NPR Distribution works in partnership with producers, distributors and broadcast stations to provide interconnection for the entire public radio system. Consistent delivery of best-in-class technology, process, business practice, and 24-hour customer service in an ever-evolving environment ultimately serves the audiences of public radio.
NPR launched the first nationwide satellite network for broadcast programming more than 40 years ago. Today, the Public Radio Satellite System – the nation’s public radio interconnection system – continues to make advancements in transmission technology that the rest of the industry recognizes as standard.
The PRSS distribution network delivers thousands of hours of news, music, and specialized audience programming every year to public radio stations throughout the United States.
Managed by NPR Distribution, the PRSS is a unique, cooperative enterprise. Each interconnected station is a stakeholder in the collective assets of, and services provided by, the PRSS. Interconnected stations own their own downlink and uplink equipment.
The satellite transponder capacity, as well as the national operating system equipment located in Washington, DC and St. Paul, Minnesota, are owned by The Public Radio Satellite Interconnection System Charitable Trust.
The PRSS includes more than 400 downlinks, and over 200 program producers and distributors.
Many additional stations also receive programming through local connections with downlink stations or through ContentDepot.
The Network Operations Center (NOC) is our state-of-the-art system control and routing center for audio, compressed video and data transmissions. Since many of your most important broadcasts take place at night, weekends, or even on holidays, our technicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist you with any troubleshooting requirements you may have.
Staffed by experienced, highly-qualified technicians, the NOC manages every aspect of activity on NPR Distribution's transponders and system uplinks. The NOC also assists customers with initial access to the satellite channels and verifies power levels. NPR Distribution's NOC is located at NPR headquarters in Washington, DC.
NPR Distribution maintains a 24-hour hot backup in St. Paul, Minnesota. All programming for both ContentDepot and The HUB is simultaneously fed to the main location in Washington, DC and St. Paul. This enables for seamless transition whether it be for normal maintenance and upgrades and an emergency situation.
Broadcast equipment is well made, but occasionally even the best equipment needs to be serviced. NPR Distribution customers can count on our Network Support Center for technical assistance and repairs. Our NSC's experienced and knowledgeable staff can keep your network on the air by:
The NSC operates during normal business hours (Eastern Time). For off-the-air emergency consultation, the staff is available 24/7. The NSC can be reached at 202.513.2650 or prsshelp@npr.org.
Owned and operated by Intelsat, Galaxy 16’s geostationary-orbital position is 99° west longitude. PRSS leases C-Band bandwidth on transponder 23 of Galaxy 16.
Owned and operated by Intelsat, Galaxy 16’s geostationary-orbital position is 99° west longitude. PRSS leases Ku-Band bandwidth on transponder 10 of Galaxy 16.
NPR, through its NPR Distribution division, manages and operates the Public Radio Satellite System. NPR is governed by its Board of Directors, which includes a standing committee of the Board – the Distribution/Interconnection (D/I) Committee charged with overseeing the operation of the system. The composition of the D/I Committee is unique among board committees in that its membership consists of both NPR Board directors and members who are not NPR directors but instead represent other public telecommunications entities.
The presence of the non-Board members on the Committee reflects NPR Distribution's role as manager and operator of an interconnection system that serves all public telecommunications entities needing satellite and internet distribution services, including public radio stations, program producers, and other organizations not affiliated with NPR. The non-Board members of the D/I Committee are elected by the NPR Board and confirmed by the interconnected stations.
NPR is fully committed to complying with the open financial records requirements of the Communications Act and the requirements of its grant agreements. At all NPR public access points, including NPR headquarters and its telephone and electronic points of contact, requests to provide a physical or electronic copy of the requested information will be addressed in a timely fashion. Copies of the requested information may be subject to reasonable redactions to protect against disclosure of confidential or otherwise sensitive information.
NPR launched the first nationwide satellite network for broadcast programming more than 40 years ago. Today, the Public Radio Satellite System – the nation’s public radio interconnection system – continues to make advancements in transmission technology that the rest of the industry recognizes as standard.
The PRSS distribution network delivers thousands of hours of news, music, and specialized audience programming every year to public radio stations throughout the United States.
