SALT LAKE CITY — The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square’s “Music & the Spoken Word” program reached a historic milestone Sunday, airing its 5,000th episode from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. The achievement underscores the weekly program’s enduring legacy as the world’s longest continuously running network broadcast.
Derrick Porter hosted the 5,000th episode, July 13. He noted how the program is the world’s longest, continuous running network broadcast.
“The program began even before the great depression,” said Porter, “and it has lived on through so many world events. Every week the music and the messages are put together really in response to what’s happening in the world.”
Perry Sook, joint board chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, presented a commemorative award to the choir, stating the 5,000th episode “represents unwavering excellence, a commitment to public service and the enduring power of faith and music to unite us all.”
Loyd Newell, who narrated the program for nearly 35 years until 2024, never missed a broadcast, participating in 1,800 live programs. He described the program as a “trusted friend” and a “constant and reliable” presence in a changing world.
“The reason it (the program) has last so long is because I think the music is the greatest music in the world,” said Newell.
The 5,000th episode coincides with Choir Director Mack Wilberg’s 26th year with the Choir and his 17th as director.
J. Spencer Kinard served as host from 1972 to 1990, recalling live broadcasts from presidential inaugurations and a program with Johnny Cash. He emphasized the emotional impact the program had on listeners.
“There was more than one letter we received over the years that said, ‘you changed my life, you saved my life, you altered my life,’” explained Kinard. “You think, well maybe that spoken word that day was inspired for that one person, even though we’re talking to thousands.”
More than 6 million people in over 50 countries tune into Music and the Spoken Word weekly via radio, television and online streaming. It is heard on News Talk KVNU every Sunday at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.