Emmanuel TV

In the late 1990s, the SCOAN began to gain international attention due to the distribution of videotapes showing clips of God's early ministries and miracles. Additionally, Joshua began airing regular programs purporting to show 'miracles' on local Nigerian television. However, when Nigeria's National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), under the instruction of then President Olusegun Obasanjo controversially banned the showing of 'miracles', in 2004, most of his programs were taken off air.{{Cite news | first = Sam | last = Olukoya | title = Nigerians Divided By TV Miracle Ban | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3784659.stm | work = BBC | date = 2004-06-08 | access-date = 8 March 2016 | archive-date = 24 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160324125452/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3784659.stm | url-status = live }} This eventually paved the way for the emergence of Emmanuel TV on 8 March 2006 by T.B. Joshua.{{Cite news | first = Helen | last = Baker | title = Emmanuel TV: Celebrating A Decade of Blessings | url = http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/03/08/emmanuel-tv-celebrating-a-decade-of-blessings-by-helen-baker/ | work = PM News (Nigeria) | date = 2016-08-03 | access-date = 10 March 2016 | archive-date = 2 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190802120641/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/03/08/emmanuel-tv-celebrating-a-decade-of-blessings-by-helen-baker/ | url-status = live }}

In 2015, Emmanuel TV's YouTube channel was the most subscribed Christian ministry YouTube channel worldwide and the third most subscribed in Nigeria. Google ranked one of Emmanuel TV's YouTube videos as the fourth most viewed clip ever within Nigeria.{{Cite news | first = Amina | last = Mohammed | title = Patience Jonathan's "There is God" video Nigeria's most viewed YouTube clip ever | via = Google | url = http://www.premiumtimesng.com/arts-entertainment/183433-patience-jonathans-there-is-god-video-nigerias-most-viewed-youtube-clip-ever-google.html | work = Premium Times (Nigeria) | date = 2015-05-21 | access-date = 27 February 2016 | archive-date = 20 September 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160920181031/http://www.premiumtimesng.com/arts-entertainment/183433-patience-jonathans-there-is-god-video-nigerias-most-viewed-youtube-clip-ever-google.html | url-status = live }}

Since its inception, Emmanuel TV has broadcast Christian programmes, stating that its mission is 'to preach the Good News to all mankind.'{{cite web |title=Who We Are |work=TB Joshua |publisher=Emmanuel TV website |url=http://www.emmanuel.tv/about_us.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805033828/http://emmanuel.tv/about_us.html |archive-date=5 August 2009}} From humble beginnings, it has rapidly grown to become one of Africa's most well known brands and popular television stations. {{Cite news| first = Tomi| last = Oladipo| title = TB Joshua: Nigeria's best known televangelist| url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29234245| work = BBC| date = 2014-09-17| access-date = 21 June 2018| archive-date = 23 January 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180123221341/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29234245| url-status = live}}

Emmanuel TV broadcasts a range of programmes from Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN). It has gained a reputation for being a Christian station that does not run any on-air campaigns for financial assistance and among the only Christian stations that does not syndicate programs of other pastors.{{Cite news | first = Helen | last = Baker | title = Emmanuel TV: Celebrating A Decade of Blessings | url = http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/03/08/emmanuel-tv-celebrating-a-decade-of-blessings-by-helen-baker/ | work = PM News (Nigeria) | date = 2016-08-03 | access-date = 10 March 2016 | archive-date = 2 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190802120641/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/03/08/emmanuel-tv-celebrating-a-decade-of-blessings-by-helen-baker/ | url-status = live }}

