Gospel Broadcasting Network

Gospel Broadcasting Network
Type Religious Broadcasting
Country United States of America
Availability National
Official website
 www.gbntv.org

The Gospel Broadcasting Network (GBN) is a Christian satellite broadcast network, which transmits from a C-band Satellite (AMC-10), simulcasts over the Internet over GBNTV.org, through its own Roku channel, on Android and iOS devices, and over the air. The network broadcasts a full schedule of Christian teaching, preaching and a cappella music 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This Gospel network was started by Barry Gilreath Sr, who served as its first Executive Director and in other management capacities until his death in 2011. Programs include "In Search of the Lord's Way" with Mack Lyon, "What Does the Bible Teach" with David Sain, and the live-action children's program "Digger Doug's Underground" produced by Apologetics Press, among other programs that teach the gospel. GBN celebrated their first anniversary during the Thanksgiving Weekend 2006.

Support of the network

GBN is unique in the world of religious programming as its support comes entirely from contributions made by individual members and congregations within the Churches of Christ. The network does not solicit contributions on the air (thus there are no 'pledge' times or pleas for money). In fact, several of the network's personalities have stated that "...you will never hear a plea for money on this network." The network is under the oversight of the elders of the Southaven Church of Christ in Southaven, Mississippi. The GBN headquarters are relocating to Olive Branch, Mississippi although some of the taping occurs in studios located in Pulaski, Tennessee, McMinnville, Tennessee, and Maxwell, Texas.

A drive by supporters of GBN has been on-going to get cable and satellite companies to add GBN to their lineups. As of September, 2012, 20 cable companies in 6 states broadcast the network over their systems. Viewers are able to access the network through C-band satellite dishes.

Over the air station

Roku channel

On April 27th, 2011, GBN launched its public Roku channel. In addition to the live GBN broadcast, the channel also contains several archived programs. In June, 2012, the GBN Roku channel was one of the 10-highest rated Roku channels with 5 out of 5 possible stars.

Featured programs

The Preaching the Gospel program with James Watkins is the flagship program of the Gospel Broadcasting Network. Beginning in December, 2011 brother Watkins’ program has been seen airing on Dish Network (channel 267) and DirecTV (channel 376) every Sunday morning (7:30 am eastern), as well as in the local Nashville market (WUXP, channel 30). Preaching the Gospel is co-hosted by Cliff Goodwin, who has been a very popular speaker on GBN for many years. The two speakers alternate presenting their material on new episodes.

In Search of the Lord's Way, one of the most widely distributed religious programs in the USA and the largest among churches of Christ, also broadcasts on GBN. Phil Sanders is the host of this program, which was created by Mack Lyon. The program continues to flourish in markets throughout the USA and has limited distribution around the world.

GBN also features the GBN Special Presentation, which airs each weeknight at 9:00 Eastern/8:00 Central. This program often includes material that has been recorded on-location or at special events. Additionally, many of the materials produced by World Video Bible School are aired as GBN Special Presentations.

Newsletter GoodNews

GBN sends out a newsletter for the network, which covers events, news and contributions made. The newsletter is distributed electronically every month, and through print on a quarterly basis. The free newsletter is sent upon request to supporters and members of the churches of Christ, or it can be downloaded from their website.

Special broadcasts

GBN broadcast a celebration of the Hardeman Tabernacle Sermons held at the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee from July 1-3, 2007. The original Tabernacle Sermons, which were held in 1922, 1923, 1928 & 1945, were gospel meetings staged by Nashville Area churches of Christ. The broadcasts were called the "Tabernacle Sermons Today". The event featured speakers Tom Holland, Garland Elkins, Winford Claiborne, James Watkins, B.J. Clarke and Jim Dearman. David Hayes Prophater served as the announcer and Jeff Scott led the audience in a cappella singing.

On September 29, 2011, GBN broadcast the Kyle Butt/Blair Scott debate that was held at the Norton Auditorium on the University of North Alabama campus. In addition to the debate itself, Don Blackwell and Dr. Dave Miller hosted both a pre-debate introduction and a post-debate show that featured interviews with both of the participants. Utilizing new technology, the primary feed of the broadcast was transmitted over the internet to its internet and satellite broadcast providers in North Carolina and Georgia, respectively.

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