| Flint, Michigan | |
|---|---|
| Branding | CMU Public Television |
| Channels | Digital: 28 (UHF) |
| Affiliations | PBS Create (DT3) |
| Owner | Central Michigan University |
| First air date | August 23, 1980 |
| Call letters' meaning | W Central Michigan Z |
| Former callsigns | WFUM (1980-2010) |
| Former channel number(s) | 28 (UHF) (analog, 1980-2008) 52 (UHF) (digital, 2004-2008) |
| Transmitter power | 500 kW (digital) |
| Height | 258 meters (846 feet) |
| Facility ID | 69273 |
| Website | wcmu.org/tv.html |
WCMZ-TV, channel 28, (branded as CMU Public Television), is a PBS member station in the Flint/Tri-Cities market. It is owned by Central Michigan University and is an affiliate of the CMU Public Television network. WCMZ-TV's transmitter is located off Kipp Road, just south east of the village of Goodrich in southeastern Genesee County. The transmission tower is 846 feet (258 meters) tall and transmits a 500 kW signal. Its programing is enjoyed as far away as Port Huron and Lansing.
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What is now WCMZ-TV first went on the air as WFUM on analog channel 28 on August 23, 1980, owned by the University of Michigan–Flint. Initially promoted using its WFUM call letters, U of M eventually adopted the branding of Michigan Television. Prior to WFUM signing on, Flint had been one of the few areas of Michigan without over-the-air PBS service. Most cable systems in the area, then as now, piped in WCMU-TV, Bay City's WDCQ-TV, Detroit's WTVS, East Lansing's WKAR-TV, or Toledo's WGTE-TV.
WFUM was U of M's only TV station, but was no stranger to the medium -- U of M produced a syndicated educational series, "University of Michigan Presents", which was syndicated to TV stations nationwide from the 1960s into the early-1980s.
Over the years WFUM had introduced several of its own shows, including Passing Through with Karen Sherrin, and High School Challenge with Jim Gaver.
On April 23, 2009, the University of Michigan announced plans to discontinue its operation of WFUM-TV.[1]
On October 27, 2009, it was announced that the Board of Trustees of Central Michigan University approved a proposal for CMU to acquire WFUM, for a maximum of $1 million.[2] While WFUM was folded into the CMU Public Television network of stations, CMU vows to include Flint-area events and issues in its programming, as well as produce new programming that would originate from the region. [3] The station is connected to the CMU network via a microwave connection between WCMU's studios in Mount Pleasant to WFUM's transmitter, through relay facilities set up at Mott Community College. CMU originally hinted that the takeover of WFUM would begin in late November;[4] however, CMU took over operations of WFUM on January 15, 2010.[5][6] The FCC approved the transfer of license on March 16, 2010.[7] CMU officially took over WFUM on May 18, 2010[8] and the call letters were changed to WCMZ-TV.[9]
In Metro Detroit, WCMZ-TV is available on Comcast, Bright House and WOW! systems in Ann Arbor and Detroit's western and northern suburbs; it is not seen on Cogeco's systems in Windsor, Ontario or Comcast systems in Detroit and the southern suburbs.
In Mid-Michigan, it is available on Comcast and Charter systems in Flint, Saginaw and Bay City. It is not available on Charter's systems in Alma or Mount Pleasant, or Comcast systems in the Thumb. Following CMU's takeover of the station, WCMZ-TV's unavailability in Alma and Mount Pleasant was made moot, as these systems also carry WCMU-TV. In addition, Charter in Saginaw and Bay City offer both WCMZ-TV and WCMU; as both these channels now carry identical programming, it is unknown if the duplicate signal would be dropped.
Not all subchannels are available on cable in all areas. An agreement between the American Cable Association, the Association of Public Television Stations and PBS will require them to be put on digital cable television systems after the digital transition date of June 12, 2009. [10]
WCMZ-TV's signal is multiplexed.
| Channel | Channel Name | Programming |
|---|---|---|
| 28.1 | CMU Public Television HD | PBS in 720p HD |
| 28.2 | CMU Public Television SD | PBS in SD |
| 28.3 | CMU Public Television's Create | Create |
WFUM was formerly on digital channel 52. It shut down its analog signal permanently on November 19, 2008, 9 months ahead of the new federally mandated analog shutoff date of June 12, 2009, and moved its digital signal to 28.
According to their old website, WFUM was the first PBS member station in Michigan to broadcast exclusively in digital. It was also the first station in the Flint / Tri-Cities market to do so.
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