The Worship Network
Encyclopedia
The Worship Network, or Worship, is a broadcast television service that provides alternative Christian
worship-themed programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The network is based in Nashville, Tennessee
, in the USA, and is available in more than 50 countries.
The network formerly was broadcast on a digital subchannel
of ION Television's owned and operated stations placed after ION Life
on a station's digital channel map, usually broadcasting on the -DT4 subchannel. However, ION dropped the network from its stations on January 31, 2010.
, co-founder of HSN, who would later begin the PAX TV Network (now ION Television). His vision was to "create an atmosphere in the home to inspire and encourage a quiet time to worship God" and from that vision, The Worship Network was launched.
Outlets for the new network increased rapidly. By 1994, there were 50 affiliate stations and The Worship Network had just begun its first Europe
an affiliate, in Iceland
, and a year later, the number had doubled to 100 affiliates and the network had launched in Asia
, in the region of Taiwan
. In 1996, the network began satellite broadcasting, via Sky Angel
. Coming soon to Dish Network
.
When the PAX TV network was launched in 1998, The Worship Network provided overnight programming, and in 2005 PAX TV and The Worship Network struck a deal where the network would be carried on a digital subchannel of PAX TV Stations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As of 2006, the network has more than 250 broadcast affiliates, and is available on every inhabited continent. In 2006 the network began producing shows in HD (high definition), although it currently does not broadcast in HD.
scriptures displayed on a nature backdrop, while contemporary Christian worship music plays in the background. Interspersed among the videos and music are brief stories of faith, narrated by worship leaders.
Since 2005, when the network began their 24/7 digital broadcast, other forms of programming have been added to this mix. Newer programs include infomercials featuring Christian products, comedy specials featuring Christian comedians, and concerts produced by The Worship Network.
on DirecTV
plays Worship during the early morning hours. Sky Angel
carries a 24/7 feed of The Worship Network on its IPTV
platform. Worship provides a 24/7 live stream of its broadcast as well as much of its programming via on-demand streaming from its official website. Many of Worship's programs are available on DVD, also available at the official website.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
worship-themed programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The network is based in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, in the USA, and is available in more than 50 countries.
The network formerly was broadcast on a digital subchannel
Digital subchannel
In broadcasting, digital subchannels are a means to transmit more than one independent program at the same time from the same digital radio or digital television station on the same radio frequency channel. This is done by using data compression techniques to reduce the size of each individual...
of ION Television's owned and operated stations placed after ION Life
ION Life
ION Life is a digital television network carried by ION Television affiliates, airing lifestyle programming during the day, and movies in the evening. It was launched February 19, 2007...
on a station's digital channel map, usually broadcasting on the -DT4 subchannel. However, ION dropped the network from its stations on January 31, 2010.
History
The Worship Network was founded in 1992 by Lowell W. "Bud" PaxsonBud Paxson
Lowell W. "Bud" Paxson is an American media executive.A native of Florida, Paxson began his career at a little 500 watt radio station in upstate New York, and later as the owner of a small AM radio station, WWQT 1470 AM, in Clearwater, Florida. There, in 1977, an advertiser had plenty of product...
, co-founder of HSN, who would later begin the PAX TV Network (now ION Television). His vision was to "create an atmosphere in the home to inspire and encourage a quiet time to worship God" and from that vision, The Worship Network was launched.
Outlets for the new network increased rapidly. By 1994, there were 50 affiliate stations and The Worship Network had just begun its first Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an affiliate, in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, and a year later, the number had doubled to 100 affiliates and the network had launched in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, in the region of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. In 1996, the network began satellite broadcasting, via Sky Angel
Sky Angel
Sky Angel U.S. LLC. describes itself as a "Christian-owned and operated multi-channel television service specializing in Christian and family-friendly TV and radio programming." It is one of the first niche-oriented television providers in the United States....
. Coming soon to Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
.
When the PAX TV network was launched in 1998, The Worship Network provided overnight programming, and in 2005 PAX TV and The Worship Network struck a deal where the network would be carried on a digital subchannel of PAX TV Stations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As of 2006, the network has more than 250 broadcast affiliates, and is available on every inhabited continent. In 2006 the network began producing shows in HD (high definition), although it currently does not broadcast in HD.
Programming
Unlike conventional networks, The Worship Network does not offer dramas, situation comedies, sports or news; rather, its main program, called "Worship", consists simply of BibleBible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
scriptures displayed on a nature backdrop, while contemporary Christian worship music plays in the background. Interspersed among the videos and music are brief stories of faith, narrated by worship leaders.
Since 2005, when the network began their 24/7 digital broadcast, other forms of programming have been added to this mix. Newer programs include infomercials featuring Christian products, comedy specials featuring Christian comedians, and concerts produced by The Worship Network.
Expanded Distribution
The Worship Network programming is available from several other sources apart from their 24/7 digital broadcast. The NRB NetworkNRB Network
The NRB Network is an evangelical Christian cable channel run by the National Religious Broadcasters, a national organization representing televangelists and Christian-themed media outlets. While the NRB organization is located in Manassas, Virginia, the channel's corporate headquarters is located...
on DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
plays Worship during the early morning hours. Sky Angel
Sky Angel
Sky Angel U.S. LLC. describes itself as a "Christian-owned and operated multi-channel television service specializing in Christian and family-friendly TV and radio programming." It is one of the first niche-oriented television providers in the United States....
carries a 24/7 feed of The Worship Network on its IPTV
IPTV
Internet Protocol television is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats.IPTV services...
platform. Worship provides a 24/7 live stream of its broadcast as well as much of its programming via on-demand streaming from its official website. Many of Worship's programs are available on DVD, also available at the official website.