When Growing Bolder debuts its third season this month, WUCF TV, Central Florida’s new home for PBS, will take over as the national presenting station for the 30-minute program that features ordinary people living extraordinary lives.

Hosted by Orlando broadcast veterans Marc Middleton, Bill Shafer and Wendy Chioji and produced by an Emmy Award-winning team, Growing Bolder tells stories of people enjoying active lifestyles and pursuing their dreams in Central Florida and beyond.

Growing Bolder’s Executive Producer Katy Widrick says that the new partnership reflects an exciting time for both organizations.

“WUCF is committed to bringing quality programming to Orlando-area viewers, as well as breaking new ground with national production for public TV stations,” Widrick says. “Growing Bolder is about shining the spotlight on an often under-served group of people who are pursuing their passions, following their dreams and proving that it’s not about age; it’s about attitude.”

Growing Bolder has had tremendous growth during the past 12 months, airing on more than 500 stations, which represents carriage on 92 percent of public TV stations across the country. In addition, it airs on Create® TV, a nationwide channel presenting the best of public television’s lifestyle programs.

Grant Heston, associate vice president for Communications & Public Affairs at UCF, says that Growing Bolder will be a pivotal piece in the station’s plans to expand and offer locally produced content to a national audience.

“Growing Bolder is a national hit that’s produced and hosted right here in Orlando — it’s vibrant, informational, entertaining and inspirational programming that we’re proud to stand behind,” Heston said.

Growing Bolder debuts on its new weekly time slot on WUCF TV at 12 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. It also will air at 6 p.m. every Thursday beginning Jan. 19.

Additionally, WUCF will air episodes from Seasons 1 and 2 each Sunday at 12:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 15.

Schedules for Orlando and other markets across the country can be found at https://www.growingbolder.com/growing-bolder-tv/.

WUCF TV is a partnership between the University of Central Florida and Brevard Community College, which launched the new PBS station July 1 after prior PBS affiliate WMFE ceased operation. To learn more, visit http://wucftv.org.