Satellite broadcast schedule

Does anyone know where I can find a satellite broadcast schedule? I can't always tell if an upcoming broadcast will be available on the Church satellite system. For example, it has been announced that the latest Friend to Friend episode will be available for streaming beginning Nov. 5. Will it also be available by satellite, and if so, in what languages?

We still have a couple of satellite dishes in our stake. Satellite broadcasts have been more reliable than Internet streaming for us, and moreover, our satellite systems are set up to broadcast in multiple languages, so we prefer to use the satellite broadcast when available.

Thank you.

Announcements can be found in the Official Communication Library. The announcement for Friend to Friend doesn't mention satellite. Last year on November 2nd, they published a "2022 Churchwide Broadcast Events Schedule" list. But there's no details.

At this point, I'd suggest having an internet backup plan. If the broadcast will take place over the satellite, I'd expect a "pre-roll" with countdown timer. So you should have a good idea if it's going to happen well before the actual broadcast.

ulupoi wrote: Tue Nov 01, 2022 3:51 pm Does anyone know where I can find a satellite broadcast schedule? I can't always tell if an upcoming broadcast will be available on the Church satellite system.

The letter announcing the November 5 Friend to Friend broadcast did not mention the satellite system. Events that are on the satellite usually include that information. The event was included in the annual list of broadcast events sent out last year.

There was a Notice dated November 2, 2021 that listed the broadcasts scheduled for 2022. It is available at the OCL. The notice said that information on how to watch, languages available, etc., would be shared prior to each event. It refers to the website events.churchofjesuschrist.org that also includes the schedule. Another site with information is at broadcasts.churchofjesuschrist.org but that site includes mostly the same information.

Sadly, information about broadcasts is increasingly difficult to find lately. I have not paid much attention since we no longer have any satellite dishes in our stake. We still have the receivers, but no way to collect the signal to drive them. Go figure. They did warn us.

lajackson wrote: Tue Nov 01, 2022 5:17 pm Events that are on the satellite usually include that information.

The question is, with many of the stations being taken out, is this just the "new normal"?

I'm not sure why it wouldn't be transmitted. The cost of doing so would seem to be minimal. The only reason I can think of for not doing it is that they don't expect anyone to be in the meetinghouse when it's first published. It's more of a "download and use at convenience" program.

russellhltn wrote: Tue Nov 01, 2022 10:05 pm I'm not sure why it wouldn't be transmitted.

A number of recent programs have been prerecorded. It makes sense to release them for Internet streaming, but it does not always make sense to present them on the Church satellite system. There have also been a number of releases recently that were announced for a certain time on the Internet, but that were actually released earlier in the day before the announced time.

For those who still have systems, it would be nice to have some clear indication of whether the broadcast will be via satellite as well as Internet.

lajackson wrote: Wed Nov 02, 2022 4:17 pm

russellhltn wrote: Tue Nov 01, 2022 10:05 pm I'm not sure why it wouldn't be transmitted.

A number of recent programs have been prerecorded. It makes sense to release them for Internet streaming, but it does not always make sense to present them on the Church satellite system. There have also been a number of releases recently that were announced for a certain time on the Internet, but that were actually released earlier in the day before the announced time.

For those who still have systems, it would be nice to have some clear indication of whether the broadcast will be via satellite as well as Internet.

It is my understanding that the Church no longer broadcasts via satellite to some areas of the world, particularly not to the United States.

garystroble wrote: Wed Nov 02, 2022 8:55 pm It is my understanding that the Church no longer broadcasts via satellite to some areas of the world, particularly not to the United States.

Not correct. But you needed a really good reason to keep it.

russellhltn wrote: Wed Nov 02, 2022 9:44 pm

garystroble wrote: Wed Nov 02, 2022 8:55 pm It is my understanding that the Church no longer broadcasts via satellite to some areas of the world, particularly not to the United States.

Not correct. But you needed a really good reason to keep it.

There is a C-band reallocation to 5G cellular involved. Unless the Church transitions to Ku-band, C-band simply won't be available soon any longer.

The C-band – which is between 3.7 and 4.2 GHz – is thought to be optimal for 5G. In February, the FCC adopted an order formalizing plans to auction the spectrum. Plans include moving satellite operators using the entire band to only the upper 200 MHz by December 5, 2025. That would free up the lower 280 MHz while leaving a 20MHz band between the two segments.

Satellite Operators Agree to Accelerate C-Band Relocation, Sets Stage for Historic 5G Auction

A couple of our buildings were switched over to Ku-band satellite dishes due to our need for broadcasts in multiple languages.

Thank you for all of your replies. They must have a schedule of what they will be broadcasting on satellite. Could they make that schedule available to us? As for this Saturday's broadcast, maybe I should try calling the GSC...

russellhltn wrote: Wed Nov 02, 2022 11:29 pm

The C-band – which is between 3.7 and 4.2 GHz – is thought to be optimal for 5G. In February, the FCC adopted an order formalizing plans to auction the spectrum. Plans include moving satellite operators using the entire band to only the upper 200 MHz by December 5, 2025. That would free up the lower 280 MHz while leaving a 20MHz band between the two segments.

Satellite Operators Agree to Accelerate C-Band Relocation, Sets Stage for Historic 5G Auction

In the rapidly changing world of technology, not sure this article from June 2020 is the latest take on the situation.

This link might help for the original question. It appears that satellite broadcast information is updated a few weeks prior to an event, if applicable. The Primary Friend to Friend broadcast coming up November 5 does not show anything about satellite broadcasting of the event currently.

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.or ... ide-events

garystroble wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:58 am In the rapidly changing world of technology, not sure this article from June 2020 is the latest take on the situation.

