Smoky Hills PBS

What Smoky Hills PBS does

Smoky Hills PBS (legal entity: Smoky Hills Public Television, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) community-licensed public television station incorporated in 1978 and broadcasting from Bunker Hill, Kansas since November 10, 1982 under the call letters KOOD on Channel 9. The station operates four television transmitters — KOOD (main), KSWK (Lakin, 1987), KDCK (Dodge City, 1990), and KWKS (Brewster, 2004) — plus a translator network reaching 1.215 million potential viewers across 52 counties via 14 cable operators in 194 communities and 71 counties via DirecTV and Dish Network satellite distribution. The technical foundation is a 1,110-foot transmitter tower in southern Russell County and a native-stone studio in Bunker Hill, supplemented by streaming on the PBS Video app, PBS KIDS Video app, and a native iOS/Android mobile app.

The programming slate combines PBS national content with a deep local-originals portfolio: Doctors on Call (live physician call-in), The Kansas Legislature (live legislator discussions produced with Fort Hays State University's Docking Institute), Growing Together (parenting, premiered September 2025), Real Ag (agricultural education, Season 13), Cottonwood Connections (Kansas history, Season 8), Traveling Kansas, Cool Careers, The Moccasin Speaks, Learning Across Kansas (a multi-station collaboration with KPTS, KTWU, KCPT, and the Kansas Department of Education), and high school sports coverage. Children's output spans the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel, 60+ commercial-free hours weekly, the Share A Story library program, and the PBS KIDS Writers Contest.

The business model is a multi-stream nonprofit revenue structure: individual donations and sustaining memberships (with Passport streaming bundled at the $60+ donation tier and priced at $5/month or $60/year standalone), corporate underwriting from regional banks, healthcare systems, and agricultural businesses, foundation grants (Kansas Health Foundation, Dane G. Hansen, Earl Bane, Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas, and others), planned giving and legacy gifts, vehicle donations via Careasy.org, the $10/month Birthday Club, and Dillons community rewards referrals. Audience segments served include rural central/western Kansas households, K-12 students, families with children grades 4-8, agricultural producers and consumers, healthcare information seekers, and Kansas political voters and candidates.

Name

Smoky Hills PBS

Legal name

Smoky Hills Public Television, Inc.

Website

https://smokyhillspbs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smoky Hills PBS is a 501(c)(3) public television station operating four broadcast transmitters and streaming platforms to serve 1.2 million potential viewers across central and western Kansas with PBS national programming, original local productions, and donor-supported educational content.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Television Broadcasting

NAICS

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)

Keywords

• Public television broadcasting
• Local content production
• Educational programming
• PBS member station
• Community broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Bunker Hill

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership and Donations: Individual donations through one-time or recurring monthly sustaining memberships. All donations of $60+ receive Smoky Hills Passport membership benefit.
2. Corporate Underwriting: Program underwriting by businesses that invest in Smoky Hills PBS to support quality services. Businesses receive recognition and community visibility in exchange.
3. Program Underwriting: Businesses listed as underwriters that make programming possible including agriculture, banking, healthcare, education, and energy sector companies.
4. Smoky Hills Passport Subscription: Subscription streaming service providing on-demand access to over 1,000 hours of PBS programming for $5/month or $60 annually. Included free with $60+ annual donations.
5. Vehicle Donations: Car, truck, boat, trailer donations through partnership with Careasy.org
6. Planned Giving / Legacy Gifts: Bequests, IRA/retirement plan beneficiary designations, life insurance beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder annuity trusts.
7. Community Rewards Programs: Dillons Rewards Program where shoppers designate Smoky Hills PBS as their organization and Dillons contributes based on purchases using the Plus Shopper's Card.
8. Birthday Club Membership: $10/month membership for recognizing up to four birthdays (people or pets) with on-air announcements during the birthday month.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Smoky Hills PBS operates a community-licensed public television broadcast service across central and western Kansas via four FCC-licensed TV stations (KOOD, KSWK, KDCK, KWKS), a translator network, cable and satellite carriage, and dedicated streaming/mobile applications. It produces local original programming (Doctors on Call, Growing Together, The Kansas Legislature, Real Ag, Cottonwood Connections, Traveling Kansas, Cool Careers, Kansas Candidates, Learning Across Kansas, Sports) and carries national PBS content. Membership, donations, and corporate underwriting sustain operations.

