WMFE Sells PBS-Affiliated Television Station
Friday, April 1, 2011
By: Judith Smelser

April 1, 2011 | WMFE - WMFE is selling its public television station because of declining revenues and projected programming cost increases. The broadcaster made the announcement Friday afternoon. From now on, the station plans to focus exclusively on its public radio operation, 90.7-FM.

WMFE is not disclosing the buyer until the information becomes public record through filings with the Federal Communications Commission.

WMFE has been on the air in Central Florida since 1965, but the station says TV pledge drives are raising 35 percent less money compared to 2007, and it can no longer afford to continue as a PBS affliate.

“Selling the TV station was the last alternative we looked at,” said WMFE CEO Jose Fajardo.  “We looked at mergers, partnerships, going … as an independent public TV station.  The numbers just didn’t add up, no matter which alternative we looked at.”

He said programs like Sesame Street and Frontline will still be available on two other local public stations, WDSC in Daytona and WBCC in Cocoa.

“Our intention is to work with PBS and the other two stations to ensure that there’s a smooth transition and that the programs continue to operate here in Central Florida,” Fajardo said.

He says there will be a transition period where WMFE will keep broadcasting PBS programs for up to 90 days, depending on the length of the FCC approval process.

WMFE now plans to focus exclusively on its public radio station, NPR affiliate 90.7-FM, with a goal of doubling its local news-gathering capacity over the next twelve months.