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.^{[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]}

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]}

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 is the flagship television network, which began airing in 1984.
• 3ABN International Channel focuses on eastern hemisphere viewership.
• 3ABN Latino Network carries mostly Spanish and some Portuguese programming.
• 3ABN Latino Radio Network carries Spanish programming, program audio from 3ABN Latino TV programs, and radio content produced by third parties.
• 3ABN Proclaim! Network focuses on preaching and teaching.
• 3ABN Radio Network carries original 3ABN radio programming, program audio from 3ABN TV programs, and radio content produced by third parties.
• 3ABN Russia carries Christian programming in the Russian language.
• 3ABN Dare to Dream Network contains Christian programming for Urban audiences.
• 3ABN SonBeam Channel contains children's programming

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

Allegations by Save3ABN.org

In January 2007, a website called Save3ABN.org was launched by Gailon Arthur Joy and Robert Jude Pickle. The website made claims that Danny Shelton and other 3ABN staff members had engaged in alleged unethical and illegal actions, mainly concerning misappropriation of funds and sexual misconduct. In April 2007, 3ABN filed suit against Joy and Pickle.

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 3ABN's former production manager. 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, and continuing when he moved to another church in Dunn Loring, Virginia.

On July 19, 2010, Tommy Shelton turned himself in to police in Fairfax County, Virginia, and pleaded guilty to two felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. Shelton's attorneys and Fairfax prosecutors agreed to a plea deal in which he would serve probation. However, a judge doubted Shelton's alleged remorse and rejected the plea deal. On January 24, 2012, Shelton reached abother plea deal shortly before his scheduled trial, in which he entered Alford pleas on all four of the molestation charges bought against him.

On June 20, 2011, a federal lawsuit was filed against 3ABN on behalf of one of Shelton's accusers, claiming that the network was negligient in how it handled the allegations against Tommy Shelton.

External links

• 3ABN.org