PROVO, Utah — KBYU Television has announced the creation of a new national network — called BYUTV — which will bring BYU devotionals, Church Educational System firesides, general conference, the Tabernacle Choir's "Music and the Spoken Word" and other family programming to more than 3.4 million subscribers of the Dish Network nationwide.
Featured as part of Dish Network's basic 40-channel programming package, the new non-commercial public service network, sponsored by BYU, will make educational and values-oriented programming available to viewers in all 50 states and some parts of southern Canada.
BYU President Merrill J. Bateman of the Seventy said that the network will extend the university's educational reach and bring quality programming to a national audience.
"One of the ways we can extend the blessing of learning is through the reach of KBYU, and now BYUTV," said Elder Bateman. "People from all across the U.S. can now join us for live broadcasts of our campus devotionals and firesides — they can be a part of the live audience. It's very exciting to me and I believe it will bless many lives."
John Reim, CEO for KBYU and BYUTV, said the new network will have its own 24-hour programming schedule, separate from its parent station, which is a PBS affiliate. BYUTV will carry a variety of programs — from lectures to music to movies — all couched in a values-oriented, "family safe" framework.
"The programming will be as diverse as what you might find on a university campus," said Brother Reim. "It will challenge you intellectually but at the same time, it will support the mission of the university and the values of the university."
KBYU productions, including an extensive archive of religious programming, the Ancestors genealogical research series, documentaries and entertainment programs such as BYU concerts, will be key features on the new network.
The station will also receive programming from LDS-owned Bonneville International Corporation, which produces LDS general conference, "Music and the Spoken Word," which may be broadcast on a delayed basis, and family-oriented programs, such as "Family Times" and "Center Street."
The station will broadcast some BYU athletic events, although it will not have access to games — including many men's football and basketball games — which are already under contract to ESPN by the Mountain West Conference. BYUTV will not have access to any programming that is owned or distributed by PBS.
For more complete information about program schedules or other aspects of BYUTV, call (801) 378-8450 or look in its Internet Web site: http://www.byutv.org.
While programming will continue to evolve, the new network is already receiving enthusiastic support from viewers across the United States.
"After our first two weeks on air, with no promotion and no advertising, we had already received more than 150 E-mail messages from people all over the country saying 'I found you' and offering support," said Duane Roberts, the station's general manager. He said the most popular programming is religious in nature, particularly BYU devotionals.
"There's no question that the reason there's an audience on Dish Network for BYUTV is the LDS audience. People are looking for [general] conference, BYU Education Week, devotionals, all the stuff we take for granted along the Wasatch Front. Anybody who has lived outside of this area realizes how hungry for religious and family-related programming people are," said Brother Roberts, who lived outside Utah for many years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force before he came to BYU.
One Church member from eastern Texas wrote, "I just wanted to express my gratitude and tell you I about cried when I woke up this morning and saw BYUTV on our Dish Network. Now we can fill our home with the spirit of being a part of the larger body of the Church. I have missed this feeling for so long."
John Smoyer Jr. of Midville, Ga., thanked broadcast organizers for "an alternative in TV viewing." "Please continue to make this service available to us, it's great for the family and very uplifting. . . . I look forward to many wonderful hours of viewing."
Brother Reim said that audiences appreciate the privilege of viewing an event live, rather than waiting for tapes or highlights.
"You're a part of the audience no less than the people sitting in the Marriott Center; it gives a real feeling of community and a sense of belonging," he said.
Brother Rein called BYUTV a public service to help extend the reach of the university. "We want to take the richness of Brigham Young University and bring it to a national audience. This campus is a rich resource and we feel that this station can make a positive difference in many people's lives."
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