- I watch KQED TV over the air, what happened to my signal?
On occasion, KQED or other TV stations will experience technical difficulties which result in the station being off the air. Some OTA viewers have discovered that their boxes/TVs do not automatically restore the missing channel once the station is back on the air. These viewers will need to manually add the channel back into their receiver's memory, or use one of the following rescan methods to recover missing channels:
Simple Rescan: Unplug your converter box, wait a few minutes and plug it back in and it will automatically rescan for channels.
Forced Double Rescan: If a simple rescan doesn't work, disconnect the antenna from your converter box or TV set. Rescan without your antenna connected. When the box/set reports 0 channels found, unplug it from the power outlet for several minutes. Then reattach the antenna, making sure the connection is tight. Plug the box/set back into the outlet. Rescan a second time.
- What
are the recent TV schedule changes and updates?
Find out here.
- I missed a show ... will it be repeated?
Get a complete schedule of original and encore broadcasts for every program aired on KQED's TV channels. Just go to Programs A-Z for a complete listing of all the programs we air. There, click on any of the linked program names to find centralized information including: a schedule of upcoming episodes and repeats, an archive of past programs, the option to sign up for email reminders, and a link to the official program site, if one exists.
- How do I order a video, book or related item for a program?
Find out here.
- Can KQED send me email about my favorite TV programs?
We'd be happy to ... Just visit KQED Newsletters and subscribe to the email newsletters you'd like to receive.
- How do I find a recipe or cookbook for one of the cooking shows?
Find out here.
- Where
can I find info about the Digital TV transition taking place in 2009?
Find out here.
- Where can I find info about KQED's digital channels?
Find out here.
- Where can I find KQED TV's basic tune-in information?
Find out here.
- Can I get a catalogue of all your tapes, books and other items?
There's no one general source (online or catalogue) for all KQED programs, since they are acquired from many independent producers through many different ways. Most videos and other related items do not end up in any catalogue, but are still available through a variety of 800 and non-800 numbers. Information about the majority of our programs is in KQED TV's Order Videos & Books / Where to Write section.
The following catalogues each list some PBS programs, along with other non-video items the publishers think PBS viewers might enjoy:
PBS Home Video: 1.877.PBS.SHOP
Acorn: 1.888.870.8047
Video Collection: 1.800.538.5856
- Where can I write/email specific programs?
Find out here.
- Where can I view specific program Web sites?
Find out here.
- Why can't I find a Web site for a certain program?
If a series or program has a Web site, you can find the link in a pop-up off the KQED daily schedule pages, from the links in Programs A-Z and listed in our Viewer Services Order Videos & Books / Where to Writesection. While most programs/series do have sites, there are some that do not. Creating a Web site for a program or series is at the option of the producers. In some cases the producers have chosen not to build a site, for a variety of possible reasons.
- An extra voice is describing everything that happens on the programs. How do I make it stop?
You've in some way activated the SAP (Secondary Audio Program) Channel of your TV set, and need to turn it back off. Most TVs with stereo sound systems are able to receive the SAP channel, which provides a variety of additional services.
DVI (Descriptive Video Information) enables visually impaired people to hear enriched verbal descriptions of what is heard and seen on a TV's primary audio and video channels. Most TVs and VCRs require you to select the SAP channel in order to activate DVI. To learn which programs have DVI, call our automated Program Information Line at 415.354.8000.
Other SAP channel services can include translations of programming into other languages (such as the Spanish translation on some children's series), a director's narration on a movie or arts program, along with other possibilities.
The selector is usually labeled SAP, MTS, Audio 2, or Audio B on your TV panel, remote-control device, or on-screen menu. It's generally included in the Audio Options part of your menu. Un-selecting the SAP channel (usually by going back to Stereo or Mono) should eliminate the extra sound. If you're not able to un-select the SAP channel, review your TV owner's manual or contact a TV vendor who can guide you through the process.
- XYZ Program is coming through only in Spanish. How do I hear the show in English?
You've in some way activated the SAP (Secondary Audio Program) Channel of your TV set, and need to turn it back off. Most TVs with stereo sound systems are able to receive the SAP channel, which provides a variety of additional services.
DVI (Descriptive Video Information) enables visually impaired people to hear enriched verbal descriptions of what is heard and seen on a TV's primary audio and video channels. Most TVs and VCRs require you to select the SAP channel in order to activate DVI. To learn which programs have DVI, call our automated Program Information Line at 415.354.8000.
Other SAP channel services can include translations of programming into other languages (such as the Spanish translation on some children's series), a director's narration on a movie or arts program, along with other possibilities.
