PUBLIC TELEVISION AND ECHO TV

Broadcasts of ECHO TV–now, and in an emergency–are possible because of a unique partnership with tpt (Twin Cities Public Television).

ECHO TV’s series of programs on health issues and emergency preparedness are broadcast on Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) – MN-Channel 17 in the metro area. Metro viewers with cable and satellite TV can access tpt’s Minnesota Channel on Comcast digital cable channel 243, Time Warner digital cable channels 234 and 1021, and via over-the-air digital receivers at channel 17-2. In greater Minnesota, check local listings for channel information.

The tpt and ECHO TV partnership includes technical assistance to produce ECHO TV programs such as the use of tpt’s St. Paul studios for taping each episode. The pre-recorded story on videotape for each episode is produced courtesy of SPNN-TV (Saint Paul Neighborhood Network).

The ECHO Minnesota Collaborative is currently working to expand ECHO TV coverage statewide by developing partnerships with public television stations throughout greater Minnesota.  ECHO now provides DVD copies of ECHO TV episodes to local public health agencies throughout Minnesota, and encourages them to offer the shows to their local cable TV outlets.  Viewers can also watch previous ECHO TV shows on previous shows.

During a statewide emergency, ECHO TV will broadcast live.  Live broadcasts will originate at tpt’s studios in St. Paul.  Public television stations throughout Minnesota will have access to the information at the same time. 

Through this first-in-the-nation partnership, public television is becoming a regular source of monthly health and safety education for Minnesotans with limited English proficiency.  In addition, Minnesota’s public television stations stand ready to serve as an immediate source of information for limited-English speakers in a statewide health or safety crisis.