American Ride: Not What You'd Expect From BYU TV

[MrPogi]

I live in Northern Utah. It's the home of BYU-TV, the LDS TV channel from Brigham Young University that's available free on just about every pay TV package, FTA satellite, the internet, Roku, and Apple TV. Here in Utah, it's available in nearly every corner of the state on TV as KBYU 11 (PBS) digital subchannel 11.2. BYUtv is generally a mouthpiece for the LDS church and BYU, serving up a mix of LDS religious programming and BYU sports.

As a "non-member" myself, you probably understand why I don't watch it much. But I've been watching a program produced by BYU that I find not only entertaining and educational, but really out of character for BYU.

The show is called American Ride, and it is a multi part series that follows long haired, bearded Stan Ellsworth as he straddles his custom Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe and rides through 250 years of American history that is the American Revolution. The former NFL player is the motorcycle riding host and creator of BYU-tv’s American history program, American Ride. Yeah, the show is also out of character for a former football player, too.

If you are interested in history, check this show out. I think it's worth the effort to locate the BYU TV channel on your pay TV package or on your streaming device - even if you install it on your streaming device JUST for this series, and uninstall it when you're done watching. Or you can stream it on the internet from your computer:

Watch American Ride On BYUTV.org


​

You can find the BYU channel for your Apple device:
App Store - BYUtv - Apple






You can add the BYU channel in the Roku Channel Store directly from your Roku Player, or:
https://owner.roku.com/Add/BYUTVBETA

 

[Orrymain]

I have not seen the program, but I do occasionally watch something on the BYU-TV channel.

 

[byumanutd]

Agree it's an excellent program as are others like The Food Nanny and The Generations Project however a common misconception is that KBYU and BYUtv are one in the same...they are not. While both are owned by BYU/LDS Church the latter shows a lot of BYU Sports. See KBYUtv.org and BYUtv.org for the difference.

 

[MrPogi]

Agree it's an excellent program as are others like The Food Nanny and The Generations Project however a common misconception is that KBYU and BYUtv are one in the same...they are not. While both are owned by BYU/LDS Church the latter shows a lot of BYU Sports. See KBYUtv.org and BYUtv.org for the difference.

Thank you for pointing that out! I knew that, but I guess I may not have made it clear to our readers. LDS church owns a lot of things here - like KSL 5 (NBC) and several radio stations. I've watched the other programs you mentioned, but I don't find them as unique and compelling as American Ride. It's something like what would have been on the History Channel back before they became just another player in the reality TV genre. One thing I would like to point out - and other networks should take note of this - is that the network is available via so many sources. Broadcast TV, Cable, pay satellite, free satellite on both Ku- and C-band, on the internet and via Apple TV and Roku channels. I applaud their determination to make it as accessable as possible.

I do watch KBYU (PBS) sometimes, but I generally watch channel 10 KUID (Idaho public TV) because it has 4 subchannels and I love channel 7 KUED because it's one of the few PBS stations in the nation that broadcasts in 1080i HD. I suppose I would watch more BYU if I was into sports at all. For the kids, it's 10.1 PBS during the day, because it's uninterrupted educational programming all day long, whereas KBYU interrupts educational programming mid-day.

It's nice to have 3 PBS stations available free OTA; they add up to 10 channels of content. If I add in KUEN 9 (not pbs, but the Utah Educational Network), it's 2 more channels, plus NPR radio on 9.91 is great. These channels alone account for 1/3 of the channels I get with an antenna.

If you haven't discovered my UT TV blog yet, please visit - just click on the Cache Free TV logo below.
Peace be with you.

 

[Ralph]

For the sake of full disclosure, I am program manager for BYUtv and KBYU (as well as BYUtv Global, our worldwide channel). Whether positive or negative, I want you to know we sincerely appreciate each and every comment about BYUtv. They help us to better reach our goal of providing viewers with the best, most family-friendly programming available to us. As our brand states, BYUtv exists to help all of us "see the good in the world". Whether it be in history (AMERICAN RIDE), service to others (TURNING POINT), food (FOOD NANNY & CHEF BRAD), or even in sports, there is good to be seen and experienced all around us. BYUtv is dedicated to giving individuals and families a "safe haven" for family-centered programming. That's why, with every program we develop or acquire, there must be a unique value proposition (or take-away) that can benefit those who watch. Although BYUtv is owned & operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (via Brigham Young University), it is not intended as a mouthpiece for Mormonism or the church. That's why any and all religious programming is situated during early morning hours on weekdays and on Sundays. The intent of the channel is to provide a positive place where persons of similar values can go for entertainment, information, and sports. We are the face of BYU, but it's much, much more than that. Our goal is to help generate good in the lives of those who entrust us with their television time, no matter who they are. Please feel free to let us know how we can better serve you!

