LATEST: TV Schedules | NEWS | Local Programs | ACTIVATE PASSPORT
LATEST: TV Schedules | NEWS | Local Programs | ACTIVATE PASSPORT
We ignite a love of learning, deepen understanding, broaden horizons, and connect people to the world around them—anywhere, anytime. Regardless of your experience, age, interests, or income, WQPT PBS is for you—a space and community for everyone.
WQPT PBS serves over 800,000 residents across Eastern Iowa, Western, North-Central, and Central Illinois. Thank you for welcoming us into your home and transforming your television into history lessons, cooking classes, National Parks, and Great Performances.
This is WQPT PBS. We thank our viewers, regional partners, and Western Illinois University for their continued support!
According to a national Trust Survey, PBS has been named the most trusted media brand for the 21st consecutive year. Americans believe that PBS and stations like WQPT PBS provide an excellent service to communities as both an educational media brand for children and a trusted source for news and information.
Like the beloved PBS KIDS program Thomas the Tank Engine, WQPT PBS is the “little engine that could.” Throughout our history, we’ve made an outsized impact. WQPT PBS is nationally recognized as a fiscally solid and dynamic station, able to pivot and adapt to these rapidly changing times—all while ensuring its value to the region it serves.
What began in 1983 as a vision by a small group of dedicated citizens—starting with just four hours of daily programming—has now grown to reach over 800,000 viewers across Iowa and Illinois.
Today, WQPT PBS delivers its extensive programming across multiple platforms, ensuring that viewers can enjoy our exceptional content wherever and however they choose. Whether through open-air signals, popular streaming services, cable and dish providers, our online LiveStream, On-demand video portal, and the popular PBS App, we meet our viewers where they are. In addition to our primary public television channel, we also broadcast a secondary channel, Deutsche Welle.
WQPT PBS has consistently been recognized for its forward-thinking, strategic approach and cost-saving measures, such as curating services including our digital services. This stewardship has created a fiscally strong organization, ensuring we can continue providing programming and educational outreach services for future generations.
2024 marks the 14th anniversary of a unique partnership with Western Illinois University. While WQPT PBS is entirely self-funded through generous suppport from viewers and sponsors like you, Western Illinois University provides invaluable in-kind support toward our educational mission and serves as our license holder.
WQPT PBS relies on viewer input and suggestions—together you make us better. Viewer input has inspired a variety of regional documentaries and programs including The Cities with Jim Mertens, Wharton—A House of Legacy, Pesāēhkiw: A Medicine Fish Healing Journey, the Emmy-winning Your Dutch Friend, and numerous others.
Viewer ideas have also helped bring to life events, such as the original Imagination Station and its successful reinvention in 2015; plus a variety of engaging and purposeful mission-based educational outreach initiatives such as Embracing Our Military, Vibrant Neighborhoods and the highly impactful First Book Club.
WQPT PBS' Community Advisory Board provides additional insight, suggestions and ideas for the station's continued success.
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As a public media service of Western Illinois University, WQPT PBS actively serves a diverse audience throughout West Central Illinois and the Eastern Iowa region. WQPT PBS and our supporters are committed to providing free access to lifelong learning and entertainment, fostering educational success and cultural competency within our communities.
As a leading community resource, WQPT PBS challenges people to discover and shape their world, broaden their horizons and become active participants in shaping the future, making our community a remarkable place to live.
We are committed to providing lifelong learning opportunities for everyone in our viewing area. Your support contributes to the success of WQPT PBS—not just through our programming, but as a trusted community resource and partner.
First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education by making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis.
This free annual family-oriented event offers educational activities, demonstrations, entertainment, career exploration, and skill building in key areas like literacy, science, technology, engineering, math, art and more.
WQPT PBS visits schools to help kids can create their own interactive stories and games through programming games and lessons. Children learn to code through games and activities—inspiring them to be creative in new and exciting ways.
Consisting of college students, Ambassadors help WQPT PBS reach more than 30,000 children at events and workshops, such as our library and classroom visits. The program engages children and helps to build awareness for WQPT PBS.
Coming back to civilian life brings challenges and opportunities, as well as stories of remarkable courage and sacrifice. We help the region explore and understand the veteran experience.
This next-generation digital media service, empowers PreK–16 educators to re-imagine classroom learning, transform teaching, and creatively engage students.
A PUBLIC MEDIA SERVICE OF
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