Trinity Broadcasting: "Contact John McCain! But be TACTFUL!"

[Bluebear]

"Maverick" John, fresh from speaking at Liberty University, can now ingratiate himself further . . .

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To: National Desk

Contact: Dave Bohon, WDC Media, 612-940-8406, [e-mail]

LOS ANGELES, May 16 /Christian Wire Service/ -- Trinity Broadcasting Network’s (TBN) Vice President Paul Crouch, Jr. is asking viewers and supporters of Christian broadcasting to contact U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) concerning possible legislation that would negatively impact the quality of Christian television throughout America.

“Senator McCain is considering offering a bill that would drastically change how cable subscribers order channels and could seriously impact faith-based networks like TBN,” said Crouch. “It’s called ‘A La Carte,’ and it would mean that instead of ordering a cable package that includes TBN and other faith-based cable channels, subscribers would be able to choose only the channels they want.”

Colby May, a TBN’s attorney and expert in FCC cable regulations, explained that while A La Carte sounds like a great idea for subscribers, the consequences of such government-mandated “consumer choice” would be an increase in cable costs and a decrease in overall choice for consumers.

“The whole model would be like newspaper subscribers demanding that they be allowed to purchase only the sections of the newspaper they want to read,” said May. “The problem is that publishers spread their costs over all the sections so they can offer the newspaper to us for a quarter or fifty cents. But if readers were allowed to purchase just the sports section, or the classifieds, and skip the rest, that same paper would now cost two or three dollars.”

Similarly, cable companies keep their costs down by offering different packages of cable channels, including the standard networks, plus sports, entertainment, music, movie channels – and faith-based networks like TBN, JCTV, Smile of a Child, and the Church Channel. “If the law mandates that subscribers must specifically select channels via A La Carte – including networks like TBN – we can expect significant increases in what we pay for cable service,” said May.

Crouch added that such a law would severely limit TBN as a tool for spreading the Christian message. “Right now TBN is part of a package in nearly every cable company’s channel offerings,” he explained. “That means both Christians and non-Christians have the benefit of TBN’s positive, life-changing programming. But under A La Carte, many non-Christians would simply not choose to subscribe to TBN. While we appreciate the countless Christians who view and support TBN, we don’t want to just ‘preach to the choir.’ We want to continue being available in all homes across America, so when someone has a problem or circumstance that requires faith and prayer, TBN will be there for them. They may not need us now, but someday they will.”

Crouch emphasized that it is crucial for those who support TBN and Christian broadcasting to quickly call Senator McCain’s office and say that they do not support the A La Carte cable legislation, and to ask that McCain not introduce it into the Senate.

“If we can get thousands of folks contacting Senator McCain’s office and tactfully, graciously stating their disapproval of this bill, we can effectively put a stop to this potentially destructive plan,” he said.

CONTACT:

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
1-202-224-2235 ext. 2
Arizona Office: 602-952-2410
www.mccain.senate.gov

http://www.earnedmedia.org/tbn0516.htm

[Hugin]

1. A la Carte! NOW!

It's about time.

I'd drop FAUX NEWS as well.

[meegbear]

6. The irony is that stations like TBN are the ones who got this started ...

They want consumers to be offered a core "family package" and then pay for the others.

The problem is that they assumed that the religious channels would automatically be included in the family one. WRONG!! Now they're fighting for their lives cuz they know that if this happens, they are goners.

[Hugin]

10. Someone mentioned back during The Spongebob Wars that it was all about...

viewership and competition. Turns out our absorbent friend was in an
important slot in relation to the fundies and was beating them in the
ratings.

It's all so clear to me now!

:D

[annabanana]

2. Hmmm. . what would this bill do to the Sundance Channel?

there might also be a real good market for an Air America Radio channel...

[Hugin]

3. I'd keep most of my current channels.

There are a few including TBN which would be history in my house though.

[Ian David]

8. I'd pay for Sundance. n/t

[Ian David]

4. MARKET FORCES, YOU BASTARDS! PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!

The Christianists were PUSHING "Cable Choice," right up until they realized it would mean they'd have less chances to cram their agenda down our throats!

[Bluebear]

5. Ding ding ding ding! nt

[Ian David]

7. I called McCain's office and told him I support Ala Carte programing

I thought about just yelling, "Gargoyles! Darksided! Everything's darksided!" but decided that while it would be more fun, it wouldn't be as productive.

[Bluebear]

9. LOLOL

i would have paid to hear it!

[glitch]

18. lol! I don't know that that means, I am sure it's a reference to a book or

movie I didn't see, but it was funny anyway!

[noonwitch]

11. I only see this as a way for the cable companies to make more money

I don't care if TBN, FSN or whatever is part of my basic. I like having hundreds of channels to choose from, even if I don't watch every one every month. Don't any of you ever watch TBN for amusement purposes? Paul and Jan are hilarious-not as funny as Jim and Tammy, but up there. They also have occasional gospel music shows that are worth watching for the music.

You just know that this is just a way for Comcast to make even more money. If you select your channels, they will find a way for the price to be higher when you are done than it was when you bought the package.

[Hugin]

15. Good points!

Cable Tee Vee has always found new and interesting ways to repackage their
junk in order to sell the same stuff over and over.

A la carte is really nothing new and will amount to a deregulation of the
Cable companies.

But, please allow me to wallow in the irony of the religious channels attempts
to rout the competition turned into them having to compete even harder. Just for
a minute. ;)

[napi21]

12. That's really FUNNY! It was all the fundies who screamed for this

for a long time! Pitching a fit because "They didn't want to have to pay for the TRASH TV stations!" Oh well, becareful what you ask for, huh?

[Bluebear]

13. Exactly, napi. They were afraid a boob might show up on TV ....

and crawl through the television, flying over their heads in circles near the living room ceiling before laughing menacingly and disappearing in a puff of smoke.

[Daphne08]

14. Anyone here ever seen TBN's headquarters in Orange County?

If you have, then you know where all the $$ is going.

[Tsiyu]

16. Then they should also make porn channels part of the package

for their positive, life-changing programming.

Porn should be available in all homes across America, so when someone has a problem or a circumstance that requires porn, porn will be there for them.

Christians may not need porn now, but someday they will.






:eyes:

[ikojo]

17. Bbbuut I thought free market and fundamentalist

Christianity were one and the same......

If TBN,CBN and their ilk cannot compete in the hallowed MARKETPLACE then good riddance! I don't like my cable dollars going to prop up networks that preach HATE of those I love.