Three Angels Broadcasting Network

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

Type	Television, Radio
Country	United States, Canada, Caribbean, Philippines, Russia, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, India, Australia
Availability	International
Founded	by Danny and Linda Shelton
Key people	Danny Shelton, Jim Gilley
Launch date	November 23, 1986
Official website	3abn.org

Three Angels Broadcasting Network, or 3ABN, is an American nonprofit television and radio network broadcasting Christian and health-oriented programming, based in West Frankfort, Illinois. 3ABN is available through the United States, with an expanded international audience. It is an independent non-denominational ministry; however, it supports the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

History

The network was founded by Danny and Linda Shelton. 3ABN went live on November 23, 1986, broadcasting a few hours a day. The station's initial footprint fell across the United States.^{[citation needed]}

In 1987, 3ABN began broadcasting 24 hours a day on satellite. In 1990, Salem, Illinois, became home to 3ABN's first television station.^{[citation needed]}

In 1993 the network began production of Russian-language programming at a 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m²) evangelism center in Nizhny Novgorod, which opened in 1994.

In 1996, 3ABN completed its new production center, located just outside Thompsonville, Illinois, which became its headquarters. The same year, 3ABN began broadcasting on satellite in Europe and Africa.^{[citation needed]}

In 1998, Sky Angel added 3ABN to their lineup on 18-inch satellite dish systems.^{[citation needed]}

In 1999, 3ABN began broadcasting on Hot Bird. 3ABN Radio Network began broadcasting on New Year's Eve, December 31.^{[citation needed]}

In 2000, Internet streaming video and audio of 3ABN programs began, and on June 28 broadcast of 3ABN began on satellite, 24 hours day.^{[citation needed]}

In 2002, a full-power television station in Manila, Philippines, was completed. Also that same year, two full-power radio stations were purchased.^{[citation needed]}

On August 24, 2003, 3ABN launched a 24/7 Spanish and Portuguese television network called 3ABN Latino.

In 2004, TV viewership doubled as 3ABN became available on cable in the most populated cities in India. Total estimated viewer potential was estimated at half a billion people.^{[citation needed]} 3ABN’s Philippine station was inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.^{[citation needed]} 3ABN began broadcasting on Optus B3, providing coverage to Australia and New Zealand. 3ABN is added to Nigeria’s TrendTV DBS satellite system. 3ABN World magazine began publication and a 3ABN Books division was launched.^{[citation needed]}

In 2005, a new full-power station in Kampala, Uganda, began broadcasting 3ABN programming.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006, a new full-power TV station comes online in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The largest production in 3ABN history, Ten Commandments Weekend, airs from Washington, D.C. 3ABN begins broadcasting on the PAS-10 satellite to Africa and mainland Europe. Qwest, Verizon, and AT&T telecoms add 3ABN to their lineups in major cities across America. In 2006 its broadcast outlets in the U.S. numbered over 100 stations.

Jim Gilley, became the new president and CEO. 3ABN was added to DISH Network’s lineup. In August, 3ABN International began time-shifting English programming for various time zones around the world; this created a main 3ABN channel which would continue to serve primarily North America and a new 3ABN International channel designed to serve the entire eastern hemisphere.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, 3ABN opened a new radio station in Kisii, Kenya. 3ABN Russia began broadcasting its programming over the Internet 24 hours a day.

In January 2009, 3ABN launched a 24/7 Christian children's television network called the SonBeam Channel.^{[citation needed]}

3ABN launched 3ABN Proclaim! in March 2010, a 24/7 television network carrying some of 3ABN's original programming and Seventh-day Adventist church services on the G-19 satellite and the Internet.^{[citation needed]}

A 24/7 Christian urban television network, Dare to Dream Network, was launched in December 2010, intended for African Americans and other minorities living in urban areas.^{[citation needed]}

In January 2011, 3ABN introduced a new logo, the result of a rebranding effort spanning several years. The new logo features a stylized earth with three blue arrows sweeping around it, which represent the three angels of Revelation 14 taking their message to the world.^{[citation needed]}

In June 2011, 3ABN Latino announced a new 24/7 Christian Spanish radio network called 3ABN Latino Radio.^{[citation needed]}

Facilities

3ABN has a campus that includes several locations in the United States.

• 3ABN's Production Center, Uplink Center and 3ABN's Worship Center is in West Frankfort
• .3ABN operates a Trust Services office in Loma Linda, California.

3ABN Australia is building offices and studios in Morisset, New South Wales.

3ABN operates a full-power transmitter and tower at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

3ABN operates a full-power transmitter and tower overlooking Manila, Philippines.

3ABN Russia's 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m²) Russian Evangelism Center is located in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. It houses a Seventh-day Adventist church which meets on Saturdays.

Networks and Channels

3ABN

3ABN is the flagship channel, which began airing in 1984. It is currently available on the G-19 satellite (included on dish systems from Glorystar on channel 106), IS-9 and IS-10 satellites, DISH Network, MOIPTV, various cable outlets, various UHF and VHF stations, and as a streaming broadcast from 3abn.org. Some of its content is used by LifeStyleTV in Sweden, and Better Life Broadcasting Network in the United States.

3ABN International Channel

The 3ABN International Channel was launched in 2007. It carries much of the same programming as the flagship North American channel known as "3ABN", but broadcasts the programs at times better suited for eastern hemisphere viewership. It is available on the IS-10, Hot Bird, and Thaicom 5 satellites.

3ABN Latino

3ABN Latino was launched in 2003. It carries mostly Spanish and some Portuguese programming. It is available on the G-19 (included on dish systems from Glorystar on channel 202), IS-9, and IS-10 satellites, and as a streaming broadcast from 3abn.org.

