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History
WLJT-TV/DT originally signed on the air in March 1968 as a repeater site in Lexington, Tennessee for the PBS station in Memphis. All public television entities in Tennessee were owned and operated by the state through the department of Education. In 1981 studios were activated, staffing was initiated, and administrative offices were established on the campus of the University Of Tennessee at Martin.

In 1984 the state divested itself of ownership of all public television stations. Consequently, the West Tennessee Public Television Council was established to take over ownership of WLJT.

Over the years, the staff and services of WLJT have grown. Local programs are produced from the Martin studios and from all over West Tennessee with our mobile production truck facilities. Programs serving West Tennessee communities include local and regional high school and college sports, community events, festivals, parades, public affairs, and politics.

On-air operations (Master Control) were handled at the Lexington transmitter site until 1993. A grant was obtained to construct a master control facility in the Communications Building on the UTM campus. A new, remote controlled microwave link between the UTM campus and the transmitter was also established.

Over the years, the staff and services of WLJT have grown. Local programs are produced from the Martin studios and from all over West Tennessee with mobile production truck facilities.  Programs serving West Tennessee communities include local and regional high school and college sports, community events, festivals, parades, music and arts, public affairs, and politics. Educational services to enhance the literacy skills of young children were also introduced.

WLJT-DT officially signed on the air February 20, 2004.  Through local support, federal grants, and sound fiscal management WLJT-DT now transmits three (3) high power digital programming channels.  11-1 mirrors our analog programming; 11-2 presents the PBS World programming schedule; 11-3 presents 1080i high definition programs. We began contruction of our new HDTV local production truck in 2007 and local HDTV production will begin in March, 2008.

WLJT continues as a fully invested PBS member station. Operating budgets are a mix of federal and state grants and local fundraising.
Mission

To fulfill the need for knowledge and to enhance the quality of life for West Tennesseans - WLJT educates, inspires, and entertains by providing outstanding, distinctive television programming and community services.
Values
We believe in life-long learning.

From infancy to senior, every moment can offer valuable lessons.

The foundation of everything we do is the educational heritage from whence we came.

We use our television programming, community outreach and involvement, web site and emerging technology to educate the mind, to enlighten the intellect, and to energize the senses.

Vision

Though we live in an era of five-hundred plus channels, WLJT remains the television lifeline for West Tennessee. 

No other service reflects or serves the unique family-centered lifestyle and attitude that spring from our rural roots.

WLJT will celebrate and promote these qualities while expanding intellectual  boundaries through its local productions, community events and national programming choices.
Directions
WLJT’s Martin office is located in the basement of Clement Hall on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.

WLJT studio and Master Control Suite are located in the Communications building on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.

From the I-40 Parker’s Crossroads area take Hwy 22 North to Martin; turn left onto Lindell Street; take the first right onto University Street; turn left onto Lovelace Street (first stoplight); right onto Hurt Street and watch for our satellite dishes ahead on your right.

From the I-40 Jackson area take Hwy 45 ByPass North to Martin; turn left onto University Street; turn left on to Lovelace Street (first stoplight); right onto Hurt Street and watch for our satellite dishes ahead on your right.

From the Dyersburg area take Hwy 51 East to Union City; then Hwy 22 South to Martin; turn right onto Lovelace Street (second stoplight); right onto Hurt Street and watch for our satellite dishes ahead on your right.

If you are coming to the office site in Martin, follow the directions above with this exception: stay straight on Hurt until the second stop sign and you will find the WLJT offices in the basement of Clement Hall, which is on the left of the circle.

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731.881.7561  wljt@wljt.org  P.O. Box 966, Martin, TN 38237.  All content copyrighted © 2004. All rights reserved.
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