WTCE-TV

WTCE-TV is a non-commercial educational television station on channel 21, licensed to Fort Pierce, Florida, and serving the West Palm Beach and Treasure Coast region. The station is associated with the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), which operates it through Community Educational Television, a subsidiary used to manage non-commercial stations in Florida and Texas. WTCE-TV transmits from a site in southeastern Martin County, southwest of Hobe Sound. The station originated as a proposed public television project rather than as a Christian broadcaster. In the mid-1980s, Florida Educational Television sought the channel to provide PBS programming to communities that had limited over-the-air access to public television. The Federal Communications Commission awarded the construction permit in January 1986, and the applicant estimated that approximately $2 million would be needed to build the facility. The project depended heavily on federal grant support, but the organization was unable to secure the funding required to proceed. In December 1987, the construction permit was sold to Palmetto Broadcasters Associated for Communities, an organization affiliated with Palm Beach Atlantic College. Palmetto developed a broader plan for non-commercial television in South Florida and eventually adopted the WTCE call letters for the Fort Pierce station. The proposed service was intended to include educational programming, local-interest features, and coverage of subjects such as agriculture, business, and exercise. Palmetto also considered several other stations and program concepts, including a senior-oriented service and a bilingual station for the Florida Keys. WTCE was repeatedly scheduled for a launch in late 1989 and early 1990, but Palmetto was unable to assemble the funds needed to begin operations. Although transmitter damage from a Florida freeze was cited publicly as one reason for a delay, contemporary reporting attributed the postponement primarily to the organization's financial difficulties. The station's small staff was laid off in January 1990, shortly before the planned start date. A possible acquisition by the Community Television Foundation of South Florida, the organization associated with Miami PBS station WPBT, was explored, but the arrangement did not proceed. Palmetto ultimately turned to TBN. TBN had supplied much of the equipment used to construct WTCE, and the station was sold to a TBN affiliate after Palmetto could not meet its obligations. WTCE-TV began broadcasting in May 1990 with a limited schedule of TBN programming. A proposed sale to Jacksonville Educational Broadcasters, whose president was TBN founder Paul Crouch, was filed soon afterward. The transaction included a proposed arrangement under which Palmetto would retain morning airtime for local programming, although the station's long-term identity became that of a TBN religious outlet. WTCE-TV has broadcast TBN programming throughout its operating history. It is a full-power non-commercial station and has also carried digital multiplexed programming through subchannels. TBN-owned full-power stations ended analog transmission in April 2009 as part of the transition to digital broadcasting. In 1995, WTCE moved into studio facilities previously used by WTVX after that commercial station consolidated its operations with WPBF. Following the 2019 repeal of the FCC's main studio rule, TBN closed numerous local studio facilities, including facilities associated with its station group, as part of a network-wide cost-reduction effort. The station's core role remains the distribution of TBN religious programming to the southeastern Florida market.

