American Christian Television System
Encyclopedia
The American Christian Television System (ACTS) was a television network
developed in the 1980s by the Southern Baptist Convention
(SBC). Plans for the network involved a combination of low and full-power stations, most of which were to be built, and carriage on local cable TV networks.
Religious denominations had long been recipients of free air time
from broadcasting stations. This was often because stations had a need to fulfill "public interest
" obligations in order to maintain their broadcast license
s. It is estimated that by the mid 1970s the Southern Baptist Convention received approximately $10 million in donations annually in the form of 2,500 free weekly broadcasts. The programming that religious networks produced included (in addition to services
and teaching) family-oriented entertainment and occasionally cartoons, such as JOT. ACTS would expand on these, originally intending on drawing its programming almost exclusively from in-house sources. ACTS was the first television network established by a Protestant denomination.
ACTS signed on in 1984 but was converted to a for-profit network in 1988. In 1992 it began sharing a channel with another network, Vision Interfaith Satellite Network
, under the name VISN-ACTS. The unified channel was later known as Faith & Values Channel (1993) and Odyssey (1996), before eventually becoming the Hallmark Channel
in 2001. ACTS was disestablished in 2003.
Jimmy R. Allen. Allen had been elected to the post of president of the RTVC immediately following the end of his convention presidency. One of his primary goals in the post was to help local churches use radio and television effectively and to "explore the ways and means of accelerating a more direct primetime witness through television."
The plan for establishing the network revolved around building 100 or more low power (LPTV) and a small number of full power stations throughout the United States. Each low power station was to cost up to $150,000 and have a range of 10 to 15 miles. In addition, it was planned that the network would eventually be carried by 1,000 cable systems. Audience potential was projected to be 7 million by the fall of 1984 and 14 to 40 million at the end of 1985. However, some of the SBCs LPTV plans were held back when United States Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) changed some of the regulations regarding the licensing of such stations. At the time of sign on the network would consist of 23 broadcast stations and 200 cable systems. The Spacenet
One satellite was selected for distribution of the signal; it launched in spring of 1984.
ACTS went on-air May 15, 1984 and was dedicated in June at the Southern Baptist Convention. By that time the network had been granted 75 LPTV licenses. At launch ACTS consisted of two channels, ACTS and BTN, the Baptist Telecommunications Network. BTN was oriented toward churches, while the programming of ACTS was aimed at the general public. The programming mix of ACTS was planned to be about 75% family oriented entertainment and 25% direct teaching and preaching. Daily programming was to be recycled in loops, up to 16 hours each day would be reruns.
The 1980s saw a rapid expansion in the number of cable channels vying for limited space on cable systems; this included a number of religious channels. Religious channels which had already been established at the time that ACTS was formed included the National Christian Network
, the PTL Satellite Network
, the Christian Broadcasting Network
, and the Trinity Broadcasting Network
. By 1984 even more networks had been formed, including the Eternal Word Television Network
and National Jewish Television
, Each of these competed for limited space on cable companies, a situation made more complicated by the fact that some companies would only carry one religious network. By 1986 the network had achieved a potential of 2.6 million viewers. It had also acquired $8.5 million in debt, leading to a restructuring of the organization. Internal SBC documentation admitted that the planning had been overly optimistic and the operational and programming expenses were beyond what could be sustained.
The SBC sold ACTS in 1988 to a newly formed company called Friends of ACTS, INC., based in San Antonio, Texas
. While the SBC retained ultimate control over the channel, the new arrangement offered several advantages. Friends had been formed by a group of evangelical multidenominational investors as a for-profit entity, which the network also now became. It was hoped that the multidenominational composition would attract large cable companies, some of which had shied away from carrying the network citing concerns about the SBC's singular control over content. To some extent, this meant that conservative faith traditions such as Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Methodists, as well as Catholics and Jews
were represented in the network's programming. Under the terms of the agreement the SBC would continue to provide the majority of the programming and receive a small portion of revenues from the network. The sale was valued at about $170 Million. At that time the network was reported to have a viewership of six million.
The new management immediately switched satellites to Galaxy III, a move intended to increase ACTS' viewing potential. By 1990 the network was reported to have 9.2 million viewers and 475 affiliate stations and cable systems. Also in 1990, Jack B. Johnson was elected president of the RTVC, replacing Jimmy R. Allen. ACTS acquired the FamilyNet
network from Jerry Falwell
in 1991. The network was programmed separately from ACTS, and was carried exclusively on broadcast stations. FamilyNet was sold off in 2007, representing the end of the SBC's direct ventures in television.
