What is the status of 700 Club on ABC Family?

[DToTheJ]

You might even get the state of Virginia involved since Pat still has a lot of weight there such as his show being aired in all of that state's markets and on prime channels and on good timeslots examples WAVY-TV 10 in Hampton Roads ( top 50 market...channel 10...NBC affilate and in the morning prime ), How many other similar stations do this?

I just found a scary statement from the Wikipedia page of former 700 Club affiliate WGNT:

"The 700 Club currently airs on four stations in the area: NBC affiliate WAVY-TV in the mornings, Fox station WVBT-TV in the afternoons, independent WSKY-TV in primetime, and TBN affiliate WHRE."

Four! Have mercy!

As an aside, here's a humorous statement from that same page from after CBN sold the station:

"WGNT began showing far racier programming after Centennial purchased the station, leading to talk that its call letters stood for God's Not Here..."

LOL!

 

[ixnay]

I'll have more to say about the Club tonight, my energy permitting.

Meanwhile, I'll throw this out while I get ready for work - I notice Robert Schuller (who from time to time has gotten on his own figurative knees for moola) hasn't been mentioned on this thread. What do R-I'ers think of his empire?

ixnay

 

[Tim-In-Houston]

You might even get the state of Virginia involved since Pat still has a lot of weight there such as his show being aired in all of that state's markets and on prime channels and on good timeslots examples WAVY-TV 10 in Hampton Roads ( top 50 market...channel 10...NBC affilate and in the morning prime ), How many other similar stations do this?

The largest market I could find was ATLANTA (DMA: 8!) on Meredith's CBS station, WGCL-46, at 9:00am. Their sister-station, Nashville's WSMV-4 airs Robertson's program at 9:00am, right after the Today show, pre-empting the third hour to 10:00am and the fourth hour to sometime in the afternoon.

Did Meredith get a stations-group discount? Good grief.

Edit: Forgot to mention that CBN used to own the Channel 46 signal in Atlanta until the late-80s (early-90s perhaps) before it was sold, first to Tribune, then to Meredith. So maybe that's why?

 

[JayR]

ION Family & XYZ

Since this is all tied in to the license, why not swap licenses with ION? ABC Family can become XYZ, and ION can become ION Family. I'm sure ION won't mind using The 700 Club as filler. ;D

 

[dhett]

I, for one, am glad that shows like The 700 Club and The Hour of Power are still on broadcast TV. And in spite of his stupid past statements, I'll bet that Robertson is still in better spiritual standing than just about anyone else on this forum.

 

[Ultimajock]

And in spite of his stupid past statements, I'll bet that Robertson is still in better spiritual standing than just about anyone else on this forum.

...you lose...

 

[bk77]

You might even get the state of Virginia involved since Pat still has a lot of weight there such as his show being aired in all of that state's markets and on prime channels and on good timeslots examples WAVY-TV 10 in Hampton Roads ( top 50 market...channel 10...NBC affilate and in the morning prime ), How many other similar stations do this?

The largest market I could find was ATLANTA (DMA: 8!) on Meredith's CBS station, WGCL-46, at 9:00am. Their sister-station, Nashville's WSMV-4 airs Robertson's program at 9:00am, right after the Today show, pre-empting the third hour to 10:00am and the fourth hour to sometime in the afternoon.

Did Meredith get a stations-group discount? Good grief.

Edit: Forgot to mention that CBN used to own the Channel 46 signal in Atlanta until the late-80s (early-90s perhaps) before it was sold, first to Tribune, then to Meredith. So maybe that's why?

However WGCL is an UHF station. Many UHF channels affilated with all networks over the years in markets of all sizes have aired religion betwen 9am and Noon. Not realy surprised about that. On the other hand VHF channels, not as common. VERY SURPRISED that WSMV airs the 700 Club right after the Today show.

Doubt Robertson forced WGCL to air his show because he just happens to be a former owner. If he did I have to wonder why he didn't do the same with the old WYAH in Portsmouth/Norfolk? After all that station was his baby, one he started from scratch. Plus the 700 Club and pretty much the entire CBS empire was built around that station. One would think when Robertson sold WYAH he would make the new owners some sort of promise to keep his old channel family friendly or whatever but look at what was WYAH now WGNT channel 27. Its about as far as family friendly as one gets.

