WBIQ TV - Birmingham, Al

The Alabama Educational Television Commission, licensee for the nine Alabama Public Television stations, was established by the Alabama Legislature in 1953.

In January of 1955, WCIQ on Mount Cheaha began operation as the nation’s ninth non-commercial television station. Four months later, with the sign-on of WBIQ in Birmingham, Alabama became the first state in the nation with an educational television network. Alabama Public Television made its first broadcast as a network in April 1955.

Alabama Public Television was a model for other states in the nation and for television broadcasters in other countries. Twenty-five other states copied Alabama’s system of operation to provide service through multiple, linked television stations.

Alabama Public Television today operates nine digital transmitters that cover the state. Each transmitter broadcasts four separate channels: APT HD (High Definition), APT World, APT-Create (How-To and Travel), and our 24 hours Kids channel.

The Alabama Educational Television Commission also holds the license for one public radio station, WLRH-FM in Huntsville.