BYU Television Uplifts and Educates
January 28, 2009
With its readily available stream of wholesome, uplifting, and unifying programming, BYU Television is an important media source for many alumni and others around the world.
From its inception BYU Television has shared Brigham Young University with the world. BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson says: “Through BYU Television, people across the globe sit at the feet of prophets; they study the scriptures with BYU professors of religion; they celebrate with our athletes; and they revel in the sights and sounds of our performing groups.”
Viewers are grateful for programming
Those who watch the channel regularly say its programs are useful and inspiring. Countering worldly media messages, it connects its audience to BYU. Viewers frequently write to tell BYU Television about their experiences watching the station.
Mary Walsh, from North Carolina, wrote, “When people say there is nothing on TV to watch, I know they have not seen BYU Television.”
Doug Foster, of Salt Lake City, says he tunes into BYU Television nearly every day. “There is harmony, spirit, unity, and edification,” he says. “I cannot adequately express how much the discussions of the various scriptures by the BYU faculty have meant to me. BYU Television has enriched my life and my gratitude for the Savior.”
Centenarian finds BYU Television to be an invaluable companion
On Easter Sunday 2007 Dorothy Wagner drove to a small church in her Arkansas neighborhood. She was thrilled that this was a building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Church on her favorite television station—BYU Television. Due in part to her exposure to the Church via BYU-TV, Wagner later joined the faith. At 103, she held the dual distinction of being one of its newest and oldest members.
Wagner has watched the station avidly for several years. “I sometimes stay awake all night listening to the scripture discussions. I just love to hear them,” she says. She also seeks out programs that feature the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Today, nearly 105 years old, Wagner lives at home and does her own housework. “I have four TVs and sometimes I have three of them on so that I won’t miss anything on BYU Television,” she says.
Fund-raising for a new facility
The BYU Board of Trustees has approved fund-raising for a state-of-the-art facility that will enable BYU Broadcasting to increase its development and delivery of content. More than $40 million has been raised toward the building, and approximately $5 million remains to be raised. The new building will be located north of the Monte L. Bean Museum and east of the Marriott Center.
Using technology to edify
Speaking recently on campus, Elder M. Russell Ballard focused on BYU Television’s role in communicating for BYU and the Church. “We don’t have [another technological tool], in my judgment, as powerful as BYU Television in helping change the hearts and the minds of the people of the world as to what the Church is, what it is we teach, what it is we believe, and why.”
BYU Television programming includes campus devotionals, conference addresses, roundtable discussions, athletics events, and performances. There are shows about everything from cooking to family history to fitness. A new series produced to air on BYU-TV, Real Families, Real Answers, celebrates families and focuses on the challenges they face in today’s world (see above photograph).
At www.byutv.org viewers can search today’s schedule, print individual talks, and even watch the station.
BYU Television is available through direct satellite services (e.g., DISH Network and DIRECTV), more than 250 cable carriers, and the Church’s satellite system. In the United States, more than 50 million homes have access to the channel on cable or satellite.
