Southern Baptists have their own cable network — FamilyNet — but few Alabama Baptists have the opportunity to view it. FamilyNet officials, however, are working to increase the network’s visibility and need the help of churchgoers in the state.
“There is so much competition for (cable bandwidth),” said Risa Hubbard, FamilyNet affiliate relations manager. “There are so many mandates on what [cable affiliates] should carry. We are competing with hundreds of other channels.”
Featuring 24 hours of programming, FamilyNet combines original shows such as “Janet Parshall’s America,” and “At Home — LIVE!” with Chuck and Jenni Borsellino, with other programs that meet the station’s standards such as “The Nana Puddin’ Show” for children and “ The Lucy Show.”
“We have a diversified schedule that is very family-friendly,” Hubbard said. “[FamilyNet] is usually very well received, especially in a heavily conservative Christian market,” like Alabama.
Values-oriented programs
Mike Huey, marketing manager for Cable One in Anniston, said the network’s programming lineup enables his company to “make more positive programming available for our customers.”
Every Cable One affiliate nationwide offers FamilyNet as part of a “Faith and Family” digital cable package.
“[FamilyNet] has a lot of shows that display values you don’t see very often (on television),” he said. Huey noted that Anniston is Cable One’s only market in Alabama.
They and Bright House Networks in Birmingham are currently the only cable providers who carry FamilyNet as part of available digital cable packages. Eight other stations, mainly in the central and northern parts of the state, carry FamilyNet programming either part time or full time. Neither DISH Network nor DIRECTV offer the network, but FamilyNet is working to change that, Hubbard said.
She said that while the cable companies’ national offices can endorse or approve a particular channel, usually “the decisions are made locally and regionally” by affiliates. Cable One is an exception. All of its digital cable programs are set by the national office, so all Cable One affiliates offer the same digital cable choices.
Hubbard also noted that many cable affiliates only add new programming within their digital cable packages because of the available bandwidth on which to broadcast.
Huey explained that digital cable allows providers to offer up to 12 channels within the same space that one channel on analog cable would need. So it is easier to add new channels in the digital arena.
He noted that cable affiliates also have certain guidelines as to what they should carry. If consumers will contact their cable providers and let them know their preferences, however, “it won’t go unheard,” Huey said.
Hubbard noted that FamilyNet needs the help of Alabama Baptists in fostering support for the network. “We encourage people to contact their cable operators and let them know they want the network. Be persistent.”
She said while phone calls and e-mails are good ways to contact cable companies, she encourages consumers to write a brief letter to their local cable affiliate. “We’ve seen in other markets that the (affiliates) get letters and take them more seriously,” she said.
Huey agreed, noting that although companies operate differently, most keep track of requests. “Anything written is more effective because we do keep a file of that,” he said. “As we have an opportunity to make a decision about programming, we look at those.”
For more information on contacting cable affiliates contact Hubbard at 1-800-832-6638.
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