TBN'S MIRACULOUS HISTORY!

The beginnings were modest, as TBN launched on May 28, 1973, with one tiny, part-time station airing a few hours of homemade Christian programming each day throughout Southern California. But God breathed life into this humble start, and soon people from all walks of life and circumstances were tuning in. Lives were changed, the word spread, and before long folks across America and beyond were asking for this miracle of Christian television. Within just a few years TBN was expanding to cities across the U.S., and then to nations and locales around the world, where millions experienced the message of hope and grace through Jesus for the first time through innovative, life-transforming Christian programming.

Today TBN touches over 175 nations in more than a dozen languages through 30 (and growing) global networks airing a wide range of church and ministry programming, Christian music and worship, compelling talk, family-friendly movies, children’s programming, and exciting, relevant content for teens and young adults. 

From the start TBN has embraced cutting-edge technologies that extend its reach to more people with the hope of the gospel. In the 1970s TBN was one of the first networks to use satellite to broadcast its programming globally. TBN was also an early leader in using the Internet to share its content online. Today millions of viewers around the world use TBN’s apps to watch our TBN Networks live on smart phones, tablets, and laptops. Additionally, thousands of hours of exclusive content are available to viewers everywhere through TBN’s Video of Demand platform. 

Recognizing the great need to reach men and women in prison with the love of Jesus, several years ago we launched TBN 2nd Chance, a compassionate outreach providing TBN’s top Christian networks for free to hundreds of prisons across the U.S. — impacting a potential of over one million inmates.

And we can’t forget Holy Land Experience, TBN’s exciting faith-and-family vacation destination in Orlando, Florida, that immerses guests in the sights, sounds, historical time frames — and impacting truths — of the Bible.  With its interactive exhibits, realistic re-creations of ancient Israel, and award-winning theatrical productions, Holy Land Experience has become a must-see attraction for individuals, families, and groups from across America and around the world. 

Without a doubt, we’ve come a long way since that memorable evening in May 1973, when Paul and Jan Crouch joined their small team of friends and partners to dedicate TBN to God before going on the air for the very first time. Asked shortly before his passing about the secret behind TBN’s fruitfulness and success, Paul reflected: “There were certainly people with far more ability and resources that God could have used to take the message of Jesus to the nations through television. But with all of our lack and limits, we had three essential qualities that made all the difference: We were available, we had faith to believe God for the impossible, and we had a core of partners who shared our vision and stood with us. And it is those qualities that will continue to keep TBN on task, taking hope and healing to the nations — until Jesus returns.”