For 40 years, PTFP has played a major role in the development of public broadcasting throughout the United States. With the programs assistance, a public television signal now reaches about 95% of our nation's population and public radio reaches approximately 90% of the population. The program has also funded radio reading services and descriptive video services for the disabled and numerous distance learning facilities that provide instructional programming for students and professionals.

Because of the FCC’s mandate that public television stations begin digital broadcasting by May, 2003, PTFP conducted an expedited grant round for digital television conversion projects in FY 2003.For FY 2003, PTFP awarded $25 million to 56 digital television conversion projects. They are listed on this site.

PTFP FY 2003 awards for radio, nonbroadcast and television equipment replacement projects will be announced in September.