Christian Broadcasting Network

==History==
=== Beginnings ===
CBN was founded in 1960 in [[Portsmouth, Virginia]] by [[Pat Robertson]], who had recently become a [[born again|born-again]] Christian.<ref name=":0" /> CBN entered into the broadcasting industry in October 1961, when '''[[WYAH-TV]]''' (WTOV-TV) in Portsmouth – the group's [[flagship (broadcasting)|flagship]] station – signed on the air.<ref> Randall Herbert Balmer, ''Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition'', Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 157</ref> Its programming was funded by small donations from individuals and local churches.<ref name=":0" />

In August 1962, WYAH-TV was joined by an [[FM broadcasting|FM]] sister station, [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]]-licensed '''WXRI''',<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Media Pioneer - PatRobertson.com |url=http://www.patrobertson.com/mediapioneer/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=www.patrobertson.com}}</ref> which broadcast a format of Christian music and teaching programs.

In 1966, a daily talk program began on WYAH, which eventually became known as ''[[The 700 Club]]''.<ref name=":3" />

On July 7, 1968, CBN acquired the '''Neuvo Continente''' radio station in Bogota, Colombia (which was the first evangelical radio station in that country).<ref name=":3" />

In 1969 the organisation established '''CBN Northeast''', a simulcast network of five FM radio stations in upstate [[New York (state)|New York]] (WBIV in [[Wethersfield, New York|Wethersfield]], WEIV in [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca]], WJIV in [[Cherry Valley, New York|Cherry Valley]], WMIV in [[South Bristol, New York|South Bristol]] and WOIV in [[DeRuyter, New York|DeRuyter]]). (The stations were previously the [[Rural Radio Network]].)

CBN signed on [[WHAE-TV]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] in June 1971. In January 1973, CBN purchased KBFI-TV in [[Dallas]] and changed its callsign to [[KXTX-TV]]. The ministry signed on its final station, [[WXNE-TV]] in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], in October 1977.

The ministry's broadcasting subsidiary, the '''Continental Broadcasting Network''', ran its four over-the-air outlets as family-oriented [[Independent station (North America)|independent stations]] – featuring a mix of religious programming (which took up most of its stations' Sunday schedules) and secular acquired programs, including [[western (genre)|westerns]], sitcoms, drama series and children's programming. (This format that would be later adopted by the LeSEA Broadcasting Corporation when it began launching its own television stations in the 1970s.)

CBN transferred Neuovo Continente to Colombian pastor and broadcaster Ignacio Guevara on June 7, 1972.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pastor Guevara – Nuevo Continente |url=https://www.nuevocontinente.org/pastor-guevara/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |language=es}}</ref>

''The International 700 Club'' was first broadcast on November 7, 1976, in the Philippines.<ref name=":3" /> This 30 minute version of the US show was to go on to be broadcast in many other countries. This later became known as ''The 700 Club International''.

On April 29, 1977, CBN launched a religious channel in the United States, the '''[[History of Freeform (TV channel)|CBN Satellite Service]]'''.

Also that year, '''[[Regent University|CBN University]]''' was founded. It was established for "the specific purpose of preparing leaders who would not only succeed in their professions but also advance as Christians equipped to effectively impact their world."<ref name="regent.edu">{{cite web |date=2010-08-01 |title=Regent University - History |url=https://www.regent.edu/about_us/overview/history.cfm#today |access-date=2015-11-13 |publisher=Regent.edu}}</ref> Its first classes began in September 1978.<ref name="regent.edu" />

Affiliated charity ''[[Operation Blessing International|Operation Blessing]]'' was set up on November 14, 1978. It was initially intended to help struggling individuals and families by matching their needs for items such as clothing, appliances, and vehicles with donated items from viewers of ''The 700 Club''. Coordinating with local churches and other organizations, OBI expanded their matching funds program to also include food provisions and financial assistance for low-income families.

