History was made June 10, as the nation’s first all-digital public television station launched across Southwest Virginia.
After a soft launch and an announcement of a change in venue, PBS Appalachia officially became a reality on Saturday.
Originally, PBS Appalachia was going to be housed in Abingdon at the cultural center off Interstate 81’s Exit 14, it recently announced a partnership with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.
The station plans to build a state-of-the-art television studio at the Hard Rock location under construction in Bristol. The resort and casino is dedicating 4,000-square-feet of space to house a glass-enclosed television studio, podcast studio and adjacent control room. The glass studio space will allow those visiting the casino to watch productions in progress or local shows on a virtual wall during non-production hours. The studio is anticipated to be opening in July 2024.
The station launched with three fully produced series ready for national distribution.
Viewers can watch on demand at PBS.org, via the website PBSAVirginia.org or on the mobile app Appalachia Virginia.
