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This is the largest Christian network in the United States, and which offers a twenty four hour commercial inspirational programming. It is the world’s largest religious network, and also doubles up as America’s most watched faith channel. This is a network which is known to host programs which have been hosted by almost all Christian denominations in the world, both from the Catholic and other Protestants. This is the sixth largest over the air broadcaster in the United States of America besides being the owner of over five television networks which are independent. Of all the five owned stations, they are all faith based but they preach to different demographics. It was founded in 1973 but began distribution through the use of cable systems in 1978. It was a member of the National religious broadcasters till the year nineteen ninety.
During the early years when the network was coming up, the owners were known to rent air time on local UHF TV station. It is said that it was so bankrupt during its first years that it almost went bankrupt, soon after two days in the air. It then spread its wings from UHF, to cable outlets and finally satellite distribution. Owing to FCC must-carry rules, the network has been forced to keep purchasing independent television stations so as to be able to gain cable carriage.
As of the year 2005, the network was available to over ninety five percent of the American households. From its website, the network owns hundreds of television stations although only sixty one are regular VHF or UHF stations. The rest require the viewer to be within some miles to the transmitter since they are low powered. In the year two thousand and nine, this became the first Christian television networks to broadcast in complete high definition.
This network is viewed across the globe on seventy satellites and over eighteen thousand cable and television affiliates. Also, the internet happens to be another media through which this network is viewed. It is in its state of the art facility in Irvin Texas where all its programs are translated into numerous languages. In the United States alone, the network reaches over one hundred and four million viewers, which translates to its being watched by an average of five million viewer households. The network is carried on to over two hundred and eighty seven television stations in the United States, and for it to reach other parts of the world; it is usually carried through thousands of cable and satellite television systems in over seventy five countries.
It is said that technological advancement has had its fair share of impact on the way things are done, and this has been manifested by the fact that this network introduced an application which would allow its viewers to access their networks right from their iphones. The application is also available on the ipad and other apple touch entertainment products. The application can be installed for free on apple affiliated phones, and this can be achieved through logging in to Apple’s online store and then typing in TBN. The download is an automatic one and it allows you immediate access to TBN.
TBN is known for producing more original Christian programs than any other Christian network in the whole world. Live coverage of major Christian events, talk shows and other Christian related activities as well, are usually covered in the highest of standards. For thirty seven million dollars, the network purchased the bible themed adventure park Holy Land Experience in June the year two thousand and seven. It is a non profit making company whose financial statements have been evaluated by Charity evaluators, which happens to be the biggest evaluator of charities in the United States of America.
The network was given a three out of four star rating. In the year two thousand and eight, the network had criticism directed its way, and this was as a result of the production of a Christian show referred to as Travel the road, which features the hosts traveling to war torn far flung areas which are war torn, and it is usually in search of converts. The military religious freedom foundation directed criticism towards the show claiming that the two hosts were embedded in US troops who were stationed in Afghanistan, and this was as a result of their being spotted wearing army helmets.
There have been critisms directed at some of the personalities who host shows on this network, and one such criticism was directed to none other than the renowned Benny Hinn, who has been holding a show on the network, and whose healing powers in the numerous crusades and other functions he holds have been questioned. Hinn was as well subject to scrutiny by the Senate financial committee, but he was finally cleared and the resultant report released about him is said to have cleared him and even went on to claim that he had handled the finances exceptionally well.
There was some form of criticism when it the year two thousand and five self styled Bible prophecy expert Hal Lindsey went ahead and hosted a program on TBN, in which he tried to link current happenings to biblical prophesy. His comments regarding Islam and Arabs, The criticism was so intense that the network management was forced to cancel his program. This resulted in his jotting of a letter, in which he accused some people in the network of trying to insinuate that his message was too anti Islam besides its being pro Israel.
The network’s promotion of prosperity gospel came under heavy criticism, as it was said to be aimed at fleecing the follower. This is the type of gospel which is aimed at showing the followers that GOD is bound to bless them in their lives, owing to the fact that they have donated something for the cause. There have also been observations that the network’s management is not the one to take criticism lying down. There are claims that the management rebukes those who try to criticize the network.
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