In July 1992 ACTS entered into a merger agreement with the Vision Interfaith Satellite Network
(VISN). Each network was to provide part of the programming but maintain separate identities and logos during their timeslots. The Southern Baptist Church would provide 8 hours of programming daily for the network, which would produce substantial savings. At the time of the merger ACTS had 8.2 million viewers and VISN 12.8 million; the combined network would reach about 20 million and allow a potential audience of 57.5 million. The merger opened up large markets that ACTS had been unable to get a foothold into including Manhattan
, Los Angeles
, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City. The new deal would add over 1000 cities to ACTS' audience, and the number of cable networks carrying the channel rose from 655 to 1374. The new network would continue to ban activities such as proselytizing, on air fundraising, and maligning other faiths.
Even so, some Baptists expressed concerns about the merger. Some were disturbed by the composition and programming of VISN. Whereas ACTS had specific content guidelines based on the views of the SBC, VSIN did not rely on any form of creed
or universal statement of faith. VISN was represented by member organizations of 54 faiths including non-Christians, ranging from Muslim
groups to Buddhists
, to others that some conservative Baptists considered cult
ish. One former producer for ACTS expressed that "ACTS will be working with those many would consider to be false prophets, assisting to build a large audience for their message... I feel that they have taken a step backwards in their effort to accomplish their mission."
This was made even more problematic by the fact that local Baptist owned resources including churches and schools were sometimes providing the downlink to the local cable system. Also, partially because the Baptist Press
had been muted from reporting on the matter, those local affiliates were not informed about the deal until after it was signed. Still others expressed concern that the goal of VISN had been to replace and supplant ACTS.
VISN-ACTS went through several names in the 1990s including the Faith and Values Channel and the Odyssey Network, with direct religious content erosion along the way. In 2001 it became the Hallmark Channel
. Support was withdrawn in 2003, and the ACTS network ceased operations.
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
developed in the 1980s by the Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
(SBC). Plans for the network involved a combination of low and full-power stations, most of which were to be built, and carriage on local cable TV networks.
Religious denominations had long been recipients of free air time
Air Time
Air Time is an album by the improvisational collective Air featuring Henry Threadgill, Steve McCall, and Fred Hopkins performing three of Threadgill's compositions and one each by Hopkins and McCall.-Reception:...
from broadcasting stations. This was often because stations had a need to fulfill "public interest
Public interest
The public interest refers to the "common well-being" or "general welfare." The public interest is central to policy debates, politics, democracy and the nature of government itself...
" obligations in order to maintain their broadcast license
Broadcast license
A broadcast license or broadcast license is a specific type of spectrum license that grants the licensee the privilege to use a portion of the radio frequency spectrum in a given geographical area for broadcasting purposes. The licenses are generally straddled with additional restrictions that...
s. It is estimated that by the mid 1970s the Southern Baptist Convention received approximately $10 million in donations annually in the form of 2,500 free weekly broadcasts. The programming that religious networks produced included (in addition to services
Church service
In Christianity, a church service is a term used to describe a formalized period of communal worship, often but not exclusively occurring on Sunday, or Saturday in the case of those churches practicing seventh-day Sabbatarianism. The church service is the gathering together of Christians to be...
and teaching) family-oriented entertainment and occasionally cartoons, such as JOT. ACTS would expand on these, originally intending on drawing its programming almost exclusively from in-house sources. ACTS was the first television network established by a Protestant denomination.
ACTS signed on in 1984 but was converted to a for-profit network in 1988. In 1992 it began sharing a channel with another network, Vision Interfaith Satellite Network
Vision Interfaith Satellite Network
The Vision Interfaith Satellite Network was a religious television network formed in the late 1980s. The channel became known as the PBS of religion for the inclusive nature of its programming, which was designed to "place its accent on dialogue rather than apologies."The network was formed by...
, under the name VISN-ACTS. The unified channel was later known as Faith & Values Channel (1993) and Odyssey (1996), before eventually becoming the Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
in 2001. ACTS was disestablished in 2003.
