PBS has eye on Kalispell as a new transmitter site

After Great Falls comes Kalispell.

That’s the word from MontanaPBS.

The state Public Broadcasting System plans to install a transmitter in Kalispell at some point in the future.

It is almost finished with an installation in Great Falls.

Open-air public television will allow watchers to receive not only the standard PBS station, but also PBS World, PBS Kids Sprout, PBS Create and a channel that provides coverage of the state Legislature, according to MontanaPBS Director of Development Lisa Titus.

All would be free to the viewer with an antenna. Some of these PBS channels are not available to viewers of satellite or cable television.

There are no timetables, and Montana PBS is still talking with the Federal Communications Commission about construction permits, Titus said.

“We need to hear some details from the FCC,” she said.

Once it gets the required permits, MontanaPBS will move forward with fundraising, which could include grants. Then MontanaPBS would purchase the necessary equipment and install it.

When the Great Falls transmitter is up and running, MontanaPBS will have six transmitters statewide. Others are in Missoula, Helena, Butte, Bozeman and Billings.