The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees approved the purchase of WMFE television鈥檚 broadcast license.


June 25, 2012

June 25, 2012, Orlando, FL 鈥� WUCF TV is poised to immerse more viewers of all ages in educational opportunities, scientific discoveries and our nation鈥檚 rich history through the purchase of WMFE television鈥檚 broadcast license.

The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees approved the purchase today, June 25, solidifying the future of public television in Central Florida. It will provide a stronger over-the-air signal that will expand WUCF TV鈥檚 reach and give viewers better reception for popular programs such as 鈥淣OVA,鈥� 鈥淪esame Street鈥� and 鈥淎merican Experience.鈥�

鈥淧BS鈥� focus on education 鈥� particularly early childhood literacy and STEM disciplines 鈥� makes this an outstanding partnership for our community and university,鈥� said Grant J. Heston, UCF associate vice president for Communications and Public Affairs. 鈥淰iewers have embraced WUCF TV during our first year on air, and this new agreement will allow us to enhance our service to Central Florida residents and our students.鈥�

The agreement involves the television broadcast license that WMFE, the region鈥檚 former PBS broadcaster, holds for channel 24. The purchase price of $3.3 million, with payments made over three years, includes the license and production, broadcasting and transmission equipment. UCF will not use state or tuition funds to make the purchase.

The agreement will now be submitted to the Federal Communications Commission, which could take several months to review the purchase. During that time, WUCF TV will continue its normal broadcast operations and current channel listings.

For economic reasons, WMFE鈥檚 Board of Trustees decided last year to discontinue its television broadcasting operations 鈥� a move that prompted UCF to partner with Brevard Community College to create WUCF TV, the community鈥檚 new and only PBS channel.

WUCF TV launched July 1, 2011, providing Central Florida viewers with uninterrupted access to PBS programming. The station currently serves more than 3.5 million people in nine counties.

The purchase will increase hands-on experiences for UCF's broadcast students working alongside the station鈥檚 staff and create more opportunities to showcase student stories and projects.

Purchasing WMFE鈥檚 license also keeps the management of public television programming local. While WMFE has had several interested buyers, its leaders believe selling Channel 24 to a local organization already invested in PBS best serves Central Florida.

鈥淲MFE is committed to continue its focus on its increasingly popular radio programming, which includes content from National Public Radio (NPR), as well as to begin significantly expanding its local news coverage,鈥� said WMFE President and CEO Jose A. Fajardo. 鈥淲MFE FM 90.7 plans to become the area鈥檚 local news destination by expanding its news department and reporting teams, as well as coverage of the issues that are most important to Central Floridians.鈥�

WUCF TV鈥檚 current broadcast license is held by Brevard Community College鈥檚 public television station, WBCC, which partnered with UCF last year to provide PBS to Central Florida.

鈥淭he new venture has our full support, and we are committed to assisting UCF to ensure a smooth transition,鈥� said BCC Associate Vice President for Communications John Glisch. 鈥淥nce the transition is complete, WBCC will continue to offer a wide selection of educational programs to Brevard County residents, as it has since 1988.鈥�

Its range of programming will include art and culture, history and military, business and finance, nature and science, children鈥檚 programming and more, Glisch added.

鈥淲UCF TV would not have been possible without our outstanding partnership with BCC, and we look forward to continuing to work together,鈥� Heston said.

As information becomes available during the FCC review process, it will be posted to WUCF TV鈥檚 website at .

Media Contacts:
Christine Dellert, WUCF TV, 407-823-2947, christine.dellert@ucf.edu
John Glisch, WBCC, 321-433-7017, glischj@brevardcc.edu
Sara Roen Brady, WMFE, 407-702-6632, sbrady@sarabradypr.com