INSP (TV network)

Last updated
INSP
Country United States
Headquarters Indian Land, South Carolina
Programming
Language(s) English
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
480i (SDTV)
Ownership
OwnerINSP LLC
(The Inspirational Network, Inc.)
Key people David Cerullo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Dale Ardizzone Chief Operating Officer
Mark Favaro Executive VP Worldwide Sales
Doug Butts Senior VP Programming
History
Launched1978;47 years ago (1978)
Former names PTL – The Inspirational Network (1978–90)
The Inspiration Network (1990–2010)
Links
Website http://www.insp.com
Availability
Streaming media
Service(s) Frndly TV, Philo, FuboTV, Sling TV,

INSP (formerly The Inspiration Network; the initialism is sounded out letter-by-letter) is an American digital cable television network that features primarily westerns (both shows and movies) and is headquartered in Indian Land, South Carolina - a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Contents

Between 1991 and 2010, INSP was a non-profit ministry focused network. In October 2010, it was re-branded and launched as a socially conservative, commercial-supported family entertainment network (over time becoming centered around westerns), and has Nielsen C3 ratings status. As of 2021, more than 60 million households receive INSP. [1]

History

INSP was founded in 1978 as the PTL Television Network, a religious television network founded by Christian televangelists Jim Bakker and his wife, Tammy Faye Bakker. The network was the flagship channel for their daily Christian variety program, The PTL Club . The network later became known as the PTL Satellite Network and finally PTL – The Inspirational Network.

In 1990, after Jim Bakker resigned, the PTL Television network filed for bankruptcy. Morris Cerullo World Evangelism eventually purchased the network from the United States Bankruptcy Court in Columbia, South Carolina. Morris’ son, David, was later named CEO of the network. David Cerullo remains as its CEO. [2]

In October 2010, the network announced a major re-branding with an added emphasis on family programming. Along with the re-branding came a new logo, tagline and name change from Inspiration to INSP. At the end of 2021, Variety reported that INSP's household viewers were up 1,171% since 2010. [3]

In 2022, INSP changed its logo to include a cowboy hat to emphasize the growing success of its western-based shows and films. Prior to the logo change, INSP had also introduced the tagline, “Heroes Live Here.” Its focus on western-based programming is said to be the reason behind its continued ratings success, with primetime viewing growing 17% on the previous year. [4]

On March 30, 2022, it was announced that Imagicomm Communications, a shell company affiliated with INSP, would enter the broadcasting business by purchasing 18 stations in 12 markets from Cox Media Group, namely KYMA in Yuma, Arizona; KIEM and KVIQ-LD in Eureka, California; KPVI in Idaho Falls, Idaho; KLAX in Alexandria, Louisiana; WABG, WNBD and WXVT in Greenwood, Mississippi; WICZ in Binghamton, New York; WSYT in Syracuse, New York; KOKI and KMYT in Tulsa, Oklahoma; KMVU and KFBI-LD in Medford, Oregon; WHBQ in Memphis, Tennessee; KAYU in Spokane, Washington; and KCYU-LD and KFFX in Yakima, Washington for an undisclosed price to help them comply with regulatory requirements related to a proposed merger with Tegna and Standard Media. [5] [6] [7] [8] The sale was completed on August 1. [9]

On January 15, 2025, Imagicomm announced that it would put 12 of its stations up for sale. [10]

Cowboy Way Channel

In May 2022, INSP launched the Cowboy Way Channel, an Internet streaming service aimed at younger viewers. Named for INSP's original series, The Cowboy Way: Alabama , the channel features other original series and Western- and outdoor-themed movies. [11] On July 25, 2024, it was announced that the channel would be rebranding as Western Bound on September 3. [12]

Programming

Current programming

Currently, INSP features mostly Westerns (both series and movies), with Mike Murdock's Campmeeting in the early mornings. [13] [14] As of January 9, 2024, western TV series regularly aired by INSP include Gunsmoke , Bonanza , Wagon Train , The Virginian , Rawhide , Tales of Wells Fargo , The Rifleman , Laramie , The Big Valley , Cheyenne , Alias Smith and Jones , and How the West Was Won . [15] Movies regularly aired by INSP (as of January 9, 2024) include More Dead Than Alive , Rage at Dawn , Gun the Man Down , High Lonesome , Hardcase , Yuma , Fort Dobbs , Yellowstone Kelly , The Outlaw Josey Wales , They Call Me Trinity , Joe Kidd , Comanche Station , Tall Man Riding , Badman's Territory , Man in the Saddle , Tulsa , Ambush at Cimarron Pass , Colt .45 , and Open Range . [16]

Original programming

In its early years, INSP produced numerous original specials, concerts, and inspirational [17] [18] entertainment programs.

