TORONTO and ST. CATHARINES – Digi-net The Christian Channel has been sold to World Impact Ministries (WIM), owner S-Vox said today.
WIM is a St. Catharines, Ont.-based Christian charity known for media and international work. S-Vox, of course, is the owner of VisionTV and One: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel. The sale still has to be approved by the CRTC and no purchase price was announced.
"We launched The Christian Channel in 2005 with the intent of better serving Canadians with a varied and robust schedule of the finest Christian programming from around the world. I’m proud of the accomplishments of our team towards this goal, and at the same time I’m delighted that WIM will be the new owner of the channel. WIM is uniquely well positioned to build on the success that has been achieved to date, and we look forward to working with them to achieve a smooth transition,” said Mark Prasuhn, president of The Christian Channel and chief content officer for VisionTV, in a press release.
“WIM looks to create a strong spiritual voice of goodwill and friendship toward all Canadians, and to present relevant religious programming that addresses the needs and interests of society as a whole. WIM will seek to increase the distribution of The Christian Channel both within Canada and around the globe,” said Peter Youngren, president and founder of WIM.
The ministry will take over the operation and control of The Christian Channel, upon CRTC approval, and will establish a new flagship variety program, Encounter, which will air daily in prime time. The hour-long talk and current affairs show, hosted by Youngren, will be produced by The Christian Channel under WIM’s management.
WIM will add new religious programming from Canadian and international producers, and will seek to substantiate The Christian Channel as a provider of hope to all Canadians regardless of background, culture or religion, says the press release.
Under the terms of a services agreement, VisionTV will continue to provide technical and service support to The Christian Channel subsequent to the closure of the transaction. Airtime sales to broadcast ministries will continue to be managed by Trillenium Group, which has represented the channel since 2006.
