The UNAM began broadcasts on XHUNAM-TV analog channel 60 on December 5, 2000, in Mexico City in order to pave the way for their own television network.

(As of 2014, TV UNAM is now required carriage for all cable systems in Mexico alongside several other public and cultural stations.)

With the help of the government-owned OPMA public television network (now Sistema Público de Radiodifusión del Estado Mexicano (SPR)), it expanded its coverage as an over-the-air digital subchannel.

TV UNAM is generally on the air daily from 8am to as early as midnight (longer on some nights, especially if there is a movie or concert scheduled).

Although XHUNAM-TDT continues to operate on digital channel 20 in Mexico City, it has largely been used for experimental transmissions and does not broadcast the programming of TV UNAM to 2017.