The Inspiration Networks
Encyclopedia
The Inspiration Networks, is a group of networks and related entities. The parent company is Inspiration Ministries, an international ministry and inspirational media company, based in Indian Land, South Carolina
, a suburb of Charlotte
.
The Inspiration Networks has four cable television networks: The Inspiration Network (INSP), Halogen TV
(Halogen), and the Spanish-language network La Familia Cosmovision
(LFC). The Inspiration Networks also owns and operates the international network Inspiration Network International (INI), which is seen throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
The network began in 1990, when televangelist Morris Cerullo
bought the PTL Satellite Network
for $7 million. PTL was founded in 1974 by televangelist Jim Bakker
, a televangelist notable for his daily Christian variety program, The PTL Club; it had gone into bankruptcy after Bakker had been embroiled in a scandal
.
The family of networks are seen in more than 30 million homes in the U.S. and more than 55 million homes in the pan-European region.
in Fort Mill, South Carolina
to a newly constructed production studio and headquarters in a business park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In 2003, the Lancaster County Economic Development Corp. found the network some undeveloped property in the unincorporated area called Indian Land
, in that county. The network applied for state relocation incentives, saying it would bring several hundred employees to a campus it called "City of Light", where it would combine its nonprofit enterprise with for-profit businesses. The state agreed to give the network tax credits worth at least $3.6 million over 15 years. In 2006, the state agreed to fund $1.2 million of improved road access to the campus. The network also got $560,000 through a program that allows state utility fees to be used for infrastructure improvements.
In the fall of 2008, the State of South Carolina rejected the network's request for tax-exempt status. The rejection means that the network's land, buildings and equipment will all be taxed.
As of mid-2009, about 200 of the company's 330 employees work at the site. Only two of nine promised projects have been completed or even started. Construction on condominiums, supposed to begin in July 2008, is now "long into the future" due to the effects of decreased giving and economic decline.
In 2007, the network's revenues were more than $69 million. Profits between 2002 and 2006 totaled $39 million.
In 2007, chief executive David Cerullo
, Morris Cerullo's son, was paid more than $1.5 million, making him the best-paid leader of any religious charity tracked by watchdog groups.
His wife Barbara was paid $150,000 and their children Ben and Becky were also employed by the company;; Ben was paid more than $100,000 that year.
Cerullo and his wife Barbara are building a 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) home, valued between 2 and 4 million dollars, near Salem, South Carolina
. Critics say the construction is inappropriate given the financial resources of the network.
Indian Land, South Carolina
Indian Land is a fast-growing suburb in the northern neck of Lancaster County, South Carolina, United States. It lies just south of Ballantyne in southern Charlotte and east of Fort Mill. It is a major suburb of both Rock Hill and Charlotte. Its proximity to Ballantyne has enabled Indian Land to...
, a suburb of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
.
The Inspiration Networks has four cable television networks: The Inspiration Network (INSP), Halogen TV
Halogen TV
Halogen TV is a television network that airs feature-length films, documentaries, short films, and original reality programs that center on making positive social changes and making the world a better place.-History:...
(Halogen), and the Spanish-language network La Familia Cosmovision
La Familia Cosmovision
La Familia Cosmovision is a Spanish language network that emphasizes traditional Hispanic family values. It airs religious programming as well as movies, telenovela, cooking shows, talk shows and newscasts....
(LFC). The Inspiration Networks also owns and operates the international network Inspiration Network International (INI), which is seen throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
The network began in 1990, when televangelist Morris Cerullo
Morris Cerullo
Morris Cerullo is an American pentecostal televangelist.-Early life and ministry:Cerullo, whose evangelistic ministry is based in San Diego, California, was born in Passaic, New Jersey to a Russo Jewish/Italian family. His parents died in an automobile accident when he was only two years old...
bought 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...
for $7 million. PTL was founded in 1974 by televangelist Jim Bakker
Jim Bakker
James Orsen "Jim" Bakker is an American televangelist, a former Assemblies of God minister, and a former host of The PTL Club, a popular evangelical Christian television program.A sex scandal led to his resignation from the ministry...
, a televangelist notable for his daily Christian variety program, The PTL Club; it had gone into bankruptcy after Bakker had been embroiled in a scandal
Jessica Hahn
Jessica Hahn is an American model and actress. She is best known for a sex scandal involving televangelist Jim Bakker while she was employed as a church secretary.-Jim Bakker scandal:...
.
Major networks
The major networks in the group are:- The Inspiration Network (INSP), the flagship channel
- Halogen TVHalogen TVHalogen TV is a television network that airs feature-length films, documentaries, short films, and original reality programs that center on making positive social changes and making the world a better place.-History:...
