From Across the State Directly to Your Living Room

Long before streaming services made commercial-free viewing commonplace, Iowa Public Television (IPTV) was already broadcasting an array of noncommercial educational, entertaining and enlightening programs to Iowans regardless of where they lived or what they could afford. Today, more than two million viewers tune in each month for programming that is supported in part by the Gilchrist Foundation.

In 2018, the Gilchrist Foundation awarded Iowa Public Television Foundation $55,000 to help fund several programs including “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow … Together – IPTV’s 50th Anniversary,” the “High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase,” “The Best of Living in Iowa,” “Iowa Outdoors” and “Iowa State Fair Highlights.”

50 Years of Programming - Iowa’s only statewide television network is marking its golden anniversary throughout 2019 with special programs and events that celebrate IPTV -- Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow… Together. In honor of 50 years, IPTV will hold numerous events and spotlight special programs all summer long.

Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase - Each year, some of Iowa’s most talented high school students bring incredible musical theater performances to local stages across the state. This event showcases award-winning musicals from 77 participating Iowa high schools. On June 3 at 7 p.m., IPTV will live-stream the 2019 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase and broadcast a two-hour, highlights special on Friday, June 28 at 8:30 p.m.

The Best of Living in Iowa - For 16 seasons, Living in Iowa was an omnibus television series that illustrated what it meant to be “uniquely Iowan.” Through compelling human-interest stories, it provided snapshots of Iowans representing every walk of life. As part of its 50th Anniversary, Iowa Public Television will revisit this popular series through The Best of Living in Iowa, a weekly program that features stories gathered from the archives of the original series. Viewers will be able to relive moments from the past and be reminded of Iowa’s unique heritage. The Best of Living in Iowa airs Saturdays, June 1, 8 and 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Iowa Outdoors - Hosts Scott Siepker and Kellie Kramer travel around Iowa learning about outdoor recreation, environmental issues, conservation initiatives and Iowa’s natural resources. They’ve hiked the Loess Hills in Western Iowa and paddled through Iowa’s newest whitewater parks. Iowa Outdoors airs Friday nights at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. on IPTV.1.

Iowa State Fair Highlights - On August 8 – 18, IPTV will broadcast highlights from the Iowa State Fair. Coverage usually includes the parade and continues with hour-long programs filled with unique stories, food, animals, music and more.

Jocelyn Gilchrist, who founded the Gilchrist Foundation, loved the arts, music and public television. As she grew older, Jocelyn Gilchrist enjoyed listening to orchestra performances on local public broadcasting stations. As such, organizations related to the Arts or public broadcasting are invited to apply for funding through the Gilchrist Foundation.