In June 1979, CBN joined George Otis Ministries to build a combined radio and TV station in Southern Lebanon. It then began to broadcast Christian programming 28 hours a week in Hebrew.<ref name=":3" />

=== The 1980s ===
CBN relocated its main headquarters from Portsmouth to [[Virginia Beach]] in 1980. About this time, CBN co-commissioned the first [[Superbook]] series of anime. This series was subsequently dubbed in many languages and distributed broadly across the world.

In June 1981,''The 700 Club'' changed from being a religious talk show to having a news magazine format.<ref name=":3" />

The CBN Satellite Service became the '''CBN Cable Network''' on September 1, 1981, and adopted a more secular programming format featuring a mix of family-oriented series and films while retaining some religious programs from various [[Televangelism|televangelists]] (mirroring the format used by CBN's broadcast stations). Its carriage grew to 10.9 million homes with a cable television subscription. The channel was notable for being one of the first cable channels to distribute its signal across the United States through [[Communications satellite|satellite]] transmission (the third overall, after HBO and TBS). CBN Cable Network began airing a late night block of classic family oriented shows like ''[[You Bet Your Life]]'' with [[Groucho Marx]], ''[[I Married Joan]]'', and ''[[The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis]]''.

The upstate New York radio stations were sold in 1982.

On April 10, 1982, a Christian-based television station in [[South Governorate|South Lebanon]], Hope TV, was donated to CBN, and became '''[[Middle East Television]]''' (METV). At this time METV broadcast from [[Marjayoun]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2019 |title=Middle East Pullouts: CBN News Perspective on a Tragic History |url=https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/israel/2019/january/middle-east-pullouts-news-perspective-on-a-tragic-history}}</ref> In Israel, METV was known for broadcasting [[WWE|WWF]] wrestling that was not available on Israeli TV. The station broadcast news, sports, family entertainment, and religious programming.

In August 1988, the CBN Cable Network became '''The CBN Family Channel'''.

Three of the over-the-air TV stations were sold between 1984 and 1989. WXRI radio in Portsmouth was also sold in 1989.

=== The 1990s ===
On January 8, 1990, the national TV network was sold to related entity [[ABC Family Worldwide|International Family Entertainment]] (IFE). IFE was majority owned by the Robertson family, with a minority interest held by [[John C. Malone]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Joseph Pryweller |date=January 10, 1990 |title=Sold Family Channel Keeps Lineup |newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |url=http://articles.dailypress.com/1990-01-10/news/9001100076_1_family-channel-timothy-robertson-international-family-entertainment |url-status=live |access-date=October 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124152130/http://articles.dailypress.com/1990-01-10/news/9001100076_1_family-channel-timothy-robertson-international-family-entertainment |archive-date=November 24, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=October 15, 2003 |title=Interview with Pat Robertson |url=http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/pat-robertson# |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012927/http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/pat-robertson |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |website=Archive of American Television}}</ref> The sale was said{{by whom|date=June 2022}} to have been done because the channel had become too profitable for CBN to maintain its non-profit status. On September 15 that year, the newly sold channel rebranded as '''[[History of Freeform (TV channel)|The Family Channel]]'''. It remained the most watched outlet for CBN programs. IFE went on to launch other TV channels in the US and UK, and planned to extend itself further.

1990 also saw CBN University become known as ''Regent University''.<ref name="regent.edu" /> CBN built luxury hotel ''The Founders Inn and Spa'' at the university campus, and this was completed in 1990. The name of the hotel refers to the US [[Founding Fathers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hotels in Virginia Beach VA &#124; The Founders Inn and Spa – The Hotel &#124; Hotels near Virginia Beach Sportsplex |url=http://www.foundersinn.com/hotel-overview/virginia-beach-hotels |access-date=2015-11-13 |publisher=Foundersinn.com}}</ref>

The year 1990 was also when CBN programs began to be broadcast in the Soviet Union, and then in its successor states after they declared independence. It started with primetime specials, and later The 700 Club and Superbook. These broadcasts were followed by 190 rallies throughout the region that resulted in the establishment of 190 churches.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2020-06-17 |title=History of CBN - days of small beginnings |url=https://www.cbneurope.com/updates/australia/history_cbn/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=CBN Europe |language=en-GB}}</ref> Similar special projects were implemented in the Philippines and Romania in 1994.<ref name=":1" />

'''[[CBN Asia]]''' was established in the [[Philippines]] & [[Hong Kong]] on October 1, 1994.