(Halogen), a socially conscious television network and website that targets and activates an emerging generation who are willing and ready to give back. - La Familia CosmovisionLa Familia CosmovisionLa Familia Cosmovision is a Spanish language network that emphasizes traditional Hispanic family values. It airs religious programming as well as movies, telenovela, cooking shows, talk shows and newscasts....
(LFC), a Spanish speaking network (not associated with La Familia NetworkLa Familia NetworkLa Familia Network, or LFN, is a Spanish language, family-oriented television network based in Harlingen, Texas. Clark Ortiz is President of LFN.-History :La Familia Network was created by Mr. Clark Ortiz from Harlingen, Texas...
) - Inspiration Network International (INI), which serves Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East
The family of networks are seen in more than 30 million homes in the U.S. and more than 55 million homes in the pan-European region.
Production facilities
The original facilities for producing the networks were relocated in the 1990s from Heritage USAHeritage USA
Heritage USA was a Christian theme park, water park, and residential complex built in Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA, by PTL Club founders televangelist Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker Messner...
in Fort Mill, South Carolina
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Fort Mill is a fast-growing suburban town in both York and Lancaster counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, and a suburb of the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Rock Hill...
to a newly constructed production studio and headquarters in a business park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In 2003, the Lancaster County Economic Development Corp. found the network some undeveloped property in the unincorporated area called Indian Land
Indian Land, South Carolina
Indian Land is a fast-growing suburb in the northern neck of Lancaster County, South Carolina, United States. It lies just south of Ballantyne in southern Charlotte and east of Fort Mill. It is a major suburb of both Rock Hill and Charlotte. Its proximity to Ballantyne has enabled Indian Land to...
, in that county. The network applied for state relocation incentives, saying it would bring several hundred employees to a campus it called "City of Light", where it would combine its nonprofit enterprise with for-profit businesses. The state agreed to give the network tax credits worth at least $3.6 million over 15 years. In 2006, the state agreed to fund $1.2 million of improved road access to the campus. The network also got $560,000 through a program that allows state utility fees to be used for infrastructure improvements.
In the fall of 2008, the State of South Carolina rejected the network's request for tax-exempt status. The rejection means that the network's land, buildings and equipment will all be taxed.
As of mid-2009, about 200 of the company's 330 employees work at the site. Only two of nine promised projects have been completed or even started. Construction on condominiums, supposed to begin in July 2008, is now "long into the future" due to the effects of decreased giving and economic decline.
Other entities
Inspiration Ministries also owns and operates:- Media-Comm, a for-profit subsidiary that serves a wide variety of clients with services that include video graphics, editing, studio production, satellite uplinking, and fiber transmission. Its clients include CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, Coca-ColaCoca-ColaCoca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
, the Speed ChannelSPEED ChannelSpeed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
and ABC Sports, among others.
- A broadband-based website, Inspiration.net, launched in August 2006, a joint-venture with internet TV producer BrightcoveBrightcoveBrightcove is a Cambridge, MA based company that produces an Online Video Platform .- History :Brightcove was founded in 2004 by Jeremy Allaire, who now serves as CEO. In March 2006, Brightcove acquired Seattle-based Metastories, makers of StoryMaker, a publishing tool for video, audio, images, and...
. Inspiration.net features programs for teens, kids, and adults from INSP and i-Lifetv, plus archived series, program highlights, and special videos.
- "Inspiration Video On Demand," a platform for cable television video on demand (VOD) delivery.
- "Inspiration Global", which provides broadband video content to non-English speaking audiences.
Financials
Throughout most of the 1990s, the network did not ask for donations on the air, unlike many other religious TV stations. Instead, it generated revenue by selling advertising and airtime for programs produced by other ministries. In 1999, the network began soliciting donations from the public. That year, gifts were about $200,000. By 2008, they were about $40 million.In 2007, the network's revenues were more than $69 million. Profits between 2002 and 2006 totaled $39 million.
In 2007, chief executive David Cerullo
David Cerullo
C. David Cerullo is an American minister, and Christian television broadcaster. He is also a corporate businessman, the Chairman and CEO of Inspiration Ministries.-Early life and education:...
, Morris Cerullo's son, was paid more than $1.5 million, making him the best-paid leader of any religious charity tracked by watchdog groups.
His wife Barbara was paid $150,000 and their children Ben and Becky were also employed by the company;; Ben was paid more than $100,000 that year.
Cerullo and his wife Barbara are building a 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) home, valued between 2 and 4 million dollars, near Salem, South Carolina
Salem, South Carolina
Salem is a town in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 135 at the 2010 United States Census..-Geography:Salem is located at ....
. Critics say the construction is inappropriate given the financial resources of the network.