'Good Works' in focus at KNPB

Businesses that want to promote a favorite community cause or event will have a format, "Good Works," on which to air the programs when KNPB public television launches a third channel, KNBP II, next month.

The channel will be available only on digital TVs, says Dave Santina, executive producer.

The station already airs a second station, KNPB HD, which carries the current KNPB programming for high definition TVs.

The third channel, found at 5.2 or 5.3 on the digital dial, will air local programming supported by businesses and non-profits.

"This is so new, we're just in the process of introducing it to people," says Santina. "Our goal with 'Good Works' is to make programming for broadcast. But we want our partners to share our vision."

That means no infomercials. The hope is that businesses will team with non-profits to finance community programming such as shows by the Nevada Children's Museum.

"But this is not community access television,' Santina says. "That's already in existence."

In addition to "Good Works," the station will carry programs produced at other PBS stations, such as "Create," which features how-to shows on cooking and home renovation. And Focus West, whose programs are shared among the Western states.

In three years, the federally-mandated end of analog broadcasting takes effect. Every station will then have up to four total channels to fill with additional content.