 

[Fringe Reception]

:welcome: Ralph,

Please consider joining our Community. We have a number of station CE's, assistant CE's and some Network employees active here.

Jim

 

[MrPogi]

For the sake of full disclosure, I am program manager for BYUtv and KBYU (as well as BYUtv Global, our worldwide channel). Whether positive or negative, I want you to know we sincerely appreciate each and every comment about BYUtv. They help us to better reach our goal of providing viewers with the best, most family-friendly programming available to us. As our brand states, BYUtv exists to help all of us "see the good in the world". Whether it be in history (AMERICAN RIDE), service to others (TURNING POINT), food (FOOD NANNY & CHEF BRAD), or even in sports, there is good to be seen and experienced all around us. BYUtv is dedicated to giving individuals and families a "safe haven" for family-centered programming. That's why, with every program we develop or acquire, there must be a unique value proposition (or take-away) that can benefit those who watch. Although BYUtv is owned & operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (via Brigham Young University), it is not intended as a mouthpiece for Mormonism or the church. That's why any and all religious programming is situated during early morning hours on weekdays and on Sundays. The intent of the channel is to provide a positive place where persons of similar values can go for entertainment, information, and sports. We are the face of BYU, but it's much, much more than that. Our goal is to help generate good in the lives of those who entrust us with their television time, no matter who they are. Please feel free to let us know how we can better serve you!

Ralph,
:welcome:
Welcome to our forum, and please do register and make yourself a member.

I DO appreciate some of the programming that BYU brings to the free OTA TV arena, and I am impressed by the production quality of BYU programming - and the dual 720p HD is pretty impressive on KBYU 11.1 and BYU 11.2!

But what impresses me most about BYU (and KBYU) is that they "get it" - they "get" that content providers can make their programming available - free of charge - and still turn a decent profit. Broadcasters supported themselves on advertising only during the 50's, 60's, and '70's and made a decent profit. Though viewer - supported TV like BYU and KBYU is a different model, it is still doing pretty well in spite of the recent government cuts to PBS.

BYU is ubiquitous, and available through so many methods. It's on every pay TV system I can think of, as well as FTA satellite and on many internet streaming devices. Keep up the good work, I wish other content providers would the initiative to make their content as widely and easily available as BYU does.

 

[Fringe Reception]

Since our guest Ralph made his LDS disclosure, perhaps I should as well.

My first job in Broadcasting was for KIRO-AM, which also included FM and TV in the same building. That was almost 40 years ago and although owned by the Mormon Church, I never heard a single word from anyone there suggesting I should consider thinking about or look toward their Religeous practices.

It's not my flavor of Christianity but guess what: the same AM, FM and TV channels are still profitable businesses today.

Jim

 

[ProudAmericanMom]

Great show. I must disclose I am LDS and watch BYU TV via cable. American Ride is a well kept secret that needs to be spread around. Glad to see Stan and the program getting publicity on TV (fox news). Need to have more exposure. The show is quality from start to finish... I can't wait for new episodes. I have told many nonLDS folks about the show and they are now watching the show. BYU tv also carry "Fons & Porter's Love of quilting" which is a syndicated show carried by many PBS stations. Thanks for a great show.

 

[fredchirsty]

I expect he always perform good in the show..

 

[MrPogi]

Great show. I must disclose I am LDS and watch BYU TV via cable. American Ride is a well kept secret that needs to be spread around. Glad to see Stan and the program getting publicity on TV (fox news). Need to have more exposure. The show is quality from start to finish... I can't wait for new episodes. I have told many nonLDS folks about the show and they are now watching the show. BYU tv also carry "Fons & Porter's Love of quilting" which is a syndicated show carried by many PBS stations. Thanks for a great show.

I think kids would learn more about history if they could watch this show. I think BYU should offer this series to PBS affiliates across the country.

Hey, Stan and BYU tv: have you thought about expanding the show beyond the borders of USA when you run out of American history? Cause there's a whole world of history out there that isn't just 'bout 'Merica, m'kay?

 

[Mom of 4]

We LOVE American Ride! We homeschool and use it as a supplement to the history that we are learning. History is not required for Homeschool in our state, but I feel that it is so important that they learn about the past. Stan Ellsworth & American Ride make it a fun part of our learning. Thanks so much for the most of great programming at BYUTV! Some of the shows I do not appreciate. But everyone has their likes and dislikes. We don't have to watch everything on the BYU station.

 

[djr0187@yahoo.com]

American Ride

Hello - I found you by accident and I have a question. Will AR be returning to tv soon. There were no new episodes this year, 2017, and very limited repeat episodes. Will AR be returning soon for season 11? Thanks. djr