Historic: First Christian Channel is Broadcast on Turkish Satellite Bringing Christ into the Homes of Millions

News Release : Mar 17, 2015
Ty Mays – Christian Newswire

"We are overwhelmed and truly believe it is a miracle that we can finally broadcast on Türksat. We have hoped, dreamed and prayerfully anticipated this launch since the station began airing on SAT-7 ARABIC in 2006. It is really a miracle, and we are very thankful to God for what He has been doing." -Melih Ekener

(Nicosea, Cyprus)—In a historic and unprecedented move, satellite television station SAT-7 TÜRK has begun broadcasting as the first Christian channel on the Turkish government-regulated satellite Türksat 4A, reaching more than 50 million viewers in Turkey, Europe and Central Asia.

Until now, SAT-7 TÜRK has only shared satellite time on other SAT-7 channels and streamed 24/7 on the Internet, reaching a limited audience. Because the government-regulated Türksat 4A is the most popular satellite with the largest audience in Turkey, SAT-7 TÜRK can now reach millions of viewers in Turkey and Turkish-speaking viewers outside the country.

Turkey ranks second among nations with the most satellite receivers.

"We are overwhelmed and truly believe it is a miracle that we can finally broadcast on Türksat," said Melih Ekener, executive director of SAT-7 TÜRK. "We have hoped, dreamed and prayerfully anticipated this launch since the station began airing on SAT-7 ARABIC in 2006. It is really a miracle, and we are very thankful to God for what He has been doing."

There are only about 150,000 Christians in Turkey, and a television channel that is produced by local Believers, serves their own communities and airs programs about the significant Christian heritage of the country will help reach others for Christ.

SAT-7 TÜRK produces drama, documentaries, music, worship, children's, women's and youth programs and, more recently, live shows. The staff produced 360 hours of new programming in 2014 and is expected to increase that dramatically this year.

The new broadcasts would not have been possible a decade ago.

"So many things have miraculously fallen into place over the past few months that it is impossible to miss the hand of God in facilitating the start of SAT-7 TÜRK broadcasting on Türksat," said Dr. Terence Ascott, founder and chief executive officer of SAT-7. "We give God the praise for this exciting development and also recognize the signal this sends to the world about the Turkish authorities' positive attitude towards Christians and other minorities in the country."

SAT-7 TÜRK began airing on SAT-7 in January 2006 under the name "TURK-7." At that time, it was an independent Christian ministry based in Turkey with an ethos very similar to SAT-7's. In January 2010, TURK-7 fully merged with SAT-7, becoming SAT-7 TÜRK. The incorporation allowed for efficient sharing of resources and a closer alignment of goals and objectives.