Our Story
Established in 1965 by a dedicated group of citizens and educators, Blue Ridge Public Television Inc. was born from a vision to bring educational television to Southwest Virginia. With initial funding from the City of Roanoke and support from local school systems, the station broke ground in November 1966 and began broadcasting on August 1, 1967, as the nation’s first all-color educational television station, WBRA-TV, channel 15.
From its inception, Blue Ridge PBS has provided an alternative to commercial television, focusing on quality educational content. The station quickly became a vital resource for schools, airing nearly seven hours of instructional programming every weekday, covering subjects like science, music, geography, and economics. Iconic shows such as “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” were added to the lineup, enriching the educational experience for children across the region.
Over the years, Blue Ridge PBS expanded its reach, growing from a local station to a multimedia organization serving a vast area of 26,000 square miles, including parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Despite challenges, including budget cuts that led to the temporary shutdown of some transmitters, the station has adapted and thrived, transitioning to digital broadcasting in 2009 and enhancing its programming offerings.
Today, Blue Ridge PBS continues to be a storyteller for the community, providing thoughtful news, documentaries, arts and culture programming, and the best in children’s television. With investments in digital technologies, viewers can now enjoy a variety of channels, including Blue Ridge PBS Kids and Blue Ridge Create, ensuring that quality educational content is accessible to all.