CBN launched its first website in March 1995.<ref name=":3" /> Also that year, Tagalog-language ''The 700 Club Asia'' began.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.cbnasia.org/about-us/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=CBN Asia {{!}} Proclaiming Christ and Transforming Lives through Media, Prayer Counseling, Humanitarian, and Missionary Training |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''CBN Africa'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://cbnafrica.org/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=CBN Africa |language=en-ZA}}</ref> was established. In 1997, ''Turning Point International'' (TPi), an English-language magazine program for people of African descent around the world, began.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ABOUT TPi |url=https://tpizone.com/turning-point-international/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |language=en-US}}</ref>

On June 5, 1997, METV launched its 24-hour programming broadcast on the [[Israel Aerospace Industries|Israeli satellite]] [[Amos-2|Amos 2]]. This allowed it to reach a potential audience of 200 million people in 15 nations including Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Cyprus.<ref name=":1" />

IFE was sold to [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]] later in June 1997.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Fabrikant |first=Geraldine |date=1997-06-12 |title=Murdoch Set To Buy Family Cable Concern |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/12/business/murdoch-set-to-buy-family-cable-concern.html |access-date=2022-06-03 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> At this time, The Family Channel was the US's ninth largest cable network, reaching 67 million homes.<ref name=":6" /> The terms of the sale stipulated that the channel continue carrying ''The 700 Club'' in perpetuity.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 6, 1991 |title=Family Channel Strays from Religion, Embraces Clean Fun |newspaper=[[Albany Times Union]] |publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]] |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156256899.html |url-status=dead |access-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105164105/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156256899.html |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref> Pat Robertson said that "We expect to continue to benefit from The Family Channel's... growing family entertainment franchise."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mills |first=Mike |date=1997-06-12 |title=MURDOCH TO BUY HALF OF FAMILY CHANNEL |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1997/06/12/murdoch-to-buy-half-of-family-channel/5eede35b-5463-4065-87fe-72181010c3ff/ |access-date=2022-06-03 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> (The Family Channel was renamed ''Fox Family Channel'' in August 1998. The channel was then sold to [[The Walt Disney Company]] in 2001, which renamed it as ''ABC Family'', later renaming it again to [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]].)

On March 24, 1999, the inaugural live broadcast of ''The 700 Club Asia'' aired.<ref name=":2" />

=== The 2000s ===
'''CBN India''' was established in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us – CBN INDIA |url=https://cbnindia.org/about/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> It has gone on to produce a number of TV shows in Hindi, Tamil and Bengali.

CBN's Dallas TV station was sold in 2000. METV was sold to LeSEA Broadcasting in July 2001.<ref name=":1" />

In 2001, youth-oriented show, ''One Cubed'', began in Asia.<ref name=":2" /> This later screened as ''One Cubed International'' in the US.

In September 2001, saw the launch of ''Living the Life,'' a new 30-minute magazine style show for women.<ref name=":1" />

In October 2002, CBN launched ''CBN NewsWatch'', a new half-hour weekend program.<ref name=":1" />

Also in 2002, ''Le Club 700'' began for people in Francophone Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le Club 700 l'émission - CBN Afrique Francophone |url=https://cbnafrica.org/channel/le-club-700/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=CBN Africa |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

On September 18, 2003, a US version of ''One Cubed'' launched, featuring extreme sports, music videos, and celebrity interviews.<ref name=":1" /> A Nigerian version was also later created.<ref>{{Cite web |title=One Cubed Naija |url=https://cbnafrica.org/channel/one-cubed-naija/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=CBN Africa |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