3ABN Latino Radio

3ABN Latino Radio Network launched on January 1, 2012. It carries Spanish programming, program audio from 3ABN Latino TV programs in Spanish suitable for radio, and radio content produced by third parties. It is available on the G-19 (included on dish systems from Glorystar on channel 1104), later more satellites, MOIPTV various full-power and low-power radio stations, and as a streaming broadcast from 3abn.org

3ABN Proclaim!

3ABN Proclaim! was launched in 2010. It is currently available on the G-19 satellite (included on dish systems from Glorystar on channel 116) and also available as a streaming broadcast from 3abn.org. It carries a subset of past and current 3ABN programming focused on preaching and teaching.

3ABN Radio

3ABN Radio Network was launched in December 1999. It carries original 3ABN radio programming, program audio from 3ABN TV programs that are suitable for radio, and radio content produced by third parties. It is currently available on the G-19 satellite (included on dish systems from Glorystar) on channel 1002), Hot Bird satellite, IS-9 satellite, Optus D2 satellite, Thaicom 5 satellite, MOIPTV, various full-power and low-power radio stations, and as a streaming broadcast from 3abn.org.

3ABN Russia

3ABN Russia began broadcasting in Russia in 1994, and added an internet stream in 2008.

Dare to Dream

Dare to Dream was launched as an internet-only broadcast in December 2010. It is currently available on the G-19 satellite (included on dish systems from Glorystar on channel 114).

SonBeam Channel

The SonBeam Channel was launched in 2009, and contains children's programming from 3ABN, as well as a few programs from 3ABN Latino and 3ABN Russia.

Programming

The focus of 3ABN's programming is a blend of family and social programs (including divorce recovery programs, marriage, and children and family issues), health and lifestyle (including drug and alcohol rehabilitation, exercise, healthy cooking (with an emphasis on dairy-free vegetarian, organic food), natural home remedies, stop smoking, and weight loss), gospel music, and a wide variety of Bible-based presentations (including Bible study, church history, seminars and events, and worship services).

3ABN's program lineups include both original (3ABN-produced) and third-party programs. 3ABN Latino, 3ABN Latino Radio, 3ABN Radio, 3ABN Russia, and Dare to Dream Network each contain their own original programs not included on the main 3ABN television network. As of early 2009, 3ABN's main TV channel had 69% original programming; 3ABN Latino had 67% original programming; and 3ABN Russia had 100% original programming.

The 3ABN International Channel has the same lineup of programs as 3ABN's flagship channel.

Publishing and Other Media

3ABN ministry produces albums, cassettes and CDs. Some albums have been re-released as music DVDs. In the mid- to late 1990s, 3ABN began using the "3ABN Music" label to brand its music products.

3ABN Books division publishes books with most of the authors being either 3ABN employees or hosts of programs on 3ABN.

3ABN publishes a monthly newsletter titled 3ABN World. According to Greg Morikone, manager of 3ABN's Call Center, as of December 2011, 3ABN World is mailed to more than 75,000 individuals, not counting bulk copies mailed for distribution by third-party individuals and extra copies printed for other uses.^{[citation needed]}

Controversies

Linda Shelton

In 2004 Linda Shelton was removed from 3ABN's Board of Directors, and her presence was erased from the network's programming, website, and sales inventory. Over the years it was rumored that Linda had been unfaithful in her marriage to Danny, resulting in her dismissal from the Board of Directors and their divorce. Linda created a website where she asserted that she had not been unfaithful and requested proof be provided proving her guilt or that her name be cleared. In November 2010 Linda announced that she had moved to Norway, citing her need to be far from the turmoil that continued to surround their ongoing property settlement case.

Allegations by Save3ABN.org

In January 2007 a website, Save3ABN dot org, run by Gailon Arthur Joy and Robert Jude Pickle made allegations against 3ABN and its staff alleging illegal actions. In April 2007, 3ABN filed suit against Joy and Pickle.

In 2008, 3ABN purchased the domain name from the Trustee in the bankruptcy case of Gailon Arthur Joy, who had owned the domain name.

Tommy Shelton

One of the issues highlighted by Save-3ABN.com has been allegations of sexual abuse levelled against the Rev. Tommy Shelton, Danny Shelton's brother and a former 3ABN staff member. The website published testimonies and documentary evidence claiming that Tommy Shelton molested at least six teenaged boys over a period of three decades, starting when Shelton was the pastor of a Church of God congregation in West Frankfort, Illinois. One former victim, Brad Dunning, claimed that Shelton had lewdly propositioned him in his office in the early 1980s; Shelton also allegedly told Dunning's relatives that he would "win" any legal actions against him, forcing them to move away. Two brothers, Roger and Duane Clem, made similar allegations against Shelton. Moreover, Save-3ABN.com published a 2005 e-mail between Shelton and Duane Clem, in which Shelton admitted that "inappropriate things happened between you and me" and offered a purported apology.

After a two-year police investigation. Tommy Shelton pleaded guilty to child molestation charges on July 19, 2010, but the judge rejected the plea deal on November 15, 2010, because he had reservations about it providing for no jail time, and Tommy Shelton had not shown remorse, according to a former federal prosecutor.

Documentation published by Save-3ABN.com has indicated that the network was aware of Tommy Shelton's history with children, but failed to act on it. Despite the claims against Shelton, he was the subject of a 3ABN special that aired on December 31, 2006, in which Danny Shelton cited his brother's "warmth", "Christian experience", and "Christian walk with the Lord."

On June 20, 2011, a federal lawsuit was filed against 3ABN, accusing the network of negligence in connection with the allegations against Tommy Shelton.

Removal from Sky Angel

3ABN had been removed from carriage on the Dominion Sky Angel DBS system which was available on the Dish Network platform.

External links

• 3ABN.org