The selector is usually labeled SAP, MTS, Audio 2, or Audio B on your TV panel, remote-control device, or on-screen menu. It's generally included in the Audio Options part of your menu. Un-selecting the SAP channel (usually by going back to Stereo or Mono) should eliminate the extra sound. If you're not able to un-select the SAP channel, review your TV owner's manual or contact a TV vendor who can guide you through the process.
- What is SAP? Which programs have Descriptive Video Information (DVI)?
You've in some way activated the SAP (Secondary Audio Program) Channel of your TV set, and need to turn it back off. Most TVs with stereo sound systems are able to receive the SAP channel, which provides a variety of additional services.
DVI (Descriptive Video Information) enables visually impaired people to hear enriched verbal descriptions of what is heard and seen on a TV's primary audio and video channels. Most TVs and VCRs require you to select the SAP channel in order to activate DVI. To learn which programs have DVI, call our automated Program Information Line at 415.354.8000.
Other SAP channel services can include translations of programming into other languages (such as the Spanish translation on some children's series), a director's narration on a movie or arts program, along with other possibilities.
The selector is usually labeled SAP, MTS, Audio 2, or Audio B on your TV panel, remote-control device, or on-screen menu. It's generally included in the Audio Options part of your menu. Un-selecting the SAP channel (usually by going back to Stereo or Mono) should eliminate the extra sound. If you're not able to un-select the SAP channel, review your TV owner's manual or contact a TV vendor who can guide you through the process.
- What was that music?
Find out here.
- Why is the background music so loud in some of your programs? It's often louder than the actors speaking.
Most average home receivers have low fidelity speakers which accentuate the upper mid-ranges and highs. The human voice tends to be in the mid-audio range. The rest of the sound spectrum that helps keep these two components separate and distinct is lost. Add to this the fact that most producers and editors sit in edit bays outfitted with the very best sound systems, and they balance voice and music on their programs based on that high fidelity ability. In sets with better audio systems there are things that can help with audio in general. Stereo and digital sets with "surround sound" tend to enhance the low and high ranges (which is where the music is), and ignore or dampen the mid-range (which is where the voice usually is). Try switching from stereo to mono whenever there is such a problem, or switch off the "surround sound" (sometimes known as "enhanced") feature.
- Who was that guest/author? What was that book?
Find the latest information on programs like Charlie Rose and NewsHour on the KQED program pages - available from Programs A-Z. If you don't find what you want there, you can follow the link to the official program site.
- Why don't you show my favorite programs from years ago?
When KQED acquires a program or series, we acquire broadcast rights only. Each contract for each show specifies two different windows of opportunity - the number of times we can broadcast the show, and the time frame in which those broadcasts can take place. The contract can run anything from a couple of days, to a couple of months, to several years. The most common "term" is for three years. After the term of broadcast expires, all the rights revert back to the producers and KQED is no longer able to air it. The producers can then do whatever they want with the show ... retire it, sell it elsewhere, sell it to PBS stations again, etc. Often, the original contracts with participants in the program can limit future activities.
- What does the QED stand for in KQED?
In 1952, Alameda County Schools Superintendent Vaughn Seidel and associates pressed the FCC to set aside 273 TV stations across the country for educational use. They incorporate as Bay Area Educational Television Association (BAETA). Too late, they discover that California state law doesn't allow schools to employ television for instruction.
Undaunted, BAETA sets up temporary offices in co-founder Jon Rice's station wagon in 1953. Somewhere around this time, co-founder Jim Day's wife, Beverly, dreams up call letters "KQED," an acronym for the Latin quod erat demonstrandum (which was to be demonstrated). In 1954, KQED goes on the air. (Every station's first call letter was designated by the Federal Government, using W for stations east of the Mississippi, K for stations west.)
If you'd like to know more about the early days of KQED, check out our KQED History section, and click on the pictures for decade-by-decade snippets.
- I'm an independent producer - how do I work with KQED to get my show produced and/or on the air?
We've got quite a bit of info in our For Independent Producers section accessed through the left navigation on every page in the TV area.
- What are those codes and abbreviations?
Find out here.
- Where can I find info about Heritage Month programming?
Find out here.
- How do I locate/email another PBS station?
You can use PBS' Station Finder service to find call letters and contact info for any other PBS station in the country.
- How can I send mail to PBS Headquarters?
You can send mail to PBS Headquarters at the following address:
Public Broadcasting Service
2100 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202-3785
Email: viewer@pbs.org
