American digital cable and satellite TV channel
Television channel
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
.
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
[
edit
]
INSP was formed 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]
In September 2023,
Comcast
's cable television division
Xfinity
announced that it would be removing INSP from its basic cable package and moving it to its "More Sports & Entertainment Package,"
[10]
a package that primarily includes sports networks; this was controversial on Xfinity's forum,
[11]
and
Reddit
's subreddit devoted to Comcast/Xfinity.
[12]
Many customers assumed the change was not meant to benefit customers, as Xfinity claimed, but instead was to "charge [seniors] $10 for INSP even though INSP does not charge Xfinity for its programming."
[13]
[14]
[15]
[11]
Cowboy Way Channel
[
edit
]
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.
[16]
Programming
[
edit
]
Current programming
[
edit
]
Currently, INSP features mostly Westerns (both series and movies), with
Mike Murdock
's
Campmeeting
in the early mornings.
[17]
[18]
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
.
[19]
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
.
[20]
Original programming
[
edit
]
In its early years, INSP produced numerous original specials, concerts, and inspirational
[21]
[22]
entertainment programs.
The development of original entertainment content became a focus after the 2010 re-brand,
[23]
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"
,
[24]
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.”
[25]
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.
[26]
In early 2014, INSP moved forward in their commitment to original content, creating the position of Vice President of Original Programming.
[27]
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
[
edit
]
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 eventually consolidation of all operations at CrossRidge to come.
[28]
[29]
Television stations
[
edit
]
City of license
/
Market
|
Station
|
Channel
|
Owned since
|
Network affiliation
|
Yuma, AZ
?
El Centro, CA
|
KYMA-DT
|
11, 13
|
2022
|
|
Eureka, CA
|
KIEM-TV
|
3
|
2022
|
NBC
|
KVIQ-LD
|
14
|
2022
|
CBS
|
Pocatello
?
Idaho Falls, ID
|
KPVI-DT
|
6
|
2022
|
NBC
|
Alexandria, LA
|
KLAX-TV
|
31
|
2022
|
|
Greenville
?
Greenwood, MS
|
WABG-TV
|
6
|
2022
|
|
WNBD-LD
|
33
|
2022
|
NBC
|
WXVT-LD
|
17
|
2022
|
CBS
|
Binghamton, NY
|
WICZ-TV
|
40
|
2022
|
|
Syracuse, NY
|
WSYT
|
43, 68
|
2022
|
|
Tulsa, OK
|
KOKI-TV
|
23
|
2022
|
Fox
|
KMYT-TV
|
41
|
2022
|
MyNetworkTV
|
Medford, OR
|
KMVU-DT
|
26
|
2022
|
Fox
|
KFBI-LD
|
48
|
2022
|
- MyNetworkTV
- Telemundo (DT2)
|
Memphis, TN
|
WHBQ-TV
|
13
|
2022
|
Fox
|
Spokane, WA
|
KAYU-TV
|
28
|
2022
|
Fox
|
Tri-Cities
?
Yakima, WA
|
KFFX-TV
|
11
|
2022
|
|
KCYU-LD
[A]
|
41
|
2022
|
|
- ^
Semi-satellite of KFFX-TV.
Accolades
[
edit
]
INSP has been honored with several industry awards in television:
- 2012: The PTC Seal of Approval from the
Parents Television Council
[30]
- 2012: Cablefax FAXIES Awards finalist in two categories; Trade Show Marketing/PR and Direct Response Marketing
[31]
[32]
- 2013: Nominated in the Category for Human Concerns at
The New York Film & Television Festival
[33]
- 2014: CableFax Digital Awards finalist in their Social Good Campaign for Moments.org
[34]
- 2014: Telly Awards:
- The Silver award in the Category of Entertainment for
Going Home
[35]
- The Bronze award in the Category of Entertainment for
Italian Family
[36]
- The Bronze award in the Category of Use of Humor for
Italian Family
- 2016: CableFax Program Award: Jill Wagner, Best Family Friendly Host, “Handcrafted America Season 1”
[37]
- 2017: Telly Awards:
- The Bronze award in the Category of General Cultural for ‘’Handcrafted America’’
[38]
- The Bronze award in the Category of General Travel/Tourism for ‘’Handcrafted America’’
- 2017: CableFax Program Award: Taylor Hicks, Best Family Friendly Host, “State Plate”
[39]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"INSP Distribution"
. INSP.
- ^
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
.
- ^
Schneider, Michael (December 30, 2021).
"Most-Watched Television Networks: Ranking 2021's Winners and Losers"
.
Variety
.
- ^
"INSP Reveals New Logo and Brand Refresh, Embracing Westerns and the Cowboy Hat"
.
Variety
. January 11, 2022.
- ^
Miller, Mark (2022-03-30).
"Cox Sells 18 Stations In 12 Markets To INSP"
.
