WQPT
As the only locally owned PBS station in the Quad City region, WQPT’s public broadcasting service offers more than just television; it serves as a vital community resource for all citizens within its signal reach by providing accessible lifelong learning opportunities through on-air, online, and in-person programming. The Quad Cities can be proud of WQPT and all that it accomplishes by providing local, community-based programming and outreach not available anywhere else in our region.
As a public media service of Western Illinois University, WQPT actively serves a diverse audience, committed to providing free access to lifelong learning and entertainment, fostering educational success and cultural competency within our communities. Serving as the last locally-controlled television media in America uniquely positions public television stations to provide education and civic leadership services – on television and in the classrooms and community at large. As such, WQPT provides more local history and culture programming, more candidate debates, and more community partnerships to deal with issues of concern like diversity, equity and inclusion than anyone other media.
WQPT emphasizes an integrated educational model, which includes in-person educational outreach, to complement the 2,271 hours of educational children’s programming broadcasted over-the-air. This approach effectively reaches children in the variety of ways in which they learn. Educational, intelligent programming helps young children develop early learning skills, provides teachers with access to high-quality classroom resources, and allows adults to continue to learn long after their formal education career ends. WQPT cares for the community and its programming and outreach activities reflect that.
WQPT’s digital and broadcast infrastructure also play a significant role in the region’s emergency alert system. Their necessary communications facilities ensure that first responders, emergency personnel, public messaging, and 911 communications always function during periods of emergency.
WQPT has also received recognition and honors for its forward-thinking, strategic approach and cost-saving measures including curated services such as master control operations, programming operations and digital services. This stewardship has created a fiscally solid organization, able to provide programs and educational outreach services to the region for future generations.
Wastyn & Associates had the pleasure of working with WQPT in 2017 to conduct a capital campaign feasibility study for their successful campaign that raised $1.4 million. This work included developing the campaign case for support, interviewing potential donors about their views of the campaign, and providing a framework that staff used to successfully raise the funds to complete this campaign. Thanks to the community’s financial contributions, in March 2021, WQPT installed a more powerful transmitter and relocated their antenna to the top of the tower. This new transmitter allows them to broadcast with 27,500 watts of power, far more than the 4,100 watts at which their outdated transmitter broadcasted. As a result, 200,000 more community members can receive their free over-the-air WQPT signal and view programming that staff have carefully chosen as of interest to our local community.