Product overview

Smoky Hills PBS operates as a community-licensed public television station broadcasting across Central and Western Kansas. The core offering is over-the-air television broadcast across four stations (KOOD, KSWK, KDCK, KWKS) reaching 52 counties. The product portfolio includes original local productions (Doctors on Call, Growing Together, The Kansas Legislature, Traveling Kansas, Real Ag, Sports, Cottonwood Connections, The Moccasin Speaks, Cool Careers, Kansas Candidates) and carries national PBS programming. Membership programs include PBS Passport (streaming access), Birthday Club, and PBS Books Readers Club. Educational initiatives encompass Learning Across Kansas (collaboration with Kansas Department of Education), PBS KIDS 24/7 Channel, PBS KIDS Writers Contest, and Share A Story library program. The station offers a mobile app for iOS/Android with live streaming and on-demand capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smoky Hills Passport: Membership benefit providing on-demand access to over 1,000 hours of PBS programming including original productions
• KOOD
• Smoky Hills Birthday Club
• PBS KIDS Writers Contest

Products and services

• Smoky Hills PBS Television Broadcast Over-the-air public television broadcasting across Central and Western Kansas with four TV stations (KOOD, KSWK, KDCK, KWKS) reaching 52 counties, 194 communities, and 1.2 million potential viewers.
• Smoky Hills Passport Membership benefit providing extended streaming access to over 1,000 hours of PBS programming including American Experience, Nature, NOVA, Masterpiece, and original productions. Included free with $60+ annual donations, or $5/month.
• Doctors on Call LIVE viewer call-in show featuring Kansas doctors and health care professionals discussing health-related topics. Airs Tuesdays at 7pm.
• Growing Together Local parenting program providing evidence-based advice for Kansas families raising children, from infancy through adolescence.
• The Kansas Legislature LIVE call-in show featuring Kansas state senators and representatives discussing state issues during the legislative session. Airs Fridays at 7pm.
• Traveling Kansas Documentary series showcasing unique stories, landscapes, and communities across Kansas through regional episodes.
• Real Ag Agricultural education program providing pertinent information about food and the agriculture industry for consumers and agri-business professionals. Airs Fridays at 8:30pm.
• Smoky Hills PBS Sports Coverage Coverage of athletic events in Central and Western Kansas including 3-2-1A State Wrestling, Kansas Shrine Bowl, All-Star Games, and Wild West Bowl.
• Learning Across Kansas Collaborative educational programming with Kansas Department of Education and other Kansas PBS stations providing supplemental education for Elementary, Middle School, and High School students.
• Cottonwood Connections Documentary series exploring Kansas history and Great Plains culture; multiple seasons including Season 8 focusing on Kansas' role as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
• The Moccasin Speaks Documentary about the German Family Massacre and the tragic history of displaced Cheyennes on the High Plains.
• Cool Careers Career exploration series for Kansas kids in grades 4-8 showcasing high-demand careers available in Kansas across various industries.
• Kansas Candidates Live show bringing local candidates to discuss topics important to Kansans, including gubernatorial debates and House of Representatives candidate forums.
• Smoky Hills Birthday Club Monthly membership program ($10/month) allowing enrollment of up to four birthdays for recognition on air during the birthday month.
• PBS KIDS Writers Contest Annual creative writing and illustration contest for Kansas children in grades 1-5, with winners recognized on television and stories published online.
• Share A Story Community program traveling to libraries in Central and Western Kansas, featuring book reading, show viewing, crafts, and free books for children.
• PBS KIDS 24/7 Channel Continuous children's programming channel featuring PBS KIDS favorites including Arthur, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Wild Kratts, and new series like Alma's Way.
• PBS Books Readers Club Monthly digital-first book club with author interviews, discussions, and recommendations paired with PBS programming themes.
• Smoky Hills PBS Mobile App Native mobile application for iOS and Android providing live streaming, on-demand viewing, program reminders, and donation capabilities.
• Vehicle Donation Program Partnership with Careasy.org enabling donors to contribute vehicles (cars, boats, tractors) to support Smoky Hills PBS.
• Monthly Sustaining Membership Recurring monthly donation program with automatic credit/debit card billing, providing Passport access and never expiring membership benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches 1,215,000 potential viewers across central and western Kansas
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

