On November 7, 1965, Brigham Young University acquired a license to operate KBYU Television from its Provo, Utah, campus. With this, KBYU-TV set out to enrich the lives of its audiences through the creation and delivery of religious, educational, cultural, and news programs that reflect Brigham Young University's standards of excellence.
Purpose
KBYU Television is dedicated to serving an audience with programming that reflects the values and mission of its sponsoring institutions, Brigham Young University and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. KBYU-TV seeks to become essential to the mission of BYU, using television capacities to support the university in achieving the aims of a BYU education: to strengthen spirituality, enlarge intellect, build character, and pursue lifelong learning and service.
Audience
To expand Brigham Young University's influence beyond its campus, KBYU Television broadcasts from its on-campus studios serving the state of Utah and parts of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Nearly a million viewers turn to the station each week for its educational, entertaining, and inspiring programs.
Programming
KBYU Television is a PBS member station, allowing it to broadcast a variety of quality PBS programs. All programs are carefully selected, and the children's programs, nature series, and news and documentary programs are joined with daily material from Brigham Young University. Noteworthy PBS programs that KBYU-TV offers include Sesame Street and Arthur, as well as Ancestors and the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Recent KBYU productions include Ancestors, Brides on the Homefront (a 2001 Regional Emmy winner), Crossing Borders: The Life and Works of Leslie Norris (a 2001 Regional Emmy nominee), and Innovators: A Musical Odyssey (featuring Sam Cardon and Kurt Bestor).
Facilities
KBYU Television is part of BYU's Broadcast Services, which includes KBYU-FM, Classical 89, and BYU Television, a national service carried by Dish Network, DirecTV, and various regional cable carriers. KBYU-TV is supported by two fully equipped mobile production units, two television studios, and state-of-the-art editing, digital effects, and electronic graphics capabilities. The station is transmitted via direct broadcast, television translators, and cable carriers throughout Utah and Southern Idaho.