TV News Check
. Retrieved
2022-03-31
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
Jacobson, Adam (2022-03-30).
"An INSP-ired TV Deal For Cox Is Done | Radio & Television Business Report"
. Retrieved
2022-03-31
.
- ^
George Winslow (2022-03-30).
"Cox Media Group to Sell TV Stations in 12 Markets to Imagicomm"
.
TVTechnology
. Retrieved
2022-03-31
.
- ^
Winslow, George (August 1, 2022).
"Cox Media Group, INSP Close Deal for Sale of Cox TV Stations to Imagicomm"
.
TVTechnology
. Retrieved
August 2,
2022
.
- ^
"INSP moving to More Sports and Entertainment Package in September 2023"
.
Xfinity.com
. Comcast/Xfinity. 16 October 2023
. Retrieved
January 9,
2024
.
- ^
a
b
"Xfinity Community Forum: TV: Channels and Programming: INSP removal???"
.
Xfinity.com
. Comcast/Xfinity. 16 May 2023
. Retrieved
January 9,
2024
.
- ^
"Reddit: r/Comcast_Xfinity: INSP requires a subscription."
Reddit.com
. 30 September 2023
. Retrieved
January 9,
2024
.
- ^
"Xfinity Community Forum: TV: Channels and Programming: Xfinity charging for INSP"
.
Xfinity.com
. Comcast/Xfinity. 26 September 2023
. Retrieved
January 9,
2024
.
- ^
"Xfinity Community Forum: TV: Channels and Programming: INSP Change...just one more reason to dump cable"
.
Xfinity.com
. Comcast/Xfinity. November 2023
. Retrieved
January 9,
2024
.
- ^
"Xfinity Community Forum: Customer Service: Customer Service: Lost channel"
.
Xfinity.com
. Comcast/Xfinity. 7 October 2023
. Retrieved
January 9,
2024
.
- ^
"INSP Launches Cowboy Way Fast Channel"
.
Cablefax
. 18 May 2022
. Retrieved
28 January
2023
.
- ^
"Inspiration Network: Family Friendly Fun"
. The Largest Online Jewish Business Directory and Marketplace
. Retrieved
22 September
2013
.
- ^
"INSP | TV Schedule"
. Retrieved
Jan 16,
2023
.
- ^
"INSP: Shows"
.
INSP.com
. INSP
. Retrieved
January 9,
2024
.
- ^
"INSP: Movies"
.
INSP.com
. INSP
. Retrieved
January 9,
2024
.
- ^
"Mark Lowry Bio | Mark Lowry Career"
. MTV
. Retrieved
2014-04-25
.
- ^
@InspirationMins.
"Where Do People Go When They Die?Where Do People Go When They Die?"
. Wheredopeoplego.com
. Retrieved
2014-04-25
.
- ^
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
. Retrieved
2014-04-25
.
- ^
"Thank You For Your Service (A Moment of Truth)"
. Retrieved
Jan 16,
2023
– via www.youtube.com.
- ^
"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
.
- ^
"Old Henry Synopsis"
. INSP.
- ^
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
)
- ^
"The Inspiration Networks City of Light Corporate Campus | Southeast Construction | McGraw-Hill Construction"
. Southeast Construction
. Retrieved
2014-04-25
.
- ^
"About"
. Retrieved
September 27,
2015
.
- ^
"INSP Network Earns PTC Seal of Approval"
. Parentstv.org. 2012-05-23
. Retrieved
2014-04-25
.
- ^
"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
.
- ^
"Bravo Nominated for 9 Prestigious TV Awards | Bravo TV Dish | Official News"
. Bravotv.com. 2013-08-14
. Retrieved
2014-04-25
.
- ^
"New York Festivals - 2014 World's Best Television & Films™ Winners"
. Retrieved
12 April
2016
.
- ^
"The CableFAX Digital & Tech Awards Luncheon - March 13 :: CableFax Portal"
. Cablefax.com. 2014-03-13
. Retrieved
2014-04-25
.
- ^
INSP-GoingHome-Image 24p-h.264 INSP (HD)
.
Vimeo
. Retrieved
12 April
2016
.
- ^
INSP Family
. 24 March 2014.
Archived
from the original on 2021-12-21
. Retrieved
12 April
2016
– via YouTube.
- ^
"CableFax Program Award"
. Cablefax.com.
- ^
Handcrafted America
. 2017 – via Telly Awards.
- ^
"CableFax Program Award- Best Host Family Friendly"
. Cablefax.com.
External links
[
edit
]
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Toddlers and preschoolers
| |
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Youth and preteens
| |
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General audiences
| |
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Religious
| |
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Premium
| |
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Spanish language
| |
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Defunct
| |
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International
| |
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|
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TBN Networks
| |
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English
| |
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Spanish
| |
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French
| |
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Defunct
| |
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