Type | Television, Radio |
---|---|
Country | United States, Canada, Caribbean, Philippines, Russia, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, India, Australia |
Availability | International |
Founded | by Danny and Linda Shelton |
Key people | Danny Shelton, Jim Gilley |
Launch date | November 23, 1986 |
Official website | 3abn.org |
Three Angels Broadcasting Network, or 3ABN is a nonprofit, 24-hour television and radio network that primarily focuses on Christian and health-oriented programming. It is an independently owned and operated ministry, not funded by any church or denominational group; however, it supports the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The name, Three Angels Broadcasting Network, is based on the three angels depicted in the Bible in Revelation 14:6-12, a passage often referenced in 3ABN materials in respect to the network's message and purpose.
3ABN's brands consist of its networks and channels: 3ABN, its flagship network, 3ABN International Channel, 3ABN Latino, 3ABN Latino Radio, 3ABN Proclaim!, 3ABN Radio, 3ABN Russia, Dare to Dream Network, the SonBeam Channel as well as 3ABN Books and 3ABN Music.
Contents |
The network was founded by Danny and Linda Shelton. 3ABN went live on November 23, 1986, broadcasting a few hours a day. The station's initial footprint fell across the United States.
In 1987, 3ABN began broadcasting 24 hours a day on satellite. In 1990, Salem, Illinois, became home to 3ABN's first television station.
In 1993 the network began production of Russian-language programming at a 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m2) evangelism center in Nizhny Novgorod, which opened in 1994.[1]
In 1996, 3ABN completed its new production center, located just outside Thompsonville, Illinois, which became its headquarters. The same year, 3ABN began broadcasting on satellite in Europe and Africa.
In 1998, Sky Angel added 3ABN to their lineup on 18-inch satellite dish systems.
In 1999, 3ABN began broadcasting on Hot Bird. 3ABN Radio Network began broadcasting on New Year's Eve, December 31.
In 2000, Internet streaming video and audio of 3ABN programs began, and on June 28 broadcast of 3ABN began on satellite, 24 hours day.
In 2002, a full-power television station in Manila, Philippines, was completed. Also that same year, two full-power radio stations were purchased.
On August 24, 2003, 3ABN launched a 24/7 Spanish and Portuguese television network called 3ABN Latino.[2]
In 2004, TV viewership doubled as 3ABN became available on cable in the most populated cities in India. Total estimated viewer potential was estimated at half a billion people. 3ABN’s Philippine station was inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. 3ABN began broadcasting on Optus B3, providing coverage to Australia and New Zealand. 3ABN is added to Nigeria’s TrendTV DBS satellite system. 3ABN World magazine began publication and a 3ABN Books division was launched.
In 2005, a new full-power station in Kampala, Uganda, began broadcasting 3ABN programming.
In 2006, a new full-power TV station comes online in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The largest production in 3ABN history, Ten Commandments Weekend, airs from Washington, D.C. 3ABN begins broadcasting on the PAS-10 satellite to Africa and mainland Europe. Qwest, Verizon, and AT&T telecoms add 3ABN to their lineups in major cities across America. In 2006 its broadcast outlets in the U.S. numbered over 100 stations.[3]
Jim Gilley, became the new president and CEO. 3ABN was added to DISH Network’s lineup. In August, 3ABN International began time-shifting English programming for various time zones around the world; this created a main 3ABN channel which would continue to serve primarily North America and a new 3ABN International channel designed to serve the entire eastern hemisphere.
In 2008, 3ABN opened a new radio station in Kisii, Kenya. 3ABN Russia began broadcasting its programming over the Internet 24 hours a day.[4]
In January 2009, 3ABN launched a 24/7 Christian children's television network called the SonBeam Channel.
3ABN launched 3ABN Proclaim! in March 2010, a 24/7 television network carrying some of 3ABN's original programming and Seventh-day Adventist church services on the G-19 satellite and the Internet.
A 24/7 Christian urban television network, Dare to Dream Network, was launched in December 2010, intended for African Americans and other minorities living in urban areas.
In January 2011, 3ABN introduced a new logo, the result of a rebranding effort spanning several years. The new logo features a stylized earth with three blue arrows sweeping around it, which represent the three angels of Revelation 14 taking their message to the world.
In June 2011, 3ABN Latino announced a new 24/7 Christian Spanish radio network called 3ABN Latino Radio.
3ABN has a campus that includes several locations in the United States.
3ABN Australia is building offices and studios in Morisset, New South Wales.
3ABN operates a full-power transmitter and tower at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
3ABN operates a full-power transmitter and tower overlooking Manila, Philippines.
3ABN Russia's 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m2) Russian Evangelism Center is located in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. It houses a Seventh-day Adventist church which meets on Saturdays.
3ABN is the flagship channel, which began airing in 1984. It is currently available on the G-19 satellite (included on dish systems from Glorystar), IS-9 and IS-10 satellites, DISH Network, MOIPTV, various cable outlets, various UHF and VHF stations, and as a streaming broadcast from 3abn.org. Some of its content is used by LifeStyleTV in Sweden, and Better Life Broadcasting Network in the United States.
