JAMIE HEATO
Cable television's Faith and Values Channel, which carries several programs and specials produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has changed its name to Odyssey.
The change to Odyssey is actually the second name change. The National Interfaith Coalition formed the channel in 1988 under the name VUSN. In 1993 the channel was renamed Faith and Values.
There are now 64 faith groups participating in the network. Odyssey is carried on 1,500 cable systems and a satellite service.
'We believe our new name, Odyssey, and our new tag line, 'Exploring Life's Journey,' better convey the breadth of our program offerings and better meet the ever increasing demands for programming that both inspires and entertains,' said Garry E. Hill, Odyssey president and CEO, in a news release.
Hill said, 'The planned changes should enhance the channel's long-standing commitment to bring viewers the most diverse range of religious, faith and values-based programs on television.'
He said that the change to Odyssey is designed to ensure the continued growth of the channel by making it attractive to the broadest audience possible while maintaining its core audience.
The LDS Church-produced programs airing on Odyssey are Center Street, which focuses on teenagers; Family Times, which offers solutions for today's families; Music and the Spoken Word; and LDS Worship Service, a series of programs portraying sacrament meetings in a 30-minute format.
The channel has also aired the Mormon Tabernacle Choir specials from Israel and Russia, BYU International Folk Dancers' performances, 'An Easter Dream,' 'A Prophet Remembered,' 'Tyler: A Real Hero,' BYU Devotionals and selected addresses from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve.