Trinity Broadcasting Network today owns about 36 full-power stations, is carried via about 40 satellites around the world and is broadcast in “just about every country,” TBN attorney John Casoria said.
Last year, it added The Healing Network, which began 24-hour broadcasting into the Middle East. Shows seen in this country are translated into Arabic, and Arab pastors have their own shows.
TBN embraces a diverse group, with leading Southern Baptists, Catholics and others appearing as guests on shows, or having their own shows, along with folks such as faith healer Benny Hinn, a TBN staple.
Scads of country music and movie stars, including Ricky Skaggs and George Clooney, along with presidents, have appeared on shows broadcast on TBN.
Among its networks are Smile of A Child-TV, for children, TBN Enlace for Hispanics and JC-TV for young people.
The TBN me’lange includes Christian music videos and health shows, church services and the well-known Praise the Lord, a talk and prayer show with music.
“Prosperity gospel” crops up at times: telling people if they send money, God will reward them abundantly by, for instance, getting them out of debt.
People can speak with “prayer partners” over the telephone or volunteer to be one.
TBN is the trademark name of Trinity Christian Center of Santa Ana, Calif.
The facility in Hendersonville is known as Trinity Music City USA. Other complexes with theaters and broadcasts include Trinity Christian City International in Costa Mesa, Calif., and International Production Center in Irving, Texas.