1946 |
|
Earl Wynn at the UNC-Chapel Hill Communications Center TV, proposes a statewide educational network. |
1952 |
|
The Federal Communications Commission offers 8 channels in North Carolina for non-commercial broadcasters. |
1953 |
May |
University trustees approve an idea proposed by President Gray to examine the potential educational uses of television. |
1955 |
January 8 |
WUNC-TV, Channel 4 in Chapel Hill, signs on the air. |
1957 |
May 8 |
William Friday is inaugurated as president of the consolidated university. |
1957 |
|
The North Carolina In-School Television Experiment begins. |
1962 |
|
The Educational Television Facilities Act authorizes $32 million in federal matching funds to construct new educational television stations in the country. |
1965 |
|
The NC General Assembly provides matching funds for stations in Columbia, Linville, Asheville and Concord, and Columbia signs on. |
1967 |
|
Linville, Asheville and Concord sign on as new stations. |
1967 |
|
The first Carnegie Commission Report for Public Broadcasting is issued, and educational stations are referred to as “public television.” The report also establishes the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). |
1968 |
|
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood debuts. |
1969 |
|
The Office of Director of Educational Television is established. The first director is Dr. George Bair. |
1969 |
|
Sesame Street premieres. |
1971 |
|
Wilmington signs on as a new transmitter. |
1972 |
|
The Greenville transmitter signs on. |
1973 |
|
The Winston-Salem transmitter signs on. |
1974 |
|
Color cameras begin recording events in the Legislature. |
1975 |
|
Color cameras are purchased for the Raleigh and Chapel Hill Studios, and WUNC becomes a full-time color network. |
1975 |
|
The first translator is installed. |
1975 |
|
UNC-TV participates in PBS’s first FESTIVAL, raising $169,000 in only 6 nights of the proposed 16. |
1978 |
|
Programs begin to be delivered by satellite. |
1978 |
|
Proposals by the North Carolina Task Force on Public Telecommunications lead to the creation of the University of North Carolina Center for Public Television and the North Carolina Agency for Public Telecommunications. |
1980 |
|
The UNC Board of Governors approves the plan. John W. (Jake) Dunlop becomes the new director of the center. |
1982 |
|
UNC-TV’s local program, The Woodwright’s Shop is distributed nationally through PBS. |
1982 |
|
WUNM in Jacksonville is established. |
1983 |
|
Lap Quilting with Georgia Bonesteel is distributed nationally through American Public Television (APT). |
1985 |
|
President Friday retires as Chancellor but continues to host North Carolina People. |
1985 |
|
WUNP in Roanoke Rapids is established. |
1987 |
|
UNC-TV has 65,000 members. Two years later, more than 80,000 families join. |
1989 |
October 31 |
UNC-TV moves its offices to the Joseph and Kathleen Bryan Communications Center in Research Triangle Park. |
1990 |
|
UNC-TV airs its first FESTIVAL in the Bryan Center, raising $1 million in pledges. |
1992 |
|
Jake Dunlop retires. |
1992 |
November 1 |
Tom Howe becomes the new director and General Manager. |
1994 |
January 17 |
North Carolina Now makes its debut. |
1994 |
June |
Legislative Week in Review makes its debut. |
1995 |
April |
Joseph Bryan dies at age 99. |
1995 |
January 8 |
UNC-TV holds a 40th Anniversary celebration. |
1996 |
|
The final transmitter in Lumberton signs on. |
1998 |
|
The age of digital television arrives. |
2000 |
|
North Carolina voters approve a major university bond referendum, giving $65 million to UNC-TV to convert to digital transmission. |
2003 |
|
All but 3 stations are converted to digital. |
2004 |
March 22 |
The remaining 3 stations are converted to digital. |
