ALN (TV channel)
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| ALN | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | May 1, 1985 |
| Owned by | ComStar Media Fund |
| Formerly called | The Nostalgia Channel, and GoodLife TV Network |
| Website | americanlifetv.com |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Galaxy 15 C-Band | Transponder 22 |
| Cable | |
| Available on some cable systems | Consult your cable provider |
ALN, formerly AmericanLife TV Network, GoodLife TV Network, and The Nostalgia Channel, is an American cable television network. It is Christian owned and offers "family values" programming. The channel describes itself as devoted to programming for the baby boomer generation.
[edit] Description and history
ALN was launched on May 1, 1985. It was owned by the Unification Church from 2001 to 2009. According to a June 2007 story in Variety, the network had been a consistent money-loser for the church, although its tax-exempt status made it easier to absorb the losses. Vice-president of marketing Darlene Chapman-Holmes blamed AmericanLife TV's status as "a niche, standalone network that doesn't have any leverage" for its failure to land more lucrative carriage deals with cable and satellite system operators.[1]
ALN claims over 12.5 million subscribers throughout the U.S.[2] The network is also available on at least one over-the-air terrestrial affiliate: WBQP-CA in Pensacola, Florida, which uses the network for part of its schedule.[3] The network has made a video on demand (VOD) deal with TVN Entertainment Corporation to offer up to twenty hours of programming per month on a VOD basis to more than 100 cable affiliates.[4]
In 2001 ALN broadcast the 1982 Unification Church-sponsored film Inchon, one of the few times it has been seen since its initial theatrical run. In 2007 the network broadcast George Clooney's documentary, A Journey to Darfur.[5][6][7] It released the film on DVD in 2008 and announced that proceeds from its sale would be donated to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) for their humanitarian efforts in Darfur.[8]
In May 2009, the network was acquired by ComStar Media Fund, an organization chaired by televangelist Robert A. Schuller, son of Crystal Cathedral founder Robert H. Schuller. Schuller said that the network would concentrate on "family-values programming that speaks to all generations." He will host a show on the network, though details are not yet finalized.
Chris Wyatt, ComStar CEO and founder of religious website GodTube.com, commented: "We are not creating another religious network but rather a family-values channel. We’ve tapped into a huge underserved market and have the opportunity over time to increase distribution to exceed 40 million homes." Media reports indicated that the network's on-air presentation would change and that other syndicated series would be targeted for acquisition.[9][10]
As of June 2009 many of the previous programs available on American Life TV were removed from the schedule. According to the VP of programming Glenn Gurgiolo most if not all of those programs will not return. Based on declining revenues the new owners of the network (Schuller and Wyatt) implemented a severe cost cutting measure and all previous classic television programs have now been eliminated permanently and will be replaced with either religious or new family oriented type programs.
In 2009 ALN announced that it would broadcast two controversial documentaries about radical Islam, The Third Jihad and Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West. This was protested by some Muslims.[11] Also in 2009, Chris Wyatt and Rev. Robert A. Schuller announced that they were revamping the network by hiring Aaron Norris as, "president of development."[12]
[edit] Notes
- ^ John Dempsey (2007-06-01). "American Life TV targets baby boomers". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117966145.html?categoryid=2522&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
- ^ "AmericanLife TV Network". National Cable & Telecommunications Association. http://www.ncta.com/ContentView.aspx?hidenavlink=true&type=orgtyp2&contentId=1894. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
- ^ "WBQP TV–12 Programming Schedule". WBQP. October-December 2007. http://www.wbqp.com/schedule/marschedule2007.html. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
- ^ "AmericanLife Launches New VOD Offering". Multichannel News. 2007-09-02. http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6473613.html. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
- ^ American Life TV targets baby boomers: Channel airing Clooney's Darfur docu Variety, June 1, 2007
- ^ The Time 100: George Clooney
- ^ Clooney's Docu on Darfur to Air Monday
- ^ AmericanLife TV Network (ALN) Donates Proceeds From "A Journey to Darfur" DVD to the International Rescue Committee
- ^ "GodTube Founder Buys AmericanLife TV Network". Broadcasting & Cable. 2009-05-27. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/266355-GodTube_Founder_Buys_AmericanLife_TV_Network.php. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
- ^ "Dr. Robert A. Schuller and Chris Wyatt's Comstar Acquires AmericanLife TV Network". ChristianNewsWire. 2009-05-27. http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/5334010491.html. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
- ^ Controversial Islamic Films To Air On Cable TV, CBS, 10-7-2009
- ^ AmericanLife Names Aaron Norris Development Chief, 11-2-2009
[edit] External links
- Official site
- SitcomsOnline.com interview with Mark Ringwald, VP of Programming for AmericanLife TV, 6/5/07
- Mediavillage.com interview with Mark Ringwald, Vice-President of Programming for AmericanLife TV Network
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