It includes a 337-metre-high (1,106 ft) guyed steel lattice mast, which is the third highest structure in the United Kingdom.

The station was originally commissioned by the Independent Television Authority to bring ITV signals (provided by Border Television) to South West Scotland and Northern parts of Cumberland and Westmorland, including Carlisle and Dumfries using 405-line on VHF Channel 11 (Band III).

Constructed in 1961, it originally included a 306.6 metres (1,006 ft) tall guyed steel lattice mast that came into service on 1 September of that year.

The BBC's VHF television and radio services were carried by the nearby Sandale transmitting station.

Caldbeck was one of the first transmitters in the UK to be upgraded to high power digital only TV broadcasting.