WPDS-LD
 | |
| Channels | |
|---|---|
| Branding | PDS-TV 14 |
| Programming | |
| Affiliations | Educational Independent |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Pinellas County Schools |
| History | |
| Founded | early-1980s (as a cable-only station) 1990 (official sign-on) |
Former call signs | W14AW (1988-1996) WPDS-LP (1996-2009) |
Former channel number(s) | Analog: 14 (UHF, 1988-2009) |
Call sign meaning | W Pinellas District Schools |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 52648 |
| ERP | 19.7 kW |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
WPDS-LD, virtual and UHF digital channel 14, is a low-powered educational independent television station licensed to Largo, Florida, United States. The station is owned by Pinellas County Schools of Pinellas County, Florida.
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
Digital channels
The station's digital channel is multiplexed:
| Channel | Video | Aspect | PSIP Short Name | Programming[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.1 | 480i | 4:3 | Main WPDS-LD programming | |
| 14.2 | PCS Arts Channel (featuring arts-related programming, including simulcasts of Classic Arts Showcase; not available on cable) | |||
| 14.3 | KTC 148 - The Knology Teen Channel (featuring programming for teenagers; also seen on WOW! digital channel 148 (formerly Knology) | |||
| 14.4 | PCS News & Teacher Training (news about the school board and its schools, plus instructional programming for teachers and instructional personnel; not available on cable) |