KAET – Eight Arizona PBS

Normally I am a fan of PBS and our local station, KAET is pretty fair, but my one star rating has to do with pledge week programming. For some reason, and it can’t be viewer ratings, during pledge week (s) the programming goes into a mindless series of motivational speakers, old music specials and third tier documentaries, all of which could not get time on those free channels that the cable companies force on you with their «value packages». Andrea Bocelli? Celtic Women? Suzy Orman? This stuff is awful. If you are going to watch and if you want to contribute, do it during non-​pledge periods otherwise it just encourages this awful stuff. I can’t blame our local station because I can’t believe they would employ programming people that could possibly be that clueless. I have just learned to tune it out during pledge periods and go back when decent programming returns.

It does seem odd to review a Television station. But, PBS is worth it. They have so many amazing shows. Right now, I am beyond hooked on Downton Abby!
Wow, who ever thought that the early 1900’s were so fabulous.
I love the British shows anyway. But, Downton is the best.
Channel 8 now has 4 stations here in the Valley of the Sun. So you are bound to find something you like on one of them.
Though one thing I do wish is for them to have more History shows on. That would really make it superb. But, we find our selves watching channel 8 all the time.
So of course I also donate to them. I have for over 30 years.

I have volunteered at this station since I was in high school (with a few years off here and there). It is a great organization. Where else can you watch a Flogging Molly concert, learn how hummingbirds move their wings so fast, see somewhat unbiased news programs, catch some classic britcoms or police dramas, compare the value of your great grandmothers tea pot to one just like it, see a little bit of history about this state, find out the best way to make your own compost, catch the best in-​depth exposés on TV, or see the latest escapades of the Lady Dowinger… all in one week?!!
There are tons of things you can do if you want to become a friend of eight and volunteer. If you come down, look me up, I’m probably poking around somewhere in the studio. :)

Thank you PBS for the Behind the Scenes look of your downtown station! I had a wonderful time and so did my husband and a coworker I brought with me.
I appreciate all the cooking shows, concerts, drama shows, and cartoons you provide for our entertainment.

We love watching Eight Arizona late at night when in bed (TMI?) — it has extremely interesting, educational & captivating shows on. It’s not good when you are trying to fall asleep but you can’t because what they are broadcasting is way more interesting than your dreams could possibly be… Thanks PBS! Love it & keep up the good work!

Pros: The documentaries, cooking shows, home improvement, travel and business programs are very good.
Cons: The regular fundraising telethons drive us nuts. The news programs have an extremely strong liberal bias. They used to at least pretend to present a balanced approach by including a few conservative programs (such as William F Buckley’s «Firing Line» or «Tucker Carlson»).
We were initially attracted to PBS back in the 1970s by the SciFi stuff (Dr. Who for example) and the Britcoms. We would like to see them resume the SciFi and get some more recent Britcoms.

As good as it gets if not better when it comes to quality, informative, educational, entertaining television… with no commercials. So many good shows. From great cooking shows to gardening and DIY to riveting documentaries, amazing nature shows, plays and other performances, local and world news, and comedy shows that will have you rolling on the floor with laughter.
I can’t get enough of PBS and Channel 8 gives me 4 digital channels to choose from 8 HD, 8 Create, 8 World and 8.4 which is their radio broadcast.
Cable has not been a part of my household in several years (going on 6 years) all I use is my digiconverter and an antenna. Having PBS Channel 8 and all its options, I don’t miss the Food Network or Discovery Channel or the mindless channel surfing I found myself doing…

I love channel 8. It’s about the only channel I watch. I wish they had stayed on UHF with their digital signal. Their digital signal on channel 8 is weak and wimpy. Poor building penetration. Yes, I am trying to use a rabbit ear antenna. I can get KUAT PBS-​6 in Tucson better in my north-​east Phoenix apartment than I can get KAET! How embarrassing for them!
I do have one suggestion… put the kids programming on the standard definition channel and the nature/​science/​talk programming on the HD channel. What 6 year old is going to write a check to support KAET? And would any of them recognize the difference between 320 lines and 720 lines or even care?
No, I don’t support PBS. Their far left-​leaning bias in the news and talk shows is the reason. I feel that if I sent them a donation I would be sending them the wrong message. If I could support KAET without supporting the PBS network I would send a check today.

Growing up on the boonie reservation in the days before more than 5 channels. KAET was the place I got my audio/​visual representation of the rest of the world. Thank you Channel 8, I love you.

I would not survive without Channel 8. i really don’t watch much TV, but when I do, I want it to count.
Let me see: Keeping Up Appearances, Coupling, RedDwarf, Antiques Roadshow, NewsHour, Nova, This Old House, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Frontline, Horizon, Scientific American Frontiers, The War, As Time Goes By, Red Green. Plus, tons of responsible programming for kids in the am and afternoon.
(I don’t think RedDwarf and Coupling air on PBS anymore — but thanks to PBS for introducing me)

Only on eight…
You sucked me in with your special on overweight people training for and running a marathon. (I even got a bit choked up.)
You excited me with the new Wired special. Perfect for my inner geek.
You intrigued me with Celtic Woman. Somehow I was engrossed, and I couldn’t explain it.
You speak to my literature and film fascination with Masterpiece Theatre. Too bad I usually end up stumbling upon the stories when they’re half-​way over.
You got me to pledge money during your fund-​raising special. Now that’s a damn near miracle. Thanks for the tax write off!
You send me a monthly program so that I may pre-​plan when my ass and couch will make contact.
You send me letters and special invitations by mail and email. I start to feel special, until I realize you expect me to give more money. Atleast I can recycle!
All in all, you continue to spark my interest and keep me watching. Well done!

Outside of College Football, it’s what’s on when my TV is on.
Occasionally, you’ll find Rick Bayless preparing an approachable Mexican feast while constants are The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, Frontline, and American Masters.

It’s PBS … basically the only thing worth watching … big ups for The News Hour

Damn Channel 8. Why must it be so damn addictive? Apparently its reputation is impressive nationally, as it’s the 7^th (or something like that) most watched PBS affiliate in only the 13^th largest market.
KAET must secretly hate my friends, because I’m not ashamed to admit that I have flaked on friends due to the following:
* A British sitcom marathon. Yes, that’s pathetic, but whatever.
* An inexplicably captivating Horizon news episode
* A Mamas and the Papas special that put VH1’s «Behind the Music» to shame
* A Garbage concert and tonight’s Celtic Woman concert (complete with hottie songstresses)
* An Arizona Highways episode that had me completely spellbound
* Being a telephone operator and sweet talking the Sun City crew for one of those pledge drives.
Btw, the studio is pretty nice inside, and should be completely awesome when it moves to ASU Downtown next year.