WPDS-LD

WPDS-LD, virtual and UHF digital channel 14, is a low-power educational-access television station licensed to Largo, Florida, United States. The station is owned and operated by the school board of Pinellas County, Florida, broadcasting educational programming for schoolchildren, plus board meetings and classic films.

Not to be confused with WPSD-TV.
WPDS-LD
Largo, Florida
United States
ChannelsDigital: 14 (UHF)
Virtual: 14 (PSIP)
BrandingPDS-TV 14
Programming
AffiliationsEducational Independent
Ownership
OwnerPinellas County Schools
History
Foundedearly-1980s (as a cable-only station)
1990 (official sign-on)
Former call signsW14AW (1988-1996)
WPDS-LP (1996-2009)
Former channel number(s)Analog:
14 (UHF, 1988-2009)
Call sign meaningW Pinellas District Schools
Technical information
Facility ID52648
ERP19.7 kW
Links
Websitewww.pcsb.org/wpdstv

WPDS can also be seen in Pinellas County on cable channel 14 on WOW! systems, and digital channel 614 on Spectrum.

While the station is owned by Pinellas County Schools, the station's call letters are named after "Pinellas District Schools", which is the name used on public school buses in Pinellas County. All public school buses in Florida are named similarly.

The station's studios and transmitters are located at the School Board headquarters in downtown Largo.

History

The station had its start in the early 1980s as a cable-only channel. In 1990, it opened a low-powered UHF channel on channel 14, to reach viewers without cable service. Initially W14AW, it changed its call letters to WPDS-LP in 1996. The station transitioned to digital in late 2009 as WPDS-LD, using the same transmitter location and wattage.

The WPDS call letters were originally used in the Tampa Bay area in the early-1980s by easy-listening radio station WPDS-FM, "Paradise 93" (now WFLZ-FM). It was later used in Indianapolis from 1984 to 1985 as the first call letters of present-day Fox affiliate, WXIN.

Digital television

The station's digital channel is multiplexed:

Digital channels

Channel Name Programming
14.1WPDS-LD1main WPDS-LD programming
14.2WPDS-LD2PCS Arts Channel
(featuring arts-related programming, including simulcasts of Classic Arts Showcase; not available on cable)
14.3WPDS-LD3KTC 148 - The Knology Teen Channel
(featuring programming for teenagers; also seen on WOW! digital channel 148 (formerly Knology)
14.4WPDS-LD4PCS News & Teacher Training
(news about the school board and its schools, plus instructional programming for teachers and instructional personnel; not available on cable)
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