Since its inception in 1949, United Nations Television (UNTV) has expanded at an accelerated rate to encompass all points of the globe. Through its multi-language operation, UNTV reaches the most remote areas of the world to tell its story. In 1962, UNTV participated in the world's first satellite television transmission. Today, broadcasters from all over the world initiate their own satellite transmissions, using United Nations facilities and live feeds to cover debates in the General Assembly, the Security Council, and news-breaking special events of world importance. UNTV provides pool coverage of official United Nations meetings in New York, including its major bodies. Other United Nations meetings are covered on a newsworthiness or client-requirement basis. The coverage is intended for use by broadcasters and is made available in a neutral form for shared pool use.

Under a subscription plan, television broadcasting organizations receive direct cable feeds from Headquarters, which may be telecast live or videotaped for deferred telecast. Upon request, UNTV provides video highlights packages to television broadcasting organizations and news agencies. Unilateral coverage, including single and multi-camera meeting and event coverage, ENG crews and remote live interviews, are provided to individual broadcasters as time and staffing permit. Almost every aspect of the work of the United Nations and its specialized agencies is covered in approximate 100 video programmes currently in active distribution. These productions reflect everything from the decisions of the General Assembly and Security Council to developments in areas such as the environment, peace-keeping, development, drugs and natural disasters. Other productions explain the structure of the Organization and its objectives.

United Nations films bring to their audience a global point of view on sometimes controversial issues of our time. Various topics are presented in a variety of styles, from humorous animated shorts to informative documentary reports filmed around the world. An impressive video archive of historical film and video materials is available to researches.