God TV debuts in China

For the past four years, global Christian broadcaster GOD TV has been steadily making inroads into the Far East with daily broadcasts in Hong Kong. But now, in an unprecedented development, millions in China can access GOD's mix of Christian programming 24-hours-a- day.

The expansion follows the launch of GOD TV's dedicated Greater China service on 16 October 2008, which is broadcast directly from Jerusalem via two new satellites, providing the entire Far East region with Christian programming that is catered specifically to Chinese viewers.

The new satellites are Agila 2 - among the most popular in the region, providing direct-to-home access to millions of viewers - and the IS-4 satellite which spans throughout most of the Far East. The utilisation of these two satellites yields a powerful combination, reaching mainland China, Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines and Japan.

"In 2004, we became the first English language Christian broadcaster in Hong Kong with a sizeable Chinese viewership, but we have always wanted to bring so much more to this region," said GOD TV founder and Chief Executive, Rory Alec. "Now, God has opened up Greater China to us by providing a literally unprecedented opening, which we believe is going to be one of the most significant outreaches in our history."

Co-founder and Director of Television, Wendy Alec, added, "For years we've waited and prayed for an opportunity to reach the Greater China Christian community, and now the dream God seeded in our hearts is becoming a reality. This gateway to millions of new viewers in a region that has been closed to broadcasting the Gospel for generations, will now receive quality Christian programming."

GOD TV's Greater China launch was marked by a special live broadcast from GOD TV's studios in Washington DC on October 16 where the GOD TV founders shared their network's far-reaching vision for China. Rory and Wendy prayed a prayer of blessing over all new viewers.

The new Greater China feed includes GOD TV's full line-up of international programming, with some programmes in Mandarin, including popular Bible teacher, Joyce Meyer and the Alpha Course's Nicky Gumble. Also included in this month's schedule are two high-profile Christian events in Hong Kong - 'onething' from the International House of Prayer, and Christ for all Nation's Hong Kong Conference with global evangelist Reinhard Bonnke.

Already, new Chinese viewers are contacting GOD TV's regional office in Hong Kong with enthusiasm. One Chinese student, Yue Yanyun, said: "I watched GOD TV today and it's really amazing!" Another new viewer from the south of China expressed her appreciation: "I am 23-years-old and I am very happy to have GOD TV, which I believe will help me face my problems and become more positive about life."

GOD TV was founded in the UK in 1995 by Christian media pioneers Rory & Wendy Alec.