 

[jal41]

Re: 700 Club and WGCL

Since this is all tied in to the license, why not swap licenses with ION? ABC Family can become XYZ, and ION can become ION Family. I'm sure ION won't mind using The 700 Club as filler. ;D

Cable channels are not licensed nor do they have any FCC oversight. Only cable providers and broadcast stations.

As for WGCL. The 700 Club aired on WUPA in the 90's, and then on WATL until it was purchased by Gannett. WGNX/WGCL has never aired the program since becoming a CBS affiliate in 1994. Seeing how WGCL needs money badly due to poor management over the years, it pretty much was a perfect match.

Robertson and Co. sold that small broadcast empire in the mid-80's. The Family Channel was sold (to Fox and Saban Entertainment) in 1997. I suspect since most of those stations dropped satan (Robertson) over the years, he wanted a way to secure a place on the air.

 

[JayR]

ABC Family & ION

Since this is all tied in to the license, why not swap licenses with ION? ABC Family can become XYZ, and ION can become ION Family. I'm sure ION won't mind using The 700 Club as filler. ;D

Cable channels are not licensed nor do they have any FCC oversight. Only cable providers and broadcast stations.

Thank you for clearing that up; however, isn't there a way ABC Family can "swap" with ION?

If you know where I'm going with this, please respond.

 

[azumanga]

I notice Robert Schuller (who from time to time has gotten on his own figurative knees for moola) hasn't been mentioned on this thread. What do R-I'ers think of his empire?

To be honest, Schuller almost never makes it into the press -- had he done anything controversial like Robertson? It's been quite awhile since I've heen "Hour of Power", though he first became popular in the 1970s, as he used his adaptation of Christianity not unlike the self-esteem programs of the era, such as Transactional Analysis or EST -- where his main concept was to use God's power to please yourself, not just Him.

Personally, comparing Schuller to Robertson is like comparing grapes to melons -- and Pat is a "melon".

 

[KML0224]

Pat Robertson and Merideth Broadcasting isn't entirely true. They own WFSB-TV/DT (CBS) channel 3/D 33 of Hartford. The station does NOT air that a--h---.

 

[azumanga]

Pat Robertson and Merideth Broadcasting isn't entirely true. They own WFSB-TV/DT (CBS) channel 3/D 33 of Hartford. The station does NOT air that a--h---.

Neither does WNEM in Flint, Michigan.

 

[Tim-In-Houston]

Re: ABC Family & ION

Since this is all tied in to the license, why not swap licenses with ION? ABC Family can become XYZ, and ION can become ION Family. I'm sure ION won't mind using The 700 Club as filler. ;D

Cable channels are not licensed nor do they have any FCC oversight. Only cable providers and broadcast stations.

Thank you for clearing that up; however, isn't there a way ABC Family can "swap" with ION?

If you know where I'm going with this, please respond.

I know what you mean, but why bother. If they wanted to, ABC could press the issue and refuse to carry the show. CBN would sue, they would lose or Disney would settle out of court and CBN would bitch about it and threaten a jihad boycott of Disney properties (which they already do periodically, and which didn't work the first or any time, mind you). But you know, why bother. Sandwich him between the lady who cooks the 3 Muskateers mini-cakes and the oh-to-happy couple showing off their mini cuisinart to stunned neighbors and the town drunk...and wait for him to die, and dump it then. Heh.

 

[RicoGregg]

Re: ABC Family & ION

Since this is all tied in to the license, why not swap licenses with ION? ABC Family can become XYZ, and ION can become ION Family. I'm sure ION won't mind using The 700 Club as filler. ;D

Cable channels are not licensed nor do they have any FCC oversight. Only cable providers and broadcast stations.

Thank you for clearing that up; however, isn't there a way ABC Family can "swap" with ION?

If you know where I'm going with this, please respond.

I know what you mean, but why bother. If they wanted to, ABC could press the issue and refuse to carry the show. CBN would sue, they would lose or Disney would settle out of court and CBN would bitch about it and threaten a jihad boycott of Disney properties (which they already do periodically, and which didn't work the first or any time, mind you). But you know, why bother. Sandwich him between the lady who cooks the 3 Muskateers mini-cakes and the oh-to-happy couple showing off their mini cuisinart to stunned neighbors and the town drunk...and wait for him to die, and dump it then. Heh.

....Or label the 700 Club for what it is: an infomercial!

 

[MarcB]

Pat Robertson and Merideth Broadcasting isn't entirely true. They own WFSB-TV/DT (CBS) channel 3/D 33 of Hartford. The station does NOT air that a--h---.

