The Worship Network

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The Worship Network

Type	Broadcast, cable, satellite, online
Country	United States
Availability	Over 50 nations
Key people	Bruce Koblish, CEO Rick Rusaw, Chairman of the Board of Stewards Bud Paxson, Founder
Launch date	1992
Website	www.worship.net

The Worship Network, or Worship, is a broadcast television service that provides alternative Christian worship-themed programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The network is based in Nashville, Tennessee, in the USA, and is available in more than 50 countries. Unlike conventional networks, The Worship Network does not offer dramas, situation comedies, sports or news; rather, its main program, called "Worship", consists simply of Bible scriptures displayed on a nature backdrop, while contemporary Christian worship music plays in the background. Interspersed among the videos and music are brief stories of faith, narrated by worship leaders.

[edit] History

The Worship Network was founded in 1992 by Lowell W. "Bud" Paxson, co-founder of HSN, who would later begin the PAX TV Network (now the i TV Network). His vision was to "create an atmosphere in the home to inspire and encourage a quiet time to worship God" [1] and from that vision, The Worship Network was launched.

Outlets for the new network increased rapidly. By 1994, there were 50 affiliate stations and The Worship Network had just begun its first European affiliate, in Iceland, and a year later, the number had doubled to 100 affiliates and the network had launched in Asia, in the nation of Taiwan. In 1996, the network began satellite broadcasting, via Sky Angel and Dish Network.

When the PAX TV network was launched in 1998, The Worship Network provided overnight programming, and the next year, PAX TV and The Worship Network struck a deal where the network would be carried on a digital subchannel of PAX TV 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In 2005, The Worship Network began broadcasting in all-digital format. As of 2006, the network has more than 250 broadcast affiliates, and is available on every inhabited continent. In 2007 the network began airing in HD (high definition).