PBS programming returns to Northwest Florida airwaves on November 1, broadcasting directly from a transmission tower located in North Escambia. WPAN television transmits the service over the air, utilizing its broadcasting facility situated on Barrineau Park School Road in Barrineau Park, just west of Molino.
Channel 53.1 Restores Free Over-the-Air Access
WPAN is licensed to Fort Walton Beach. Viewers across Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties in Florida, as well as Baldwin County, Alabama, can access main network programming over the air on channel 53.1. Dedicated PBS KIDS content broadcasts on digital subchannel 53.2.
The return restores free, commercial-free access to viewer favorites for all ages. Audiences can once again watch primetime mainstays like “Masterpiece,” “Antiques Roadshow,” and “Finding Your Roots,” along with children’s staples such as “Sesame Street,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Wild Kratts,” and “Arthur.”
Emerald Coast PBS Replaces Pensacola State College Affiliation
Station operations, programming development, fundraising, and educational outreach are directed by executive director and longtime public broadcasting veteran Jill Hubbs. According to Hubbs, the initiative was created to bring back service for households that rely exclusively on free over-the-air television antennas, lacking cable or high-speed internet connections.
I’m very excited,
Hubbs said Friday afternoon, noting her 30 years in outreach at WSRE, the former local PBS station. I know the value of that we lost, and it was too important to lose.
WSRE Channel 23 lost its longtime network affiliation on July 1, 2026, when Pensacola State College cut ties, prompting the departure of PBS from local airwaves. Following the loss of roughly $1.5 million in state and federal funds—which included cuts to federal Corporation for Public Broadcasting grants—the PSC District Board of Trustees decided during budget struggles to decertify the WSRE-TV Foundation, cut ties with the network, shutter digital subchannels, and convert WSRE into an independent educational channel.
To bring back regional broadcasting, local residents formed Emerald Coast PBS as an independent nonprofit supported by the community, relying on donations from businesses, viewers, and foundation supporters.
It’s not just about television, but service to the community,
Hubbs said.
This is about much more than restoring television programming,
remarked Marci Levin Goodman, a retired First Judicial Circuit judge who serves as chair of the Emerald Coast PBS Board of Directors. PBS has served generations of families as a trusted source of education, inspiration and connection. Emerald Coast PBS was established because our community deserves continued access to that service and because we believe strongly that public television should remain available to everyone.
Operations Headquartered at South Baylen Street
Hubbs noted that the station plans to raise $1 million over the coming year to support operations. Programming will feature well-known national shows like Antiques Roadshow, Finding Your Roots, historical documentaries by Ken Burns, and educational series for children that align with school curricula, alongside upcoming projects focused on regional history, stories of local veterans, and resources to support classrooms.
Emerald Coast PBS is headquartered at 316 South Baylen Street in downtown Pensacola. To help create future local programming, the Levin Papantonio law firm contributed office space and television production studios to the nonprofit organization.
Donations in any amount are being accepted to support the station. Viewers who make a qualifying contribution of $60 or more per year receive access to PBS Passport, an extended on-demand streaming service for PBS programming.
We need to raise a million dollars, but $5 means just as much as the Passport ($60),
Hubbs said.
Frequently Asked Questions About Channel 53
What channel does Emerald Coast PBS broadcast on?
Main network programming broadcasts over the air on channel 53.1, while dedicated PBS KIDS content airs on digital subchannel 53.2 via WPAN.
Which counties receive the North Escambia broadcast?
Viewers across Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties in Florida, as well as Baldwin County, Alabama, can access the signal using an over-the-air television antenna.
Where is Emerald Coast PBS located?
The station is headquartered at 316 South Baylen Street in downtown Pensacola, utilizing office space and production studios donated by the Levin Papantonio law firm.
How can viewers access PBS Passport?
Viewers who make a qualifying contribution of $60 or more per year to Emerald Coast PBS receive access to the extended on-demand streaming service.
North Escambia Tower Transmission Details
Broadcasting commences on November 1 from the transmission tower operated by WPAN television on Barrineau Park School Road in Barrineau Park. Hubbs and the Emerald Coast PBS Board of Directors continue organizing fundraising efforts to meet their $1 million operational goal for the coming year.
Worth a look