LOS ANGELES (May 29, 2015) — Trinity Broadcasting Network has announced the highly anticipated June 1st roll-out of its newest launch, the English-language Hispanic faith-and-family network TBN Salsa. Geared toward “next generation” Hispanics who may not be fluent in Spanish, TBN Salsa will initially debut in 38 major broadcast markets across America, including Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Seattle, and Phoenix.
“With over 53 million Latinos living in the U.S., Hispanics compose the nation's largest ethnic minority,” said TBN Vice President Matthew Crouch. “Many of these individuals and families have been regular viewers of TBN's Spanish-language affiliate network Enlace. But as the number of Hispanics in the nation continues to increase, fewer 'next-generation' Latinos are using Spanish regularly. It's for this significant demographic that we have launched TBN Salsa.”
According to U.S. Census studies, by 2020 between 35 and 40 percent of Hispanics will not be fluent in Spanish. And a 2012 Pew Research report found that increasingly English is becoming the dominant language among a majority of next-generation Hispanics for most everyday activities, including watching television.
“One thing we know is that Hispanic communities across America have a deep commitment to their culture, with its strong emphasis on family and faith,” said Mr. Crouch. “We're taking the unique warmth and passion of that culture and faith community, and bringing it to the large Hispanic audience that may not be fluent in Spanish.”
TBN Salsa's 24-hour program lineup will feature contemporary Christian worship and music from popular Latino singers and groups, church and ministry programming with Hispanic pastors and Christian leaders from the U.S. and Latin America, talk shows highlighting issues of interest to the Hispanic community, along with Latino-themed documentaries, sports shows, family-friendly movies, and broadcast specials.
The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) and a key advisor to TBN Salsa, said that “it is clear the time is right to take the best of Hispanic worship, music, ministry, and family programming, and reach out across the American landscape with a network that entertains, inspires, and offers life-changing truth. The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference is honored to partner in the launch of TBN Salsa. Together we will reach next-generation English-speaking Latinos with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
A number of national Christian leaders are anticipating that TBN Salsa will have a major positive impact on the Hispanic community, particularly among younger Latinos. The Rev. Obed Martinez, pastor of Destiny Church in Indio, California, noted that as a fourth-generation pastor, “I grew up watching TBN and I've seen the progression as this network has grown. How exciting it is that it's now going into our culture with the launch of TBN Salsa. I think what God is about to do in this rising Hispanic culture is going to be absolutely incredible.”
Pastor Robert Stearns of Eagles Wings, a New York Based Christian outreach, predicted that TBN Salsa would become “the media address for the emerging Hispanic demographic. I believe when you tune in to TBN Salsa you are going to receive an incredible intersection of faith, culture, current events, and inspiration....”
Pastor David Diga Hernandez added that TBN Salsa will not merely cater to English-speaking Hispanics, but will give them a voice. “I believe that God is going to use this network greatly to give that growing spiritual demographic a voice in this nation.”
Pastor Samuel Rodriguez emphasized that with the June 1st launch of the network, one thing will be clear: “There won't be a moment of boredom.... It will be exciting, it will be full of joy and animation. That's TBN Salsa!”
Media Contact
Colby May
E-Mail: cr@tbn.org
Tel: 972-313-9500
About the Trinity Broadcasting Network
Trinity Broadcasting Network is the world’s largest and most watched faith-and-family broadcaster, reaching over 175 nations across the earth with inspirational and entertaining programming 24 hours a day in 14 languages and on 32 global networks. As the world’s most influential non-profit religious broadcaster, TBN has led the way in expanding the impact of faith-based television across the earth through the creation of innovative content designed to reach every viewer demographic with the life-changing message of hope and grace. To find out more about the TBN Networks, visit us at www.tbn.org.
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