Emmanuel TV is broadcast worldwide on various satellites. Its programmes air weekly on a number of local television stations across Africa, debuting on DStv and GOtv in November 2015,{{Cite news|first=Maurice |last=Nkawihe |title=TB Joshua's Emmanuel TV Goes on DStv And GOtv |url=http://www.nyasatimes.com/2015/11/14/tb-joshuas-emmanuel-tv-goes-on-dstv-and-gotv/ |work=Nyasa Times (Malawi) |date=2015-11-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310173949/http://www.nyasatimes.com/2015/11/14/tb-joshuas-emmanuel-tv-goes-on-dstv-and-gotv/ |archive-date=10 March 2016}} as well as Startimes in February 2016.{{Cite news| first = Chima| last = Akwaja| title = Startimes Unveils Extra Special Offer for Subscribers| url = http://allafrica.com/stories/201602081284.html| work = All Africa| date = 2016-02-06| access-date = 27 February 2016| archive-date = 5 March 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305003813/http://allafrica.com/stories/201602081284.html| url-status = live}} Its playout centre is located in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The station is also known for its catch-phrase, 'Distance Is Not A Barrier',{{Cite news| first = Carley| last = Petesch| title = Nigeria Preacher: Healer or Controversial Leader| url = https://www.yahoo.com/news/nigeria-preacher-healer-controversial-leader-145503592.html| agency = Associated Press| date = 2014-04-19| access-date = 10 March 2016| archive-date = 18 January 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170118152910/https://www.yahoo.com/news/nigeria-preacher-healer-controversial-leader-145503592.html| url-status = live}} encouraging viewers to 'pray along' with T.B. Joshua by 'touching the screen'. There are several claims of people receiving miraculous 'healing' through these prayers,{{Cite news| first = Nosa| last = Osazuwa| title = Watching Emmanuel TV Works Miracles?| url = https://www.modernghana.com/news/360933/watching-emmanuel-tv-works-miracles.html| work = Modern Ghana| date = 2011-11-14| access-date = 10 March 2016| archive-date = 11 March 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160311012105/https://www.modernghana.com/news/360933/watching-emmanuel-tv-works-miracles.html| url-status = live}}{{Cite news| first = Henry| last = Allotey| title = Emmanuel TV, A Channel of Hope| url = http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/religion/Emmanuel-TV-a-channel-of-hope-292456| work = Ghana Web| date = 2013-11-19| access-date = 10 March 2016| archive-date = 11 March 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160311012102/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/religion/Emmanuel-TV-a-channel-of-hope-292456| url-status = live}} including popular Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh who said Joshua's prayers ended her 14-year smoking addiction.{{Cite news | first = Opeoluwani | last = Ogunjimi | title = TB Joshua's Prayers Ended My 14 Year Smoking Addiction – Tonto Dike | url = http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/08/tb-joshuas-prayers-ended-my14-years-smoking-addiction-tonto-dike/ | work = Vanguard (Nigeria) | date = 2012-08-31 | access-date = 11 March 2016 | archive-date = 2 December 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233612/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/08/tb-joshuas-prayers-ended-my14-years-smoking-addiction-tonto-dike/ | url-status = live }}

T.B. Joshua has donated televisions to prisons and hospitals so that they will be able to watch the Emmanuel TV broadcasts.[http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2011-06-12-tb-joshua-donates-tv-sets T.B. Joshua Donates TV Sets To Khami Maximum Security Prison] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922065726/https://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2011-06-12-tb-joshua-donates-tv-sets |date=22 September 2022 }} NewsDay, Sunday 12 June 2011[http://www.ghananewsagency.org/details/Social/Prophet-Joshua-donates-to-Accra-Psychiatric-hospital/?ci=4&ai=36689 Prophet T.B. Joshua Makes Donation To Accra Psychiatric Hospital] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010541/http://www.ghananewsagency.org/details/Social/Prophet-Joshua-donates-to-Accra-Psychiatric-hospital/?ci=4&ai=36689 |date=5 October 2013 }} Ghana News Agency, Sunday, 11 December 2011

In April 2021, YouTube suspended Emmanuel TV's channel as a result of alleged hate speech by Joshua in videos on the channel. At the time the channel was suspended, it had over 1,800,000 subscribers and 400 million views. The allegations of hate speech referred to claims made by Joshua in at least seven videos that homosexuality is the result of possession by demonic spirits and that homosexuality can and should be cured via spiritual deliverance.{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=TB Joshua: YouTube blocks Nigerian preacher over gay cure claim|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56771246|access-date=2021-06-07|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607090301/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56771246|url-status=live}} At the time of the channel's suspension, it was the most-viewed Christian ministry on the platform.{{Cite news|last=Olowookere|first=Dipo|date=27 October 2018|title=TB Joshua's Emmanuel TV Hits 1m YouTube Subscribers, 387m Views|work=Business Post (Nigeria)|url=https://businesspost.ng/2018/10/27/tb-joshuas-emmanuel-tv-hits-1m-youtube-subscribers-387m-views/|access-date=7 January 2019|archive-date=7 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107233442/https://businesspost.ng/2018/10/27/tb-joshuas-emmanuel-tv-hits-1m-youtube-subscribers-387m-views/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news | first = James | last = Bruce | title = Skewed Stats | url = http://www.worldmag.com/2015/04/skewed_stats | work = World Magazine (US) | date = 15 April 2015 | access-date = 10 March 2016 | archive-date = 11 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160311030156/http://www.worldmag.com/2015/04/skewed_stats | url-status = live }}

In January 2024, days after Joshua's sexual abuse scandal was revealed, Emmanuel TV's satellite channel was removed from DStv by MultiChoice, a South African media company as well as from YouTube for a second time. Charlie Northcott & Yemisi Adegoke, [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68142127 TB Joshua exposé: YouTube deletes Emmanuel TV channel of disgraced megachurch leader], bbc.com, UK, January 31, 2024

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.scoan.com/ Official website of the SCOAN]
• [http://www.emmanuel.tv/ Official website of Emmanuel TV]

{{Television in Nigeria}}

Category:Christian mass media companies

Category:Evangelical television networks

Category:Television channels and stations established in 2006

Category:Religious television stations in Nigeria

Category:Television stations in Lagos

Category:International broadcasters