Kentucky Authority for Educational Television

The function of KET is to establish a network of educational television production, transmission and relay stations, for public school students, state-supported institutions of higher education, and to any others desiring broadcast programs. Use of the facilities for property defined functions of government is also permitted.

The Authority, established during the term of Governor Bert T. Combs, was charged with prescribing and enforcing regulations governing the use of educational television and its facilities in Kentucky, as detailed in KRS 168.030.

Early state proponents of educational television believed in the advantages of a state initiated and supported educational television system operated as an independent agency of government.

The Authority consisted of nine members, including representatives of Kentucky universities and the Department of Education, and was vested with power to carry out public policy relating to educational television, as detailed in KRS 168.010 and 168.100.

KET consists of nine members: the Superintendent of Public Instruction as an ex officio member, a staff member of the Department of Education elected by the State Board upon the recommendation of the Superintendent; a representative of the University of Kentucky; a representative of the state colleges and universities, to be elected by the Council of Higher Education; two members qualified by education or experience in technical aspects of television to be appointed by the Governor; and three additional members, with no defined qualifications, to be appointed by the Governor. KET is divided into three programs: General Administration and Support, Broadcasting and Education, and Operations.