Managed by NPR Distribution, the PRSS is a unique, cooperative enterprise. Each interconnected station is a stakeholder in the collective assets of, and services provided by, the PRSS. Interconnected stations own their own downlink and uplink equipment.
The satellite transponder capacity, as well as the national operating system equipment located in Washington, DC and St. Paul, Minnesota, are owned by The Public Radio Satellite Interconnection System Charitable Trust.
The PRSS includes more than 400 downlinks, and over 200 program producers and distributors.
Many additional stations also receive programming through local connections with downlink stations or through ContentDepot.
The Network Operations Center (NOC) is our state-of-the-art system control and routing center for audio, compressed video and data transmissions. Since many of your most important broadcasts take place at night, weekends, or even on holidays, our technicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist you with any troubleshooting requirements you may have.
Staffed by experienced, highly-qualified technicians, the NOC manages every aspect of activity on NPR Distribution's transponders and system uplinks. The NOC also assists customers with initial access to the satellite channels and verifies power levels. NPR Distribution's NOC is located at NPR headquarters in Washington, DC.
NPR Distribution maintains a 24-hour hot backup in St. Paul, Minnesota. All programming for both ContentDepot and The HUB is simultaneously fed to the main location in Washington, DC and St. Paul. This enables for seamless transition whether it be for normal maintenance and upgrades and an emergency situation.
Broadcast equipment is well made, but occasionally even the best equipment needs to be serviced. NPR Distribution customers can count on our Network Support Center for technical assistance and repairs. Our NSC's experienced and knowledgeable staff can keep your network on the air by:
The NSC operates during normal business hours (Eastern Time). For off-the-air emergency consultation, the staff is available 24/7. The NSC can be reached at 202.513.2650 or prsshelp@npr.org.
Owned and operated by Intelsat, Galaxy 16’s geostationary-orbital position is 99° west longitude. PRSS leases C-Band bandwidth on transponder 23 of Galaxy 16.
Owned and operated by Intelsat, Galaxy 16’s geostationary-orbital position is 99° west longitude. PRSS leases Ku-Band bandwidth on transponder 10 of Galaxy 16.
NPR, through its NPR Distribution division, manages and operates the Public Radio Satellite System. NPR is governed by its Board of Directors, which includes a standing committee of the Board – the Distribution/Interconnection (D/I) Committee charged with overseeing the operation of the system. The composition of the D/I Committee is unique among board committees in that its membership consists of both NPR Board directors and members who are not NPR directors but instead represent other public telecommunications entities.
The presence of the non-Board members on the Committee reflects NPR Distribution's role as manager and operator of an interconnection system that serves all public telecommunications entities needing satellite and internet distribution services, including public radio stations, program producers, and other organizations not affiliated with NPR. The non-Board members of the D/I Committee are elected by the NPR Board and confirmed by the interconnected stations.
NPR is fully committed to complying with the open financial records requirements of the Communications Act and the requirements of its grant agreements. At all NPR public access points, including NPR headquarters and its telephone and electronic points of contact, requests to provide a physical or electronic copy of the requested information will be addressed in a timely fashion. Copies of the requested information may be subject to reasonable redactions to protect against disclosure of confidential or otherwise sensitive information.
Vermont Public Radio has been serving the people of Vermont and the surrounding region since 1977. As Vermont's only statewide public radio network, VPR provides an essential and trusted independent voice for news, information, music and cultural exploration for the people of the region.
The African-American Public Radio Consortium is a network of nearly 80 stations deeply invested in including African-American diverse culture and voices in the national media landscape and presenting the epitome of black culture with understanding, honor, and dignity.
Minnesota Public Radio is one of the nation’s premier public radio stations producing programming for radio, digital and live audiences and operates a 46-station radio network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states.
Alaska Public Broadcasting Inc. (APBI) provides engineering services to rural public radio stations and manages the Alaska Rural Communication System, a television service reaching 192 locations within Alaska. APBI provides representation to state and federal agencies for the public media system
CoastAlaska is a collaboration of Southeast Alaska public media entities in Sitka, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Wrangell and Juneau.