TBN’s Smile of a Child Television Network Getting Strong Applause from Values-Conscious Parents

LOS ANGELES (February 7, 2006) --- A month after signing on the air, the Smile of a Child Television Network is getting thumbs up from parents worldwide looking for faith-friendly programming they can trust for their kids. The new addition to the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s (TBN) family of Christian television debuted Christmas Eve, December 24th , and the response to its 24-hour lineup of quality Children’s programming has been phenomenal.

“From day one response has been outstanding,” said Brenda Rossman, Smile of a Child TV’s programming director. “I think parents have just been so grateful for programming they can trust – a network where they don’t have to have their finger on the remote for fear of what might pop up on the screen.”

Smile of a Child TV is the special project of Jan Crouch, co-founder of TBN. “This wonderful new network is really an extension of the vision God gave me for our whole Smile of a Child ministry,” explained Jan, “to pour the love of God into the hearts and lives of children all over the world. Television is a perfect tool to do that.”

With the help of her husband, TBN co-founder Paul Crouch, as well as some key ministry partners, Jan started Smile of a Child several years ago as a vehicle to reach out to hurting and needy children throughout the world. “It began simply with providing dolls to poverty-stricken children in Haiti,” she explained. “It’s grown to taking many thousands of toys to children all over the globe, as well as providing needed medical care through building hospitals in places like Haiti and Costa Rica. And now we’ve added the powerful medium of television to take Smile of a Child to countless thousands more precious children.”

Rossman emphasized that parents had been asking TBN for the type of television programming that would both entertain as well as morally instruct children. “There’s certainly been no shortage of educational children’s TV programs,” she said. “But Smile of a Child TV has gone the extra mile for parents and families and added some crucial spiritual content that will really bear fruit in the lives of children for many years to come.”

She added that Jan Crouch, as well as everyone else involved in this labor of love, are committed to bringing the best moral and biblical teachings to children through fun and constructive television. “We want parents to be assured that Smile of a Child will always be completely free of the violence and crude humor that unfortunately has crept into many of today’s children’s shows,” said Rossman. “This new and innovative network is all about helping children develop positive social and spiritual skills at a young age.”

Among the creative and original programming airing on Smile of a Child TV are:

Kingdom Adventure, an award-winning children’s fantasy series that combines charming puppets and clever animation in a setting of adventure where right is right, wrong is wrong, and good wins over evil! Each exciting episode is rich in spiritual values and biblical themes.

Pahappahooey Island, where kids can join Ali, Hacksaw, Captain Hobbs, and Millard as they sing, dance, and laugh their way through an unforgettable array of wacky adventures. Whether treasure-hunting, banana bowling, or outsmarting the villainous Ichabone Slink, Ali and her friends are never afraid because they know the Creator and are sure to entertain children of all ages while communicating timeless truths.

BJ’s Teddy Bear Club & Bible Stories, a stimulating and imaginative program designed to educate and entertain while introducing young children to colors, letters, numbers – and special stories right out of the Bible! The star of the show is BJ (Bearsheba J. Bear), a loveable animated teddy bear who takes the children on an unforgettable journey through the Bible.

Retro News: A Blast from the Past, a fast-paced magazine-style show especially for kids ages nine to twelve. From their virtual newsroom teen journalists bring significant, interesting, and humorous historic events to life with actual news footage. Special features like “Spiritual Heroes” introduce young viewers to the characters and events that helped shaped world history. With these young reporters as guides, viewers will laugh and be entertained while they learn history.

Maralee Dawn & Friends, a refreshing series that takes an imaginative approach to Christian and value-based children’s programming. Each episode is packed with original songs, amazing stories, and much more! Ventriloquist Maralee Dawn and her unique puppet characters captivate the imagination of young viewers with adventures to exotic places, encounters with unusual creatures, and creative interactive projects. Parents will be delighted to find their children devouring the character values and adopting them into their daily lives!

“Right from the start Smile of a Child TV has been on the leading edge of innovative children’s programming,” said Dave Bohon, a Christian media expert and vice president of the Christian public relations firm WDC Media. “Already it’s beginning to set the standard for the future of Christian children’s television.”

The Smile of a Child Television Network is available in a growing number of major markets via digital multi-casting, and Bob Higley, TBN’s Vice President of Cable and Satellite Relations, predicts rapid expansion through cable additions and other broadcast outlets worldwide.

“With the launch of TBN’s Smile of a Child channel the TBN family of networks now reaches every age category within the faith genre,” said Higley. “It is the cable industry’s only faith-based network targeting preschool to 12 year old children.”

To find out more about the Smile of a Child TV Network, visit www.smileofachildtv.org. To receive the network on satellite or cable, call 1-888-GET-SMILE (1-888-438-7645) or visit www.getsmileofachild.com – today! You can find out more about the entire ministry of Smile of a Child by visiting www.smileofachild.com.

Smile of a Child is part of the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s family of quality Christian television. TBN is the world’s largest religious network and America’s most watched faith channel. Each day TBN offers 24 hours of commercial-free inspirational programming that appeals to people in a wide variety of denominations. TBN now reaches every major continent via 47 satellites and more than 12,000 television and cable affiliates worldwide. In the United States, TBN is available to 92 percent of the total households. Its website receives more than 25 million visitors monthly. In addition to TBN and Smile of a Child, the network owns and operates the Church Channel, JCTV, and TBN Enlace USA. For more information on TBN, visit www.tbn.org.

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