The development of original entertainment content became a focus after the 2010 re-brand, [19] beginning with A Walton’s Family Reunion, starring surviving cast members of The Waltons who journey back to Walton's Mountain almost 30 years after the series ended its iconic run.

In 2011, a web network series entitled Moments was launched. Originally airing exclusively on INSP, Moments is an original, short-form inspirational video series that ranges in formats like documentary, narrative, and interviews, with each sharing an uplifting story. One of the featured short videos, "Thank You For Your Service", [20] quickly went viral: it has been featured on ABC’s The View , the Pentagon Channel, and USAA’s web site. It has been shown at several national conventions and conferences, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Jewish War Veterans. In 2013, INSP was honored by the Vietnam War Commemoration for Thank You For Your Service. General Claude “Mick” Kicklighter noted the video's impact: “This stirring tribute never fails to inspire deep emotions. It has helped bring healing and encouragement to true patriots, many of whom have felt taken for granted and ignored.” [21]

Old Henry is a series of interstitials on INSP that starred Ralph Waite (The Waltons) and Rachel Hendrix ( October Baby ). The drama initially aired in October 2013 as a series of six interstitials, with a 30-minute version produced to incorporate the entire series along with never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews. [22]

In early 2014, INSP moved forward in their commitment to original content, creating the position of Vice President of Original Programming. [23]

In 2015, INSP co-produced, with Susie Films, an original American reality television series entitled Handcrafted America . Handcrafted America originally aired exclusively on INSP. After its linear run, the series was licensed by Amazon Prime. In Handcrafted America, host Jill Wagner travels the country to seek out talented artisans who continue to make products the traditional way—with their own two hands. Throughout each program, artisans are given the opportunity to reveal the history and cultural heritage that inspire and influence the design of their handcrafted products.

In 2016, INSP co-produced, with RIVR Media, an original American reality television series entitled State Plate. State Plate originally aired exclusively on INSP. It is now available on streaming services. The series stars former American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, who travels the country tasting each state's most symbolic and popular foods, from appetizers and main courses to sides and desserts. Maureen McCormick also served as a guest host on the show.

During the same year, INSP piloted a reality series, The Cowboy Way . The show ran until 2020 for a total of seven seasons.

Facilities and studio

INSP originally was headquartered in studios and offices in Charlotte, North Carolina. The broadcast facility remains in Charlotte, while the network's offices have been relocated to a newly constructed campus known as CrossRidge (formerly named the City of Light) in Indian Land, South Carolina, with an eventual consolidation of all operations at CrossRidge to come. [24] [25]

Television stations

The Imagicomm Communications unit of INSP LLC owns broadcast television stations in markets as large as Memphis, Tennessee and as small as Eureka, California.

City of license / Market StationChannel
TV (RF)		Owned sinceNetwork affiliation
Yuma, AZ–El Centro, CA KYMA-DT 11, 13 (13)2022
Eureka, CA KIEM-TV 3 (3)2022NBC
KVIQ-LD 14 (14)2022CBS
Pocatello–Idaho Falls, ID KPVI-DT 6 (23)2022NBC
Alexandria, LA KLAX-TV 31 (31)2022
Greenville–Greenwood, MS WABG-TV 6 (32)2022
  • ABC
  • Fox (DT2)
WNBD-LD 33 (33)2022NBC
WXVT-LD 17 (17)2022CBS
Binghamton, NY WICZ-TV 40 (7)2022
Syracuse, NY WSYT 43, 68 (14)2022
  • Fox (68)
  • MyNetworkTV (43)
Tulsa, OK KOKI-TV 23 (22)2022Fox
KMYT-TV 41 (34)2022MyNetworkTV
Medford, OR KMVU-DT 26 (26)2022Fox
KFBI-LD 48 (19)2022
  • MyNetworkTV
  • Telemundo (DT2)
Memphis, TN WHBQ-TV 13 (13)2022Fox
Spokane, WA KAYU-TV 28 (28)2022Fox
Tri-Cities–Yakima, WA KFFX-TV 11 (11)2022
  • Fox
  • Telemundo (DT2)
KCYU-LD [A] 41 (29)2022
  • Fox
  • Telemundo (DT2)
  1. ↑ Semi-satellite of KFFX-TV.

