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Who We Are

WLJT-TV 11 is an FCC-licensed, community, commercial-free television station. We are a registered nonprofit 501c3 media organization that provides programming, events and resources for all of West Tennessee. WLJT-TV is governed by the West Tennessee Public Television Council, a 16-member board of directors, who provide overall guidance, policy and direction for WLJT-TV.

WLJT-TV 11 has two primary distribution methods for its programming and shows: 

1. Broadcasting three television channels (11.1 – primary PBS channel, 11.2 – 24/7 PBS Kids programming, 11.3 – Create “how to & travel” channel). Our channels are broadcast over-the-air, on cable and satellite providers. 

2. Streaming our live signal and on-demand shows on our PBS App, website (westtnpbs.org), YouTube TV, Hulu LIVE, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services. 

WLJT has an active digital presence with its website that provides information, schedules, stories and local information. WLJT is active on social media platforms and provides video, information and content through these for the people of West Tennessee. 

The station has a strong history of providing educational resources for West Tennessee. In 1968 we began broadcasting classroom educational programs. Over the years, our commitment to education has grown to include providing online resources for educators, parents, and children. WLJT also provides 2-hours each weekday of instructional and educational programming in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Education and the other Tennessee PBS stations. WLJT also puts on in-person educational and community events each year and distributes hundreds of free books to children and families across West Tennessee  

History

WLJT-TV 11 went on the air in February of 1968, broadcasting and operating solely from our transmitter/tower located between Jackson and Lexington on Gurley Road in Henderson County. The station was originally owned and operated by the State of Tennessee’s Department of Education and broadcast educational and instructional programs to local schools and provided other cultural and educational shows. For many West Tennessee families, Channel 11 was the only station they could receive on their television and for others it was the first time to watch commercial-free educational TV. 

When the station began broadcasting, WLJT primarily repeated programs from public television station WKNO in Memphis, but eventually began producing local programs about and of interest to the local community. In 1981, the state of Tennessee began to divest all of their owned educational TV stations, transferring ownership to community entities. WLJT’s ownership was transferred to the West Tennessee Public Television Council, which owns and is the license holder to WLJT to this day. 

Around this same time, business offices and a studio for WLJT were established at the University of Tennessee in Martin. The university provides space and some utility services for the WLJT, but does not operate or fund the television station. Also, during this time, WLJT began to produce and broadcast an expanding list of local programs about West Tennessee. In 1993, WLJT’s master control operations were moved to the University of Tennessee in Martin, through a newly built microwave repeater located outside Atwood. Up until this time, station master control staff worked 24-hours from their transmitter/tower on Gurley Road. 

As technology has advanced, so has WLJT, expanding their broadcasting services to include a digital broadcast signal, adding two more channels (11.2 – PBS KIDS, 11.3 Create), creating a website (westtnpbs.org), and streaming programs and their live signal on the PBS App, and providing content on social media platforms. 

In June of 2023, WLJT expanded their presence by buying buildings in Jackson’s Midtown area to expand services and their presence in Madison County. Renovations are currently underway and when complete, the Jackson Media Center will have offices, meeting spaces, production facilities and studio space. The station’s former studios in Martin were demolished to make room for a new university building. 

Today, WLJT-TV’s broadcasts over-the-air and on cable and satellite providers to over 21 counties throughout West Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, and Northern Mississippi. The station also provides in-person educational and community outreach and services to thousands of children, teachers and families each year.   

Mission

West TN PBS WLJT-TV 11 is first and foremost a local television, media, and service organization that serves the people of West Tennessee. As a community-licensed TV station, we strive to provide as many local programs, events, and services as our resources allow. We will use all available platforms including broadcast, streaming, digital and in-person to best serve the people of West Tennessee.

Vision

West TN PBS WLJT-TV 11 sees the future of television stations dependent on their ability to be as local as possible. WLJT-TV will survive and thrive as we feature, celebrate, and showcase the people, and cities of West Tennessee and explore issues and topics of importance to our local communities.

Values

West TN PBS WLJT-TV 11 believes in:
• The power of local television to be a force for good in our local West Tennessee
communities.
• In giving a voice to people, organizations, and cities we serve and celebrating their
accomplishments and exploring their issues.
• In our ability to provide information, shows and community outreach on topics and
subjects of importance to West Tennessee.