WTCE-TV's history began with the allocation of channel 21 in Fort Pierce for non-commercial educational broadcasting. In 1985, Florida Educational Television applied for the channel with a proposal to provide PBS service to parts of St. Lucie and Martin counties that depended largely on cable systems for public television. The FCC granted a construction permit in January 1986. The applicant estimated construction costs at roughly $2 million and expected federal grant support to be central to the project. The proposed station initially used the WFET identity. A WTOG translator had previously occupied the channel but ceased operation in October 1986, allowing the educational station to proceed. Florida Educational Television also held or sought permits for other Florida stations, reflecting an ambition to create a broader statewide public broadcasting presence. That ambition did not become reality because the organization could not obtain the grant funding needed to construct WFET. In December 1987, Palmetto Broadcasters Associated for Communities acquired the construction permit for $76,500 and received an extension. Palmetto was affiliated with Palm Beach Atlantic College, a private Christian institution in West Palm Beach. By October 1989, the organization had publicized an expansive plan involving WTCE and several other proposed non-commercial stations. WTCE was presented as a community-oriented service for Fort Pierce, with possible educational programs and local features about business, agriculture, exercise, and related subjects. The project was also promoted at a time when the Treasure Coast had recently lost local commercial news coverage after WTVX discontinued its local newscasts. The expansion plan encountered opposition and skepticism from existing public broadcasters. Officials associated with Florida's public broadcasting system questioned whether another station was necessary because most residents already received PBS programming. They also doubted whether Palmetto could finance the costs of launching multiple new stations. WTCE's planned launch was moved from December 1989 to January 1990 and then to February. Palmetto announced a slate of proposed local programs, but the station never entered service under the planned public television model. In January 1990, Palmetto dismissed WTCE's five-person staff indefinitely. The organization cited damage to the transmitter from a severe Florida freeze, but reporting indicated that inadequate financing was the more fundamental problem. A former employee described the project as lacking a viable business plan. At the same time, the Community Television Foundation of South Florida explored acquiring WTCE, potentially linking the station with WPBT. That proposal encountered resistance from WXEL-TV, which was concerned about the competitive effect of a WPBT-associated signal in the region. Palmetto later abandoned the proposed public television transaction and agreed to sell WTCE to an affiliate of the Trinity Broadcasting Network. TBN had supplied much of the station's construction equipment, and the equipment obligations contributed to Palmetto's decision to transfer the station. WTCE began broadcasting in May 1990 with three hours of TBN programming per day. Soon afterward, an application proposed a sale to Jacksonville Educational Broadcasters, a TBN-related organization headed by Paul Crouch, for $630,000. The proposed transaction included an arrangement for Palmetto to retain morning time for local programming, but WTCE's subsequent identity remained centered on TBN content. The station has carried TBN programming throughout its history. In 1995, it moved into former WTVX studio facilities after WTVX consolidated its operations with WPBF. WTCE later participated in the digital transition; TBN's full-power stations permanently ended analog transmissions on April 16, 2009. The station's digital signal is multiplexed, enabling carriage of more than one program service. A significant operational change occurred after the FCC repealed the main studio rule in 2019. The rule had required full-power stations to maintain a main studio in or near their communities of license. TBN responded by closing 27 studio facilities and placing them for sale. Matt Crouch, TBN's president, estimated that the consolidation would save the network approximately $20 million annually. WTCE-TV continues to function as a TBN religious broadcaster licensed to Fort Pierce and serving the broader West Palm Beach market.

• 2019

  TBN consolidates studio operations

  [1]WTCE-TVen.wikipedia.org

  After repeal of the FCC main studio rule, TBN closes 27 studio facilities and places them for sale.

• 2009

  Analog transmission ends

  [1]WTCE-TVen.wikipedia.org

  TBN-owned full-power stations, including WTCE-TV, permanently cease analog broadcasting on April 16 as part of the digital transition.

• 1995

  Station relocates to former WTVX studios

  [1]WTCE-TVen.wikipedia.org

  WTCE moves into facilities formerly occupied by WTVX after that station consolidates its operations with WPBF.

• 1990

  WTCE-TV signs on with TBN programming

  [1]WTCE-TVen.wikipedia.org

  After Palmetto's public television plan fails, WTCE-TV begins broadcasting in May with a limited TBN schedule.

• 1987

  Permit transferred to Palmetto Broadcasters

  [1]WTCE-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Palmetto Broadcasters Associated for Communities acquires the construction permit for $76,500.

• 1986

  Construction permit awarded

  [1]WTCE-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The FCC grants a construction permit for the proposed educational station on channel 21.

• 1985

  Florida Educational Television applies for channel 21

  [1]WTCE-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Florida Educational Television proposes a non-commercial educational station intended to expand over-the-air PBS access in the Fort Pierce area.

A non-commercial, religious television station providing Trinity Broadcasting Network programming to the Fort Pierce, West Palm Beach, and Treasure Coast areas.

• Broadcast television programming · 1990

  TBN religious television programming

  WTCE-TV's principal offering is the distribution of Trinity Broadcasting Network religious programming. The station has carried TBN content throughout its operating history, replacing the public television and local-interest format originally envisioned by its permit holders. Its service is delivered over the air as a non-commercial educational broadcast and is supplemented by digital subchannels.

• 2019

  Studio consolidation following FCC rule repealStrategy

  Background

  The repeal of the FCC main studio rule removed the requirement for full-power stations to maintain studios in or near their communities of license.

  Action taken

  TBN closed 27 studio facilities and offered them for sale.

  Aftermath

  TBN president Matt Crouch estimated annual savings of approximately $20 million from the consolidation.

  Estimated annual cost savings. $20 million estimated annual savings (2019 estimate)

  Source

• 1990

  Change from planned public television service to TBN religious broadcastingStrategy

  Background

  Palmetto Broadcasters could not raise the capital required to launch its proposed public television station. TBN had supplied construction equipment and became the alternative buyer.

  Action taken

  Palmetto transferred the station to a TBN affiliate, and WTCE began broadcasting TBN programming in May 1990.

  Aftermath

  WTCE's long-term identity became that of a TBN religious station rather than a PBS-oriented public broadcaster.

  Source

1. 1WTCE-TVen.wikipedia.org
2. 2WTCE-TV official websitewtce.tv