Roy T. Dransfield is quite familiar with The Bonneville International LDS Radio Network. He has been an avid listener almost since the network went on the air in 1993. In fact, when the Church News called him at his home to speak with him about it, he exclaimed, "It's on right now!"
From 1993 to 1995, Brother Dransfield listened to the network while living in Boulder City, Nev., but when he moved to the Boise, Idaho, area last August, he couldn't receive the network, and he was disappointed. Then one day earlier this year, on his way to Church, he was searching through radio channels trying to find something uplifting. "I came across President
James E.T Faust at a BYU devotional," he said.Brother Dransfield of the Greenhill Ward, Meridian Idaho Stake, recognized the LDS Radio Network. He was not aware that KKIC 950 AM in Boise had begun broadcasting major portions of the network in January of this year, and he was pleasantly surprised.
"I was excited," he said. "I thought, `Is it possible a station is picking this up?' I thought it would just be picked up on Sundays, but Monday it was on again."
Brother Dransfield is just one of thousands of listeners - some new, some renewed - who can now tune in to the LDS Radio Network because of expansion of reception. Owned and operated by Bonneville International Corp., a Church-owned broadcast/communication company, the LDS Radio Network provides high quality religious programming, including such things as recordings of general conferences, BYU devotionals, "Music and the Spoken Word," scripture readings, news of the LDS Church and Church Educational System lectures. Also, the network carries BYU sports and special one-time only programs, such as programs honoring the pioneers. (See accompanying article for the program guide to The Bonneville International LDS Radio Network.)
Since the network went on the air in a testing stage in spring 1992 and became an official radio network in March 1993, the number of households receiving it via a special subcarrier radio - one way to receive the network - has grown to 7,000. In addition, many thousands more receive the signal through cable and satellite services. (See accompanying article on this page for information on how to purchase the subcarrier radio or receive the network through cable and satellite services.)
Because of developments in the past year, over the next few months reception will be available through TCI Cablevision in Utah and Idaho, adding an additional 300,000 households to network range. Through radio and secondary audio programming, some 2,000 households can receive it in St. George, Utah; about 34,000 in Boise, Idaho; and 120,000 in Rexburg, Idaho. In addition, through a recent agreement with Echostar Satellite Corp., households throughout the United States can receive the network via the Echostar satellite dish.
These numbers are noticeably up from the first year of the network. In 1994, some 1,300 households had a subcarrier radio and more than 600 satellite users received the signal, along with subscribers to Dimension Cable in Orange County, Calif., and TCI Cablevision in Salt Lake City. (Please see March 26, 1994, Church News.)
"We have a fine combination of religious programming," Richard W. Linford, a vice president of Bonneville International Corp. and managing officer of the network, said. "A great number of our listeners enjoy the conference talks. We have been supported by the Church's Audio Visual Department and the Public Affairs Department. CES and BYU officials have been gracious in sharing the best religious programming they have."
Brother Linford praised the contributions of Andy McQuinn, programming director for the network. "Andy has done a fine job of bringing together not only conference talks, but also Church Educational System lectures, hymns and other religious music," he said
Continuing, Brother Linford explained: "My hope for the future is that we will continue doing what we're doing, only do it better each month. A major benefit derived from this network is the spirit of peace brought into the home."
Extending to more geographical areas is also a high priority for the network's operators, Brother Linford emphasized. Helpful in extending the reception area have been the agreements with Echostar and TCI Cablevision.
Echostar alone reaches throughout the continental United States, the Carribean and parts of Canada. David Carlson, Echostar's vice president of specialist distribution, said: "The LDS Radio Network is obviously looking for expanded distribution throughout the United States, and it's a great opportunity for us [to reach Latter-day Saint audience]."
Those receiving the LDS Radio Network are finding it a great way to bring uplifting broadcasting into their homes. Brother McQuinn said that the most frequent comment he received when the network went on the air was, "It's about time."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Weekly LDS radio network guide
Following is the program guide for The Bonneville International LDS Radio Network, with times listed for Mountain time:
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
12 midnight - Music
4 a.m. - LDS general conference/music
5:30 a.m. - BYU Devotional/conference report
6:30 a.m. - Music and the Spoken Word/music (News of the LDS Church on Mondays.)
8 a.m. - LDS general conference/music
9:30 a.m. - The Book of Mormon
10:15 a.m. - Music and the Spoken Word/music
11 a.m. - BYU devotional/con ference report
Noon - Doctrine & Covenants/various talks
1 p.m. - News from the LDS Church/music
2 p.m. - Times & Seasons or entertainment programs/music
3 p.m. - LDS general conference/music
5 p.m. - Music and the Spoken Word
6 p.m. - Lectures and history
7 p.m. - LDS general conference
8 p.m. - The Book of Mormon
9 p.m. - BYU devotional/conference report
10 p.m. - KSL-TV Eyewitness News/music
Saturday and Sunday same as Monday through Friday except for the following:
SATURDAY
6 a.m. - LDS general conference/music
8 a.m. - Timeline
9 a.m. - Music
1 p.m. - News from the LDS Church/music
5 p.m. - News from the LDS Church/music
7 p.m. - Same as Monday through Friday
10:35 p.m. - Sportsbeat Saturday/music
SUNDAY
6 p.m. - BYU devotional/conference report/music
7:30 a.m. - Music
9:30 a.m. - Music and the Spoken Word/music
11 a.m. - BYU devotional/conference/music
1 p.m. - News of the LDS Church/music
3 p.m. - LDS general conference/music
4 p.m. - Various uplifting programs
5:30 p.m. - Music
6 p.m. - Temple Square concerts
7 p.m. - LDS general conference/music
8 p.m. - The Book of Mormon
9-11 p.m. - Various devotionals or musical programs
General conference sessions are carried live in April and October. For more information, call (801) 575-7663.
