GOD TV

GOD TV is a Christian television network that began in England in 1995 as Christian Channel Europe, established by Rory and Wendy Alec. It is associated with word-of-faith, Pentecostal and neo-charismatic Christian broadcasting and distributes a mixture of original productions, church services, conferences, evangelistic events, music programming, talk formats and charitable appeals. The network is organized around regional services rather than a single uniform schedule, with versions for the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia, as well as additional regional operations serving Israel, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. The channel started broadcasting on 1 October 1995 for three hours each day, initially transmitting between the early morning hours. Its schedule expanded to seven hours in 1997 and to a full 24-hour service in 1999. The GOD logo appeared during the 1990s, and the service was subsequently rebranded as the GOD Channel. In 2002, the organization became part of the Dream Family Network, later known as GOD Digital, before adopting the GOD TV name. That year its broadcast uplink was moved to Israel, supporting wider satellite distribution and expansion into Africa and Asia. Offices or regional operations were later established in South Africa, India, the United States, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Australia and other markets. GOD TV entered the United States in 2006 through DIRECTV and later developed a presence in Orlando, Florida, including distribution through WACX. Its programming has also been carried by cable, satellite, terrestrial subchannels and other local distribution arrangements. In Africa, the channel has been distributed by satellite and through selected terrestrial or pay-television platforms. In India, it has been available through cable systems and has carried local Christian programming. The Australian and New Zealand service has included content from churches and ministries such as Planetshakers, Hillsong and other regional organizations. The network has also distributed its signal in Sri Lanka, Macau, Hong Kong and parts of Greater China. The network's programming has included youth-oriented series, Christian music, live revival meetings, Bible teaching and events featuring international evangelists. Its broadcast of the 2008 Lakeland Revival substantially increased its visibility and audience, while also connecting the network with the New Apostolic Reformation and with controversial faith-healing ministries. GOD TV has promoted Christian Zionist themes and organized tours and events in Israel, including large anniversary and Bible-site gatherings. Its original productions have received recognition from the Christian Broadcasting Council of the United Kingdom. Alongside broadcasting, GOD TV has supported charitable and humanitarian initiatives. Its themed programming has addressed persecution of Christians, refugees, human trafficking and relief work in conflict-affected areas. Initiatives mentioned in relation to the network include support for orphan care in Malawi, charitable activities in Sri Lanka, assistance for young women through Mercy Ministries in the United Kingdom and fundraising connected with Christians and other civilians affected by conflict in Iraq. The network has also faced criticism over its theological and social positions. Critics have objected to programming associated with conversion therapy, opposition to LGBT rights and conservative American evangelists. In Israel, regulators concluded in 2020 that the network's local service violated restrictions concerning religious proselytizing and ordered it off Israeli airspace. GOD TV's leadership changed substantially after Rory Alec resigned as chief executive in 2014, citing what the organization described as moral failure. Wendy Alec subsequently led the network for approximately two years before Ward Simpson was appointed president and chief executive. GOD TV remains an active international religious broadcaster, although its exact audience, ownership structure and financial details are not established in the supplied sources.

