#FlashbackFriday: 33 Years Ago, the BTV Generation Began

On Oct. 5, 1992—33 years ago this weekend—the Exchange debuted an internal TV network called Business Television, better known as BTV. The initial broadcast went out to nearly 120 stores and distribution centers.

BTV used a one-way video system, but unlike with regular TV, when people watching talked back to the video, people on the other end could hear them. This improved communication between headquarters buyers and store teams around the world.

Interspersed among the buyers presenting and demonstrating new products were  infomercials, which covered such subjects as customer relations specialists explaining their jobs. BTV also previewed national advertising for many of the products, as well as Exchange spots that aired overseas.

This wasn’t a 24-hour network, but it did have programs—two 30-minute shows once a week at the start. Exchanges that couldn’t watch live were shipped tapes of the programs. Some shows even had fan clubs:  The “Alex and Tom” toy buyers show, featuring Alexander Mackenzie and Thomas Cobb, was a viewer favorite. The network also featured interviews with Exchange executives, such as 1993 Chief Operating Officer Paul Fromm (shown being interviewed by BTV host Frank Milewski, left, in photo at top of story).

The “Alex and Tom” toy buyers show, featuring Alexander Mackenzie and Thomas Cobb, was a BTV viewer favorite.

Maj. Gen. Allen “Doug” Bunger, Exchange commander from July 1995 to April 1998, hosted a regular program called “Commander’s Update,” which was continued by his successors. Guest stars occasionally appeared, such as Retired Army General Tommy Franks, who headed U.S. Central Command and led American and Coalition troops in two strategically unprecedented campaigns in two years: Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

The network started without a studio; one wasn’t completed until early 1994. But it quickly went out on the road, televising its first live broadcast during an Electronics, Computer and Photo Seminar in Fort Worth, Texas, not far from Exchange headquarters.

Wilbert Tyler shoots BTV’S first live broadcast during an Electronics, Computer and Photo Seminar in Fort Worth, Texas.

By 1995, programming had expanded to include a series of six food broadcasts, designed to assist food management in operating financially successful restaurants. Benefits communication also became part of the schedule. Other shows included “TBL: (The Bottom Line), presented by then-COO Mike Howard, “The History of AAFES” (a nine- segment series) and “Employee Spotlight,” which featured outstanding associates.

BTV lasted until the early 2010s, when it was just part of the content produced by the Exchange’s Digital Media Networks (DMN) team.

While BTV no longer exists, the DMN team more than takes up the slack—during 2024, the DMN team produced more than 1,700 videos promoting Exchange relevancy.