Accolades

INSP has been honored with several industry awards in television:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSYT</span> Fox affiliate in Syracuse, New York

WSYT is a television station in Syracuse, New York, United States, affiliated with the Fox network and owned by Imagicomm Communications. The station's studios are located on James Street/NY 290 in Syracuse's Near Northeast section, and its transmitter is located near Maple Grove, a hamlet of Otisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHBQ-TV</span> TV station in Memphis, Tennessee

WHBQ-TV is a television station in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, affiliated with the Fox network and owned by Imagicomm Communications. The station's studios are located on South Highland Street in East Memphis, and its transmitter is located on Raleigh-LaGrange Road on the city's northeast side.

KAYU-TV is a television station in Spokane, Washington, United States, affiliated with Fox and MyNetworkTV. Owned by Imagicomm Communications, the station has studios on South Regal Street in Spokane, and its transmitter is on Krell Hill southeast of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KFFX-TV</span> TV station in Pendleton, Oregon

KFFX-TV is a television station licensed to Pendleton, Oregon, United States, serving the Tri-Cities, Washington area as an affiliate of Fox and Telemundo. It is the only major commercial station in the Tri-Cities area that is licensed to the Oregon side of the market. Owned by Imagicomm Communications, KFFX-TV has studios on Clearwater Avenue in Kennewick, Washington, and its transmitter is located in the Umatilla National Forest east of Pendleton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KYMA-DT</span> CBS/NBC affiliate in Yuma, Arizona

KYMA-DT is a television station licensed to Yuma, Arizona, United States, serving the Yuma, Arizona–El Centro, California market as an affiliate of CBS and NBC. It is owned by Imagicomm Communications, which maintains a shared services agreement (SSA) with News-Press & Gazette Company, owner of El Centro–licensed Fox/ABC/CW+ affiliate KECY-TV and Yuma-licensed low-power Telemundo affiliate KESE-LD, for the provision of certain services. The three stations share studios on South 4th Avenue in downtown Yuma, with an advertising sales office on West Main Street in El Centro; KYMA-DT's transmitter is located northwest of Yuma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMYT-TV</span> TV station in Tulsa, Oklahoma

KMYT-TV is a television station in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, affiliated with MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Imagicomm Communications alongside Fox affiliate KOKI-TV. The two stations share studios on East 27th Street and South Memorial Drive in the Audubon neighborhood of southeast Tulsa; KMYT-TV's transmitter is located on South 273rd East Avenue in the western city limits of Coweta.

KVIQ-LD is a low-power television station in Eureka, California, United States, affiliated with CBS. It is owned by Imagicomm Communications alongside NBC affiliate KIEM-TV. The two stations share studios on South Broadway in Spruce Point near the southwestern corner of Eureka; KVIQ-LD's transmitter is located along Barry Road southeast of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KIEM-TV</span> NBC affiliate in Eureka, California

KIEM-TV is a television station in Eureka, California, United States, affiliated with NBC. It is owned by Imagicomm Communications alongside low-power CBS affiliate KVIQ-LD. The two stations share studios on South Broadway in Spruce Point near the southwestern corner of Eureka; KIEM-TV's transmitter is located along Kneeland Road southeast of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WABG-TV</span> ABC/Fox affiliate in Greenwood, Mississippi

WABG-TV is a television station licensed to Greenwood, Mississippi, United States, serving the Delta area as an affiliate of ABC and Fox. It is owned by Imagicomm Communications alongside two low-power stations: Grenada-licensed NBC affiliate WNBD-LD and Cleveland-licensed CBS affiliate WXVT-LD. The three stations share studios on Washington Avenue in Greenville; WABG-TV's transmitter is located northeast of Inverness, Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMVU-DT</span> TV station in Medford, Oregon

KMVU-DT is a television station in Medford, Oregon, United States, affiliated with the Fox network. It is owned by Imagicomm Communications alongside low-power dual MyNetworkTV/Telemundo affiliate KFBI-LD. The two stations share studios on Crater Lake Avenue in Medford; KMVU-DT's transmitter is located atop Mount Baldy, near Phoenix, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KLAX-TV</span> ABC affiliate in Alexandria, Louisiana

KLAX-TV is a television station in Alexandria, Louisiana, United States, affiliated with ABC and owned by Imagicomm Communications. The station's studios are located on England Drive/LA 498 in Alexandria, and its transmitter is located in the Kisatchie National Forest southwest of Dry Prong.

