GFA launches first Christian television network based in India

New Delhi – In a recent press release, the Gospel for Asia (GFA) has announced the launch of the first Christian television network to be based in India.

The 24–hour a day network will broadcast Christian programming on three separate satellite channels once it becomes fully operational, Dr. KP Yohannan, founder and president of GFA, said.

“We have been praying about these opportunities for so long – to reach the masses in the 10/40 window region,” Dr. Yohannan said. “No one is currently providing this type of outreach from the subcontinent.”

The network will be called AY TV, which stands for Athmik Yathra (Spiritual Journey). Initial efforts call for the ministry to launch with 16 hours of programming.

The satellite footprint for the new network will be massive, Dr. Yohannan said, reaching all of Asia, the Arab Gulf countries, and parts of Africa as well. One channel will carry English programming 24 hours a day; the other two will feature native languages.

“Our goal is to focus 70 percent of the programming on evangelization and 30 percent on discipleship,” Dr. Yohannan said. “We want to see people reached with the gospel message.”

GFA announced in the news release that it is opening the network to other Christian broadcasters who want to provide programming that will reach Asia. On–site production in India has already begun.

GFA is well acquainted with Christian broadcasting. Its 19–year–old international radio broadcasts already reach 1.5 billion people in 11 Asian countries.

In 2003, the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) awarded Dr. Yohannan its Individual Achievement Award in International Broadcasting.