CPB grant helps WCTE-TV transition from analog to digital

July 20, 2007, COOKEVILLE – An $861,730 Corporation for Public Broadcasting grant will help WCTE-TV switch from analog to digital, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon announced.

“Public broadcasting provides many quality educational and informative programs for the community,” said Gordon. “This grant will allow WCTE to provide even better service to Upper Cumberland residents and continue its outstanding local programming.”

The grant will help WCTE-TV convert from analog to digital broadcasting by replacing a 30- year-old antenna and transmission line. WCTE will also purchase and install equipment to complete its move from digital channel 52 to digital channel 22, as specified by Federal Communications Commission regulations.

“For us, this is a huge grant. You can imagine how hard it would be to raise this money in a rural area,” WCTE President and General Manager Becky Magura said.

“The switch from analog to digital will make a very big difference in our service to the Upper Cumberland. We’re so grateful to Bart. He has always been a champion for public broadcasting. Without that federal money, rural areas world probably go dark,” Magura said.

The Upper Cumberland Broadcast Council administers the money Congress appropriates for the local public television and radio stations.