Television station sold for $18.7M

TAMPA — WUSF Public Media will end broadcasting of its television channel Oct. 15.

The end of broadcasting comes after the sale of the WUSF TV broadcast license in the Federal Communications Commission Spectrum Incentive Auction. The station was sold for $18.7 million, according to a press release.

The FCC held a spectrum auction to improve and expand wireless services across the country in which TV broadcasters voluntarily gave up broadcast channels in exchange for a share of the proceeds, the reelase adds.

The USF board of trustees holds the television broadcast license and authorized the sale of the license.

“WUSF TV's high-quality programming will continue through the final sign-off date,” says WUSF General Manager JoAnn Urofsky in a statement. “Going forward, our focus will be on providing greater opportunities for USF students to engage with media and technology in the WUSF studios, and on our highly successful radio stations that are attracting record audiences.”

WUSF Public Media also operates the region's National Public Radio station, WUSF 89.7, and Classical WSMR 89.1 and 103.9 The change will not affect WUSF radio stations.