Friends Of OETA, Inc.

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Friends Of OETA, Inc.

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Charitable & advocacy partner for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA)

11/04/2026

Friends of OETA Honors Eight Oklahoma Legislators as OETA Champions

State lawmakers recognized for supporting public television across Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 29, 2026)** — Friends of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) honored eight Oklahoma legislators with OETA Champion awards at an Oct. 27 luncheon following its board meeting. The awards recognize their leadership and support of OETA’s educational programming, trusted news and public safety resources serving all 77 counties.

Five legislators received their awards in person:

- Sen. Julia Kirt of Oklahoma City, Senate minority leader
- Sen. Adam Pugh of Edmond, Senate Education Committee chair
- Sen. Kristen Thompson of Edmond, Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee chair
- Rep. Mike Osburn of Edmond, House Rules Committee chair
- Rep. Mark Lawson of Sapulpa, House majority leader

Also honored were:

- Sen. Micheal Bergstrom of Big Cabin, Senate Administrative Rules Committee chair
- Rep. Gerrid Kendrix of Altus, House Administrative Rules Committee chair
- Rep. John Kane of Bartlesville, House Appropriations and Budget Committee vice chair

“We wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank these legislators for standing behind OETA,” said Seth Paxton, president of the Friends of OETA Board of Directors, who presented the awards. “They understand what public television means to Oklahoma, and they’ve demonstrated that through their actions.”

Shawn Black, OETA executive director, thanked the legislators for recognizing the importance of OETA’s work, from PBS KIDS and family programming to trusted news and information.

About Friends of OETA

Friends of OETA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises and manages non-state funds to support OETA’s activities and programs.

About OETA

OETA provides educational programming, training, outreach, local productions and digital resources that inform, inspire and connect Oklahomans. Learn more at OETA.tv.

Media Contact: Jennifer Mullins, VP Marketing & Communications
405-841-9212 | [email protected]

10/30/2026

Your Friday night plans just got a little more musical. 🎶

After making stops in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, legendary Oklahoma songwriter Jimmy Webb is coming to your screen tonight.

Take a peek at a few moments from his recent appearances, including a visit with Rich Lenz from Oklahoma News Report, then tune in to OETA tonight at 8 p.m. for a special celebration of the music and stories behind one of Oklahoma’s most celebrated songwriters.

Settle in and spend your Friday night with Jimmy Webb, right here on OETA.

09/15/2026

Love OETA but your schedule doesn’t always cooperate?

That’s where OETA Passport comes in.

With an OETA membership of $5 a month or $60 a year, you’re eligible for Passport, giving you extended, on-demand access to hundreds of hours of PBS programming.

That means more dramas, mysteries, documentaries, history, nature and more, all ready to watch when you are.

Support OETA, unlock more to watch and enjoy your favorites on your own schedule.

09/09/2026

Sometimes, seeing yourself reflected in a favorite show can open the door to a conversation that once felt difficult to have.

For Coralie and her family, Carl the Collector helped her recognize something familiar in Carl and find the words to better understand her own autism diagnosis.

That is why representation in children’s programming matters. Through OETA and PBS KIDS, children across Oklahoma have opportunities to see characters who think, communicate and experience the world in ways that may feel a little more like their own.

For families, those moments can become more than something they watch. They can become a way to connect, understand and talk together.

09/03/2026

Your perspective matters.

Friends of OETA is inviting viewers across Oklahoma to take a short, anonymous survey and share what OETA means to them. Your feedback will help us better understand the value of public television and the role it plays in communities across our state.

The survey is anonymous, with an optional opportunity to allow Friends of OETA to share your comments in future social media and advocacy content.

Take the survey by clicking the link in our bio.

09/01/2026

Your OETA membership does more than show your support.

By becoming a member, you help sustain the programming, local storytelling and public media services Oklahomans rely on. Membership also comes with benefits designed to bring you even closer to the programming and station you value.

One of those benefits is OETA Passport. With a qualifying gift of $5 a month or $60 a year, eligible members receive extended access to even more PBS programming, including full seasons of many favorites and hundreds of hours of on-demand content.

It’s a simple way to support OETA, enjoy added member benefits and get more from the programming you already love.

Become a member and learn more about member benefits at OETA.tv.

08/25/2026

Friends of OETA is proud to recognize Chad Richison as an OETA Champion for his longstanding support of public media and commitment to strengthening communities across Oklahoma.

Through the Richison Family Foundation, his support has helped OETA continue providing trusted programming, educational resources, local journalism and public safety infrastructure to Oklahomans across all 77 counties.

We are grateful for Chad’s continued investment in OETA and the communities it serves. Congratulations, Chad, and thank you for being an OETA Champion!

08/20/2026

Have a favorite memory you or your family has shared with OETA? We’d love to hear it in the comments! 🗨

Your viewership and support have helped make OETA part of Oklahoma homes for generations. Maybe you grew up watching your favorite PBS KIDS show, discovered something new about our state or never missed an episode of a favorite drama.

Seventy years of public media means seventy years of memories, and we’d love to hear yours.

With your permission, we may reach out about featuring your memory in a future Friends of OETA social post.

08/18/2026

We want to thank everyone who watched, called in, donated and volunteered to help answer calls during OETA’s Pledge Week. Your support and participation are what make nights like this possible.

Take a peek behind the scenes of pledge night and be sure to tune into our next pledge night! 🫣📺

08/13/2026

Friends of OETA wants to help you stay informed about the latest news, updates and conversations surrounding OETA.

Sign up through https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/87KGutl/SaveOETA to receive occasional updates on important news, legislative developments, advocacy opportunities, public statements and other ways you can help support OETA’s future.

Your voice matters, and staying informed is one of the simplest ways to stand alongside the Oklahoma families, educators and communities who rely on OETA.

Address

7403 N. Kelley Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK
73111

Telephone

+14058488501

Website

https://www.oeta.tv/about/friends/, https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/87KGutl/SaveOETA, https://docs.google.com/for

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