The 3ABN International Channel was launched in 2007. It carries much of the same programming as the flagship North American channel known as "3ABN", but broadcasts the programs at times better suited for eastern hemisphere viewership. It is available on the IS-10, Hot Bird, and Thaicom 5 satellites.
3ABN Latino was launched in 2003. It carries mostly Spanish and some Portuguese programming. It is available on the G-19, IS-9, and IS-10 satellites, and as a streaming broadcast from 3abn.org.
3ABN Latino Radio Network will be launched on January 1, 2012. It will carry Spanish programming, program audio from 3ABN Latino TV programs in Spanish suitable for radio, and radio content produced by third parties. It will be available on the G-19, later more satellites, MOIPTV various full-power and low-power radio stations, and as a streaming broadcast from 3abn.org
3ABN Proclaim! was launched in 2010. It carries a subset of past and current 3ABN programming focused on preaching and teaching. It is available on the G-19 satellite and as a streaming broadcast from 3abn.org.
3ABN Radio Network was launched in December 1999. It carries original 3ABN radio programming, program audio from 3ABN TV programs that are suitable for radio, and radio content produced by third parties. It is currently available on the G-19 satellite (included on dish systems from Glorystar), Hot Bird satellite, IS-9 satellite, Optus D2 satellite, Thaicom 5 satellite, MOIPTV, various full-power and low-power radio stations, and as a streaming broadcast from 3abn.org.
3ABN Russia began broadcasting in Russia in 1994, and added an internet stream in 2008.
Dare to Dream was launched as an internet-only broadcast in December 2010. It will be available on the G-19 satellite on January 1, 2012.
The SonBeam Channel was launched in 2009, and contains children's programming from 3ABN, as well as a few programs from 3ABN Latino and 3ABN Russia.
The focus of 3ABN's programming is a blend of family and social programs (including divorce recovery programs, marriage, and children and family issues), health and lifestyle (including drug and alcohol rehabilitation, exercise, healthy cooking (with an emphasis on dairy-free vegetarian, organic food), natural home remedies, stop smoking, and weight loss), gospel music, and a wide variety of Bible-based presentations (including Bible study, church history, seminars and events, and worship services).
3ABN's program lineups include both original (3ABN-produced) and third-party programs. 3ABN Latino, 3ABN Latino Radio, 3ABN Radio, 3ABN Russia, and Dare to Dream Network each contain their own original programs not included on the main 3ABN television network. As of early 2009, 3ABN's main TV channel had 69% original programming; 3ABN Latino had 67% original programming; and 3ABN Russia had 100% original programming.[5]
The 3ABN International Channel has the same lineup of programs as 3ABN's flagship channel.
3ABN ministry produces albums, cassettes and CDs. Some albums have been re-released as music DVDs. In the mid- to late 1990s, 3ABN began using the "3ABN Music" label to brand its music products.
3ABN Books division publishes books with most of the authors being either 3ABN employees or hosts of programs on 3ABN.
3ABN publishes a monthly newsletter titled 3ABN World. According to Greg Morikone, manager of 3ABN's Call Center, as of December 2011, 3ABN World is mailed to more than 75,000 individuals, not counting bulk copies mailed for distribution by third-party individuals and extra copies printed for other uses.
In 2004 Linda Shelton was removed from 3ABN's Board of Directors, and her presence was erased from the network's programming, website, and sales inventory. Over the years it was rumored that Linda had been unfaithful in her marriage to Danny, resulting in her dismissal from the Board of Directors and their divorce. Linda created a website where she asserted that she had not been unfaithful and requested proof be provided proving her guilt or that her name be cleared.[6][7] In November 2010 Linda announced that she had moved to Norway, citing her need to be far from the turmoil that continued to surround their ongoing property settlement case.[8]
In January 2007 a website, Save3ABN dot org, run by Gailon Arthur Joy and Robert Jude Pickle made allegations against 3ABN and its staff alleging illegal actions. In April 2007, 3ABN filed suit against Joy and Pickle.[9]
In 2008, 3ABN purchased the domain name from the Trustee in the bankruptcy case of Gailon Arthur Joy, who had owned the domain name.[10]
After a two-year police investigation.[11] Tommy Shelton pleaded guilty to child molestation charges on July 19, 2010,[12] but the judge rejected the plea deal on November 15, 2010, because he had reservations about it providing for no jail time, and Tommy Shelton had not shown remorse, according to a former federal prosecutor.[13]
On June 20, 2011, a federal lawsuit was filed in Chicago, by Attorney Jeff Herman of the firm Herman, Mermelstein & Horowitz, against 3ABN, accusing 3ABN of negligence in connection with child sex abuse allegations being made against a former employee.[14]
3ABN, a self-supporting ministry, is not owned by, but is recognized by, the official Seventh-day Adventist Church; the Church recognizes many self-supporting ministries. The Seventh-day Adventist Church continues to recognize Three Angels Broadcasting Network as one of its supporting ministries.[15]
3ABN had been removed from carriage on the Dominion Sky Angel DBS system which was available on the Dish Network platform.
|
|