THE BEGINNING STORY OF THE COMPANY CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK

 

(CBN)

The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) is a major media and entertainment company that has been touching the lives of millions of people around the world for over 60 years. Founded in 1960 by American televangelist Pat Robertson, CBN has grown from a small television station to a global multimedia empire, spreading the message of Christianity and providing humanitarian aid to those in need.

The Beginning Story:

The story of CBN began with a vision and a calling. In the early 1960s, Pat Robertson was a young law student at Yale University when he had a life-changing encounter with God. He felt a strong calling to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through the media, which was a relatively new concept at the time.

In 1961, Robertson started his first television venture, the Christian Broadcasting Network, in Portsmouth, Virginia. With just a handful of staff and a budget of $100,000, CBN went on air on October 1, 1961, with a daily half-hour religious program called 'The 700 Club.' The show, named after the number of members who pledged to support the network with $10 a month, quickly gained popularity and became CBN's flagship program.

As the years went by, CBN continued to expand its reach, with its first international broadcast in 1974 on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). By the end of the 1970s, CBN was available in all 50 states in the US, and its reach extended to over 15 countries.

In 1977, CBN launched its first international humanitarian project, Operation Blessing, which provided food, medical care, and disaster relief to those in need around the world. This marked the beginning of CBN's commitment to using media as a tool for spreading the message of hope and helping those in need.

In the 1980s, CBN continued to grow and diversify its media empire. The network launched its first cable channel, CBN Cable Network, in 1981, which later became The Family Channel. CBN also ventured into radio and publishing, with the launch of its first radio station and a magazine called 'Christian Broadcasting Today.'

The 1990s saw CBN expanding its international reach even further, with the launch of its first international production center in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1993. This was followed by the launch of CBN Asia in the Philippines and CBN Europe in the UK.

In 1997, CBN launched its first interactive multimedia platform, CBN.com, which became one of the first Christian websites to offer live streaming of TV and radio programs. CBN also expanded its humanitarian efforts with the launch of 'The 700 Club Prayer Center,' which offers prayer and counseling to people in need.

In the early 2000s, CBN continued to innovate and adapt to the changing media landscape. The network launched its first 24-hour news channel, CBN News, in 2004, providing viewers with a Christian perspective on current events. CBN also continued to expand its humanitarian efforts, providing aid and assistance to those affected by natural disasters, war, and poverty.

Today, CBN is a global multimedia company with a presence in over 150 countries and territories. The network's flagship program, 'The 700 Club,' is broadcast daily to millions of viewers, and CBN's various media platforms reach millions more.

CBN's humanitarian efforts have also continued to grow, with the network providing disaster relief, medical care, and community development projects to those in need around the world. In 2019 alone, CBN's humanitarian arm, Operation Blessing, provided over $200 million in aid to disaster-affected areas and reached over 300,000 people with medical care.

In Conclusion:

The story of CBN is a testament to the power of faith, vision, and perseverance. From its humble beginnings as a small television station, CBN has grown into a global media and humanitarian organization, touching the lives of millions of people around the world. CBN's commitment to spreading the message of Christianity and helping those in need has made it a beacon of hope and love for people from all walks of life. As CBN continues to evolve and adapt to the changing times, its mission and impact remain the same – to make a positive difference in the world and share the love of Christ with all.