A Network Begins

UNC-TV's first director, Dr. George Bair

In 1969, the Office of Director of Educational Television was established, ending a period of independent operations at the separate locations in Greensboro, Chapel Hill and Raleigh. The first person to hold this post was Dr. George Bair. During his tenure, three more stations were soon added to the network – Wilmington in 1971, Greenville in 1972 and Winston-Salem in 1973.

In 1979, the University of North Carolina Center for Public Television was established, the first step toward combining the growing network’s studio operations and administrative headquarters in a single location. A 22-member Board of Trustees was appointed to serve in an advisory capacity representing the public. John W. (Jake) Dunlop, formerly head of Vermont Public Television, became the new director in 1980.

The network’s reach continued to increase with the establishment of stations in Jacksonville in 1982 and Roanoke Rapids in 1985.