The station's local programming focuses on sports and community events in rural West Tennessee.

[10] In 1980, controversy over programming at WSJK-TV in Sneedville led to scrutiny of the state educational television system, which had grown to four state-owned stations plus WKNO and WDCN in Nashville, which were community-owned.

One of the two reports suggested that WLJT be sold to WKNO;[12] the other recommended spinning out all of the stations in the system to community licensees.

[13] After WKNO expressed no interest,[14] the state chose the latter option when legislators passed and Governor Lamar Alexander signed the Tennessee Educational Television Network Act of 1981,[15] This legislation provided for the transfer of the four Department of Education-owned stations to community entities by 1986.

[16][17] In August 1981, the West Tennessee Public Television Council was formed, and WLJT began local programming from studios at UT–Martin.

[20] In 1993, engineering operations were able to move to Martin when a new master and remote control facility opened at the studios.