PBS, KCET Tell Plan for Sale of Science Tapes : Home video: Station, network officials describe money-making goals in 900 number and other new revenue streams.

The Public Broadcasting System will kick off an ambitious plan to raise money by marketing its programs on home video with the release of a series produced by Los Angeles’ KCET Channel 28, station and network officials said today.

Sales of the tapes of “The Astronomers” will be handled by KCET, beginning in January, when the six-part science series will be broadcast on PBS. Thereafter, the station plans to sell copies of both locally and network-produced programs through its own distributor.

The station also hopes to generate income through a high-tech pay telephone service, or 900 number, through which consumers will be able to track down the videos they want. The service, which will cost $2 for the first minute and $1 for each additional minute, will be advertised throughout the station’s programming day.

“I don’t think there’s anybody who doesn’t sympathize with our need to find new revenue streams,” said station spokeswoman Barbara Goen. “Public funding continues to be a struggle, and corporate funding cannot bear the whole burden and neither can the subscribers.”

In addition to selling cassettes of “The Astronomers” for $19.95 each, or a complete set of six for $99.95, KCET will release a series of companion books designed to augment the programs, said Tim Conroy, the station’s vice president for marketing and business development.

Other plans include science, parenting, self-help and how-to tapes, Conroy said.

“The thrust of this is to use home video to get the programs in people’s (home) libraries,” Conroy said. “There is a real consumer interest in possessing for the future the programs we are showing.”

Tapes will be advertised through the station’s magazine, as well as on-air spots and pitches for the 900-number, Conroy said.