News & Events
PBTV Lite Now Available
Paul Bunyan Communications has introduced PBTV Lite, a less expensive PBTV service option that eliminates the higher cost networks but still provides an interactive program guide, access to PBTV On Demand, and the Galaxie music channels.
"We are very proud to offer consumers a less expensive TV option. We have incurred dramatic rate increases on the most highly rated networks. This package eliminates the higher cost networks but still includes over 100 channels including the major broadcast networks, cable networks, and Galaxie music channels. PBTV Lite also provides access to PBTV On Demand and the interactive program guide. It does, however, remove the higher cost networks which are also the most highly viewed. This would include all cable sports networks, news networks, along with some entertainment networks. " said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.
"It's hard to say what is more important to any given customer which is why we've created PBTV Lite. Some consumers will not want to go without access to the highly rated networks, but for those who don't mind then they will be able to reduce their monthly cost for television service," added Keith Hunt, Paul Bunyan Television Supervisor.
The cost of PBTV Lite is $20 less per month than that of main PBTV service. Customers are still able to combine PBTV Lite with local phone and Broadband Internet service to save even more. PBTV Lite customers can add PBTV Sports to get more sports channels but PBTV Lite subscribers are not able to add PBTV HD or PBTV Extra due to existing programming contract restrictions.
Fuel TV Free Preview Week February 13-19 on PBTV
All PBTV subscribers can preview Fuel TV for free February 13-19! Located on PBTV channel 67, FUEL TV is the only television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including MMA, surfing, motocross, snowboarding, skateboarding BMX, wakeboarding and more.
Now with more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and post-fight coverage, specials and events you won't see anywhere else! See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off.
Fuel TV is a part of PBTV Sports which can be added to Paul Bunyan Television service for only $6.99 per month. Check it out for free February 13-19 and then add PBTV Sports to get Fuel TV all year long!
Cass Lake Winter Fishing Challenge is Saturday, February 11
The Cass Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Palace Casino & Hotel Winter Fishing Challenge is Saturday, February 11 from 12-3 p.m. on Cass Lake. The rules meeting will take place on Friday, February 11 from 7-9 p.m. at the Cass Lake American Legion, with walleye feed from 4-7 p.m. preceding the rules meeting. $7 for 1 fillet, $11 for 2 fillets with proceeds going to the Cass Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
Advanced tickets are $35 and available at the Cass Lake Chamber office, Big Tap Bar & Grill, Froggy's Bait, Safari Liquors, Bluewater Outdoors, Fred's Bait, or online at www.casslake.com Tickets will also be available on the ice the day of the event for $40.
This event is sponsored in part by Paul Bunyan Communications
31st AnnUal Minnesota Finlandia is Saturday, February 18
The 31st Annual Minnesota Finlandia, one of America's premier cross-country skiing events, is coming up February 18 at the Buena Vista Ski Area in Bemidji.
Sponsored in part by Paul Bunyan Communications, events include 10k, 25k, and 50k cross country ski races, a spaghetti feed on Friday, Hall of Fame Hospitality Feed, awards and more.
High School Juniors: Enter the Paul Bunyan Communications Youth Tour Essay Contest for a Chance to Win a Trip to Washington D.C. Deadline is Friday, March 30
Area High School Juniors are encouraged to enter the Paul Bunyan Communications Essay Contest for a chance to attend the 2011 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. June 2-6, with all expenses paid by Paul Bunyan Communications.
Students interested in attending the Youth Tour need to submit a short essay, no more than 500 words in length, on why they would like to attend the Youth Tour. Students must be a junior in high school with their parent/guardian a member of Paul Bunyan Communications Cooperative.
Entries can be dropped off at either Paul Bunyan Communications office or they can mailed to:
Paul Bunyan Communications Essay Contest
1831 Anne St. NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
The deadline for entries is Friday, March 30.
The trip features a comprehensive overview of the telecommunications industry, including careers in telecom, the critical role telecommunications plays in rural America, and how legislative and regulatory decisions affect the industry. The tour allows youth to meet with members of Congress who represent rural constituents. They also participate in educational sessions about the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Students visit some of the nation's most historic sites, including the war memorials, the Smithsonian Museums, and a beautiful night tour of our Washington D.C.
"We hope that by providing our youth with telecommunications services comparable to those found in urban areas, as well as exposing them to cultural and educational opportunities, such as the FRS Youth Tour, our youth will remain in and become active members in their rural communities," said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.
