WEIU, the local PBS television station and radio, is licensed to Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees. WEIU TV is “Local With Purpose” – producing programs with fresh perspective, building connections through shared experiences, and sparking curiosity by engaging education.
WEIU TV provides rich local news and programming to 22 counties in East Central Illinois and Vigo County, Indiana, with more than 1 million potential viewers. WEIU’s student-produced daily local news program, NewsWatch, is a 26-time winner of a NATAS Mid-America Student Production award and a 2-time winner of a NATAS National College Television award along with 114 State awards since 2002. This local newscast offers viewers a unique version of nightly news, weather, and sports centered on Coles County and bordering counties and offers training opportunities for an average of 40 students each semester.
WEIU produces a number of local programs, including “This is Our Story”. Sixteen episodes have been produced with more than 450 local storytellers sharing stories about their community. This special series has raised more than $370,000 over the past 9 years.
Other local programs produced at WEIU TV are:
- City Spotlight, which just concluded Season 8 and has started Season 9 covering communities in Central and Southeastern Illinois and community leaders.
- The Paw Report aims to cover topics bringing you the latest information from area veterinarians and pet experts on pet health, ownership and everything else related to our furry and not so furry friends.
- Being Well features topics related to health, fitness and well-being. The program features experts from several medical and health-related institutions in the region.
- Take a Hike: The Mini-Series takes viewers on an “Outdoor Tour” of Central Illinois, showcasing a variety of federal, state, and local parks and nature areas.
- Issues & Attitudes is a 30-minute public affairs program produced for both radio and tv that tackles and dissects the issues affecting people in our area.
WEIU TV produces an average of 45 shows per year and the only longform radio/TV interview program in the area. In addition to these local programs and news, WEIU offers viewers FNX (First Nations Experience). Through native-produced and themed documentaries, dramatic series, nature, cooking, gardening, children's and arts programming, FNX strives to accurately illustrate the lives and cultures of native people around the world. FNX programming can be viewed on WEIU TV’s digital channel 51.2.
Additionally, Hit-Mix 88.9 WEIU FM continues as Charleston’s only radio station, with a broadcast radius of 50 miles as well as online streaming worldwide. This radio station offers a hands-on training ground for an average of 30 Eastern students each semester. WEIU radio is the flagship station for EIU football and men’s and women’s basketball. Hit-Mix 88.9 WEIU FM students and staff now produce a number of regular podcasts, all of which can be accessed from the station website. Hit-Mix 88.9 WEIU FM has won over 140 local, state and national awards since 2003.