Joel Osteen on Lifetime
The nation’s leading televangelist is now on the women’s cable network Lifetime. (To see a full list of where to watch Joel Osteen, consult these listings.)
On the one hand, it seems like an obvious fit–Osteen appeals to women and women are the primary “purchasers” of faith. On the other hand, Lifetime is the home of weepy movies, many containing women (and men) of questionable moral character–at least from a conservative perspective.
That said, I’m not sure if this says more about religion on television or simply the poor fortunes of Lifetime. The #1 cable network a few years ago has found itself slipping in the ratings of late (even with the addition of Project Runway). Perhaps they needed the steady check from Osteen to offset the advertising declines of racier fare.
September 28th, 2010 at 9:57 am
I think Osteen has been on Lifetime for a while now. I’m not certain, but I think Crystal Cathedral has also been on Lifetime, but they are cutting broadcast outlets almost weekly.
It’s worth noting that Lifetime is an ABC property. It hasn’t been very long at all that the cable networks owned by the major networks were not willing to sell time for religious programming. Osteen and Ed Young Jr. managed to break that logjam by getting onto USA a few years back. Then Discovery sold time to the Crystal Cathedral, which pretty much removed the roadblock everywhere else.
For the broadcaster, it’s all about the eyeballs. Viewers have Lifetime, and USA and Discovery on their “favorites” button, which means a much greater likelihood of the viewer seeing the program.
For the cable outlet, it’s all about the dollars. The cost of a 30 second spot on Lifetime in the early morning hours on the weekend is pretty cheap, and even then, the inventory goes begging. So, picking up several hundred to a few thousand dollars for a half hour is pretty attractive to them.
The most interesting dynamic here is the proliferation of infomercials. There are so many that demand is forcing rates for long form time, even on Sunday morning, way up. That’s having an impact on many broadcast ministries.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Nice to hear from you, Kirk.
Actually, Osteen won’t be on Lifetime until this weekend. They sent out an email promoting this which is what prompted the post. See text below:
“We are pleased to present Joel’s message of hope and encouragement beginning Sunday, October 3rd at 9 AM ET/PT on the Lifetime Network. The same great program you’ve come to love and enjoy, now available on a new network at a new time!”
Also, the network is only partially owned by ABC, though you are correct about cable networks (except for those with presumably religious targets–BET comes to mind here) not allowing carriage of these types of shows.
In terms of the money, it’s more about the long-term deal than wherever the network is getting on a weekly basis. When I was at VH1 we played some kind of infomercial in the overnight hours and it was a contract of several hundred thousand dollars annually that the network could bank on.
When your ratings are sliding (like Lifetime’s have been), you need to do something to stop the hemorrhage, and I guess this fit the bill.
October 4th, 2012 at 6:55 am
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October 22nd, 2012 at 7:17 am
How can I obtain a text copy of the Joel Osteen sermon of Sunday, October 21, 2012? His powerful words of not letting “No” stop you in life. I’d like to send copies to each of my seven grandchildren. OR which of his books would have that particular message?
Thank you