MACON – Studios of the Warner Robins-based television station donated to Mercer University in April by former State Sen. Cecil P. Staton Jr. and Macon neurosurgeon Dr. Joe Sam Robinson have completed their relocation to the University's Macon campus. With the move, the station – formerly known as WRWR – has changed its call letters to WMUB – Mercer University Broadcasting – and settled into its new quarters in Mercer Village as part of the Center for Collaborative Journalism.
The station also has announced its affiliation with the American Sports Network, which produces live NCAA sports and is operated by Sinclair Networks, a division of television station owner Sinclair Broadcast Group.
As part of the sports network, WMUB this fall will air 33 live NCAA football games featuring teams from the Southern Conference, Conference USA, the Big South Conference, and the Colonial Athletic Association. Included in the broadcast package is Mercer's Oct. 25 road game against UT-Chattanooga. A full schedule of games that will air on WMUB is available at wmub.tv/live-sports.
In addition to its affiliation with the American Sports Network, WMUB is an affiliate of MHz Networks, a national U.S. channel presenting international news and entertainment in English.
“We are very pleased to bring to Central Georgia sports fans a fall lineup of live NCAA football games that is unique to this market,” said Brad Bostwick, director of operations and programming at WMUB. “In addition to NCAA football, we will carry a number of Southern Conference basketball games this year as part of the American Sports Network.”
WMUB's facilities also serve as home base for production of Mercer athletic events that are streamed live on ESPN3. Mercer is the only Southern Conference member with in-house ESPN3 production capabilities and is believed to be the only NCAA Division I university in the country to self-produce its live football broadcasts for national distribution. All men's and women's home basketball games and a number of other Mercer sporting events will be carried live on ESPN3 this year as well.
“With the acquisition and relocation of WMUB, the Center for Collaborative Journalism continues its focus on training students by immersing them in real-world production,” said Tim Regan-Porter, director of the Center for Collaborative Journalism. “With our athletics programming, students will get experience that surpasses that offered by even the largest schools, where they outsource their broadcast operations. This is just the start of the locally produced news and public affairs programming that WMUB will bring to Central Georgia.”
