Ever wonder where Utah’s favorite TV and radio programs come to life? That’s the Eccles Broadcast Center. The Dolores Doré Eccles Broadcast Center is right here. This building serves as the headquarters for three broadcast stations. It also houses a statewide educational consortium.
Inside the Eccles Broadcast Center, you’ll find KUED, KUER, KUEN, and the Utah Education Network. The Eccles Broadcast Center is on the University of Utah campus. Look around. It is northeast of the Jon M. Huntsman Center and southwest of the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Let’s step back in time. The Eccles Broadcast Center’s story began in 1993. The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation gifted $5.5 million. This generous donation allowed for the creation of a 59,191 square foot facility.
By 2001, the center needed more space. An expansion added 40,307 square feet. The original building cost $8.8 million. The expansion cost $7.6 million. Architect Dick Huss from Babcock Design Group designed both the original structure and the addition. Okland Construction Company was the general contractor.
The Eccles Broadcast Center is a hub of creativity. Numerous programs have been produced here. “Aftermath of Meth” and “Brigham Young” are KUED productions. “Conversations with Ted Capener” also comes from KUED. UEN’s contributions include “eMedia” and “NetSafe Utah.”
KUER brings us “Nighttime Jazz with Steve Williams” and “Radio West”. “Pioneer, Utah’s Online Library” is another UEN project. “The Governor’s Monthly News Conference” is a KUED staple. “The Struggle for Statehood” was also produced by KUED. Don’t forget “The Utah PTA Golden Apple Awards”. UEN entertains with “UEN SciFi Friday”.
Media Solutions creates the “University of Utah Web Site.” KUED shares “Utah World War II Stories”. “VoteUtah Web site” is a collaboration between KUED and UEN. The Western Folklife Center produces “What’s in a Song” for NPR. They also created “Why the Cowboy Sings” with KUED.
In the early 1990s, the Eccles Broadcast Center united KUER-FM, KULC-TV, KUED-TV, and the Utah Education Network. The University of Utah received a license for a second VHF channel. This channel, KULC Channel 9, became “Utah’s Learning Channel”. This allowed them to offer more educational programs.
The Eccles Broadcast Center plays a vital role in Utah’s media landscape. It supports education, culture, and community engagement. As we conclude our visit, remember the many voices and stories that originate from this very spot.