The World’s Longest Continuing Broadcast Turns 85 Today: Music and the Spoken Word

Music and the Spoken Word
One of the first broadcasts of Music and the Spoken Word. Image via heraldextra.com

After eight and a half decades and 4,427 episodes, Music and the Spoken Word, the world’s longest running network broadcast, celebrates its 85th birthday today. On July 15, 1929, Ted Kimball narrated the very first broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word from the top of a ladder, so all could hear his words.

For the first broadcast, a local radio crew ran a wire across an entire block, to connect the control room to an amplifier located in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. Only one microphone was used for this broadcast, picking up both the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as they sang, as well as Kimball as he introduced each piece. That was 85 years ago, today.

Since then, Music and the Spoken Word has not missed a week of broadcasting, and has even included special broadcasts in honor of holidays (Christmas and Easter), or singular events (9/11 and Martin Luther King Day). Since 1929, the broadcast has had four different narrators, including Richard L. Evans who hosted for 41 years, and Lloyd Newell, who is the current narrator.

The very first Music and the Spoken Word was transmitted to only 30 stations. Today, the broadcast is sent out via cable, internet, radio, television, and even youtube, making it easy for all to hear. Holding the record for the world’s longest continuing running broadcast, Music and the Spoken Word has also been inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the National Radio Hall of Fame.

Music and the Spoken Word features the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in its weekly broadcast every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. MDT. Those who wish to attend the broadcast live can do so at the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City from January through May and September through November. During December, and June through August, visitors can attend the broadcast in the Conference Center, also in Salt Lake City. For each broadcast, the doors open at 8:30 a.m. and all audience members are asked to be seated by 9:15 a.m. Music and the Spoken Word is free to attend, and all who are 8 years of age and older are invited.

Find information on the Choir’s tour dates and more information on the broadcast at MormonTabernacleChoir.org.

Kylie is a writer at LDS.net and graduate of BYU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She grew up in a Chicago suburb where she gained a passion for the Chicago Cubs. She enjoys writing and live event video production.