In the late 1950s, community leaders, educators and owners of commercial television stations joined together to endorse a proposal to start an educational television station in North Texas.

KERA Channel 13 went on the air in late 1960 with a limited schedule of programs for teachers and students. Since that time, KERA TV has evolved to carry a full slate of public television programs and independent productions, including an extensive lineup of weekday programs committed to the intellectual and social development of children. KERA also continues to produce local content for its North Texas audience with shows like CEO with Lee Cullum. Throughout its history, many of KERA’s original productions about the arts, community affairs and current events have received notable national honors including the Emmy Award and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, among others.