Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Vic Snyder (AR-02) today announced that the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN), headquartered in Conway, will receive a $118,508 U.S. Department of Commerce grant to upgrade its broadcast and production control rooms in Conway from analog to high definition technology.

Funds will be used to replace analog TV sets and videotape recorders with new HD monitors, connection equipment and HD-friendly videotape recorders. While AETN's transmitters already broadcast in HD statewide, certain programs including PBS shows that air more than once, programs that are not produced in the studio and other specialty programs are not currently broadcast in HD because of the limitations of the station's old equipment. 

"Public television provides valuable educational programming for children as well as important local and public affairs programming," Lincoln said. "This investment to upgrade equipment in AETN's control rooms will help AETN continue to broadcast quality programming and ensure that viewers can see all programs in high definition."

"AETN provides educational and quality programming for children and adults alike.  These federal funds will enable AETN to make important upgrades that will allow them to operate efficiently and better serve their viewers," Pryor said.

"We wouldn't be able to function without this upgrade to HD because old analog equipment is being replaced, said Mike McCullars, Director of Special Projects at AETN. "Federal grants like this one that match local dollars are critical to ensuring that AETN has the equipment we need to operate and produce quality programs that benefit the people of Arkansas."