SAT-7 TÜRK Launches on January 1st 2010

SAT-7 TÜRK Launches on January 1, 2010

Broadcasts mark a major step for indigenous Turkish Christian channel

On January 1, 2010, SAT-7 TÜRK begins its first broadcasts as a full member of the SAT-7 network of channels. For the last six years the channel has operated as an independent ministry under the name “TURK-7.” In early 2009, TURK-7’s leadership sought to become part of the SAT-7 family to expand its operations. The January 2010 broadcast launch marks the end of a six month merger process and the beginning of a significant expansion for the Turkish Christian broadcaster.

“There is a real sense of excitement about the potential for growth now that we have merged with SAT-7,” says David Middleton, SAT-7 TÜRK’s Executive Director. “Being part of a larger organization provides us with great support that we didn’t have before. With that support comes added confidence in what we can do now and what we’ll be able to do in the future.”

The Turkish broadcaster was created in 2003 to serve the needs of Christians in Turkey and to help the wider non-Christian Turkish population understand more about Christian beliefs and practices. Since early 2006, SAT-7 has provided airtime for the Turkish ministry to broadcast its locally-produced programs (most of which are made in Istanbul) on the SAT-7 PARS (Persian) channel. The two ministries have always shared a similar ethos: to be inter-denominational, affirming, non-attacking of other religions and to be a source of Christian teaching, training and encouragement through which all viewers can experience God’s love.

“We’ve been operating at a solid level for the last three to four years and I believe we’ve established a good foundation. In 2010 we’re hoping to double our hours of production which will enable us to make a much bigger impact. With some additional funding we hope that we can move to our own 24-hour channel in 2011,” says Mr. Middleton.

SAT-7 TÜRK also operates a website www.sat7turk.com on which viewers can watch the ministry’s programs on demand.

For more information about SAT-7 TÜRK or SAT-7, go to www.sat7.org