For the first time, BYU Devotionals and Forums will be broadcast live on BYU NewsNet’s Web site, beginning with Tuesday’s Devotional.
Scott Johnson, editorial director of The Daily Universe, said he is expecting people from all over the world to watch the netcasts at newsnet.byu.edu.
The netcast, which is run by BYU students, is expected to be available through NewsNet’s Web site for a week after the original netcast, he said.
“It’s important we are on the leading edge of technology. To me, the most important part is the students here are learning this technology,” Johnson said.
NewsNet has recently netcast other meetings, including general conference, Women’s conference, the Lighting the Way fundraiser, the dedication of the Wilkinson Student Center and President Bateman’s question-and-answer session. Johnson said plans exist to netcast Education Week and other symposiums. Community Cable News and KBYU news broadcasts are shown daily over the Internet at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.
John Gholdston, managing director of The Daily Universe, said the netcast is a great opportunity. He said students who can attend the live Devotionals and Forums should do so. The netcast will not carry the full impact of live attendance, he said.
“The Devotionals and Forums on campus are wonderful learning opportunities. We’ve been interested for some time trying to carry audio and visual of them so the international BYU audience can have access to the same educational and inspirational lectures,” he said.
Gholdston said the primary audience will consist of those outside of Utah who can’t pick up the broadcasts and rebroadcasts on KBYU TV.
Dave Nystul, production manager of NewsNet, said he is excited to add the weekly Devotionals and Forums to NewsNet’s Web site.
“I think when we start netcasting them, we’ll see a lot of traffic on our site. A lot of people would love to hear from our church leaders more often,” he said.
The netcast can be viewed by using Microsoft Windows Media Player, which comes installed on any Windows operating system. The NewsNet Web site also has instructions to download the program for free.
