WUTV’s rich history in Carrollton even predates the dawn of the age of color television. Formally known as Cable 13, WUTV’s inception is credited to Mr. Jerry Mock, Mr. David Chapman and Mr. Jim Herts along with many others for setting the foundation for what is now an instructional and experiential learning laboratory component to the School of
Communication, Film, and Media.
As the popularity of television grew, the College of Education wanted to build a television studio, because it tied into their program, which was to train school media specialist. Since the Department of Education used more classroom media than any other department on
campus during the early 70’s, completion of the television studio resulted in becoming the Department of Education as being central location to house and distribute all media equipment
for the university. The building finally opened in 1971 and funding was an issue for the new television studio housed in the Department of Education. The only equipment that existed in the studio was lighting equipment and the physical walls.
Mr. Jerry Mock managed Cable 13 for 25 years. Finally, Mr. Mock asked the local cable company 20CATV, located in Carrollton, to provide the Education building with a cable drop which the company was more than happy to provide. The cable drop ran from the university to downtown Maple Street.
As Cable 13 continued to add modern equipment, Mr. Mock asked for a channel to run programming. During this time, television stations were analog, meaning that all television sets were only limited to channel 13. After several discussions, Mr. Mock managed to negotiate with the cable company to assign University of West Georgia channel 13. Mr. Mock’s rationale
for this particular move was to accommodate the students on campus and those coming to the university.
In 2006, former General Manager, Connie Williams and former Production Coordinator, James Paul, of UTV13, started converting some equipment in the UTV13 control room from analog to digital, staying in compliance with the FCC 2009 mandate. Additionally, General Manager Sonya Barnes, along with student staff members, developed and created a state-of-the art industry standard newsroom to complete the transition from analog to digital. Charter transitioned to all
digital networks in Carrollton GA April 19, 2014. Concurrent with this change, they adjusted the channel lineup and grouped similar channels together into “neighborhoods.” As a result, UTV13 was shifted in the channel lineup switch to channel 180 off campus and channel 13.1 on campus. Due to the modification, it was decided to change the name to WUTV, eliminating the numbers and using only call letters to identify the station.
In the recent years, WUTV has remained the University of West Georgia’s television station which serves as an instructional and experiential learning laboratory component for the School of Communication, Film, and Media. Airing 24-hour programming, WUTV eventually adopted the slogan “Where Education and Community Meet” from former UWG President Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna.” While WUTV’s primary purpose is to serve as a progressive instructional and experiential learning laboratory component to the SCFM, both majors and volunteers participate in programming and are trained on state-of-the-art equipment that is standard throughout the media industry.
We welcome all majors to volunteer at WUTV. Students interested in joining WUTV are
encouraged to attend an Interest Meeting and then placed in the University Television Interest
Program also known as UTIP. Most University Television Interest Programs start at the
beginning of fall semester and we welcome all majors to participate. Students learn skills such
as managing, writing, reporting, producing, directing, filming, and editing programs that
enhance their understanding and appreciation of all aspects of the television industry.