WICZ-TV is a television station in Binghamton, New York, United States, affiliated with Fox and MyNetworkTV. Owned by Imagicomm Communications, the station has studios on Vestal Parkway East in Vestal, and its transmitter is located on Ingraham Hill Road in the town of Binghamton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KFBI-LD</span> TV station in Medford, Oregon

KFBI-LD is a low-power television station in Medford, Oregon, United States, affiliated with MyNetworkTV, Heroes & Icons, and Telemundo. It is owned by Imagicomm Communications alongside Fox affiliate KMVU-DT. The two stations share studios on Crater Lake Avenue in Medford; KFBI-LD's transmitter is located atop Mount Baldy, near Phoenix, Oregon.

KCYU-LD is a low-power television station in Yakima, Washington, United States, affiliated with Fox and Telemundo. The station is owned by Imagicomm Communications, and maintains studios on West Lincoln Avenue in Yakima; its transmitter is located on Ahtanum Ridge.

The National Christian Network was a religious television network in the United States which formed in 1979. The channel was founded by Ray A. Kassis and located in Cocoa, Florida, where it owned studios. The programming was originated from Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant groups; at the time of launch 54 separate groups had shown interest. The network was the fourth satellite-fed Christian network to be launched, and was a competitor to the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the PTL Satellite Network, and the Christian Broadcasting Network.

The PTL Television Network, often referred to as simply PTL, is an American evangelical Christian television network originally located in Fort Mill, South Carolina, founded by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker in 1974 and dedicated in April 1977. During PTL's fourteen-year history, the Bakkers, as hosts of the network's flagship talk show, The PTL Club, became two of the most recognizable and highly-rated televangelists in the U.S. However, PTL collapsed in 1987 after a former church secretary, Jessica Hahn, accused the evangelist of rape, while later financial scandals revealed that the couple had used the nonprofit PTL's donations to fund an opulent personal lifestyle. Bakker went to prison for embezzlement in 1989.

WNBD-LD is a low-power television station licensed to Grenada, Mississippi, United States, serving as the NBC affiliate for the Delta area. It is owned by Imagicomm Communications alongside Greenwood-licensed dual ABC/Fox affiliate WABG-TV and Cleveland-licensed low-power CBS affiliate WXVT-LD. The three stations share studios on Washington Avenue in Greenville; WNBD-LD's transmitter is located northeast of Inverness, Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cox Media Group</span> American media company

CMG Media Corporation is an American media conglomerate principally owned by Apollo Global Management in conjunction with Cox Enterprises, which maintains a 29% minority stake in the company. The company primarily owns radio and television stations—many of which are located in the South, Pacific Northwest, Eastern Midwest, and Northeast, and the regional cable news network Pittsburgh Cable News Channel (PCNC).

William J. "Bill" Abbott is an American businessman who is the president and CEO of GAC Media since 2021. He is the former president and CEO of Crown Media Family Networks, the parent of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. When he became Crown Media CEO in 2009, he spearheaded the addition of scripted series for primetime, including Cedar Cove and When Calls the Heart, as well as the launch of the yearly special Kitten Bowl. Abbott has been featured in the Cablefax 100 list of top power players every year from 2009 through 2016. He also received the Diversity Partner Award from the T. Howard Foundation in 2016.

WXVT-LD is a low-power television station licensed to Cleveland, Mississippi, United States, serving as the CBS affiliate for the Delta area. It is owned by Imagicomm Communications alongside Greenwood-licensed dual ABC/Fox affiliate WABG-TV and Grenada-licensed low-powered NBC affiliate WNBD-LD. The three stations share studios on Washington Avenue in Greenville; WXVT-LD's transmitter is located near O'Reilly, Mississippi.

