-depth analysis and conversation on Arizona news, politics, and community issues; available as radio broadcast and podcast.
• Arizona Illustrated Flagship local magazine program broadcasting thought-provoking, diverse stories that reflect Southern Arizona for over 30 years.
• Arizona Spotlight Local radio magazine program featuring stories about Southern Arizona people, places, and culture.
• Tapped Award-winning investigative podcast examining water issues in the American Southwest, including the Colorado River, PFAS chemicals, and uranium mining impacts.
• Navigating Our Financial Times Original AZPM podcast examining how shifting economic landscapes affect Arizona families, retirees, workers, and businesses, hosted by Nicole Cox and Linda O'Bryon with expert guests.
• The Press Room Weekly roundtable news program providing deep discussion on the latest headlines from local, trusted journalists from around Arizona.
• Arizona Science Local podcast exploring science topics relevant to Arizona and the Southwest, featuring interviews with researchers and experts.
• Arizona At-Home Learning Free digital learning resources and educational broadcast schedule aligned with state curriculum standards, launched in response to COVID-19 school closures, endorsed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• AZPM News Daily Daily news updates delivered through digital platforms covering local news and current events in Southern Arizona.

Quantifiable outcome

• NPR 89.1 ranked #1 in Tucson Metro market for first time in station history
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of TucsonmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026AZPM partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson to host a Back-to-School Supply Drive from June 22 through August 4. The clubs serve more than 4,000 children and teens across eight locations including a recently added club in Safford, Arizona.
• Arizona PBSmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2020AZPM formed a partnership with Arizona PBS in Phoenix to provide educational content to students and educators affected by COVID-19 school closures statewide through the Arizona At-Home Learning initiative.
• University of ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZPM is an editorially independent, not-for-profit service of the University of Arizona. The university provides direct and in-kind support including facilities at the Baker Center for Public Media. AZPM stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents for the benefit of the University of Arizona.
• Arizona Board of RegentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Arizona Board of Regents holds the FCC broadcast licenses for all AZPM radio and television stations. AZPM trademarks are registered to ABOR.
• PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)coreTechnology or IntegrationAZPM broadcasts PBS television programming including national news shows like PBS NewsHour, MASTERPIECE, NOVA, and documentary series. AZPM provides local PBS content including Arizona Illustrated.
• NPR (National Public Radio)coreTechnology or IntegrationAZPM's NPR 89.1 radio station carries NPR national programming including All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Fresh Air with the option to distribute NPR podcasts.
• BBC World ServicecoreTechnology or IntegrationAZPM carries BBC World Service programming as part of its radio offerings to provide international news coverage to listeners.
• Banner HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner Health is a sponsor of the Navigating Our Financial Times podcast, supporting production and distribution of financial education content for Arizona audiences.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KQED: KQED is the San Francisco Bay Area's primary PBS and NPR station, operating multiple TV channels, radio stations, and a streaming service (KQED Passport). It is the closest functional analog to AZPM in terms of combined TV/radio/streaming operations, university-adjacent governance, and member-supported public media model.
• KPBS: KPBS is the PBS and NPR station serving San Diego, similarly affiliated with San Diego State University, operating TV channels, NPR radio, podcasts, and KPBS Passport streaming. Comparable in operational structure, regional broadcast scope, and university-hosted public media mission.
• WGBH: WGBH is the flagship PBS station for Boston and a major producer of national PBS programming. Operates TV and radio alongside WGBH Passport streaming; a direct comparable for multi-platform public media operations with significant original content production.
• WETA: WETA is the Washington, D.C. area PBS station, also producing nationally distributed PBS content (e.g., PBS NewsHour). Comparable in operating a major PBS station, producing national-caliber journalism, and running companion radio/streaming services.
• Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB): OPB operates PBS and NPR stations across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, including TV channels, radio stations, and OPB Passport streaming. Comparable as a multi-platform regional public media organization with member-supported funding and original journalism.
• Houston Public Media (KUHT): Houston Public Media, anchored by KUHT (the nation's first educational TV station), operates PBS and NPR channels plus streaming for the Houston market and is affiliated with the University of Houston. Directly comparable to AZPM in operating PBS/NPR TV, radio, and streaming under a university parent.
• Vegas PBS: Vegas PBS is the PBS station serving Southern Nevada, operating multiple TV channels and digital/educational services. A regional comparable for AZPM in the southwestern U.S. public broadcasting landscape, though slightly narrower in radio operations.
• WTTW: WTTW is the PBS station for Chicago and a major national producer of PBS content. Comparable in operating primary and secondary PBS channels, producing original programming, and serving a major regional market with member-supported funding.

Broad incumbents

• PBS (Public Broadcasting Service): PBS is the national network that AZPM distributes content through. As a national content and distribution backbone, it is the broader industry incumbent that AZPM partners with and whose content portfolio underpins the local station's programming slate.
• NPR (National Public Radio): NPR is the national radio network whose programming AZPM 89.1 carries. As the national content incumbent, NPR supplies news/talk and podcast programming that forms the foundation of AZPM's radio operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/azpublicmedia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@azpm
• Facebookfacebook.com/azpublicmedia
• Instagraminstagram.com/arizonapublicmedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 AZPM