On April 20, 1990, Blue Mountain Television made its debut. Less than a year later, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin wrote about the station: “The broadcasting association has high ambitions. [They] would like to add children’s programs and those that will appeal to younger viewers.”
Thirty-five years later, many of those ambitions have been realized. BMT offers a full slate of children’s programming over the air, on cable, and live streaming from 3:30 to 5:00 pm each weekday, and local offerings, such as Hometown, also appeal to younger viewers. There is also plenty left to accomplish!
Lynelle Ellis was the station’s first manager and only employee. Today, she is a professor and director of Walla Walla University’s Center for Media Ministry. Three years ago, she returned to BMT as a consulting executive director, and she still agrees with her initial assessment from that early interview: “Some viewers have concerns about the programming—they wish it were livelier.”
“We are always working on that,” she says. “The best part? Incredible technical advancements can make those dreams a reality. We have access to many more affordable, high-quality tools for location shooting, as well as additional content delivery methods. It’s exciting!”
Today, Blue Mountain Television is available over the air and on cable in the Walla Walla Valley, Tri-Cities, Yakima, and Wenatchee to a potential audience of nearly half a million viewers. It is also available worldwide through the Bluestream Media app. Locally produced programs are also available on-demand through Bluestream and on YouTube.
When the team began to look at ideas for this Spring’s On-Air fundraiser, it seemed only fitting that we rewind and give tribute to all the people and presentations that have built this ministry over the years. The budget has expanded from a mere $30,000 and one employee to nearly $400,000 with four employees and five contractors to keep up with the demands of technology and production. “Our entire staff works very hard to be good stewards of your gifts,” says Ellis. “And we rely on your financial support now more than ever to allow viewers to connect with Jesus every time they watch. The pandemic really reinforced the importance of reaching people through local media to keep us all connected.”
Ellis often hears viewers’ appreciation for Hometown and other programs we offer. “Sometimes I hear from people in really unusual places! I am delighted to let them know that they get to enjoy it because of people like you. And I am happy to pass their thanks on to you!”
“It’s funny,” she continues, “I said in that article years ago that it sounded kind of wimpy to say we were a low-power TV station. But 35 years later, with thousands of viewers over the decades, it doesn’t seem so wimpy after all! God is abundantly blessing this ministry!”