NMPBS distributes broadcast and stream of national 'A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration'

While people are enjoying PBS' annual A Capitol Fourth Concert on Friday, July 3, with encores throughout the weekend on PBS stations nationwide, they may not realize that this year they are enjoying the special birthday concert and fireworks, due to New Mexico, and New Mexico PBS (NMPBS/KNME).

The annual live event is usually distributed nationally by PBS, but as this year they are in a transition phase year, New Mexico PBS and KNME Distribution Services have stepped up.

Kicking off the historic Independence Day weekend's festivities for the nation's Semiquincentennial, A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration will be broadcast live and streamed nationwide from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Friday, July 3, and is seen by U.S. service members around the world on American Forces Network. The concert will also be streaming on YouTube and available as Video on Demand for a limited time -- July 3 to July 17.

Locally, A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration airs on NMPBS Ch. 5.1 - Friday, July 3, 8 p.m. & again at 9:30 p.m., and streaming on the PBS app. It encores on Ch. 5.4 - Sunday, July 5, at 7 p.m.

"From the latest information we have received, this special concert will be broadcast in over 96% of all PBS stations and state systems - nationwide. Additionally, 99 out of the top 100 Markets in the U.S. will be carrying A Capitol Fourth," said Suzanne Kembel, director, Station Operations, NMPBS. "KNME Distribution Services will be reaching people in all areas of the United States, on this special Holiday Weekend!"

KNME Distribution Services (A division of NMPBS)
New Mexico PBS/KNME is 2nd only to PBS National, in the number of program hours distributed within the PBS system, across the United States.

KNME Distribution Services, a division of NMPBS, working with its partners at Deutche Welle in Berlin and Democracy Now in New York, provides over 1100 hours of live news programs to the PBS system per year. KNME Distribution Services also delivers over 700 programs per year from BBC Syndication and other PBS station producers for use by the entire public television system.

More Details About A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration
Hosting A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration is multi-platinum hitmaker and country music icon Trace Adkins. Celebrating 30 years in music this year, Adkins will make the exclusive television debut of his brand-new song "American Made," an uplifting anthem honoring the patriotism, ideals and contributions of generations of Americans.

This beloved 46-year holiday tradition is America's annual birthday party at the U.S Capitol, with all-star musical and patriotic performances by pop, country, R&B, Broadway, classical and gospel artists along with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.

In honor of the nation's 250th birthday, the concert finale will feature a spectacular live fireworks show over George Washington's Mount Vernon. The fireworks will be the biggest display ever at the iconic home of America's first president.

"We are excited to be the first live nationally televised celebration for the nation's 250th birthday," said Michael Colbert, executive producer. "Every year, Americans look forward to watching A Capitol Fourth as part of their annual Independence Day tradition, and this year they will be able to start the party one night early on July 3rd for this big and historic anniversary weekend."