Since 1965, WTVI has provided quality television programs to people of the Southern Piedmont Region. Beginning as an instructional unit of the local Board of Education, WTVI has evolved into a sophisticated public television station offering a diverse mix of programs and services designed to inform, educate, and entertain.

In 1982, The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Broadcasting Authority assumed WTVI's license and the station took on a broader, community-oriented role. Since its establishment, WTVI's commitment has always been to provide diverse, quality informational and entertaining programs, 75 percent of which can be classified as family entertainment.

The lifeblood of WTVI lies in its broad spectrum of viewers and, as always, WTVI's main purpose is to meet the needs of these viewers. WTVI is an essential, educational resource contributing to the vitality of the region.

WTVI also plays a significant role in the rapid economic growth that has made the Southern Piedmont Region and Charlotte-Mecklenburg the nation's 28th largest television market and one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

Now serving thirteen counties, eleven in North Carolina and two in South Carolina, and over 326,000 households, WTVI stretches well beyond the realm of everyday television viewing. WTVI continually strives to enhance the lives of its viewers by providing educational and entertaining opportunities.

Mecklenburg County provided significant funding to WTVI that allowed for the transition to fully digital, High Definition Television (HDTV). Mecklenburg County broadcasts some of its programs on one of these digital channels that we call GOV-TV.