The Foundation for Rural Service is dedicated to informing and to improving the quality of life throughout rural America. Each year, it organizes the Youth Tour, designed to educate rural youth about the telecommunications industry and the federal political process. The FRS is a subsidiary of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), of which Paul Bunyan Communications is a member.
This is the 16th consecutive year that Paul Bunyan Communications has participated in sending a local high school junior to the Youth Tour.
CBS Added in High Definition to PBTV HD
CBS has been added in high definition to PBTV HD service. WCCO HD, Minneapolis, is available to all PBTV HD subscribers on Paul Bunyan Television channel 504. KDLH HD, Duluth, is available to PBTV HD subscribers in Koochiching and Itasca County on channel 503.
"We are thrilled to add CBS in high definition for our customers! It has been the most requested network to add in HD by customers but for both technical and contractual reasons it couldn't be provided until now. The best part is the cost of PBTV HD service has and will remain the same for customers." said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.
2012 Scholarship Opportunities from Paul Bunyan Communications
Paul Bunyan Communications is committed to the communities we serve and provides over $30,000 annually in scholarships to local students within our service territory. We also offer local students the chance to apply for one statewide industry scholarship and one national industry scholarship. If you are a current high school senior or a student at one of the local post-secondary institutions, you can apply to win a Paul Bunyan Communications Scholarship!
High School Scholarships
Each year, our cooperative provides at least 2, $500 scholarships to 11 area high schools within or near our service territory. The application process, winners, and distribution of funds are handled by each high school independent of Paul Bunyan Communications.
Paul Bunyan Communications Scholarships are available at Bemidji High School, Bigfork High School, Blackduck High School, Cass Lake High School, Deer River High School, Grand Rapids High School, Kelliher High School, Laporte High School, Northome High School, Red Lake High School, and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School
To apply for the Paul Bunyan Communications Scholarship at one of these high schools, please speak to the high school counselor or career service office.
Post-Secondary Scholarships
In addition to High School Scholarships, Paul Bunyan Communications provides scholarship opportunities to the following post secondary institutions: Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College, Itasca Community College, Red Lake Nation College, and Oak Hills Christian College.
Bemidji State University
There are four $2,850 scholarships available annually to students that are current members of Paul Bunyan Communications or a parent/legal guardian is a member. The Deadline for applications was February 1, 2012.
Northwest Technical College
One $500 scholarship is awarded annually to a student that is a current member or who has a parent/legal guardian that is a member of Paul Bunyan Communications. Applications are available in the NTC Admissions office or at www.NTCmn.edu under scholarships. Deadline for applications is March 31, 2012.
Itasca Community College, Red Lake Nation College, and Oak Hills Christian
CollegeOne $500 scholarship is awarded annually at each of these post-secondary institutions to a student that is a current member or who has a parent/legal guardian that is a member of Paul Bunyan Communications.
To apply for the Paul Bunyan Communications Scholarship at one of these post-secondary institutions, speak to the Admissions or Career Service office at the school you attend.
Minnesota Telecom Alliance Foundation Scholarship
Paul Bunyan Communications participates in the MTA's scholarship program which awards five $2,000 scholarships to Minnesota high school seniors each year.
The application for 2012 can be downloaded from the MTA website.
A telecom alliance panel reviews each application and selects the finalists based on applicants' grades, academic achievements and extra-curricular activities. Preference to receive the scholarships is given to students who have an interest in telecommunications technology and rural communities.
The Foundation is part of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance, a trade organization representing 86 telephone companies and cooperatives in the state.
Foundation for Rural Service Scholarship
Paul Bunyan Communications participates in the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) scholarship program which awards 30 $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors throughout the country each year.
Applications can also be downloaded from the FRS website. Completed applications should be sent directly to FRS, postmarked no later than March 1, 2012. Applications postmarked to FRS after this date will NOT be accepted.
The FRS was established in 1994 and, through its partnership with the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), promotes, educates and advocates to the public, rural telecommunications issues in order to sustain and enhance the quality of life within communities throughout rural America. In keeping with its mission, furthering the education of rural youth is one of the foundation's primary focuses. Our cooperative, Paul Bunyan Communications, is a member of NTCA and is proud to support FRS in this worthy endeavor.
