Difference between revisions of "Daystar Television Network"
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| − | The Daystar Television Network is a [[Christian]] television network. It is the second largest in the world. | + | The '''Daystar Television Network''' is a [[Christian]] television network. It is the second largest in the world. The network was founded in 1997 by Marcus Lamb (d. 2021) and his wife, Joni, with a goal of "reach(ing) souls with the good news of [[Jesus Christ]]."<ref>http://www.daystar.com/index.php/about-daystar</ref> It is based in [[Bedford, Texas]], a suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. After Marcus' death in 2021, Joni, their three children and spouses, took over operations. |
| + | |||
| + | Daystar is legally incorporated in the state of Georgia as a church under the name "Word of God Fellowship, Inc." As such, it is legally exempt from disclosing its income, assets, and compensation. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Beginning== | ||
| + | During a trip to [[Jerusalem]] Marcus Lamb was instructed by [[God]] to start a [[Christian]] television station in [[Montgomery, Alabama]].<ref>Lamb, Joni. (2008). ''Surrender All: Your Answer to Living with Peace, Power and Purpose'', WaterBrook Press, Pages 1-17</ref> Lamb and his wife, Joni, followed the instruction and put together as much money as they could in ordre to purchase a broadcast license permit in the city. They set up their station using equipment that other stations had tossed away. Their station, WMCF-TV 45, went up on 12 October 1985. Despite briefly losing power due to a bounced check and a small staff, they kept going. As the years went by, they were able to improve the presentation and gradually increase the viewership. Around 1990, Marcus received another direction from [[God]], this time to start a [[Christian]] television station in [[Dallas]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Lambs sold WMCF and made the move to Dallas. They were found a broadcast license permit that was available for a fee of one million dollars, with a ten thousand dollar commitment to secure the contract. They were able to collect the ten thousand by selling land that Marcus had previously received as a gift. Their new station, KMPX-TV 29, went up in 1993. Over the next few years, they spread their reach by purchasing other stations nearby. By late 1997, the newly renamed Daystar Television Network started with an airing of TD Jakes' "Potter's House." A series of dealings allowed them to spread their reach further, even to Michigan. | ||
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| + | Daystar can be seen in all 50 US states as well as almost every other country around the globe. In 2006 it became the first foreign Christian television network to be granted a license to broadcast in [[Israel]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Controversy== | ||
| + | In 2024, The Roys Report disclosed that Jonathan Lamb (son of Marcus and Joni) and his wife, Suzy, were fired from the network, as they would not air a viewer comment congratulating Joni on her marriage to Doug Weiss, a "Christian sex therapist". They believed that doing so would violate their Christian view that Joni's marriage to Doug lacked Biblical grounds (Doug had previously divorced his first wife but has never given a Biblical reason - such as adultery - for doing so). | ||
| + | |||
| + | Jonathan and Suzy also contend that they were being "silenced" for reporting that their daughter (a child) was possibly sexually assaulted by "Pete" (the identity of "Pete" is not disclosed but is believed to be a "close family member") and have reported having a tracker placed in their car and being followed by private investigators. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The controversy has led to several ministries (including, notably, PowerPoint, the ministry of notable megachurch pastor [[Jack Graham (pastor)|Jack Graham]]) ending their contracts with and removing their programming from the network. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Programming== | ||
| + | As with fellow Christian TV network [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] Daystar features programming from conservative-leaning teachers, though as with TBN it generally leans toward the [[Pentecostal]]/[[charismatic]] realm, and as expected is frequently criticized for such. Also, just before and since Marcus' death, the network has regularly featured speakers who are anti-COVID vaccine. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Regular programming on the network includes:<ref>http://www.daystar.com/index.php/shows/all-ministries</ref> | ||
| + | * '''Ministry Now''' (the prime-time featured show, broadcasts weeknights at 8PM Central Time, occasionally pre-empted by a special event) | ||
| + | * '''Gospel Music Showcase''' (featuring [[Southern Gospel]] singing) | ||
| + | * [[Hal Lindsey]] Report | ||
| + | * [[Lakewood Church]] | ||
| + | * [[XO Marriage]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==External links== | ||
| + | *[http://www.daystar.com/ Daystar Website] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Religious Broadcasting]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:05, September 24, 2025
The Daystar Television Network is a Christian television network. It is the second largest in the world. The network was founded in 1997 by Marcus Lamb (d. 2021) and his wife, Joni, with a goal of "reach(ing) souls with the good news of Jesus Christ."[1] It is based in Bedford, Texas, a suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. After Marcus' death in 2021, Joni, their three children and spouses, took over operations.