References

  1. ↑ "INSP Distribution". INSP.
  2. ↑ Chris Kraul (June 1, 1990). "S.D. Evangelist Gets OK to Buy Bakker's PTL Cable Network – Deal: At $7 million, Morris Cerullo outbid Oral Roberts for the bankrupt holdings. He also plans to buy the grounds of the former Heritage USA theme park for $45 million". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ↑ Schneider, Michael (December 30, 2021). "Most-Watched Television Networks: Ranking 2021's Winners and Losers". Variety.
  4. ↑ "INSP Reveals New Logo and Brand Refresh, Embracing Westerns and the Cowboy Hat". Variety. January 11, 2022.
  5. ↑ Miller, Mark (2022-03-30). "Cox Sells 18 Stations In 12 Markets To INSP". TV News Check. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  6. ↑ LLC, Cox Media Group (2022-03-30). "Cox Media Group to Sell Television Stations in Twelve Markets to Imagicomm Communications". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  7. ↑ Jacobson, Adam (2022-03-30). "An INSP-ired TV Deal For Cox Is Done | Radio & Television Business Report" . Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  8. ↑ George Winslow (2022-03-30). "Cox Media Group to Sell TV Stations in 12 Markets to Imagicomm". TVTechnology. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  9. ↑ Winslow, George (August 1, 2022). "Cox Media Group, INSP Close Deal for Sale of Cox TV Stations to Imagicomm". TVTechnology. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  10. ↑ Jacobson, Adam (2025-01-15). "Confirmed: Imagicomm To Divest Its Stations" . Retrieved 2025-01-16.
  11. ↑ "INSP Launches Cowboy Way Fast Channel". Cablefax. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  12. ↑ Cablefax Staff. "Cowboy Way Western Bound". Cablefax. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Inspiration Network: Family Friendly Fun". The Largest Online Jewish Business Directory and Marketplace. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  14. ↑ "INSP | TV Schedule" . Retrieved Jan 16, 2023.
  15. ↑ "INSP: Shows". INSP.com. INSP. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  16. ↑ "INSP: Movies". INSP.com. INSP. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Mark Lowry Bio | Mark Lowry Career". MTV. Archived from the original on April 25, 2014. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  18. ↑ @InspirationMins. "Where Do People Go When They Die?Where Do People Go When They Die?". Wheredopeoplego.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  19. ↑ Weirton Daily Times (2013-06-23). "City native holds post with family channel in N.C. - WeirtonDailyTimes.com | news, sports, jobs - Weirton, Hancock County — Weirton Daily Times". WeirtonDailyTimes.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  20. ↑ "Thank You For Your Service (A Moment of Truth)" . Retrieved Jan 16, 2023– via www.youtube.com.
  21. ↑ "INSP Teams with The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to Honor Vietnam Veterans and Their Families | VWCC News - News | Vietnam War Commemoration". Vietnamwar50th.com. 2013-10-01. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  22. ↑ "Old Henry Synopsis". INSP.
  23. ↑ 1/21/2014 12:23 PM Eastern (2014-01-21). "INSP Adds Craig Miller to Head Original Programming". Multichannel. Retrieved 2014-04-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ↑ "The Inspiration Networks City of Light Corporate Campus | Southeast Construction | McGraw-Hill Construction". Southeast Construction. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  25. ↑ "About". Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  26. ↑ "INSP Network Earns PTC Seal of Approval". Parentstv.org. 2012-05-23. Archived from the original on 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  27. ↑ "The CableFAX FAXIES and Sales Executive of the Year Executives Finalists :: CableFax Portal". Cablefax.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-24. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  28. ↑ "Bravo Nominated for 9 Prestigious TV Awards | Bravo TV Dish | Official News". Bravotv.com. 2013-08-14. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  29. ↑ "New York Festivals - 2014 World's Best Television & Films™ Winners". Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  30. ↑ "The CableFAX Digital & Tech Awards Luncheon - March 13 :: CableFax Portal". Cablefax.com. 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  31. ↑ INSP-GoingHome-Image 24p-h.264 INSP (HD). Vimeo. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  32. ↑ INSP Family. 24 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 12 April 2016– via YouTube.
  33. ↑ "CableFax Program Award". Cablefax.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  34. ↑ Handcrafted America. 2017 – via Telly Awards.
  35. ↑ "CableFax Program Award- Best Host Family Friendly". Cablefax.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.