In 2004, ''Club 400 Hoy'' began as a daily program for Spanish speakers throughout the Americas.<ref name="prweb.com">{{Cite web |title=Christian Broadcasting Network Launches a New "Club 700 Hoy" Spanish-Language Television Program |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/christian_broadcasting_network_launches_a_new_club_700_hoy_spanish_language_television_program/prweb18231301.htm |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=PRWeb}}</ref>

'''CBN Europe''' was established in the UK. In October 2004, ''The 700 Club With Paul and Fiona'' began airing for UK audiences. It was hosted by [[Paul Jones (singer)|Paul Jones]] and Fiona Hendley Jones. It was later dubbed in Dutch.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2013-10-17 |title=New CBN Programs in Europe |url=https://www1.cbn.com/about/new-cbn-programs-in-europe |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=CBN.com - The Christian Broadcasting Network |language=en}}</ref>

In 2005, kids program, ''A.S.T.I.G.'' (All Set to Imitate God), was launched by CBN Asia.<ref name=":2" />

'''CBN Deutschland''' was established in 2007.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=This is our History |url=https://cbndeutschland.org/en/about-us/our-history/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=CBN Deutschland |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Club 700'' for German speakers, began on January 9, 2007.<ref name=":4" /> It was later renamed ''Erlebt TV'' in December 2019.<ref name=":5" />

On April 30, 2007, ''First Landing'', a CBN and [[Regent University]] produced movie about the English settlement of Jamestown, aired on ABC Family and various broadcast stations across the United States.<ref name=":1" />

On April 29, 2008, the 24-hour '''CBN News Channel''' was launched as an online-only channel.<ref name=":1" />

In November 2008, a new '''CBN Radio''' service was launched.<ref name=":1" />

New TV program ''700 Club Interactive'' began on May 25, 2009.<ref name=":1" />

=== The 2010s ===
In 2011, a newly rebooted ''Superbook'' series began to air in various countries, commissioned by CBN.

''The'' ''700 Club Canada'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=700 Club Canada {{!}} |url=https://700club.ca/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |language=en-CA}}</ref> a weekdaily program, was launched in November 2011.<ref name=":1" />

''700 Club Nigeria''<ref>{{Cite web |title=700 Club Nigeria |url=https://cbnafrica.org/channel/700-club-nigeria/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=CBN Africa |language=en-ZA}}</ref> began in about 2013.

New program ''Oyayi'' began to be made by CBN Asia in 2016.<ref name=":2" />

On October 1, 2018, the CBN News Channel was relaunched. It was now made available over-the-air via 15 stations in the United States, as well as continuing online. It was based in Virginia Beach, and had bureaus in Washington DC and Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite press release |last=Network |first=Christian Broadcasting |title=The Christian Broadcasting Network Launches CBN News Channel, The First 24-Hour News Channel from a Christian Perspective, on October 1 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-christian-broadcasting-network-launches-cbn-news-channel-the-first-24-hour-news-channel-from-a-christian-perspective-on-october-1-300722100.html |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>

During the Trump administration (2017–2021), CBN hosted events at [[Donald Trump|Trump]] properties, paying at least $170,000. Subsequently, CBN obtained access to the White House that far larger news outlets typically received, and were given frequent exclusive interviews with senior administration staff, including Trump himself.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last1=Confessore |first1=Nicholas |last2=Yourish |first2=Karen |last3=Eder |first3=Steve |last4=Protess |first4=Ben |last5=Haberman |first5=Maggie |last6=Ashford |first6=Grace |last7=LaForgia |first7=Michael |last8=Vogel |first8=Kenneth P. |last9=Rothfeld |first9=Michael |date=2020-10-10 |title=The Swamp That Trump Built |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/10/us/trump-properties-swamp.html |access-date=2020-10-10 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== The 2020s ===
In 2020, music program ''CBN Asia Reverb'' began'','' which was later renamed ''Reverb Worship PH.<ref name=":2" />''

In October 2021, ''Club 400 Hoy'' was relaunched as a weekly US-focused program.<ref name="prweb.com"/>