This month marks six years since WUCF became Central Florida’s PBS affiliate and saved public TV for the region, keeping alive a non-commercial, educational service started in 1965. But let’s go back — way back — to the beginning of this story. In April 1952, the Federal Communications Commission assigned four television channels for Orlando…
WMFE-24
Recent RogerSimmons.com Orlando TV News reports involving WMFE-Channel 24, the PBS affiliate for Central Florida.
Orlando’s massive TV tower came crashing down in 1973
The Bithlo TV tower was called the tallest structure on the planet at one point. But as workers were preparing to install an an antenna for educational station WMFE-Channel 24 on June 8, 1973, the tower collapsed into a massive pile of steel and wires. A structural failure was cited as the cause.
Quick hits: WFTV names Jordan’s replacement; FCC OKs UCF’s purchase of WMFE
Some quick Orlando TV News updates … In a move expected by many in the TV industry, WFTV has named Matt Parcell as news director — replacing Orlando TV legend Bob Jordan. Orlando Sentinel TV Guy Hal Boedeker reported that Parcell started his new role on Monday, after Jordan exited last Friday for his new…
Happy birthdays to Channel 6, WUCF-TV
Today is a historic day for Orlando TV for two important reasons, with something old and something new. First, it was on this day 57 years ago that television began in Orlando. WDBO-Channel 6 started broadcasting, airing shows from CBS, NBC, ABC and DuMont. It would be the area’s only TV station for two years…
Against WMFE sale? You have until Friday to tell FCC
The Federal Communications Commission has set Friday as the deadline for those opposed to the sale of public broadcaster WMFE to make their case. According to RBRTV.com, ‘”The deadline to file a petition to deny is 5/6/11, and all related filings should reference MB Docket No. 11-75 and File No. BALEDT-20110401ACW.” As you likely know, Orlando’s…
Ex-WESH anchors’ Growing Bolder show goes national
Former longtime WESH 2 News anchors Marc Middleton and Bill Shafer have reason to celebrate this weekend. “Growing Bolder,” the focus of their attention since leaving the world of TV news, has been picked up nationally. This weekend, the 30-minute show begins airing on more than 100 PBS stations, including markets like L.A., San Francisco, Denver…
Former WMFE chief launches non-profit media venture
Some say the future of journalism will be in non-profit groups. One Central Florida media executive is going see if that’s true. Former longtime WMFE TV and radio president and CEO Stephen McKenney Steck has announced the formation of the Carroll McKenney Foundation for Public Media. “Carroll McKenney Foundation for Public Media is a new…
Digital signals bring good news, bad news
When Orlando’s TV stations — and all others in the nation — finally turn off their analog transmitters on June 12, some Central Florida viewers might be in for a surprise. Because of tower relocations and the switch to a digital signal, many area stations will reach more households over the air than they did…
Forget extension, Orlando stations set to drop analog signals
Despite lawmakers’ approval of a plan to extend the digital transition period until June, at least three Orlando stations may pull the plug on their analog broadcasts as early as Feb. 17. Public broadcaster WMFE-Ch. 24, Univision’s WVEN-Ch. 26 and indy WRDQ-Ch. 27 may turn off their analog signals 12 days from now, according to…
More layoffs at WMFE TV/radio
Public broadcaster WMFE is continuing to be hit hard by the economic downturn. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the local PBS/NPR station group laid off 28 percent of its staff — 15 employees — in its most recent cuts. This follows layoffs in October that cut 10 people from the stations’ staff. Among the high-profile positions gone…