KCSM becomes KPJK Northern California Public Media

Concerned about the possible loss of public television station KCSM in San Mateo, the Board of PBS/NPR organization Northern California Public Media has purchased and started operating KCSM TV (now KPJK TV) on July 31, 2018. 53 years of service to the Bay Area will endure through this partnership.

KCSM viewers and former members are encouraged to complete this survey and share their thoughts about the station’s schedule and local services. Help us shape the future programming schedule of the channel.

The channel name will be changed to KPJK South Bay, a service of the new Northern California Public Media, which also includes KRCB North Bay and KRCB FM Radio 91.

KPJK will launch with a selection of programs from the MHz Worldview international service, France 24 TV, and programming from FNX (First Nations Experience) a channel that presents programs for and about Native Americans.

CLICK HERE to share your comments and questions with us.

What happened to KCSM?

The owner of KCSM, San Mateo Community College District, decided several years ago that they could no longer afford the maintain KCSM, the PBS station which had been serving San Mateo and the South Bay area for 50 some years.

KRCB, the PBS station in the North Bay, submitted the winning bid to acquire the station. We felt that losing this public television station would be an unacceptable loss of a public asset which would probably never be re-gained. We are very happy that our bid prevailed.

KPJK will sign on July 31, 2018.

What is Northern California Public Media?

Now that KRCB and KPJK are sister stations – along with KRCB FM Radio 91 (NPR) – we have adopted the organizational name of Northern California Public Media as an “umbrella” name for this group of public stations serving Northern California.

What about KCSM-FM, the jazz station?

The College District did not sell the radio station and is still running that very popular jazz station.

What programming will be on the new channels?

Like KCSM, KPJK will provide programming on cable, on satellite, and over the air (with an antenna). The programming available will depend on how you receive your programming. Here is a chart which lists all the great content available from KPJK. Note that programming changes will occur over the fall of 2018 as we add in popular public television programs and local shows to serve the community.

How will KPJK be supported?

Like KCSM, KPJK will rely on financial support from individuals and businesses. Local support is critical to a strong public station.

Would you like us to send you a programming guide?

If you would like, we would be happy to send you our monthly program guide called “Open Air.” You can request a complimentary copy by contacting us at 1-800-287-2722 or by email to our membership department, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Also, we can send a brief weekly email which lists the staffs’ recommendation on upcoming programming. You can join the email list here - https://krcb.org/weekly-programming-subscription.