The Word Network
The Word Network is a privately held non-profit religious television network and self-described largest African-American faith broadcaster globally, distributing Christian programming, gospel music, and ministry content to 93 million U.S. households, 9 million U.K. homes, and 200+ countries via cable, satellite, streaming, podcast, and military distribution.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersSouthfield, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What The Word Network does
The Word Network is a privately held, non-profit religious television network founded in February 2000 by Kevin Adell and his late father Franklin Z. Adell, headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. The network self-describes as the largest African-American religious network in the world, distributing Christian-focused programming that includes gospel music and content from prominent ministries (TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Bill Winston, Rod Parsley, Joseph Prince) to 93 million U.S. households via major cable and satellite carriers, 9 million U.K. homes via Sky TV, over 1 million U.S. Armed Forces personnel across 65+ countries, and viewers in more than 200 countries.
The network's core technology infrastructure consists of a state-of-the-art television studio built as part of a multimillion-dollar May 2012 headquarters expansion, a mobile production truck for remote on-location productions, multi-platform streaming capabilities spanning Android, iOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Faith Now, and Select TV, website-based live streaming, and podcast distribution across 20+ audio platforms. The network holds an FCC Certificate of Closed Captioning Compliance under 47 C.F.R. § 79.1 and follows Video Programmer Best Practices. Supporting products include The Word Network LiveStream, The Word Network Podcast, and the Word Store e-commerce merchandise storefront.
The business model combines three revenue streams: carriage and licensing fees from cable and satellite distribution agreements (the primary monetization mechanism), pay-as-you-go viewer donations processed via SSL-secured credit card payments, and merchandise sales through the Word Store. The network operates without external investors, private equity, or venture capital involvement and is controlled by the founding Adell family. The go-to-market motion relies on multi-platform distribution partnerships rather than direct sales, with donations serving as a recurring viewer-funded support layer and merchandise as a supplementary revenue line.
The Word Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Word Network
- Legal name
- Word Network Church
- Website
- https://thewordnetwork.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Word Network is a privately held non-profit religious television network and self-described largest African-American faith broadcaster globally, distributing Christian programming, gospel music, and ministry content to 93 million U.S. households, 9 million U.K. homes, and 200+ countries via cable, satellite, streaming, podcast, and military distribution.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Word Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious Television Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Religious Organizations (8131)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Religious/Faith-Based Cable Networks (MPABAFAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Christian Broadcasting (TV & Radio) (MPABALAA), Religious Music & Worship Broadcasting (MPABALAN)
Keywords
Where The Word Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Southfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Word Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Carriage Fees: Revenue from cable, satellite, and streaming platform carriage agreements with operators such as DirecTV, Comcast, Sky TV, and others for distribution of programming content
- Donations: Accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover donations processed through secure 128-bit SSL encryption. Donations may be refunded within six months.
- Word Store (Merchandise): E-commerce storefront selling religious merchandise, DVDs, and related products to viewers and supporters
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation-based support model |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels9 records
The Word Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Word Network is a religious television network that broadcasts and distributes Christian-focused programming, including content from prominent African-American ministries (TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Bill Winston, Rod Parsley, Joseph Prince) and gospel music, to viewers via cable, satellite, OTT streaming apps, in-flight entertainment, podcasts, and direct website streaming. The network reaches approximately 93 million U.S. households, 9 million U.K. homes, and 200+ countries globally.
Product overview
The Word Network is a religious television network operating as a single unified broadcasting platform. The core product is the television network itself, distributing Christian programming featuring ministries, gospel music, and spiritual content. Supporting offerings include The Word Network LiveStream for online viewing, The Word Network Podcast for audio distribution across multiple podcast platforms, and the Word Store for merchandise. The network reaches viewers through cable operators (DirecTV, Comcast, Charter, Cox), satellite (Sky TV in the U.K.), digital platforms (Android, iOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TV), and in-flight entertainment on major airlines. The company is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, with international production facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Word Network A religious television network providing Christian-focused programming for individual viewers and households, featuring African-American ministries (TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Bill Winston, Rod Parsley, Joseph Prince), gospel music, and spiritual content distributed via cable, satellite, OTT streaming apps, in-flight entertainment, and direct website streaming.
- The Word Network LiveStream A live streaming service that allows individual viewers to watch The Word Network programming in real-time directly through the website via browser, with dedicated viewing options for Chrome and Windows users.
- The Word Network Podcast A podcast offering from The Word Network featuring religious and spiritual content, distributed across numerous podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Audible, Stitcher, TuneIn, and 20+ other platforms for individual listeners.