Daystar is legally incorporated in the state of Georgia as a church under the name "Word of God Fellowship, Inc." As such, it is legally exempt from disclosing its income, assets, and compensation.
Beginning
During a trip to Jerusalem Marcus Lamb was instructed by God to start a Christian television station in Montgomery, Alabama.[2] Lamb and his wife, Joni, followed the instruction and put together as much money as they could in ordre to purchase a broadcast license permit in the city. They set up their station using equipment that other stations had tossed away. Their station, WMCF-TV 45, went up on 12 October 1985. Despite briefly losing power due to a bounced check and a small staff, they kept going. As the years went by, they were able to improve the presentation and gradually increase the viewership. Around 1990, Marcus received another direction from God, this time to start a Christian television station in Dallas.
The Lambs sold WMCF and made the move to Dallas. They were found a broadcast license permit that was available for a fee of one million dollars, with a ten thousand dollar commitment to secure the contract. They were able to collect the ten thousand by selling land that Marcus had previously received as a gift. Their new station, KMPX-TV 29, went up in 1993. Over the next few years, they spread their reach by purchasing other stations nearby. By late 1997, the newly renamed Daystar Television Network started with an airing of TD Jakes' "Potter's House." A series of dealings allowed them to spread their reach further, even to Michigan.
Daystar can be seen in all 50 US states as well as almost every other country around the globe. In 2006 it became the first foreign Christian television network to be granted a license to broadcast in Israel.
Controversy
In 2024, The Roys Report disclosed that Jonathan Lamb (son of Marcus and Joni) and his wife, Suzy, were fired from the network, as they would not air a viewer comment congratulating Joni on her marriage to Doug Weiss, a "Christian sex therapist". They believed that doing so would violate their Christian view that Joni's marriage to Doug lacked Biblical grounds (Doug had previously divorced his first wife but has never given a Biblical reason - such as adultery - for doing so).
Jonathan and Suzy also contend that they were being "silenced" for reporting that their daughter (a child) was possibly sexually assaulted by "Pete" (the identity of "Pete" is not disclosed but is believed to be a "close family member") and have reported having a tracker placed in their car and being followed by private investigators.
The controversy has led to several ministries (including, notably, PowerPoint, the ministry of notable megachurch pastor Jack Graham) ending their contracts with and removing their programming from the network.
Programming
As with fellow Christian TV network Trinity Broadcasting Network Daystar features programming from conservative-leaning teachers, though as with TBN it generally leans toward the Pentecostal/charismatic realm, and as expected is frequently criticized for such. Also, just before and since Marcus' death, the network has regularly featured speakers who are anti-COVID vaccine.
Regular programming on the network includes:[3]
- Ministry Now (the prime-time featured show, broadcasts weeknights at 8PM Central Time, occasionally pre-empted by a special event)
- Gospel Music Showcase (featuring Southern Gospel singing)
- Hal Lindsey Report
- Lakewood Church
- XO Marriage
References
- ↑ http://www.daystar.com/index.php/about-daystar
- ↑ Lamb, Joni. (2008). Surrender All: Your Answer to Living with Peace, Power and Purpose, WaterBrook Press, Pages 1-17
- ↑ http://www.daystar.com/index.php/shows/all-ministries