Feel free to find something newer. But this is a "speed of regulation" issue, not "speed of technology". It would be quite a change to completely shut down C-band satellite.

The church may have switched to Ku. The receivers can do both. It's the downconverter in the feedhorn that determines what band is being received. I'm not sure how to definitively tell what's in use.

russellhltn wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 2:16 am

garystroble wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:58 am In the rapidly changing world of technology, not sure this article from June 2020 is the latest take on the situation.

Feel free to find something newer. But this is a "speed of regulation" issue, not "speed of technology". It would be quite a change to completely shut down C-band satellite.

The church may have switched to Ku. The receivers can do both. It's the downconverter in the feedhorn that determines what band is being received. I'm not sure how to definitively tell what's in use.

Besides the new Ku-band LNB and feedhorn, the coaxial cable feedline should also be replaced. Unfortunately, using an older solid dish which may have some warping that does not bother C-band reception for Ku may result in a poor signal, as the shorter wavelength of Ku requires a much more precise reflector surface. A mesh C-band dish will probably not work on Ku-band as the holes will be the wrong size.

garystroble wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 5:27 am Besides the new Ku-band LNB and feedhorn, the coaxial cable feedline should also be replaced.

I'm curious about the coax. That may be a good idea for preventative maintenance, but I thought the LNB down converts everything to around the same frequency block regardless of the received band.

russellhltn wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 1:39 pm

garystroble wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 5:27 am Besides the new Ku-band LNB and feedhorn, the coaxial cable feedline should also be replaced.

I'm curious about the coax. That may be a good idea for preventative maintenance, but I thought the LNB down converts everything to around the same frequency block regardless of the received band.

Same reason you replace your hoses with a new washing machine. Coax deteriorates in the sun etc. and it is a good opportunity to have a new outside run.

Hey, I just called the GSC and the rep said that the Friend to Friend episode this Saturday will also be broadcast via satellite in English, Spanish, Portuguese and some other languages that I can't remember. I asked if the satellite broadcast schedule was available anywhere, and the rep told me that it was not publicly available, but she also said that I can always call and ask. I got right through to the rep without waiting, so I'll just keep calling to ask about future broadcasts. Thanks, everyone, for your interesting comments.

ulupoi wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 3:10 pm Hey, I just called the GSC and the rep said that the Friend to Friend episode this Saturday will also be broadcast via satellite in English, Spanish, Portuguese and some other languages that I can't remember. I asked if the satellite broadcast schedule was available anywhere, and the rep told me that it was not publicly available, but she also said that I can always call and ask. I got right through to the rep without waiting, so I'll just keep calling to ask about future broadcasts. Thanks, everyone, for your interesting comments.

I'll be frank, that is a bizarre way to run a railroad, or a satellite schedule.

garystroble wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 3:31 pm

ulupoi wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 3:10 pm Hey, I just called the GSC and the rep said that the Friend to Friend episode this Saturday will also be broadcast via satellite in English, Spanish, Portuguese and some other languages that I can't remember. I asked if the satellite broadcast schedule was available anywhere, and the rep told me that it was not publicly available, but she also said that I can always call and ask. I got right through to the rep without waiting, so I'll just keep calling to ask about future broadcasts. Thanks, everyone, for your interesting comments.

I'll be frank, that is a bizarre way to run a railroad, or a satellite schedule.

I can't argue with that. Maybe they want the freedom to keep the schedule flexible for programming between major events.

Still, it would be helpful if they would announce whether major events, like this Friend to Friend episode, will be broadcast by satellite and in what languages for those of us who still have satellite dishes. For us, showing a broadcast using our satellite setup is as easy as flipping a few switches and passing out translation headsets. Otherwise, we have to set up devices to stream the broadcast over the Internet in 2-3 languages and try to sync them to start at the same time with some devices connected to translation transmitters so that multi-language families can sit together. That's not that hard, but easier is better.

garystroble wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 3:31 pm I'll be frank, that is a bizarre way to run a railroad, or a satellite schedule.

Agree. I can only guess that they are trying to avoid blowback from people who just had their satellite system uninstalled. Or for that matter, those who still have the receivers but they have been turned off.

The bulletin regarding the First Presidency Christmas devotional just posted on the church web page and it says that the broadcast will be on the church satellite system, among other viewing and listening options.

I’m at our meetinghouse now, and they have just started an old general conference session on the satellite. I called the GSC again and this time they said that the Friend to Friend episode will not be broadcast over satellite. So I’m now going to plan B. I’m sorry if my earlier post misled anyone. I’m glad I was suspicious enough to be prepared for this.

ulupoi wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 3:50 pm

garystroble wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 3:31 pm

ulupoi wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 3:10 pm I asked if the satellite broadcast schedule was available anywhere, and the rep told me that it was not publicly available, but she also said that I can always call and ask.

I'll be frank, that is a bizarre way to run a railroad, or a satellite schedule.

I can't argue with that. Maybe they want the freedom to keep the schedule flexible for programming between major events.

It's possible that there are also private broadcasts on the schedule, like regional conferences, leadership meetings, and temple dedications, that they don't want shared as a public list.

Those regional or special events have never been on the public satellite schedules in the past. Some of them such as temple dedications probably have some level of encryption as well.

From what I've seen in the past, "private" events are usually locked out from non-participants using encryption or some other means.

If you know where to find them, you can usually get to the regional stake conferences or the area special broadcasts over the internet if you know when they are going to happen.

Temple dedication broadcasts over the internet are locked down with sign in and password requirements. There are probably other secured broadcasts as well.

When temple dedications were broadcast over the satellite system, they were encrypted and only sent to specific receivers identified in advance of the broadcast. Other receivers saw a broadcast not authorized screen.