Harding University's television station launched its first broadcast on September 26, 1983 as TV12 on the White County Cable system in Searcy, Arkansas. The initial programming schedule was 12 hours per week beginning with a live 20-minute newscast at 6:30 each weeknight plus five original student-produced shows each week. Every weeknight, a small devotional feature was televised before the signal signed off for the night. At the time, the studio was located behind the Ezell Center, master control was located in the Administration Building, and the Department of Communication resided in the Ganus Building.
In 1989, TV12 changed to TV19 as the channel moved on the cable system; and in (between 91 and 97), TV19 became TV16 when the signal migrated once again.
In 1998, the operation left the Ezell Center and moved to a brand new space in the newly constructed Donald W. Reynolds Center for Music and Communication, where it resides today.
As our signal expanded beyond the cable lines to Internet streaming, TV16 was rebranded HU16 in 2015 with the signature gold and red circles.
In 2017, the studio, news and sports sets, control room, terminal gear, and inner workings were rebuilt to accommodate modern high definition standards, thanks to the generous contributions from Harding alumni, parents, and other donors. In honor of our most generous donors and longtime supporters, the studio was named the Amy & Scott Sewell Digital Production Studio on March 30, 2018.
Today, the Harding community can watch HU16 programming live 24/7 around the world in high definition via streaming.harding.edu. The site also includes a vast video-on-demand archive that continues to expand as time and resources allow. Our current broadcast schedule includes our weekday live 30-minute newscast, weekday chapel live from the Benson Auditorium, live and recorded athletic events through the Harding Sports Network, plus a host of special events and performances on campus.
Most recently, our student programs were recognized by the Mid-America Emmys (NATAS), Broadcast Education Association, the National Broadcasting Society/Alpha Epsilon Rho, and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Numerous graduates from our program have gone on to land jobs in the industry, some of them award-winning leaders in the field.