KSL-TV is a business. But the local community is the home of KSL, just as it is the home of our viewers. That's why KSL Television and its parent company, Bonneville International Corporation, made it a priority over the past half century to "make a difference" in the community . . . to make Utah a better place to live and raise families.
KSL is first in news, first in technology, and, equally important, first in service to the community.
The governing regulation for all broadcast license holders is to operate in the "public interest, convenience, and necessity" of the community. KSL takes that requirement seriously. Television has the power to inform, educate, entertain, and influence the audience. It has the power to call attention to community needs and to encourage citizens to respond to those needs.
Throughout its 50-year history, KSL-TV has been actively involved in the community. The station provided coverage of the Days of '47 Parade since 1949, allowing more and more citizens to enjoy the parade. In the 1960s and '70s, KSL presented a variety of "Teleramas" to help raise funds for needy children and other worthy causes. Teleramas have become Telethons, but time is devoted each year to help service organizations raise the funds they need to operates and serve.
The station has been a strong supporter of area arts organizations -- the Utah Symphony, Ballet West, Utah Opera, Pioneer Theater, and others -- providing on-air promotion time and off-air contributions. KSL consistently provides air time for local service organizations to communicate with viewers, including millions of dollars worth of free "public service" advertising time.
KSL documentaries call attention to problems in the community -- conditions in local nursing homes, "Mormon Women and Depression," environmental awareness campaigns, "Think Ability," the Family Now series, and others. In many cases, KSL offers its facilities to local service organizations to help produce public service announcements, tribute videos, or fund-raising materials. Local organizations seek and receive event sponsorships from KSL because they know it will add prestige and promotion value.
Education is a vital ingredient for a successful community, and KSL is committed to the support of education. News stories, documentaries, and editorials have extolled the value of education. For years, KSL-TV broadcast the Sterling Scholar Awards, and Sterling Scholars are still featured in news stories and public service announcements.
KSL managers voluntarily serve on a variety of service organization boards -- from Pioneer Theatre to Guadalupe Center to United Way. They offer their expertise and often KSL facilities to help those organizations carry out their important missions. KSL management personnel are also active in national broadcast organizations, using their influence to improve program offerings and encourage more community service by other broadcasters. In a few cases, KSL officials challenged network programming and certain forms of advertising. KSL may represent a relatively small market in America, but its influence exceeds that of many larger operations.
This long tradition of community service guarantees that in the future KSL Television will place the interests of the community and the audience ahead of short-term gain, fear of criticism, or other considerations.
KSL does, indeed, "make a difference."