History
ACTS was initially organized in December 1980, and was formed as a subsidiary of the Southern Baptist Radio and Television Commission (RTVC) and the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board. ACTS was to be a nonprofit venture, and also disallowed any form of on-air solicitation. The network was the brainchild of former SBC presidentSouthern Baptist Convention Presidents
The President of the Southern Baptist Convention heads the denomination and is elected at the yearly convention. The term is for one year, and a candidate can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.-See also:...
Jimmy R. Allen. Allen had been elected to the post of president of the RTVC immediately following the end of his convention presidency. One of his primary goals in the post was to help local churches use radio and television effectively and to "explore the ways and means of accelerating a more direct primetime witness through television."
The plan for establishing the network revolved around building 100 or more low power (LPTV) and a small number of full power stations throughout the United States. Each low power station was to cost up to $150,000 and have a range of 10 to 15 miles. In addition, it was planned that the network would eventually be carried by 1,000 cable systems. Audience potential was projected to be 7 million by the fall of 1984 and 14 to 40 million at the end of 1985. However, some of the SBCs LPTV plans were held back when United States Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) changed some of the regulations regarding the licensing of such stations. At the time of sign on the network would consist of 23 broadcast stations and 200 cable systems. The Spacenet
Spacenet
Spacenet, Inc. is a provider of VSAT satellite-based data network services as well as hybrid satellite/terrestrial networks and network management services...
One satellite was selected for distribution of the signal; it launched in spring of 1984.
ACTS went on-air May 15, 1984 and was dedicated in June at the Southern Baptist Convention. By that time the network had been granted 75 LPTV licenses. At launch ACTS consisted of two channels, ACTS and BTN, the Baptist Telecommunications Network. BTN was oriented toward churches, while the programming of ACTS was aimed at the general public. The programming mix of ACTS was planned to be about 75% family oriented entertainment and 25% direct teaching and preaching. Daily programming was to be recycled in loops, up to 16 hours each day would be reruns.
The 1980s saw a rapid expansion in the number of cable channels vying for limited space on cable systems; this included a number of religious channels. Religious channels which had already been established at the time that ACTS was formed included the National Christian Network
National Christian Network
The National Christian Network was a religious television network in the United States which formed in 1979. The channel was founded by Ray A. Kassis and located in Cocoa, Florida, where it owned studios. The programming was originated from Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant groups; at the time of...
, the PTL Satellite Network
PTL Satellite Network
The PTL Television Network -- often referred to as simply PTL -- was a global evangelical Christian television network based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, founded by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker in 1974. PTL Satellite Network was dedicated in April of 1977...
, the Christian Broadcasting Network
Christian Broadcasting Network
The Christian Broadcasting Network, or CBN, is a fundamentalist Christian television broadcasting network in the United States. Its headquarters and main studios are in Virginia Beach, Virginia.-Background:...
, and the Trinity Broadcasting Network
Trinity Broadcasting Network
The Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
. By 1984 even more networks had been formed, including the Eternal Word Television Network
Eternal Word Television Network
The Eternal Word Television Network is an American cable television network which presents Catholic-themed programming. It was founded in 1980 by Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA...
and National Jewish Television
National Jewish Television
National Jewish Television is a Jewish television channel seen as a three hour block every Sunday on religious and Public-access television cable TV channels in the United States...
, Each of these competed for limited space on cable companies, a situation made more complicated by the fact that some companies would only carry one religious network. By 1986 the network had achieved a potential of 2.6 million viewers. It had also acquired $8.5 million in debt, leading to a restructuring of the organization. Internal SBC documentation admitted that the planning had been overly optimistic and the operational and programming expenses were beyond what could be sustained.
The SBC sold ACTS in 1988 to a newly formed company called Friends of ACTS, INC., based in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. While the SBC retained ultimate control over the channel, the new arrangement offered several advantages. Friends had been formed by a group of evangelical multidenominational investors as a for-profit entity, which the network also now became. It was hoped that the multidenominational composition would attract large cable companies, some of which had shied away from carrying the network citing concerns about the SBC's singular control over content. To some extent, this meant that conservative faith traditions such as Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Methodists, as well as Catholics and Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
were represented in the network's programming. Under the terms of the agreement the SBC would continue to provide the majority of the programming and receive a small portion of revenues from the network. The sale was valued at about $170 Million. At that time the network was reported to have a viewership of six million.
