MEDIA ADVISORY

UNC-TV has received notification of a grant of $694,945 from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program. This funding is a 50 percent match of the cost to construct 20 digital broadcasting translator stations and microwave interconnection to serve nearly two million people in the very rural mountain communities of western North Carolina. (The federal funds will be matched with funds from the DTV portion of the Higher Education Improvement Bonds approved by North Carolina voters in 2000.)

This is a competitive grant program. Receiving this PTFP grant will further UNC-TV's deep commitment for universal service to every citizen of the state. Once this project is complete, hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians in some of the most rural, isolated areas of our state will be able to receive digital television services for many decades into the future. With the deadline set by Congress to shut off traditional analog television service in February 2009, this is a key step in assuring the continued availability of television service to western North Carolina.

UNC-TV is North Carolina's statewide public television network.