The God Channel
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| The God Channel | |
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| Type | Satellite & Cable television network |
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| Branding | GOD TV; The God Channel |
| Country |  United Kingdom United States Israel |
| Availability | United Kingdom United States worldwide |
| Founder | Rory Alec Wendy Alec |
| Slogan | "Television That Watches Out For You" |
| Owner | The Angel Foundation |
| Launch date | October 1, 1995 as The Christan Channel Europe |
| Website | www.god.tv |
The GOD Channel (flagship channel of global Christian broadcaster GOD TV), is available on 15 different satellites in more than 200 nations and territories, reaching a potential viewing audience of 387 million people. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1995 by Rory and Wendy Alec, it was originally known as The Christian Channel Europe. In the UK, GOD TV is operated via 'The Angel Foundation' (a British registered charity) primarily focused on Christian broadcasting, but with other charitable outreaches in Africa and Asia.
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[edit] Content
Many of GOD TV's programmes promote a charismatic style of worship, and are produced internationally. Popular broadcasts include 'Awake Now!' with Steve Hill (an American evangelist), and worship from Hillsong Church (an Australian organisation). Some material, such as 'Dream on TV' (an as live youth-based show featuring Christian music and DJ-style presenters) is produced in the UK. One of the GOD Channel's signature tunes is a snatch from Edward Elgar's Nimrod, and its ident sequences feature shots of St. Paul's Cathedral, in London.
[edit] Availability and transmission details
The GOD Channel and its sister channel, GOD UK are both available via the Sky Digital platform and the GOD Channel is the only Christian channel available on cable in the UK - on Virgin Media cable services. The GOD Channel can be viewed throughout Europe via the ASTRA satellite, and in Scandinavia via the Sirius satellite. The GOD Channel launched in the United States on 1 October 2006 on DirecTV channel 365. GOD TV says they plan to expand both on satellite and cable across the United States and Canada.
[edit] Multichannel Operations
| GOD Europe | |
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| Type | Satellite & Cable television network |
|---|---|
| Branding | GOD 2; GOD UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Availability | United Kingdom |
| Slogan | "Television That Watches Out For You" |
| Owner | The Angel Foundation |
| Launch date | 2001 as The Revival Channel 2002 as GOD 2 2005 as GOD UK until February 2007 |
| Website | www.god.tv |
As early as 1998, Rory and Wendy Alec had visions of launching a 24-hour Christian multi-channel package for Europe. In 1999 this became reality with the launch of The Dream Family Network on the Sirius Satellite System. The Dream Family Network comprised two Christian TV Stations (The GOD Channel and The Revival Channel) along with secular stations The Travel Channel (UK) and Euronews. Also available were Radio stations UCB Europe, Crossrhythms and The Talking Bible (NIV Bible read aloud 24-hours a day). Equipment was offered free to subscribers, although they had to arrange their own installation.
In October 2000 the network was renamed GOD Digital, and another radio station THE DREAM joined the line-up, broadcasting Contemporary Christian Music.
The network soon moved over to the Eurobird satellite, allowing Sky Digital viewers to also receive the GOD Digital content. This meant that GOD Digital subscribers had to have their satellite equipment moved to receive the Eurobird signal.
The Revival Channel was renamed GOD Revival, then GOD 2 and is now known as GOD UK. The Talking Bible ceased transmission, as did THE DREAM radio station (however, THE DREAM lives on as "The Dream on TV" on The GOD Channel). Another TV Channel, GOD 24SEVEN was announced, but never launched.
GOD Digital equipment still exists, but is no longer serviced or maintained by GOD TV.
[edit] Criticism
The God Channel has attracted criticism from some commentators; television satirist and critic Victor Lewis-Smith described it as "hour upon hour of hate-filled, rabble-rousing, homophobic bigotry, much of it featuring (and funded by) right-wing American evangelists" [1]. The channel was also fined £20,000 by the ITC for an advertisement which it was claimed contained political partiality.[2]
In January 2007, it was reported that Channel 4 in the UK had commissioned a critical documentary about The God Channel. The 60-minute documentary is due to be air later in the year.[3]
[edit] Fundraising
GOD TV hosts 'Mission Week' twice a year, when the ministry focuses on fund raising for its continued operation and expansion. During these five to 10 days of live broadcasts, scheduled programming is temporarily interrupted with appeals of support from leading bible teachers, interspaced with reports on how the ministry's operations have expanded and various charitable projects GOD TV is involved in.
[edit] External links
- Official site
- GOD TV America site
- GOD Shop, Online Christian Bookstore (Worldwide)
- Rory & Wendy website
- Journal of the Unknown Prophet by Wendy Alec
- Chronicles of Brothers - Novels by Wendy Alec
- Rory & Wendy Alec CBN Guest Bio
- The UK Charity Commission Register Entry for the Angel Foundation, operators of The GOD Channel
- A satirical appraisal of GOD TV featured in 'The Guardian' newspaper
- A critical review of the station's output featured in 'The New Humanist'
- The God Channel at TV Ark
