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PASTOR GENERAL'S
REPORT
TO THE MINISTRY OF THE
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
VOL.4, N0.51
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
REVIEW OF 1982 RADIO AND TV COVERAGE
United States
DECEMBER 31, 1982
This year has seen some tremendous growth in radio and TV coverage! Notable
is the latest opportunity to begin broadcasting on WTBS Atlanta, the
largest superstation in the U.S. Serving 24 million homes and anticipating
30 million by the end of 1983, the station will carry "The World Tomorrow"
beginning January 2 at 7 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time). While the time is
early, only one hour on Sunday morning is given to religious broadcasting
by owner Ted Turner. The list of cities covered is too long to be included
here, but suffice it to say that "The World Tomorrow" will now be available
to many areas not presently receiving the program. Please check local TV
guides for more information.
In 1982, 62 new TV stations have been added and 22 stations have upgraded
our time slot. In January a total of 184 TV stations will be carrying the
program in the U.S. alone.
Radio time buying has proved more difficult than that for television. We
currently hold contracts for 80 radio stations, 27 of which are new this
year and 10 of which have improved times in 1982. However, with the multi
plication of radio formats ranging from "middle of the road" to "adult con
temporary" to "news/information," radio listenership has become fragmented.
Sadly, the general interest stations of earlier years have been replaced by
musically-formated stations whose planners refuse to allow any dissimilar
programming. Fifty-eight percent of radios are now tuned to FM stations
broadcasting mostly music in stereo. Our best opportunities and responses
come from all-news/information stations. We will continue to press for
better times and openings in this area in 1983, budget permitting.
International
In Canada the year has been one of upgrading coverage. Thirty-four TV
stations and 159 radio stations carry "The World Tomorrow." Canada also
benefits from receiving bonus TV coverage from northern U.S. stations by
cable. Approximately 50% of all Canadian homes receive the three U.S.
network stations. Canada is literally blanketed with the program and no
other country comes close.
Significantly, the Work in Canada is able to contribute substantial subsi
dies to other international areas, as does the Work in the United States.
One of those areas is the Philippines where the radio and TV broadcasts
began in January, 1982, during Mr. Armstrong's last visit. RTV in Manila
delivers the TV program by satellite to the whole nation each Saturday
morning at 7:30 a.m. following the news. This has proved to be a very
successful time of day with good audience levels after the news program.
Another area subsidized by Canada is Hong Kong. There the radio program can
now be heard twice on the weekend on Hong Kong's only commercial radio
station.