KET programming has woven its way into Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ashli Watts’ life since childhood. “Growing up, I was watching Reading Rainbow in class, first and second grade, and throughout middle school. I also grew up in a household where PBS and KET were watched and discussed.” Watts’ connection to KET only grew from there. “Fast forward several years down the road, my daughter, Emma, was born, and we had KET going at our house all the time. Shows like Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street and Super Why, those shows were always on at home. I knew that when my kids watched KET, they were going to be safe and that they were going to learn something. It was going to be quality programming, where a lot of times on other networks, it’s probably not values that I really want to teach my kids.”

(KET) really is essential to the way that many of us operate in the world of public affairs in Kentucky.

Ashli Watts

Watts’ personal and professional engagement with KET cross over regularly at home and in the office. “[At home], we catch The Farmer & The Foodie or This Old House; living and breathing in the world of Kentucky politics, it is on all the time. And it’s not just on our TVs, it’s on my laptop, and I have the app on my phone for legislative coverage. It really is essential to the way that many of us operate in the world of public affairs in Kentucky.” She continues, “I have different screens on with my phone watching different committee meetings and legislative proceedings. I feel like at any time of the day, KET is streaming at some point on one of my devices at home and at work.”

Legislative accessibility is something Watts feels strongly about and appreciates KET’s providing. “It’s important to highlight the access KET provides. When you think about COVID, a couple of years ago, when we couldn’t go to the Capitol and watch the proceedings…KET was the reason we were able to see what was happening. Even now, without [KET], people wouldn’t be able to tune in to the important things going on in Frankfort and in D.C.” She continues, “that access is so important in terms of our state legislative coverage, especially since the Capitol is getting closed down for 3 to 5 years. Citizens won’t be able to go and see the legislative proceedings most days, so being able to have KET provide that camera [in the Senate and House chambers] is going to be really important to make sure that we are providing access to Kentuckians to see what is happening in the world of the legislature.”

Notably, Watts will serve as the first woman emcee in the 145-year history of the annual Fancy Farm picnic this year, held the first Saturday of August in Graves County, Kentucky. “KET’s coverage of Fancy Farm is another great point of access; it’s down in western Kentucky, and a lot of Kentuckians cannot make the trek. Through KET’s coverage, you can feel like you’re part of the day. You get to hear all the jokes, all the speeches and a great analysis afterwards.” Watts also appreciates the neutral, fact-based news and reporting KET provides. “Here in Kentucky – really in the world – we have a lot of different stations where we’re getting our news and our information. Being able to rely on KET to have access to fair, balanced news and programming is critical. In this world of noisy news and politics, when you listen to KET and PBS, you hear both sides of the issue; KET provides the facts, then leaves it up to the viewer on how they decide who they’re going to support and what side of the issue they want to take.”

“I’m kind of a KET superfan”, Watts laughs. “KET and PBS have just always been part of my life.”