San Manuel and PBS Station Partner to Roll Out Native American TV Channel

San Bernardino, Calif.-based KVCR TV, a PBS affiliate, in partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, will roll out a television channel that broadcasts Native American programs 24 hours a day.

This first-of-its-kind channel, scheduled to launch next spring, will focus on Native American and Alaska Native history, culture and current events.

While programming still needs to be developed by the channel’s operations board, which has not been put together yet, Kenneth Shoji, a spokesperson for the tribe, told AIR, “It is envisioned that shows will run the gamut, from documentaries, films, news programs, entertainment, sports and special programs in multiple genres.”

The channel will not be commercial-free. Shoji said it will be consistent with FCC rules and PBS underwriting guidelines, which allow sponsor statements to precede or follow programs.

The channel is being funded by a $6 million donation from the San Manuel. It will be paid to the station in annual installments during the first three years of operation.

KVCR, which serves the Los Angeles market, is owned by the San Bernardino Community College District. The San Manuel’s 800-acre reservation is located just north of Highland. The owner/operator of San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino, the tribe is one of the largest employers in the Inland Empire.

This is not the first time the tribe and station have worked together. The tribe recently contributed $1.5 million to KVCR so that it could purchase new digital master control equipment and convert from analogue to digital broadcast and expand from one to six channels. They have also partnered in the development of radio and television programs, including a three-part, 12-episode documentary called People of the Pines.

James Ramos, the tribe’s chairman, said in a press release announcing the channel that partnering with KVCR supports the tribe’s mission of eradicating stereotypes that often stem from inaccurate depictions of American Indians in commercial television.

“Supporting this endeavor will help achieve that objective by allowing us to tell the story of Native Americans through themes and images that speak the truth and educate our audiences,” he said.

The channel will also establish another outlet for Native American-produced films and television programs.

“We fully anticipate this unique channel to become a model for public-television programming across the country,” said Larry R. Ciecalone, president of KVCR.