College-Owned Television Station Resumes Independent Programming

November 1, 2012 - WBCC TV will resume its role as an independent public television station Nov. 15, offering Space Coast residents a wide range of programs that includes the NASA Education Channel.

The move follows a highly successful partnership between Brevard Community College and the University of Central Florida that began July 1, 2011 when the institutions joined hands to save PBS in Central Florida and created WUCF TV to serve more than 3.5 million regional viewers.

UCF went on to purchase the television license of WMFE TV in Orlando this fall and will become the region's primary PBS affiliate when WUCF TV goes solo Nov. 15, ending the BCC-UCF joint venture.

“We’re excited about the new programming that WBCC will offer Brevard County viewers, building on a tradition of serving the public with shows that educate, enlighten and inspire,” said John Glisch, BCC’s Associate Vice President of Communications.

“We’ve had an excellent partnership with WUCF, worked closely with them to ensure a smooth transition and know their new station will be a success.”

Grant J. Heston, UCF’s Associate Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs, added that “WUCF TV wouldn’t have been possible this past year without our outstanding partnership with BCC.”

WBCC relinquished its PBS membership in the transition and will carry programs from multiple sources, including the American Public Television and the National Educational Telecommunications Association.

Programming topics will include arts and culture, history and military, business and finance, nature and science, public affairs and children’s shows.

Among the more well-known programs will be "Globe Trekker," one of several shows that will focus on travel, and "Inside Washington" that follows national political issues.

The NASA Education Channel will also keep viewers up-to-date on the latest in space exploration, making it a perfect fit for Florida’s Space Coast.

WBCC broadcasts on four channels with a new channel line-up effective Nov. 15.

The main channel, WBCC, will broadcast over-the-air on channel 68.1. The Classic Arts Showcase will be on 68.2; the NASA Education Channel on 68.3; and 68.4 will become home to The Florida Channel, which is focused on state government news.

All four channels will also be available on cable television systems throughout Central Florida, with cable channel information at www.wbcctv.org.

BCC’s television station first signed on June 10, 1988 as low-power WRES TV before changing its call letters to WBCC in October 1991 and increasing the station’s power to 60,000 watts the following year.

WBCC’s staff also played a key role in the college’s expansion of Internet-based, online instruction known as e-Brevard.

Meanwhile, WUCF’s launch will come with the addition of three new channels – WUCF World, WUCF Create and Spanish-language Vme WUCF.

Each of these new public television channels will immerse viewers of all ages in new scientific discoveries, public and cultural affairs and do-it-yourself ventures and specials on cooking, travel and other lifestyle interests.

Program schedules for each new channel soon will be available on wucftv.org and should soon be accessible in many print and online area TV program guides.

Visit http://wucftv.org/where-to-watch for a complete listing of the new WUCF channel lineup, effective Nov. 15.

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