wfn.org | New Odyssey Channel Makes Faith Visible on TV

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

30-August-1996 
 
 
96314          New Odyssey Channel Makes Faith Visible on TV 
 
                        by Teresa Metzger 
                     Office of Communication 
             
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Effective September 29, 1996, the cable channel known as 
VISN/ACTS or the Faith & Values Channel will change its name to Odyssey.   
 
     The channel's name is being changed to ensure the continued growth of 
the channel by making it attractive to the broadest audience possible while 
maintaining its core audience of Faith & Values Channel subscribers.   
 
     The name change also supports the channel's "no on-air fund-raising" 
policy.  Odyssey's bills must be paid from fees generated from cable 
subscribers and from outside advertising.  Its current religious name 
prevents many advertisers from supporting the channel.  The new Odyssey 
name will help preserve the religious mission of "making faith visible on 
TV" without discouraging needed advertising support. 
 
     Channel officials feel the new name evokes both the spirituality of 
the journey so central to the Judeo-Christian heritage as well as deep 
cultural themes.  The tag line will be "Exploring Life's Journey."  Odyssey 
will explore life with the conviction that God accompanies and guides 
individuals along the way.     
 
     The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been an active supporter of the 
Faith & Values Channel since its creation in 1988.  Presbyterians serve on 
both its board of directors and membership board.  The PC(USA) has supplied 
hundreds of hours of programming to the channel in the past and is planning 
future TV projects on Odyssey. 

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For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  phone 502-569-5504             fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

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