Latest BOE letter:
October 22, 2015
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
Re: Use of JW Stream
Dear Brothers:
We are writing to inform you that arrangements are being made for video recordings of
congregation meetings, circuit assemblies, and conventions to be uploaded to JW Stream (accessible
at http://stream.jw.org) in various languages. The branch office will determine which congregations,
circuits, and conventions will upload the recordings. Foreign-language pregroups,
groups, and congregations who have received approval from their circuit overseer may make use
of these recordings. The October 23, 2015, letter to all bodies of elders contains the latest direction
regarding this matter and other matters involving the foreign-language field.
Accessing and Viewing Recordings: Elders and ministerial servants who have a jw.org
login have been given access to view all recorded meetings, assemblies, and conventions that are
uploaded to JW Stream. The same credentials that are used when logging in to jw.org are used
when logging in to JW Stream. After logging in and selecting the desired language, a list of recorded
events in the target language will be shown. If possible, the recorded meeting should be
downloaded to a computer or other media playback device rather than be streamed so that Internet
connection problems do not interrupt the meeting.Accessing and Viewing Recordings: Elders and ministerial servants who have a jw.org
login have been given access to view all recorded meetings, assemblies, and conventions that are
uploaded to JW Stream. The same credentials that are used when logging in to jw.org are used
when logging in to JW Stream. After logging in and selecting the desired language, a list of recorded
events in the target language will be shown. If possible, the recorded meeting should be
downloaded to a computer or other media playback device rather than be streamed so that Internet
connection problems do not interrupt the meeting.
Recordings of congregation meetings will be available for one week. Recordings of assemblies
and conventions will be available until they are replaced with the next year’s event. In
many cases, this will enable brothers in foreign-language pregroups and groups to watch an
event at the same time and in the same location that their host congregation or circuit attends the
event. These recordings are provided for viewing by pregroups, groups, and congregations who
have received approval to do so from their circuit overseer. The recordings should not be distributed
for other purposes.
Homebound and Isolated Publishers: The Invitation feature on JW Stream can be used
to send a link to a specific recording via e-mail. Congregations and foreign-language pregroups
and groups that have been approved to view recordings of meetings, assemblies, and conventions
may use this feature to allow homebound publishers in their congregations to view such recordings.
This provision does not supersede arrangements for homebound publishers to tie in to their
own congregation meetings.
If because of sickness or other circumstances a publisher is unable to attend an assembly
or convention to which his congregation is assigned, the elders may determine that he qualifies to
receive a link to an assembly or convention that has been uploaded to JW Stream. There is no
need to announce this provision to the congregation. The publisher should be instructed that the
link is not to be shared with anyone else and that he should not view the assembly or convention
before his congregation attends. Since this provision involves technology that may be difficult
Re: Use of JW Stream
October 22, 2015
Page 2
for the elderly and infirm to use, elders should be alert to provide assistance. If the elderly and
infirm do not have equipment to access the program, please have publishers who are familiar
with this technology assist them by loaning equipment, providing downloaded files, or in some
other way making it available to them.
Suggested Equipment and Internet Service: Pregroups, groups, and small or isolated
congregations may contact the Local Design/Construction Department for a listing of suggested
equipment after they have received approval from their circuit overseer to use these recordings.
Reliable and fast Internet service is required to stream recorded meetings directly from
JW Stream. An Internet service with a download speed of 3 Mbps or greater is recommended,
but a download speed of 1.5 Mbps should be considered the minimum.
Implementation: Priority will be given to uploading recordings of congregation meetings,
assemblies, and conventions in languages that currently have The Watchtower. It may take
several months before recordings in some languages are uploaded. Until then, please continue to
use existing arrangements for tying in to or distributing recordings of congregation meetings,
assemblies, and conventions.
We feel that this approach will assist foreign-language pregroups, groups, and congregations
to receive nourishing spiritual food in a simple, sustainable, and expandable manner. It
should help interested ones to continue learning “about the magnificent things of God” in the
language they best understand.—Acts 2:11.
Please be assured of our warm Christian love and best wishes.