OPB Airs FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE 2009 on January 22 at 9pm

For parents, teachers and college-bound students, OPB will present a half-hour special, FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE 2009, on Thursday, January 22 at 9pm. Hosted by Steve Amen, the program will feature a panel of financial-aid experts who will provide crucial loan, scholarship and grant information, and advice on the college application process.

Viewers can go to OPB's Financial Aid for College 2009 Web site from January 5-22 to submit questions for the panelists to discuss during the program. Questions not chosen for the on-air panel discussion will be answered by financial-aid experts in a Q & A feature on the Web site after the broadcast. A phone bank of financial-aid professionals will also be available to answer questions from viewers during the broadcast and until 10pm.

The program rebroadcasts on Sunday, January 25 at 3am and 2:30pm.

THINK OUT LOUD To Discuss the State of Higher Education in Oregon

On Wednesday, January 7, 2009, Oregon Public Broadcasting and Think Out Loud will meet with university Presidents David Frohnmayer (University of Oregon), Ed Ray (Oregon State University), Wim Wiewel (Portland State University) and Dixie Lund (Eastern Oregon University) in a special live-audience taping to discuss the state of higher education in Oregon.

The free event will take place at 7pm at the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom on the Portland State University campus in downtown Portland. Doors will open one hour prior to the show and space is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

"Part of Think Out Loud's mission is to provide a unique place for people to come together and discuss statewide issues. This event offers the opportunity for parents, students, policy makers and professors -- anybody who is interested in the future of higher education -- to engage in a discussion with the presidents of four Oregon universities at this critical time," said Eve Epstein, executive producer of Think Out Loud.

The show will be divided into two hour-long segments which will air separately at later dates. Throughout each hour, Think Out Loud hosts Emily Harris and David Miller will welcome guests and the public to ask questions, express concerns, and join in the discussion with the university presidents.

For more information about the event, call OPB at 800.241.8123.

About THINK OUT LOUD
Think Out Loud is a call-in and online radio program that airs weekdays at 9am and again at 9pm (for channel listings, please visit our Radio page). On air since January 2007, Think Out Loud strives to create a space in Oregon and southern Washington for engaging civic dialogue about politics, music and sports, books and the environment, and any other issues that people in our region are talking about.

OPB to Launch New Digital Television Channel Lineup

The digital television era is here, and this month Oregon Public Broadcasting will launch its exciting new channel lineup to serve viewers throughout Oregon and southern Washington.

"On February 18, 2009, all full-power transmitters will switch to all-digital broadcasting," said Steve Bass, president and CEO of OPB. "We wanted to introduce our new family of channels early, so viewers who have already converted to digital can enjoy our expanded lineup immediately, and those who are not yet ready will have an incentive to do so now."

Based on viewer feedback, OPB developed a broad range of programming that will be available on three digital channels beginning December 10, 2008: OPB, OPB HD and OPB Plus.

OPB will continue to offer the full range of OPB programming that viewers know and trust -- including the best in children's programs, how-to, travel, documentaries and performance -- with an improved picture for viewers with traditional sets.

OPB HD will broadcast your OPB favorites -- including children's programs, news and public affairs, documentaries and more -- in high definition with the highest-quality picture and sound. Note: Viewers who do not have a high-definition television can still watch the programs on the OPB HD channel in standard definition.

OPB Plus will offer more choices in viewing times and added programs in news, public affairs and lifestyle.

"The digital transition gives us a tremendous opportunity to provide our viewers with more of the programs they enjoy and a greater selection of times to watch," said Bass. "Children's programming will be available on both OPB and OPB HD during the day. And OPB Plus allows us to showcase programs of various types during the day -- including travel, gardening, home improvement, crafts, etc. -- and present an array of public affairs, news and lifestyle programs in the evening," he said.

"The future of broadcasting is full of promise with the vast array of capabilities digital technology makes possible," said Bass. "We will continue to evolve our channels and services to expand our ability to give voice to the community, connect Oregon and its neighbors and illuminate a wider world."

All three of OPB's digital channels are available free, over the air (with an antenna) in the Portland metro area, La Grande, Corvallis, Eugene, Bend and Baker City. All that is required is a TV with a built-in digital tuner or with an added digital converter box. Thanks to support from Governor Kulongoski and the Oregon Legislature, OPB has begun upgrading almost 50 low-power translators that serve the coast, east, central and southern Oregon. These areas will begin to have full availability of OPB's digital television services in the coming 12 to 24 months.

Where to Find OPB Channels Over the Air Starting December 10

OPB HD:
Portland 10.1
La Grande 13.1
Eugene 28.1
Corvallis 7.1
Bend 3.1
Baker City 13.1

OPB:
Portland 10.2
La Grande 13.2
Eugene 28.2
Corvallis 7.2
Bend 3.2
Baker City 13.2

OPB Plus:
Portland 10.3
La Grande 13.3
Eugene 28.3
Corvallis 7.3
Bend 3.3
Baker City 13.3

Where to Find OPB Channels on Cable Starting December 10

OPB HD
Comcast 710
Clear Creek 210
BendBroadband 607
Verizon FiOS 510
Crestview 603

OPB
Comcast 10
Clear Creek 162
BendBroadband 7
Verizon FiOS 10
Crestview 3

OPB Plus
Comcast 310
Clear Creek 168
BendBroadband 175
Verizon FiOS 470
Crestview 116

Program schedules for OPB's new digital lineup will be available online beginning December 10.

For information on how to make the switch to digital television, visit OPB's DTV NOW site.