Even though it's been around for a decade and a half, some people will want to know: Just what is TVW?

Launched in 1996 as WISC-2 to a select audience of cable subscribers, TVW (Television Wisconsin) is available throughout the Madison market on digital channel 3-2, on Charter Cable channel 14, and on DirecTV channel 14.

Station management is enthusiastic about TVW's 2012/2013 schedule.

"We will have Katie Couric's new show at 9 p.m., we will have Steve Harvey's new show at 4 p.m., and we'll have some great prime time shows," said Jill Sommers, TVW director of programming and operations. "And we're excited about our sports programming."

That sports programming includes "Green and Gold Game Day," which will air every Sunday during the Packers season at 10:30 a.m., and "Locker Room Live," which will air every Monday during the Packers season at 6:30 p.m. These new shows will include previews and recaps of every Packers game, including game analysis and interviews with players and coaches.

"Katie," premiering September 10, is the highly-anticipated first-ever talk show starring the former "Today" host and "CBS Evening News" anchor. The program will feature a mixture of newsmakers and celebrities, and will be taped on the day of air to allow Couric to be as timely as possible.

On the other hand, "Steve Harvey" will showcase the comedian-turned best-selling author's no-nonsense and often hilarious relationship and marriage advice. The program will premiere Tuesday, September 4.

Other new additions to the TVW schedule include drama favorites "House," which will air back-to-back episodes Tuesdays at 7 p.m. beginning October 2, "Numb3rs," which will air back-to-back episodes Wednesdays at 7 p.m. beginning October 3, and "White Collar," which will air back-to-back episodes Thursdays at 7 beginning October 4. 

TVW also continues to stress local programming.

"TVW stands for 'Television Wisconsin' and we’ve always tried to stress the local, Wisconsin emphasis in our programming," said general manager Tom Bier.

That emphasis is evident in TVW's weekly local sports talk show "Sidelines," its coverage of University of Wisconsin men's hockey, its weekly Badger wrap-up "Badger Sports Report," and its daily replay of "News 3 This Morning" for those who aren’t able to catch its early live airing on WISC-TV. TVW replays the live 5-7 a.m. hour block weekdays from 7-9 a.m.

TVW is available for free throughout the entire eleven-county Madison viewing area on digital channel 3-2. TVW continues to be available on channel 14 through both Charter Cable and DirecTV.