WFSU-TV went on the air for the first time on September 20, 1960 on channel 11. The FCC had allocated only one VHF channel to the Tallahassee marketplace. After the Tallahassee market was expanded to include a large portion of southwest Georgia, Florida State persuaded the FCC to make channel 11 a noncommercial license. Channels 14-69 in the UHF spectrum were available, but were not as easily accessible to television viewers, and were not seen as viable at the time. While this move assured north-central Florida and southwest Georgia of PBS service, it also meant that Tallahassee would have a long wait for full service from all three major commercial networks, since the VHF channel was already allocated, and the available UHF channels were seen as undesirable. A commercial station wouldn't sign on in the Tallahassee market until WECA-TV opened in 1976. WFSG signed on July 22, 1988, replacing a low-powered translator on channel 22 that had served Panama City since the late 1970s.
Today in the Legislature
In 1973, "Florida Public Broadcasting", a joint venture between WFSU-TV and WJCT in Jacksonville, and under the aegis of the Florida Public Broadcasting Service, began program coverage of the Florida Legislature, which was transmitted to and broadcast by the eight affiliated PBS television stations in Florida, from a mobile facility located on the grounds of the State Capitol. The program was called Today in the Legislature, and was the first of its kind in the United States, preceding legislative programs in other states, and U.S. Congressional coverage by C-SPAN. Reaction to the first year of the program was positive. The state legislature dedicated funds to expand the program, managed exclusively by WJCT. Production facilities migrated into the 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. Research, engineering, and production crews were composed chiefly of recent graduates from the Florida State University Department of Communications, nearly all under the age of 25, including producer Elliott C. Mitchell and director John P. Leu, as well as future Georgia legislator Chesley V. Morton, who worked as a still photographer and camera operator for the program. Today in the Legislature was described as a "unique blend of television of record and more conventional news coverage." 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".
WFSU-TV and WFSG shut down their analog signals on February 17, 2009, the original target date in which full-power television stations in the United States were to transition from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital channel allocations post-transition are as follows:
WFSU-TV shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 11; the station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 32. Through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers display the station's virtual channel as its former VHF analog channel 11.
WFSG shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 56; the station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 38. Through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers display the station's virtual channel as its former UHF analog channel 56, which was among the high band UHF channels that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition.
Other services
WFSU-TV operates a statewide public affairs network, The Florida Channel, that covers the state legislature, a local version of C-SPAN. This network is seen on selected cable TV systems and government-access television channels throughout the state of Florida. WFSU-TV also operates "4FSU", which carries simulcasts of The Florida Channel and programming related to the university community; it also provides a training ground for students studying for careers in the broadcasting field.
Controversy
In June 2011, it was revealed that WFSU-TV will receive $2.8 million in funding for various services related to Florida government, including The Florida Channel. This is despite the $4.8 million of funding to other public radio and television stations vetoed by Governor Rick Scott in May 2011.
