WJCT

WJCT is the public broadcasting station of Jacksonville, Florida, serving the First Coast region. Its network includes the PBS-affiliated television station WJCT-TV (local digital channel 7), the NPR member radio station WJCT-FM (channel 89.9), and WJCT Online.[1]

Television

WJCT
Jacksonville, Florida
United States
Branding WJCT
Slogan Tune in. Find out.
Channels Digital: 7 (VHF)
Virtual: 7 (PSIP)
Subchannels 7.1 PBS
7.2 Create
7.3 World
7.4 WJCT More!/The Florida Channel
Affiliations PBS
Owner WJCT, Inc.
First air date September 10, 1958
Call letters' meaning Jacksonville
Community
Television
Sister station(s) WJCT-FM
Former channel number(s) Analog:
7 (1958–2009)
Digital: 38 (UHF, –2009)
Former affiliations NET (1958–1970)
Transmitter power 18 kW
Height 302 m
Facility ID 73130
Transmitter coordinates 30°16′51″N 81°34′12″W / 30.28083°N 81.57000°W
Licensing authority FCC
Public license information: Profile
CDBS
Website www.wjct.org

WJCT's television station is virtual and VHF digital channel 7, and is the PBS member station for the Jacksonville area. Its studio facilities are located on Festival Park Avenue, near EverBank Field in Downtown Jacksonville's Stadium District, and its transmitter is located on Hogan Road in the Brackridge neighborhood.

The station first signed on the air on September 10, 1958. WJCT's schedule includes programming from PBS and other programming services, including the BBC, American Public Television and the National Educational Television Association. WJCT also produces and broadcasts local news, public affairs programs and documentaries.

Digital television

Channel Video Aspect PSIP Short Name Programming[2]
7.1 720p 16:9 WJCT7-1 Main WJCT programming / PBS
7.2 480i 4:3 WJCT7-2 Create
7.3 WJCT7-3 World
7.4 WJCT7-4 WJCT More! (6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.)
The Florida Channel (6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)

WJCT previously operated a fifth subchannel that operated in a timeshare format in the same manner as digital subchannel 7.4, consisting of Florida Knowledge Network (airing weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and "WJCT Informational" (airing weekdays from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and all day on weekends); this service was discontinued July 1, 2011 following the closure of the Florida Knowledge Network.

On April 6, 2009, WJCT terminated its analog signal on VHF channel 7.[3] The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 38 to VHF channel 7.[4]

Today in the Legislature

In 1973, Florida Public Broadcasting, a joint venture between WJCT and Tallahassee PBS station WFSU-TV, under the aegis of the Florida Public Broadcasting Service, began a program covering of the Florida Legislature, which was syndicated to Florida’s eight PBS member stations, from a mobile facility located on the grounds of the State Capitol. The program, Today in the Legislature, was the first of its kind in the United States, preceding legislative programs in other states, and U.S. Congressional coverage by C-SPAN.[5]

Reaction to the first year of the program was positive.[6][7] The state legislature dedicated funds to expand the program, managed exclusively by WJCT-TV.[8] Production facilities migrated into the (old) Capitol building, with engineering and studio facilities constructed on the third floor. The first broadcast from the new facility was on April 2, 1974. Today in the Legislature expanded into an hour-long weekday program during the legislative session, with a one-hour Spanish language summary, Hoy en la Legislatura produced on Fridays as well as a sign language program. It was hosted by veteran broadcaster Jim Lewis, with additional commentary by Elizabeth "Bib" Willis.[9] Research, engineering, and production crews were composed chiefly of recent graduates from the Florida State University Department of Communications (now the Florida State University College of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts), nearly all under the age of 25, including future Georgia legislator Chesley V. Morton, who worked as a still photographer and camera operator for the program as well as producer Elliott C. Mitchell and director John P. Leu.[10][11][12] Today in the Legislature was described as a "unique blend of television of record and more conventional news coverage."[5][13] A research study concluded that the program generated more positive attitudes about the legislature and increased political knowledge in adolescents who viewed the broadcast, although only 12% found the programming to be "interesting".[14]

Radio

WJCT-FM
City of license Jacksonville, Florida
Branding WJCT
Slogan Tune in. Find out.
Frequency 89.9 (MHz)
First air date 1972
Format Public radio
Classical music (HD2)
"Relax Radio" (HD3) [15]
ERP 98,000 Watts
HAAT 251 meters
Class C1
Facility ID 73125
Transmitter coordinates 30°16′51.8″N 81°34′11.9″W / 30.281056°N 81.569972°W
Callsign meaning W Jacksonville Community Television
(after its television counterpart)
Affiliations National Public Radio
Owner WJCT Inc.
Sister stations WJCT (TV)
Webcast Listen Live
Website WJCT Radio

WJCT-FM (89.9 MHz) is the NPR-member public radio station in Jacksonville, Florida. It is sister station to PBS member WJCT. The station has been on the air since 1972, and airs NPR news and talk during the week and a mix of news, talk, eclectic music on weekends. Original & local programming includes "State of the Re:Union," "First Coast Connect," and locally-produced music shows specializing in chill out, indie, blues, country, doo wop and more.

References

  1. ↑ "About WJCT". www.wjct.org. WJCT. 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  2. ↑ RabbitEars TV Query for WJCT
  3. ↑ List of Digital Full-Power Stations
  4. ↑ Jacksonville TV stations might not wait to switch to digital, The Florida Times-Union, February 6, 2009.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 | "Today in the Legislature" A Florida Story. David J. LeRoy, C. Edward Wotring, Jack Lyle. Journal of Communication. Volume 24, Issue 3. p.92-98 Sept 1974
  6. ↑ | Reaction and Evaluation of "Today in the Legislature" by Legislators, Capital Press and the Public. Authors David C. LeRoy and C. Edward Wotring
  7. ↑ | American Bar Association Journal. Volume 60, p.1585. December, 1974
  8. ↑ Public affairs become more and more public, Broadcasting Magazine, August 18, 1974.
  9. ↑ Network Meets in Sarasota, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, June 23, 1984.
  10. ↑ House Resolution 1285
  11. ↑ John Patrick Leu
  12. ↑ Elliott C. MITCHELL III
  13. ↑ 'Today in the Legislature' Informed of the Happenings, St. Petersburg Times, March 31, 1974.
  14. ↑ | Public Television and Political Socialization; A Field Experiment on the Impact of a Public Television Series on the Political Knowledge, Attitudes and Communication Behaviors of Adolescents. Authors: Charles K. Atkin and Bradley S. Greenberg
  15. ↑ Edgier easy listening returns to the air on Jacksonville's WJCT-FM's HD3 station. The Florida Times-Union, April 1, 2015.

External links