But it is on Channel 3's sister station in Springfield WSHM-LP weekdays at 9AM, left over from when WSHM-LP was owned by Trinity Broadcast Network. The 700 Club - what a great lead-in for "Better Springfield". - Ugh.

 

[TexasTom]

And in spite of his stupid past statements, I'll bet that Robertson is still in better spiritual standing than just about anyone else on this forum.

I wouldn't count on that. At this point, Pat Robertson is as much political operative as he is a preacher -- note his recent endorsement of that champion of family values, Rudy Giuliani. Frankly, I put Robertson in the same category as Al Sharpton, and I don't intend that as a compliment to either man.

For some interesting insight into some of Pat Robertson's business dealings, I'd recommend reading "Orlando Shoot-out" by Bud Rogers. It's the story of the battle for the license of WOFL (Channel 35 in Orlando) in the late seventies. Bud Rogers headed up a group that was going up against Pat Robertson and Ted Turner for that license (in bankruptcy court). It is an interesting story in its own right, and is even more interesting for what you can learn about what it was like fighting Robertson and Turner.

 

[dhett]

And in spite of his stupid past statements, I'll bet that Robertson is still in better spiritual standing than just about anyone else on this forum.

I wouldn't count on that. At this point, Pat Robertson is as much political operative as he is a preacher -- note his recent endorsement of that champion of family values, Rudy Giuliani. Frankly, I put Robertson in the same category as Al Sharpton, and I don't intend that as a compliment to either man.

Believe me, as a son of a preacher for the past 40 years, and the grandson of one since birth, I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in church organizations, and especially the ugly. But I will not throw stones at Robertson (or Sharpton, or Jackson) because 1) I believe in grace and forgiveness for the repentant, and 2) my house is made of glass also. So bring the haughty accusations and holier-than-thou judgements; I stand by my statements. I have never donated to his ministry, never plan to, and don't recommend that anyone does, but when everything is taken into account, Pat Robertson has been a positive influence on television. I can't say that about too many of the Hollywood types. Just ask the viewers of W-God's Not There.

 

[RicoGregg]

Believe me, as a son of a preacher for the past 40 years, and the grandson of one since birth, I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in church organizations, and especially the ugly. But I will not throw stones at Robertson (or Sharpton, or Jackson) because 1) I believe in grace and forgiveness for the repentant, and 2) my house is made of glass also. So bring the haughty accusations and holier-than-thou judgements; I stand by my statements. I have never donated to his ministry, never plan to, and don't recommend that anyone does, but when everything is taken into account, Pat Robertson has been a positive influence on television. I can't say that about too many of the Hollywood types. Just ask the viewers of W-God's Not There.

You're entitled to your opinion. No right-thinking person would deny you that. Personally, I'm glad to read that your house is also made out of glass. I'm glad to know that a believer realizes that he's only human.

With that said, and in fairness, having been in the Hollywood environment for many years, it seems to me that the haughty accusations and holier-than-thou judgements, not to mention the first stones, have not come from Hollywood types or seculars.

Just wondering: If Hollywood-types and people in the entertainment biz haven't been a positive influence on TV, who has been? Frankly, I haven't heard any buzz about Robertson lately except for this board. Who do you think provides TV with the bulk of their programming?

Robertson can whine all he wants that TV is evil and immoral, but the industry has a long history of providing family-friendly programming (Small Wonder, Leave it to Beaver, among countless examples) virtually from Day 1 of television. He's got money. If he's so concerned, let him start producing family entertainment if he thinks it's so easy to do, and so crucial for people's souls. At least the Crouches at TBN make cheap attempts at doing that.

 

[azumanga]

At this point, Pat Robertson is as much political operative as he is a preacher -- note his recent endorsement of that champion of family values, Rudy Giuliani.

Which I find strange, considering that Mike Huckabee is more up Pat's alley.

 

[azumanga]

Robertson can whine all he wants that TV is evil and immoral, but the industry has a long history of providing family-friendly programming (Small Wonder, Leave it to Beaver, among countless examples) virtually from Day 1 of television. He's got money. If he's so concerned, let him start producing family entertainment if he thinks it's so easy to do, and so crucial for people's souls.

If Pat wanted a family channel, maybe he shoudn't have sold off The Family Channel.

At least the Crouches at TBN make cheap attempts at doing that.

And lest we forget Pax, who tried making a family-friendly network -- and failed.