The Christian Channel enters new ownership agreement with World Impact Ministries


Toronto, January 26, 2009
The Christian Channel enters new ownership agreement with World Impact Ministries TORONTO, ON – The S-VOX group of companies, which includes VisionTV and One: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel, today announced the sale of The Christian Channel to World Impact Ministries (WIM), a St. Catharines, ON-based Christian charity known for media and international work, subject to the approval of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Mark Prasuhn, President of The Christian Channel and Chief Content Officer for VisionTV, said: “We launched The Christian Channel in 2005 with the intent of better serving Canadians with a varied and robust schedule of the finest Christian programming from around the world. I’m proud of the accomplishments of our team towards this goal, and at the same time I’m delighted that WIM will be the new owner of the channel. WIM is uniquely well positioned to build on the success that has been achieved to date, and we look forward to working with them to achieve a smooth transition.” Peter Youngren, President and Founder of WIM, said: "We are proud to continue building on the vibrant Christian television channel that the S-VOX group has established in Canada. WIM looks to create a strong spiritual voice of goodwill and friendship toward all Canadians, and to present relevant religious programming that addresses the needs and interests of society as a whole. WIM will seek to increase the distribution of The Christian Channel both within Canada and around the globe." WIM will take over the operation and control of The Christian Channel, upon CRTC approval, and will establish a new flagship variety program, ENCOUNTER, which will air daily in prime time. The hour-long talk and current affairs show, hosted by Peter Youngren, will be produced by The Christian Channel under WIM’s management. WIM will add new religious programming from Canadian and international producers, and will seek to substantiate The Christian Channel as a provider of hope to all Canadians regardless of background, culture or religion. Under the terms of a Services Agreement, VisionTV will continue to provide technical and service support to The Christian Channel subsequent to the closure of the transaction. Airtime sales to broadcast ministries will continue to be managed by Tore Stautland of Trillenium Group, which has represented the channel since 2006. For more information on The Christian Channel, please visit www.christianchannel.ca. The S-VOX group of companies (www.s-vox.com) offer high-quality television and digital content for individuals seeking spiritual awareness and personal growth. S-VOX companies include: VisionTV, Canada's multi-faith and multicultural television broadcaster, along with the digital television service One: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel, and the local stations Joytv 10 in Vancouver and Joytv 11 in Winnipeg. Other ventures include Vision TV International, a partnership with Toronto-based Ellis Entertainment that develops, produces and distributes original programming for the global marketplace. WIM (www.peteryoungren.org) has established itself as one of Canada's premier religious ambassadors of peace, love and harmony in Canada and around the globe since 1976. Adopting an approach of FRIENDSHIP and NON-DISCRIMINATION in an age of increasing religious intolerance and unrest, Peter Youngren and WIM have forged a path of reconciliation and harmony. WIM will continue to promote a BRIDGE BUILDING approach through The Christian Channel productions and original programming, and establish The Christian Channel as an oasis of hope and faith for all Canadians.

Toronto, January 26, 2009

The Christian Channel enters new ownership agreement with World Impact Ministries

TORONTO, ON – The S-VOX group of companies, which includes VisionTV and One: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel, today announced the sale of The Christian Channel to World Impact Ministries (WIM), a St. Catharines, ON-based Christian charity known for media and international work, subject to the approval of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Mark Prasuhn, President of The Christian Channel and Chief Content Officer for VisionTV, said: “We launched The Christian Channel in 2005 with the intent of better serving Canadians with a varied and robust schedule of the finest Christian programming from around the world. I’m proud of the accomplishments of our team towards this goal, and at the same time I’m delighted that WIM will be the new owner of the channel. WIM is uniquely well positioned to build on the success that has been achieved to date, and we look forward to working with them to achieve a smooth transition.”

Peter Youngren, President and Founder of WIM, said: "We are proud to continue building on the vibrant Christian television channel that the S-VOX group has established in Canada. WIM looks to create a strong spiritual voice of goodwill and friendship toward all Canadians, and to present relevant religious programming that addresses the needs and interests of society as a whole. WIM will seek to increase the distribution of The Christian Channel both within Canada and around the globe."

WIM will take over the operation and control of The Christian Channel, upon CRTC approval, and will establish a new flagship variety program, ENCOUNTER, which will air daily in prime time. The hour-long talk and current affairs show, hosted by Peter Youngren, will be produced by The Christian Channel under WIM’s management.

WIM will add new religious programming from Canadian and international producers, and will seek to substantiate The Christian Channel as a provider of hope to all Canadians regardless of background, culture or religion.

Under the terms of a Services Agreement, VisionTV will continue to provide technical and service support to The Christian Channel subsequent to the closure of the transaction.

Airtime sales to broadcast ministries will continue to be managed by Tore Stautland of Trillenium Group, which has represented the channel since 2006.

For more information on The Christian Channel, please visit www.christianchannel.ca.

The S-VOX group of companies (www.s-vox.com) offer high-quality television and digital content for individuals seeking spiritual awareness and personal growth. S-VOX companies include: VisionTV, Canada's multi-faith and multicultural television broadcaster, along with the digital television service One: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel, and the local stations Joytv 10 in Vancouver and Joytv 11 in Winnipeg. Other ventures include Vision TV International, a partnership with Toronto-based Ellis Entertainment that develops, produces and distributes original programming for the global marketplace.

WIM (www.peteryoungren.org) has established itself as one of Canada's premier religious ambassadors of peace, love and harmony in Canada and around the globe since 1976. Adopting an approach of FRIENDSHIP and NON-DISCRIMINATION in an age of increasing religious intolerance and unrest, Peter Youngren and WIM have forged a path of reconciliation and harmony. WIM will continue to promote a BRIDGE BUILDING approach through The Christian Channel productions and original programming, and establish The Christian Channel as an oasis of hope and faith for all Canadians.