WSBE-TV
Encyclopedia
WSBE-TV is Rhode Island
's only public television station. The license is owned by the Rhode Island Public Telecommunications Authority, a quasi-state agency. The station began broadcasting on June 8, 1967 from the campus of Rhode Island College
. In 1974, WSBE moved to the former WPRO-TV (now WPRI-TV
) facilities at 24 Mason Street in Providence
. In January 1991, WSBE moved to new studios on 50 Park Lane in Providence, near the city limits of Providence and Cranston
. Their analog transmitter was located on Neutaconcanut Hill in Johnston
, until the FCC-mandated digital conversion in 2009. The digital transmitter is located in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. From 1973 to 2000, WSBE-TV's programming was relayed in Westerly on translator W62AB. This translator was turned off in 2000, largely because of the high penetration of cable
in the state.
In 2003, WSBE rebranded itself as Rhode Island PBS.
On January 16, 2009, the analog transmitter for WSBE suffered a 'catastrophic failure'. The old RCA
transmitter developed a leak in the water cooling system. Due the scarcity of parts, time required to repair (two weeks minimum), cost, and the proximity to the original February 17 date for the end of analog broadcasting
, the station ended analog service at that time.
series on, usually, an eight-day delay from primary public television stations such as Boston
's WGBH
. WSBE also airs programs such as The Lawrence Welk Show
, The Red Green Show
, and "Britcoms" from the BBC
, including Keeping Up Appearances
, As Time Goes By
, Vicar of Dibley, Are You Being Served?
, Last of the Summer Wine
and several others.
WSBE co-produces the nationally distributed Italian cooking show, Ciao Italia.
Local programming produced by WSBE includes:
Recent series not currently in production:
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
's only public television station. The license is owned by the Rhode Island Public Telecommunications Authority, a quasi-state agency. The station began broadcasting on June 8, 1967 from the campus of Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College is a nationally ranked, coeducational, state-supported comprehensive college founded in 1854, located in Providence, Rhode Island, USA...
. In 1974, WSBE moved to the former WPRO-TV (now WPRI-TV
WPRI-TV
WPRI-TV is the CBS-affiliated television station for the state of Rhode Island and Bristol County, Massachusetts that is licensed to Providence. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 13 from a transmitter on Homestead Avenue in Rehoboth, Massachusetts...
) facilities at 24 Mason Street in Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. In January 1991, WSBE moved to new studios on 50 Park Lane in Providence, near the city limits of Providence and Cranston
Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
. Their analog transmitter was located on Neutaconcanut Hill in Johnston
Johnston, Rhode Island
Johnston is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 28,769 at the 2010 census. Johnston is the site of the Clemence Irons House a stone-ender museum and the only landfill in Rhode Island...
, until the FCC-mandated digital conversion in 2009. The digital transmitter is located in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. From 1973 to 2000, WSBE-TV's programming was relayed in Westerly on translator W62AB. This translator was turned off in 2000, largely because of the high penetration of cable
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
in the state.
In 2003, WSBE rebranded itself as Rhode Island PBS.
On January 16, 2009, the analog transmitter for WSBE suffered a 'catastrophic failure'. The old RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
transmitter developed a leak in the water cooling system. Due the scarcity of parts, time required to repair (two weeks minimum), cost, and the proximity to the original February 17 date for the end of analog broadcasting
Digital television transition
The digital television transition is the process in which analog television broadcasting is converted to and replaced by digital television. This primarily involves both TV stations and over-the-air viewers; however it also involves content providers like TV networks, and cable television...
, the station ended analog service at that time.
Programming
WSBE airs most popular PBSPublic Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
series on, usually, an eight-day delay from primary public television stations such as Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
's WGBH
WGBH-TV
WGBH-TV, channel 2, is a non-commercial educational public television station located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. WGBH-TV is a member station of the Public Broadcasting Service , and produces more than two-thirds of PBS's national prime time television programming...
. WSBE also airs programs such as The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years , then nationally for another 27 years via the ABC network and first-run syndication .In the years since first-run syndication...
, The Red Green Show
The Red Green Show
The Red Green Show is a Canadian television comedy that aired on various channels in Canada, with its ultimate home at CBC Television, and on Public Broadcasting Service stations in the United States, from 1991 until the series finale April 7, 2006 on CBC...
, and "Britcoms" from the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, including Keeping Up Appearances
Keeping Up Appearances
Keeping Up Appearances is a British sitcom created and written by Roy Clarke for the BBC. Centred on the life of eccentric, social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket , the sitcom portrays a social hierarchy-ruled British society...
, As Time Goes By
As Time Goes By
As Time Goes By is a British sitcom that aired on BBC One from 1992 to 2005. Starring Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer, it follows the relationship between two former lovers who meet unexpectedly after not having been in contact for 38 years....
, Vicar of Dibley, Are You Being Served?
Are You Being Served?
Are You Being Served? is a British sitcom broadcast from 1972 to 1985. It was set in the ladies' and gentlemen's clothing departments of Grace Brothers, a large, fictional London department store. It was written mainly by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, with contributions by Michael Knowles and John...
, Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine is a British sitcom written by Roy Clarke that was broadcast on BBC One. Last of the Summer Wine premiered as an episode of Comedy Playhouse on 4 January 1973 and the first series of episodes followed on 12 November 1973. From 1983 to 2010, Alan J. W. Bell produced and...
and several others.
WSBE co-produces the nationally distributed Italian cooking show, Ciao Italia.
Local programming produced by WSBE includes:
- A Lively Experiment, WSBE's flagship political affairs show, discusses Rhode Island (and sometimes national) politics among a revolving panel of news makers and opinion leaders. From its premiere episode in until September 15, 2005, the show's host was Steve Kass. When Steve Kass joined Governor Donald CarcieriDonald CarcieriDonald L. "Don" Carcieri was the 73rd Governor of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Carcieri has had a varied vocational background, having worked as a manufacturing company executive, aid relief worker, bank executive and teacher.-Personal background:...
's administration, he resigned as host of the show. Hosting duties rotated among panel members, including former Rhode Island Secretary of State and then-WSBE President Susan L. Farmer.http://www.ripbs.org/press_release.html#lively. Jim Hagan, former president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, is currently the regular host. - Costantino's Round Table feature chefs, restaurateurs, vintners, and other Rhode Island experts from the food and tourism industry.
- GED ConnectionGED ConnectionGED Connection is a television program on PBS that provides instruction on how to pass the General Educational Development test. It is part of an instructional course that also includes workbooks and practice tests...
, an education series for people preparing to obtain their GED, produced in cooperation with the Adult Education division of the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationRhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationThe Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is one of two state education agencies of Rhode Island; the other being the Board of Governors. It is headquartered in Providence. The Current Commissioner is Deborah Gist....
.
Recent series not currently in production:
- The Thirteenth State, a public affairs show hosted by Paul Zangari
- BestSellers, a book review and author interview program hosted by Ray Rickman
- Justice Matters, a monthly show on Rhode Island law with the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and co-hosted by former TV news director and anchor, Dave Layman.
- New England Portrait, a series about people and places of local interest
- Today's Rhode Island National Guard, a look at the role of the state's National Guardsmen