THE BIRTH OF NEW POSSIBILITIES

1955 was a year of important firsts in America. The opening of McDonalds would help revolutionize the restaurant industry. The opening of Disneyland would transform the definition of theme park. And in Alabama, the sign-on of Alabama Public Television’s transmitters in Birmingham and on Mt. Cheaha would make it the first educational television network in the nation, demonstrating enormous new possibilities for students across the country.

In the following years, Alabama would be a prototype for broadcasters and educators in the U.S. and around the world. APT’s founding director, Raymond Hurlbert, was elected chairman of the board of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters for 1962-63, and he was president of the National Association of Educational Television in 1968. His participation in legislative hearings on behalf of the Public Broadcasting Act was recognized as key testimony in passage of the legislation, and he was honored by President Lyndon Johnson for his efforts on behalf of what would become national public broadcasting.

Seventy years after our first broadcast in January 1955, APT remains committed to the vision of Raymond Hurlbert to be a leading force in Alabama education, utilizing broadcast, digital and hands-on tools to serve the needs of children, schools and all citizens.  Your Support makes it possible. Thank You and Happy New Year!