GOD TV was founded in England in 1995 by Rory and Wendy Alec as Christian Channel Europe. It began on 1 October of that year with a short daily schedule, initially broadcasting for three hours each morning. The service expanded to seven hours in 1997 and became a 24-hour broadcaster in 1999. During this period, the GOD logo was introduced and the channel was renamed the GOD Channel. In 2002, the organization became part of the Dream Family Network, later called GOD Digital, and ultimately adopted the GOD TV name. Its broadcast uplink moved to Israel, a technical and strategic change that helped the network distribute programming internationally by satellite. The same period saw expansion into Africa and Asia, including operations in Cape Town and Chennai. Angel Television Africa was established in South Africa, while Angel Christian Charitable Foundation India supported the channel's Indian activities. The network opened a United States office in Orlando in 2003. It expanded into Australia and New Zealand in 2005, entered DIRECTV in the United States in 2006 and established a Sri Lankan office in Colombo in 2008. Its distribution also reached Macau, Hong Kong and Greater China. Additional offices were established in Nairobi and Melbourne in 2009. Regional structures allowed GOD TV to combine centrally supplied programming with local services, ministry content and viewer support. GOD TV's regional model eventually covered the United States; the United Kingdom and Europe; Africa and East Africa; Asia and the Middle East; Israel; Sri Lanka; and Australasia. In the United Kingdom, the Angel Foundation served as a registered charitable organization associated with the network. In Australia, programming was distributed through satellite and other institutional arrangements, including some prisons and rehabilitation settings. In Africa and Asia, satellite and cable carriage enabled access across numerous countries and cities. The network's schedule has emphasized evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic ministries, with a significant youth component. It has aired Christian music, church services, teaching, conferences and evangelistic events. GOD TV's transmission of the 2008 Lakeland Revival, led by Todd Bentley, brought greater attention and reportedly increased viewership. The network has also broadcast events involving ministers such as Reinhard Bonnke and programs connected with the New Apostolic Reformation. Its original productions received awards from the United Kingdom's Christian Broadcasting Council, including recognition for live-event and youth programming. Israel has been especially important to GOD TV's identity and programming. The network has organized tours and televised gatherings at biblical and historical sites, including a 2008 celebration of Israel's sixtieth anniversary and the Arise Zion Tour associated with Israel's seventieth anniversary in 2018. In 2009, GOD TV partnered with the Jewish National Fund on a tree-planting project in the Negev. Human-rights groups criticized that project, arguing that it threatened Bedouin communities. In 2017, chief executive Ward Simpson participated in a Christian Media Summit in Jerusalem at the invitation of the Israeli government. Charitable programming has included support for HIV/AIDS orphans at Kondanani Children's Village in Malawi, assistance for projects in Sri Lanka, support for Mercy Ministries in the United Kingdom and appeals for people affected by war in Iraq. The network has also devoted themed programming to refugees, human trafficking and persecuted Christians. Leadership changed in 2014 when Rory Alec resigned as chief executive in circumstances the organization characterized as moral failure. Rory and Wendy Alec divorced in 2015. Wendy Alec led the network for about two years before appointing Ward Simpson as president and chief executive. GOD TV has continued operating as an international Christian broadcaster, but public information in the supplied material does not establish its current ownership, detailed finances or precise audience size.

• 2020

  Israeli affiliate removed from airspace

  [1]GOD TVen.wikipedia.org

  Israeli regulators determine that the service breached proselytizing restrictions and order it off air.

• 2014

  Rory Alec leaves the chief executive role

  [1]GOD TVen.wikipedia.org

  The co-founder resigns and Wendy Alec assumes senior leadership.

• 2008

  Lakeland Revival is broadcast

  [1]GOD TVen.wikipedia.org

  Nightly coverage of the Lakeland Revival becomes one of the network's most prominent programming events.

• 2006

  DIRECTV distribution begins

  [1]GOD TVen.wikipedia.org

  The network launches on DIRECTV in the United States.

• 2003

  United States office opens

  [1]GOD TVen.wikipedia.org

  GOD TV establishes an American office in Orlando, Florida.

• 2002

  International expansion under GOD TV identity

  [1]GOD TVen.wikipedia.org

  The organization becomes associated with GOD Digital and then GOD TV, moves its uplink to Israel and expands into Africa and Asia.

• 1999

  Twenty-four-hour broadcasting begins

  [1]GOD TVen.wikipedia.org

  The network expands its schedule to continuous daily broadcasting.

• 1997

  Schedule expands and GOD branding appears

  [1]GOD TVen.wikipedia.org

  The channel expands to seven hours per day and introduces the GOD logo before later becoming the GOD Channel.

• 1995

  Christian Channel Europe begins broadcasting

  [1]GOD TVen.wikipedia.org

  Rory and Wendy Alec launch the network in England with a three-hour daily Christian television schedule.

An international, evangelical Christian media network with strong Pentecostal, charismatic and Christian Zionist content, combining ministry programming with regional distribution and charitable appeals.

• Television network · 2002

  GOD TV regional channels

  A family of regionally adapted Christian television services covering the United States, Europe, Africa, Asia, Israel, Sri Lanka and Australasia. Regional schedules combine network programming with local ministries, church events, music, viewer services and country-specific distribution arrangements.

• Event broadcasting

  Live Christian events

  GOD TV broadcasts conferences, revival meetings, evangelistic campaigns and church gatherings. Notable examples include the Lakeland Revival, Angus Buchan's Mighty Men events and broadcasts involving international evangelists and charismatic ministries.

• Television programming

  Youth and Christian music programming

  Youth-oriented programming includes ministry series, music performances and events featuring Christian artists and bands. The stated aim is to provide contemporary and relevant content for younger Christian audiences.

