The Basics
What is Summit Public Radio & TV (SPRTV)?
Summit Public Radio & TV (SPRTV) is a member-supported, all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that rebroadcasts public and commercial FM radio and over-the-air antenna TV signals that are naturally blocked by the awesome mountains surrounding Summit County, Colorado. SPRTV is managed by an all-volunteer working Board.
As a community broadcasting service, we strive to provide diverse and previously unavailable programming that enriches everyone who lives, works and vacations in Summit County–with minimal overlap with local FM radio stations and cable/satellite TV providers.
Without the hard work of our volunteers and the financial generosity of our supporting members about half of the FM radio stations and nearly all of the over-the-air TV programming in Summit County would simply disappear.
Our stations originate in the Denver area and Eagle County. Their signals are captured at our electronics site on Bald Mountain and rebroadcast into the Summit County.
What is Summit Public Radio?
“Summit Public Radio” is a commonly-used, local nickname for “Summit Public Radio & TV, Inc.”
Is SPRTV affiliated with National Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, Public Radio International, the Public Broadcasting System or the Corporation for Public Broadcasting?
Summit Public Radio & TV has no affiliation with NPR, CPR, PRI, PBS or CPB. Nor do we have any “substantive” association with the public and commercial FM radio and over-the-air TV channels that we rebroadcast. Consequently, we do not receive any financial support from the radio stations or TV channels we rebroadcast. Of course, we are not responsible for any station’s or channel’s content or operations.
Is SPRTV a public radio or TV station?
No. SPRTV is not a public or a commercial radio or television station. See the first question above for more information on what SPRTV is.
Where is the broadcasting studio for SPRTV?
Being neither a public nor commercial radio, nor television broadcaster, SPRTV has no production studio with a staff programming content.
The antennas and electronic gear that we use to rebroadcast our public and commercial FM radio and over-the-air TV channels are located above timberline on Bald Mountain (“Baldy”), overlooking the town of Breckenridge.
That location is optimum for receiving signals from both the Front Range and Eagle County, and for rebroadcasting signals in as wide a coverage area as possible in Summit County. Note, however, that our electronics installation on Bald Mountain is unmanned and typically somewhat difficult to access during the winter.
I work for a local organization/business. How do I get a Public Service Announcement on an SPRTV station/channel?
To get a Public Service Announcement on an SPRTV station/channel, directly contact the station/channel via their website. A listing of the stations/channels that are part of the SPRTV family, with Web site links, can be found here.
Note that SPRTV cannot rebroadcast unique content just to the Summit County listening area, without the content also being received everywhere the station/channel originally broadcasts.
How long has SPRTV been around?
Summit Public Radio & TV started as a grass-roots organization in the late 1950s and has been continuously operating a translator system on Bald Mountain since then. SPRTV received its 501 (c) (3) non-profit status in 1998.
How many volunteers work for SPRTV?
SPRTV is managed by an all-volunteer working Board, and staffed by about 20 unpaid volunteers that comprise our Board of Directors. Throughout the year, additional volunteers provide support for special projects; for example, to prepare our annual membership mailing or assist in cleaning up our electronics site on Bald Mountain.
How may I volunteer?
To inquire about volunteer opportunities, please e-mail us anytime.
Finances & Donations
When I donate to my favorite Public Radio Station, am I also supporting SPRTV?
No. A common misperception is that making an annual donation or contributing to a pledge drive to keep a favorite station/channel “on the air” also helps SPRTV rebroadcast that station/channel in Summit County. That’s simply not the case. Summit Public Radio & TV does not receive any funding from the stations/channels it rebroadcasts.
We, of course, encourage all engaged listeners/viewers to financially support their favorite stations/channels, as well as support SPRTV to ensure that they can be enjoyed locally here in Summit County.
Where does SPRTV get its funding from?
Critical to fulfilling SPRTV’s mission is the financial generosity of our supporting members – as Summit Public Radio & TV does not receive any funding from the stations/channels it rebroadcasts.
Nor does SPRTV receive any annual operating funds from agencies such as National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service; or state, county or local town governments.
If SPRTV isn’t a radio or TV station, what do you use donations for?
Donations are primarily used to support day-to-day operations, routine maintenance of broadcast electronics, the Baldy site power line, and occasional infrastructure upgrades–such as the recent conversion of our three analog TV channels to the digital TV format.
Donations also cover some minimal marketing expenses (e.g. collaterals, website maintenance, local ads, sponsorships, etc.).
How may I donate to SPRTV?
Simply click on the “Donate” button anywhere on our website; or click on “Donate” in the menu at the top.
Programming
I really love station “ABCD” … Will SPRTV rebroadcast station “ABCD”?
In accordance with FCC regulations, SPRTV can only retransmit over-the-air TV and FM signals – typically those being broadcast on the Front Range or in Eagle County. FCC regulations also prohibit SPRTV from transmitting stations/channels available only via cable/satellite, or signals streaming over the internet.
That said, if there is a station in the Front Range or in Eagle County that you can receive over-the-air there, and would like to also hear/see in Summit County, please let us know.
FM Radio
What FM radio stations are available in Summit County?
Click here for a guide to FM stations that are part of the SPRTV family and all the FM stations available in Summit County.
HD Radio
What HD radio stations are available in Summit County?
KUVO, a public radio jazz station operating from SPRTV’s Bald Mountain facility, is currently the only HD radio station available in Summit County.
How do I get HD radio?
Reception of HD FM radio stations requires an HD FM-compatible radio receiver.
To learn more about the reception of HD FM radio signals, Summit County residents, second-home owners and residential property managers are encouraged to e-mail SPRTV. Please include your name, physical address and best way to contact you.
Antenna TV
What over-the-air TV channels are available in Summit County?
Click here for a listing of the over-the-air TV channels available in Summit County.
Are any of SPRTV’s over-the-air TV channels in HD (high-definition)?
SPRTV’s television programming on Channel’s 8 and 10 is high-quality standard definition. Standard definition transmissions use significantly less bandwidth than high definition, so we primarily rebroadcast in standard definition to provide as many TV channel options as possible.
SPRTV’s Channel 12 TV translator–KDVR-DT, Channel 22 out of Denver–does provide high-definition programming. When KDVR is transmitting in HD, the signal being rebroadcast from the Baldy site is HD as well.
How do I get free, over-the-air TV?
Many factors contribute to how well one can receive TV signals in Summit County. Location and antenna type are the most critical. Also, older not-digital-ready TVs require a digital-to-analog converter box (available locally at Wal-Mart and Target and also online). See the TV and FM Antenna Selection Guide for additional information.
To learn more about the reception of over-the-air antenna TV signals, Summit County residents, second-home owners and residential property managers are encouraged to e-mail SPRTV. Please include your name, physical address and telephone number.
FM and TV Reception
I don’t get SPRTV station “KXYZ” very well in my house/car. What can I do?
Many factors contribute to how well one can receive over-the-air signals in Summit County. Reception challenges may be quite localized. Antenna type and location can be critical.
To learn more about the reception of FM radio and antenna TV signals, Summit County residents, second-home owners and residential property managers are encouraged to e-mail SPRTV for help. Please include your name, physical address, telephone number and the reception issue you are experiencing.
I used to get SPRTV station “KXYZ”, now I can’t. What’s going on?
Occasionally one of our Summit County translator stations may temporarily go off-the-air. This can be due to technical issues with the primary station’s signal, or SPRTV maintenance of our electronics or dedicated power line on Bald Mountain.
SPRTV strives to post timely updates on any station/channel outages on the home page of our website and our Facebook page. Inquiries may also be e-mailed to SPRTV.