Minority Media Receives Staggering Donation
WASHINGTON - “The largest gift of spectrum in the history of spectrum”
Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the world's largest Christian television network, has
donated an astounding 155 low power television stations to the Minority Media and
Telecommunications Council (MMTC). MMTC has committed itself to expand ownership
and training opportunities for minorities, women and other underserved groups, and this is
certainly a huge step toward fulfilling this goal.
David Honig, President and Executive Director of MMTC, commented “There was an
audible gasp in the room when the announcement was made as it dawned on everyone the
extent of this donation. It was astonishing!”
Founded in 1973, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) produces and broadcasts religious
television programs and provides low cost broadcasting to other non-affiliated organizations
that also spread the Gospel to the world. TBN is carried by television stations and cable
systems to millions of homes across America and around the world. TBN is also featured
on over 5,000 television stations, 33 satellites, the Internet and thousands of cable systems.
While MMTC may not be able to accept all 155 stations, it will establish partnerships with
companies that will afford opportunities to minority and women owned broadcasters who
would otherwise not have opportunities for ownership. MMTC, whose longstanding
commitment has been to advocate for opportunities of minorities and women in the broadcasting
and communications industries, will identify partners to operate as many of these
stations as possible and use them in a way that will help MMTC to fulfill the dreams of many
to become broadcast owners.
Under its Diversity Initiative to help minority and women managers transition into entrepreneurship
and then into broadcast owners, MMTC has announced plans to incubate Media
Vista Group as the future owner of TBN’s W16CJ, Naples, Florida. The principals of Media
Vista, Orlando and Mayela Rosales, have many years experience in broadcasting, but are
facing market conditions in which capital is difficult to access. Now they have the chance to
not only own their own television station, but to be mentored and trained by leaders in the
television industry.
Recognizing the Rosales’ achievement, David Honig, stated, “MMTC is excited and honored
to present to Orlando and Mayela Rosales this extraordinary opportunity. We hope this will
be one of dozens of success stories for minorities in television ownership that TBN and
MMTC will make possible.”