• Faith-based public-interest programming

  Charitable and humanitarian programming

  The network uses themed seasons, appeals and documentaries to support causes including refugee assistance, persecuted Christians, human-trafficking prevention, orphan care and relief for people affected by conflict.

• 2020

  Israeli proselytizing violation

  Israel's communications authorities warned that GOD TV's Israeli affiliate might breach laws restricting proselytizing. Regulators later determined that it violated those rules and ordered the channel off Israeli airspace.

  Source

• 2015

  Criticism over LGBT-related preaching

  Pride in Plymouth and Plymouth Humanists criticized GOD TV for inviting Andrew Wommack to an annual gathering, arguing that the appearance promoted discrimination against LGBT people. The network has also carried material from organizations criticized for promoting conversion therapy.

  Source

• 2014

  Rory Alec resignation and leadership controversy

  GOD TV announced that co-founder and chief executive Rory Alec had resigned because of what it described as moral failure. The subsequent divorce of Rory and Wendy Alec added to the public attention surrounding the leadership transition.

  Source

• 2009

  Dispute over Negev planting project

  Human-rights groups criticized GOD TV's partnership with the Jewish National Fund, claiming that the tree-planting project could contribute to the displacement of Bedouin communities in the Negev.

  Source

• 2008

  Controversy surrounding Lakeland Revival programming

  The network's extensive coverage of Todd Bentley's Lakeland Revival linked GOD TV with disputed faith-healing claims and New Apostolic Reformation figures.

  Source

Read more

• 2018Arise Zion Tour

  Israel · International

  The network organized an Israel-focused tour connected with celebrations of Israel's seventieth anniversary.

  Source
• 2015Persecuted Church season

  International

  A themed programming initiative highlighted the experiences and needs of Christians facing persecution.

  Source
• 2015Refugees #LoveYourNeighbour Season

  International

  GOD TV used themed broadcasts to draw attention to refugees and humanitarian responses.

  Source
• 2009Negev tree-planting partnership

  Israel · United States

  GOD TV partnered with the Jewish National Fund on a tree-planting initiative in Israel's Negev region.

  Outcome. Jewish and Arab human-rights organizations opposed the project, alleging that it could facilitate the displacement of Bedouin communities.

  Source
• 2008A Celebration of Israel's 60th Anniversary

  Israel · International

  GOD TV organized a major Israel-focused tour and event at the Davidson Center near the Western Wall, with Jewish and Christian participants and international television coverage.

  Outcome. The event became one of the network's largest Israel-related gatherings, with approximately 1,800 tour participants reported in the source material.

  Source

• 2020

  Withdraw Israeli service after regulatory actionOther

  Background

  Israeli authorities examined whether the channel's programming breached restrictions on proselytizing.

  Action taken

  After regulators found a violation, the Israeli service was ordered off Israeli airspace.

  Aftermath

  The decision restricted GOD TV's local Israeli broadcast presence while the network continued operating internationally.

  Source

• 2014

  Change chief executiveOther

  Background

  Co-founder Rory Alec resigned in circumstances publicly described by GOD TV as moral failure.

  Action taken

  Wendy Alec took over as president and chief executive and later appointed Ward Simpson.

  Aftermath

  The network moved from founder-led management toward new executive leadership.

  Source

• 2008

  Launch Greater China serviceProduct launch

  Background

  GOD TV had already reached Macau and sought to extend its regional presence into Greater China.

  Action taken

  The network launched a Greater China service and televised events from the region.

  Aftermath

  The Melbourne regional office became involved in managing Hong Kong, Macau and Greater China activities.

  Source

• 2006

  Enter the United States through DIRECTVStrategy

  Background

  The network pursued broader access to American Christian television viewers.

  Action taken

  GOD TV launched on DIRECTV and later expanded local distribution in the Orlando market through WACX.

  Aftermath

  The move established a more visible United States operating base and added satellite and terrestrial distribution.

  Source

• 2002

  Move toward international satellite distributionStrategy

  Background

  The channel sought to move beyond its original British and European service and reach audiences in Africa and Asia.

  Action taken

  The organization changed its corporate and brand identity, moved its broadcast uplink to Israel and expanded regional operations.

  Aftermath

  The change supported the development of GOD TV as an international rather than primarily European broadcaster.

  Source

1. 1GOD TVen.wikipedia.org
2. 2GOD TV official websitegod.tv