- Word Store An e-commerce section of the website where The Word Network sells religious merchandise, DVDs, and related products to individual viewers and supporters of the network.
Companies that use The Word Network
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Word Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Word Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- TD Jakes MinistrycoreFeatured ministry content provider featuring Bishop TD Jakes programming on The Word Network.
- Joyce Meyer MinistriescoreFeatured ministry content provider featuring Joyce Meyer's teaching programming on The Word Network.
- Bill Winston MinistriescoreFeatured ministry content provider featuring Pastor Bill Winston's programming on The Word Network.
- Rod Parsley MinistrycoreFeatured ministry content provider featuring Pastor Rod Parsley's programming on The Word Network.
- Joseph Prince MinistrycoreFeatured ministry content provider featuring Joseph Prince's teaching programming on The Word Network.
- DirecTVcoreMajor cable/satellite distribution partner providing access to millions of U.S. households for The Word Network programming.
- Comcast XfinitycoreMajor cable distribution partner providing access to millions of U.S. households for The Word Network programming.
- Sky TV (U.K.)coreInternational distribution partner providing access to 9 million U.K. households for The Word Network programming.
- U.S. Armed ForcescoreDistribution to 1 million U.S. military personnel stationed at bases in over 65 countries.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Word Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN): The largest Christian broadcast network in the U.S., offering free-to-air and cable/satellite religious programming. Directly comparable as a multi-platform Christian broadcaster with global distribution, though broader in ministry and demographic scope than The Word Network.
- Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN): Operates The Christian Broadcasting Network and related streaming/online platforms, distributing faith-based programming including news, ministry content, and family programming. Comparable in cable/streaming distribution and ministry content partnership model.
Direct peers
- Daystar Television Network: Faith-based television network distributed via cable and satellite across the U.S. and internationally with a comparable ministry-driven programming model. Closely comparable peer in scale, distribution model, and content strategy.
- Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN): Catholic-focused religious television network distributed globally via cable, satellite, and streaming. Comparable in multi-platform religious broadcasting scale and global reach, though denominationally distinct.
- INSP: U.S. cable/satellite network offering faith-based and family-friendly entertainment programming. Comparable in distribution model (cable carriage, streaming) and faith-aligned content positioning, though less focused on live ministry content.
- Uplift Entertainment: Faith and family streaming service distributed via connected TV platforms and apps. Comparable in targeting Christian audiences through streaming/OTT distribution with a multi-platform content strategy.
Emerging players
- Relevant Media (RELEVANT TV): Faith-leaning media brand producing broadcast, podcast, and digital content for Christian audiences. Overlaps with The Word Network's gospel and ministry programming audience, with a more digitally native, younger-skewing distribution approach.
- Hillsong Channel / TBN Inspire: Faith-based content brand with streaming/OTT distribution of contemporary Christian worship, teaching, and ministry content. Comparable in using high-profile pastors as content anchors and pursuing digital-first distribution.
- Faithlife (Faithlife TV): Faith-based content platform offering documentaries, teaching, and Bible study programming via streaming. Comparable in distributing Christian teaching and ministry content on digital platforms, with a more educational/subscription focus.
Regional players
- Dove Broadcasting / Christian Television Network: Smaller-scale religious broadcasting network distributed via cable in select U.S. markets. Comparable in mission and content type (Christian ministry programming), though significantly smaller in reach and scale than The Word Network.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Word Network social profiles
Digital presenceThe Word Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Word Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Word Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Word Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Word Network
What does The Word Network do?
The Word Network is a religious television network that broadcasts and distributes Christian-focused programming, including content from prominent African-American ministries (TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Bill Winston, Rod Parsley, Joseph Prince) and gospel music, to viewers via cable, satellite, OTT streaming apps, in-flight entertainment, podcasts, and direct website streaming. The network reaches approximately 93 million U.S. households, 9 million U.K. homes, and 200+ countries globally.
Is The Word Network a public or private company?
The Word Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Word Network founded?
The Word Network was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Word Network based?
The Word Network is headquartered in Southfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Word Network make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Carriage Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and word Store (Merchandise).
Who are The Word Network's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Direct peers are Daystar Television Network, Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), INSP and Uplift Entertainment. Emerging players are Relevant Media (RELEVANT TV), Hillsong Channel / TBN Inspire and Faithlife (Faithlife TV). Dove Broadcasting / Christian Television Network is listed as a regional player.
Does The Word Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Word Network.
What industry is The Word Network in?
The Word Network's product category is Religious Television Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABAFAK, Religious/Faith-Based Cable Networks, with a secondary code of MPABALAA, Christian Broadcasting (TV & Radio). Its NAICS code is 516120 and its SIC code is 4833.