Trinity Broadcasting Network facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Trinity Broadcasting Network

Type	Religious broadcast television network
Country	United States
Broadcast area	Worldwide
Affiliates	See list of affiliates
Headquarters	Tustin, California
Programming
Language(s)	English
Picture format	720p/1080i HDTV (broadcast affiliates exclusively transmit TBN programming in SD)
Ownership
Owner	Trinity Broadcasting of Texas, Inc. (a non-profit church corporation)
Key people	Matt Crouch (president)
History
Launched	1973 (52 years ago) (1973)
Founder	Paul and Jan Crouch
Former names	Trinity Broadcasting Systems
Availability
Terrestrial
Digital terrestrial television (United States)	x.1 on TBN stations, listings may vary
Streaming media
Digital media receiver	Roku
Digital media receiver	Apple TV
Digital media receiver	Amazon Fire TV
TBN+	(Free account required)

The Trinity Broadcasting Network, also known as TBN, is a global Christian television network. It is the largest religious TV network in the world. TBN is a non-profit organization, which means it uses the money it receives from donations to run the network.

TBN broadcasts programs from many different Christian groups, including Evangelical, Protestant, and Catholic churches. It also shows programs from charities and Messianic Jewish groups. Besides church services, TBN creates its own original shows, airs movies with faith-based themes, and features commentary on current events.

The network is headquartered in Tustin, California, but it has studios in many other cities across the United States. TBN owns several other TV networks, including TBN Inspire, Positiv, and Enlace. Since 2015, Matt Crouch has been the president of TBN.

History of TBN

TBN's logo from 1982 to 1992

TBN was started in 1973 by Paul Crouch and his wife, Jan Crouch. At first, they didn't have their own station. They rented time on another TV station in California to air their shows.

In 1974, they got the chance to buy the station they were using. It was a big challenge, but they managed to raise the money for a down payment. This station became KTBN-TV, TBN's very first station.

In the beginning, the network only broadcast for a few hours each day. By 1978, it was on the air 24 hours a day. That same year, TBN began to be available on cable television, which helped it reach more homes. In 1982, it started broadcasting across the country using satellites.

Over the next two decades, TBN bought more TV stations across the United States. This helped the network grow and reach even more viewers.

How to Watch TBN

TBN owns 35 major television stations in large U.S. cities. It also has hundreds of smaller stations, called affiliates, that carry its programming. This makes TBN one of the largest TV station groups in the country.

You can watch TBN in a few different ways:

• Over-the-air TV: If you live near a TBN station, you can watch it for free with an antenna.
• Cable and Satellite: TBN is available on most cable and satellite TV services.
• Online: You can stream TBN's channels live on its website and through apps on devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.

Worldwide, TBN's channels are broadcast on 70 satellites and are shown by over 18,000 TV and cable partners.

Digital Channels

If you watch TBN with an antenna, you might find several channels. TV stations can broadcast multiple channels at once using a technology called digital subchannels. Most TBN stations offer these channels:

• x.1: TBN – The main network with a variety of Christian programs.
• x.2: Merit TV – A channel with talk shows and true crime programs, created in partnership with Phil McGraw.
• x.3: TBN Inspire – A channel focused on church services and teaching.
• x.4: OnTV4U – A channel that shows paid programming.
• x.5: Positiv – A channel that plays Christian and family-friendly movies.

Some stations also broadcast Enlace, TBN's Spanish-language network.

What's on TBN?

TBN's production studio in New York City.

TBN shows many types of Christian programs. You can find music concerts, talk shows, health and fitness shows, and programs for kids. They also show Christian dramas and movies for the whole family.

The network's main program is Praise. It is hosted by TBN president Matt Crouch, his wife Laurie, and other guest hosts. The show features interviews with famous people and ministers who talk about their faith. It also has musical performances from popular Christian artists.

Kids' Shows

TBN has a block of shows for children called "Smile" that airs on Saturday mornings. This includes popular shows like VeggieTales and 3-2-1 Penguins!. These programs are designed to be fun and educational, meeting the government's requirements for children's television.

Popular Programs

Source:

Faith-Based Movies

TBN shows movies with religious or inspirational themes, especially on weekends. Some of these films were produced by TBN's own movie studio, Gener8Xion Entertainment. These movies often tell stories from the Bible or have positive messages for families and young people.

One of the most famous films shown on TBN was Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ.

Charity Work

TBN is involved in helping people around the world through its charitable organizations.

Smile of a Child Foundation

The Smile of a Child Foundation was started in 2005 by TBN co-founder Jan Crouch. Its goal is to help children in need, especially in the country of Haiti. The foundation provides food, medical care, and toys. After the major earthquake in Haiti in 2010, TBN and its partners sent emergency aid and medical help to the island.

TBN Attractions

TBN operates several places that people can visit.

Trinity Music City

Located near Nashville, Tennessee, Trinity Music City is an entertainment center that was once the home of country music star Conway Twitty. It has a large auditorium for concerts and events, and it is also where TBN's Nashville station, WPGD-TV, is based.

Holy Land Experience

In 2007, TBN bought the Holy Land Experience, a Bible-themed adventure park in Orlando, Florida, for $37 million. The park brings stories from the Bible to life through shows and exhibits.

Awards and Honors

• 2008: Parents Television Council Entertainment Seal of Approval

See also

• Christian Broadcasting Network
• Daystar Television Network, another Christian television network which features many of the same programs
• Glorystar

External links

• Trinity Broadcasting Network on YouTube
• Income Statement from Charity Navigator
• Summary Report from Ministry Watch
• Modern Day Heroes of Faith, an analysis of technology and religion on TBN.