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WMFE-TV

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WMFE is the callsign for the PBS and NPR member stations in Orlando, Florida. The TV station broadcasts on UHF channel 24 while the radio station broadcasts on 90.7 FM.

History

In 1963, the public school systems of Orange, Volusia, Lake, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard and Flagler counties formed Florida Central East Coast Educational Television with the goal of winning the license for channel 24. In the meantime, WDBO-TV (now WKMG-TV) and WLOF-TV (now WFTV) donated air time for Spanish and Florida history programs produced by the group.

WMFE finally went on the air on March 15, 1965 from the campus of Mid-Florida Technical Institute (now the University of Central Florida). After only two years of operation, the Orange County school board became the sole operator of the station. In the early 1970s, the school district sold the station to a nonprofit community board of trustees that still operates the station today. In 1978, WMFE moved to its current home in eastern Orlando.

In 1980, WMFE-FM signed on. Before then, Orlando had been the largest market without a public radio station.