Trinity Broadcasting Network facts for kids
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| Type | Religious TV network |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Broadcast area | Worldwide |
| Headquarters | Tustin, California |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Trinity Broadcasting of Texas, Inc. (a non-profit church group) |
| Key people |
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| History | |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Launched | 1973 |
| Founder | Paul and Jan Crouch |
| Former names | Trinity Broadcasting Systems |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Available on many local TV stations | See list of stations |
| Streaming media | |
| Streaming device | Roku |
| Streaming device | Apple TV |
| Streaming device | Amazon Fire TV |
| Watch TBN | (Free account needed) |
The Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) is a global Christian TV network. It is the world's largest network of its kind. TBN was based in Costa Mesa, California, until 2017. Now, its main studios are in Tustin. TBN also has studios in other cities. These include Irving, Hendersonville, and New York City.
TBN shows programs from many Christian groups. These include Evangelical, Protestant, and Catholic churches. It also features non-profit groups and Christian media personalities. TBN offers its own shows, faith-based movies, and discussions on different topics.
TBN owns and runs six TV networks. Each network reaches different groups of people. Besides the main TBN network, it has TBN Inspire, Smile, Enlace, TBN Salsa, and Positiv. It also has other religious networks outside the United States. Matt Crouch is currently the president of TBN.
Contents
How TBN Started
The Trinity Broadcasting Network began in 1973. It was first called Trinity Broadcasting Systems. It was started by Paul Crouch, a minister, and his wife Jan Crouch. TBN started by renting time on a TV station in Ontario, California.
Later, Paul Crouch bought two hours of TV time each day. This was on a station in Fontana, California. Soon, that station was for sale. Paul Crouch decided to try and buy it. He needed $1 million and raised $100,000 for a down payment. After many challenges, the Crouches bought the station. It became KTBN-TV in 1977.
Initially, the station showed Christian programs for about six hours daily. By 1975, it expanded to 12 hours a day. It also started selling time to other Christian groups. This helped support its local programs. The station eventually began broadcasting 24 hours a day in 1978.
In its early days, the network faced financial struggles. Paul Crouch said it almost went out of business very quickly. TBN started reaching homes through cable television in 1978. The network then began broadcasting nationally using communications satellite in 1982. This helped it reach many more people.
In 1977, TBN bought another TV station in Phoenix, Arizona. During the 1980s and 1990s, TBN bought more stations. It also launched new stations across the United States. By 2005, TBN was available in 95% of American homes.
TBN's Broadcast Stations
TBN owns many TV stations. It has 35 full-power stations in large cities. It also had many low-power stations. These low-power stations helped TBN reach smaller towns and rural areas. TBN also works with hundreds of other TV stations. Most of these are low-power stations.
Many TBN stations are owned directly by the network. Others are owned through a group called Community Educational Television. This helps TBN follow rules about how many stations one company can own. TBN's programs are also available through a national feed. This feed goes to cable and satellite TV providers. This means you can watch TBN even if there isn't a local TBN station.
TBN channels are broadcast worldwide on 70 satellites. They are also on over 18,000 TV and cable systems. You can also watch TBN networks live online. Some shows are available to watch anytime you want.
Around 2010, TBN sold many of its low-power stations. This was due to money problems. Some were sold to another Christian TV network, Daystar. TBN also donated many stations to a group called the Minority Media and Television Council (MMTC). This group works to help equal opportunities in media.
In 2013, TBN partnered with Miracle Channel in Canada. As part of this, Miracle Channel added some TBN shows. TBN also started showing programs from Miracle Channel.
In December 2023, TBN announced a partnership with Phil McGraw's new company, Merit Street Media.
Digital Channels
TBN's TV stations broadcast several extra channels. These are called digital subchannels. They include:
- TBN Inspire (DT2): This channel shows church services and worship music.
- Smile (DT3): This channel has Christian programs for children.
- TBN Enlace USA (DT4): This is a Spanish-language Christian channel from Costa Rica.
- Positiv (DT5): This channel shows Christian films.
What TBN Shows
Program Overview
TBN creates many of its own Christian programs. These include gospel music concerts and live Christian events. They also have talk shows, health programs, and children's shows. You can also watch Christian music videos, marriage series, and holiday specials. TBN also airs family-friendly movies. Local TBN stations also show their own religious programs.
The network's main show is Praise. It is hosted by TBN president Matt Crouch and his wife Laurie Crouch. The show features interviews with famous people and ministers. They talk about faith and their relationship with God. The show also has musical performances. This program used to be called Praise the Lord. It was often hosted by TBN founders Paul and Jan Crouch.
Children's Programs
TBN shows VeggieTales on Saturdays. This is part of the "Smile" programs. It helps TBN meet rules for children's educational TV. Other past shows included 3-2-1 Penguins! and Davey and Goliath. TBN also made its own children's shows. These included iShine Knect and Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with a Heart.
Regular Shows
TBN airs many regular programs. These include:
- Classic Billy Graham Crusades
- Changing Your Life with Gregory Dickow
- Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer
- Harvest with Greg Laurie
- Hour of Power
- In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
- Joel Osteen Ministries
- John Hagee Today
- Life Today with James Robison
- Praise (main program)
- The 700 Club
- Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Movies on TBN
Since 2009, TBN has shown full-length religious and inspiring movies. These movies usually air on weekend evenings. Films about Bible stories often show on Sundays. Other movies teach moral lessons. They are often for younger viewers.
TBN has also produced its own movies. These include The Revolutionary and The Emissary. They also made The Omega Code and its sequel. Some of these films were made by Gener8Xion Entertainment. This is TBN's Christian movie studio in Hollywood.
TBN also shows movies from other companies. One famous movie was Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. TBN showed this movie on TV in 2011. It included most of the original movie's scenes.
TBN in High Definition
On December 15, 2009, TBN became the first Christian TV network to broadcast fully in high definition (HD). For a while, only the national cable and satellite feed was in HD. TBN's local broadcast stations could not always show programs in HD. This was due to technical reasons.
However, since 2018, some TBN local stations have upgraded. They can now broadcast their main channel and a second channel in HD. This means more viewers can watch TBN in clear, high-quality picture.
Helping Others: Charitable Work
Smile of a Child Foundation
The Smile of a Child Foundation helps children in need. TBN co-founder Jan Crouch started it in 2005. It first aimed to help children in Haiti. The foundation provides food, medical care, and toys. It also helps with disaster relief. Jan Crouch had worked in Haiti for over 20 years. She helped set up a children's hospital, an orphanage, and a school there.
After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, TBN quickly gave $100,000. This money went to Friend Ships. Friend Ships sends emergency aid and medical help around the world. TBN and Smile have worked with Friend Ships since 1992. Paul Crouch even gave a helicopter to Friend Ships.
In 2009, the United Nations suggested that the Smile of a Child Foundation get special status. This was for its work with the Economic and Social Council.
TBN Attractions
Trinity Music City
Trinity Music City is an entertainment place in Hendersonville, Tennessee. It is near Nashville. TBN runs this complex. It is also the studio for TBN's local station, WPGD-TV. This place used to be the home of country music star Conway Twitty.
The complex has a large auditorium with 2,000 seats. This is used for TBN concerts, plays, and special events. There is also a small theater. It shows special movies from TBN Films.
Holy Land Experience
In 2007, TBN bought the Holy Land Experience. This is a Bible-themed park in Orlando, Florida. TBN paid $37 million for it.
Awards and Recognition
- 2008: Parents Television Council Entertainment Seal of Approval
See also
- Christian Broadcasting Network
- Daystar Television Network, another Christian TV network
- Glorystar
