The two stations share studios on the university's campus in Carbondale; WSIU-TV's transmitter is located along US 51 near Tamaroa, Illinois.

In 1958, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigned VHF channel 8 in its stead, and the university announced it would file to use it.

[1] Over the course of 1961, construction on the transmitter experienced a series of setbacks, but the station began broadcasting educational programs to 70 area schools on November 6, 1961.

[5] In 1966, SIU obtained a construction permit to build a UHF station in Olney to rebroadcast WSIU-TV and expand its coverage area.

[8][9] During Southern Illinois University's academic year, WSIU-TV broadcast a live student-produced newscast, River Region Evening Edition, which airs Monday through Thursday (on days when classes are held) at 5 p.m., with repeats of WSIU InFocus shown on Friday at 5 p.m. Three other student-produced programs also air on WSIU/WUSI, alt.news 26:46, Studio A, and Scholastic Hi-Q.