The new management immediately switched satellites to Galaxy III, a move intended to increase ACTS' viewing potential. By 1990 the network was reported to have 9.2 million viewers and 475 affiliate stations and cable systems. Also in 1990, Jack B. Johnson was elected president of the RTVC, replacing Jimmy R. Allen. ACTS acquired the FamilyNet
FamilyNet
FamilyNet is a broadcast television network owned by ComStar Media Fund and based in Atlanta, Georgia. The network was founded in 1979 as the National Christian Network, and took the name FamilyNet in 1988 under the ownership of Jerry Falwell. The channel was acquired by InTouch Ministries in...
network from Jerry Falwell
Jerry Falwell
Jerry Lamon Falwell, Sr. was an evangelical fundamentalist Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and a conservative commentator from the United States. He was the founding pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia...
in 1991. The network was programmed separately from ACTS, and was carried exclusively on broadcast stations. FamilyNet was sold off in 2007, representing the end of the SBC's direct ventures in television.
In July 1992 ACTS entered into a merger agreement with the Vision Interfaith Satellite Network
Vision Interfaith Satellite Network
The Vision Interfaith Satellite Network was a religious television network formed in the late 1980s. The channel became known as the PBS of religion for the inclusive nature of its programming, which was designed to "place its accent on dialogue rather than apologies."The network was formed by...
(VISN). Each network was to provide part of the programming but maintain separate identities and logos during their timeslots. The Southern Baptist Church would provide 8 hours of programming daily for the network, which would produce substantial savings. At the time of the merger ACTS had 8.2 million viewers and VISN 12.8 million; the combined network would reach about 20 million and allow a potential audience of 57.5 million. The merger opened up large markets that ACTS had been unable to get a foothold into including Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City. The new deal would add over 1000 cities to ACTS' audience, and the number of cable networks carrying the channel rose from 655 to 1374. The new network would continue to ban activities such as proselytizing, on air fundraising, and maligning other faiths.
Even so, some Baptists expressed concerns about the merger. Some were disturbed by the composition and programming of VISN. Whereas ACTS had specific content guidelines based on the views of the SBC, VSIN did not rely on any form of creed
Creed
A creed is a statement of belief—usually a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community—and is often recited as part of a religious service. When the statement of faith is longer and polemical, as well as didactic, it is not called a creed but a Confession of faith...
or universal statement of faith. VISN was represented by member organizations of 54 faiths including non-Christians, ranging from Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
groups to Buddhists
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, to others that some conservative Baptists considered cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
ish. One former producer for ACTS expressed that "ACTS will be working with those many would consider to be false prophets, assisting to build a large audience for their message... I feel that they have taken a step backwards in their effort to accomplish their mission."
This was made even more problematic by the fact that local Baptist owned resources including churches and schools were sometimes providing the downlink to the local cable system. Also, partially because the Baptist Press
Baptist Press
Baptist Press is the official news service of the American Southern Baptist Convention based at the headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.- Origins and bureaus :...
had been muted from reporting on the matter, those local affiliates were not informed about the deal until after it was signed. Still others expressed concern that the goal of VISN had been to replace and supplant ACTS.
VISN-ACTS went through several names in the 1990s including the Faith and Values Channel and the Odyssey Network, with direct religious content erosion along the way. In 2001 it became the Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
. Support was withdrawn in 2003, and the ACTS network ceased operations.
See also
- FamilyNetFamilyNetFamilyNet is a broadcast television network owned by ComStar Media Fund and based in Atlanta, Georgia. The network was founded in 1979 as the National Christian Network, and took the name FamilyNet in 1988 under the ownership of Jerry Falwell. The channel was acquired by InTouch Ministries in...
- Hallmark ChannelHallmark ChannelThe Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
- Ion Television
- National Christian NetworkNational Christian NetworkThe National Christian Network was a religious television network in the United States which formed in 1979. The channel was founded by Ray A. Kassis and located in Cocoa, Florida, where it owned studios. The programming was originated from Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant groups; at the time of...
- PTL Satellite NetworkPTL Satellite NetworkThe PTL Television Network -- often referred to as simply PTL -- was a global evangelical Christian television network based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, founded by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker in 1974. PTL Satellite Network was dedicated in April of 1977...
- Vision Interfaith Satellite NetworkVision Interfaith Satellite NetworkThe Vision Interfaith Satellite Network was a religious television network formed in the late 1980s. The channel became known as the PBS of religion for the inclusive nature of its programming, which was designed to "place its accent on dialogue rather than apologies."The network was formed by...