Southwestern Virginia had previously been served by two retransmitters of Roanoke's WBRA-TV Blue Ridge PBS: WSVN-TV (later known as WSBN-TV) in Norton and WMSY-TV in Marion.

[3][4] While other PBS member stations were theoretically available in the region, the Appalachian Mountains' terrain makes reception difficult.

[5] The new venture—which was scheduled to launch by June 2023—planned to distribute its programming exclusively via over-the-top streaming platforms rather than broadcast television.

[6] At the time of its launch, it was branded as the first "all-digital" public television station in the United States due to the lack of terrestrial signals.

[4] Three of its first original programs—French Magnolia Cooks, Hometowns, and The Life of a Musician—were released ahead of the outlet's official launch.