AT&T Adds ‘Amen’ to U-Verse

AT&T is putting faith into its U-verse TV service, signing several distribution agreements to deliver interdenominational Christian religious programming.

First up, it inked a deal with the world’s largest religious network, Trinity Broadcasting Network, to provide TBN, The Church Channel, Spanish-language TBN Enlace USA, youth-oriented JCTV and the new Smile of a Child children’s television network.

AT&T also struck a deal with The Inspiration Networks to offer its INSP-The Inspiration Network, Spanish-language family network La Familia Cosmovision (LFC) and, beginning in 2007, the Inspirational Life Television lifestyles network.

Eternal Word Television Network will also join the U-verse lineup, offering commercial-free Catholic family and religious programming via its twin English and Spanish networks, EWTN Global Catholic Network and EWTN Español.

Rounding out the faith-based programming will be Daystar Television Network, The Southern Baptist Convention’s FamilyNet channel, urban-ministry-focused The Word Network and LeSEA Broadcasting Network’s World Harvest Television family-programming channel.

“AT&T is committed to providing a robust content selection that speaks to the interests and beliefs of our diverse customer base,” said Dan York, head of programming for AT&T Operations. “We are proud to offer an array of faith-based networks that will offer AT&T U-verse customers inspirational, family-friendly programming that reflects their spiritual priorities and values.”