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

• Docking Institute of Public Affairs, Fort Hays State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University makes the Kansas Legislature show possible. The institute provides resources and expertise for legislative coverage.
• Kansas Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to create Learning Across Kansas educational programming during COVID-19 pandemic, providing supplemental education for Elementary, Middle School, and High School students.
• Kansas Public Broadcasters (KPTS, KTWU, KCPT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of Kansas PBS stations collaborating on Learning Across Kansas productions - KPTS Wichita produces Middle School episodes, KTWU Topeka produces High School episodes, Smoky Hills PBS produces Elementary episodes.
• PBS (National)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember station of PBS network receiving national programming, streaming platform access (PBS Video app, PBS Passport), and brand association with PBS national content.
• Cable Television Operators (14 operators in 194 communities)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCable providers carrying Smoky Hills PBS signal to households in central and western Kansas communities
• DirecTV and Dish NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSatellite providers distributing Smoky Hills PBS signal to 71 Kansas counties
• University of Kansas Health SystemsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Growing Together parenting program
• BlueCross BlueShield of KansasmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Growing Together parenting program
• Kansas Health FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrant funding for Growing Together parenting program through KS Health Foundation Grant
• Kansas Farmers UnionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Real Ag Season 13, supporting agricultural education programming
• Bank of HaysmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Real Ag Season 13, supporting agricultural education programming
• Horlacher Jewelers, Colby Glass Co., Fry Eye Associates, Scott County Historical Society, United, Prairie Museum of Art & History, Sherman County Historical SocietymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason 8 sponsors of Cottonwood Connections history program
• Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Earl Bane Foundation, Jack Wilson Charitable Trust, McFadden Charitable Trust, Russell County Area Community Foundation, Finnup FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation sponsors of PBS KIDS programming on Smoky Hills PBS
• Dillons (Kroger)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Rewards Program allowing shoppers to designate Smoky Hills PBS as their charity, with Dillons making contributions based on purchases
• Kansas Public Television BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal sponsoring organization under whose auspices Smoky Hills PBS was incorporated in 1978
• FCCcoreOthersFederal Communications Commission licensing channel 9 (originally channel 14) for broadcast operations

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• PBS (Public Broadcasting Service): National PBS network that Smoky Hills PBS is a member station of; provides the PBS Video app, PBS Passport streaming platform, PBS KIDS content, national programming, and brand authority. Functions as a parent/incumbent relationship rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Kansas City PBS (KCPT): PBS station serving the Kansas City metro area; collaborator on Learning Across Kansas productions. Larger market and budget than Smoky Hills PBS but same operational model: community-licensed public TV station with original local production, Passport membership, and corporate underwriting.
• KTWU Topeka (Washburn University): Kansas PBS member station licensed to Washburn University in Topeka; co-produces Learning Across Kansas High School episodes with Smoky Hills PBS. Comparable size, nonprofit public television operator, similar funding model (donations, underwriting, university support).
• KPTS Wichita: Another Kansas PBS member station serving south-central Kansas; collaborates with Smoky Hills PBS on Learning Across Kansas (KPTS produces Middle School episodes) and operates under the same statewide educational mandate, competing for similar state-level grants and sponsorships.

Emerging players

• Cedar Hollow Productions: Independent production company that has produced several regional history and travel documentaries featured on Smoky Hills PBS (e.g., Ellis Trail to Nicodemus). Functions as a content supplier/thematically adjacent creator rather than a broadcaster.

Regional players

• Nebraska Public Media (NET): Nebraska's statewide public television and radio network operating across a comparable rural Midwestern geography. Same operational model (multiple transmitter sites, original local productions, Passport membership, corporate underwriting) but serves an adjacent state rather than competing in Kansas.
• OETA (Oklahoma Educational Television Authority): Oklahoma's statewide public television network with comparable multi-station broadcast infrastructure serving rural geography. Closely analogous nonprofit public broadcaster model but in an adjacent region rather than overlapping coverage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SmokyHillsPBS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SmokyHillsPBS/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/SmokyHillsPBS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smoky-hills-pbs
• Instagraminstagram.com/smokyhillspbs

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Smoky Hills PBS