Scientology Network
{{Short description|Television network and streaming service}}
{{use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Scientology Network
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_caption =
| logo_alt =
| image =
| launch_date = {{Start date|2018|03|12}}
| closed_date =
| picture_format = 1080i (HDTV)
| network =
| owner = Church of Scientology
| key_people =
| country = United States
| language = English
| area =
| affiliates =
| headquarters = Los Angeles
| former_names =
| replaced =
| replaced_by =
| sister_channels =
| timeshift_service =
| online_serv_1 = Scientology.tv
| online_chan_1 = {{url|scientology.tv/tv/}}
| terr_serv_1 = KSCN-TV
Los Angeles
| terr_chan_1 = Channel 22.1
| website = {{official URL}}
}}
Scientology Network is an American television network and streaming service launched by the Church of Scientology in 2018.
History
In 2011, the Church of Scientology acquired the KCET Studios property, a {{convert|4.5|acre|ha|1|adj=on}} parcel with {{convert|300,000|sqft|m2|-2}} of facility which included two sound stages, post-production facilities, offices, and a satellite uplink. The studios, located at 4401 Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles, California, are a cultural landmark in Hollywood that dates back to 1912.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/las-kcet-tv-sells-landmark-181915/ |title=L.A.'s KCET-TV Sells Landmark Hollywood Studios to Church of Scientology |first=Daniel |last=Miller |date=April 25, 2011 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308032121/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/las-kcet-tv-sells-landmark-181915/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://la.curbed.com/2016/8/29/12700596/scientology-hollywood-studio-tv-channel-property|title=What are the Scientologists doing with their new film studio? And why does the church keep acquiring property in LA? |publisher=Curbed |date=August 29, 2016 |first=Elijah |last=Chiland }} In 1978, the property had been designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.{{cite web |url=https://planning.lacity.org/odocument/24f6fce7-f73d-4bca-87bc-c77ed3fc5d4f/Historical%20Cultural%20Monuments%20List.pdf |title=Historic- Cultural Monument (HCM) List : City Declared Monuments |website=Los Angeles City Planning |access-date=March 8, 2023 |at=See item #198 |archive-date=January 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120001222/https://planning.lacity.org/odocument/24f6fce7-f73d-4bca-87bc-c77ed3fc5d4f/Historical%20Cultural%20Monuments%20List.pdf |url-status=live }} When KCET split from PBS, they sold the studio property for $45 million with leaseback, remaining for another year.
The Church of Scientology says they spent a further $50 million on renovations and upgrades on the facility which was slated to be the "centralized global communications hub for the church's media activities, which include public service announcements, television programming, advertisements, magazines, brochures, internet and every other conceivable type of content." The grand opening was held in May 2016 with its new name "Scientology Media Productions".{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/news/what-is-the-church-of-scientology-doing-with-this-los-angeles-movie-studio-7293993|title=What Is the Church of Scientology Doing With This Los Angeles Movie Studio?|first=Hillel|last=Aron|date=24 August 2016|publisher=LA Weekly|access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826005132/https://www.laweekly.com/news/what-is-the-church-of-scientology-doing-with-this-los-angeles-movie-studio-7293993|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/scientology-tv-recruitment-leah-remini-4174250/ |title="The Means of Getting Someone in the Door": An Inside Look at Scientology's Lavish Production Facilities and Actor Recruitment Strategy |first=Kirsten |last=Chuba |date=April 29, 2021 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308032117/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/scientology-tv-recruitment-leah-remini-4174250/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.christianexaminer.com/article/scientologists-launch-massive-studio-to-spread-cult-message-globally-through-movies-tv-radio/50760.htm|title=Scientologists launch massive studio to spread cult message globally through movies, TV, radio|website=Christian Examiner|date=June 2, 2016|first=Gregory|last=Tomlin|access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-date=December 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223124418/https://www.christianexaminer.com/article/scientologists-launch-massive-studio-to-spread-cult-message-globally-through-movies-tv-radio/50760.htm|url-status=live}}
== The network ==
The Church of Scientology announced that Scientology Network would launch on March 12, 2018 and be available on DirecTV channel 320, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, iTunes, Google Play, and the website Scientology.tv.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scientology-network-set-for-tv-launch/|title=Scientology Network set for TV launch|publisher=CBS News|first=Kate|last=Gibson|date=March 12, 2018|access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-date=April 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174340/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scientology-network-set-for-tv-launch/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/scientology-tv-controversial-church-launches-its-own-tv-network-1183461443521|title=Scientology TV: Controversial church launches its own TV network (video)|first=Joe|last=Fryer|work=The Today Show|publisher=NBC News|date=March 12, 2018|access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-date=April 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025738/https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/scientology-tv-controversial-church-launches-its-own-tv-network-1183461443521|url-status=live}} As of 2021, it was also available on Google Chromecast and aired in 17 languages.
The network is dedicated to Scientology topics and broadcasts such shows as Meet a Scientologist and L. Ron Hubbard: In His Own Voice.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/scientology-tv-launches-david-miscavige-introduction-limited-slate-original-programming-1094101|title=Scientology TV Launches: "We're Not Here to Preach to You"|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 12, 2018|author=THR Staff|access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315151129/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/scientology-tv-launches-david-miscavige-introduction-limited-slate-original-programming-1094101|url-status=live}}
In 2018, industry insiders from The Daily Beast reported that Scientology pays DirecTV roughly $4 million annually in carriage fees.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/why-scientology-tv-doesnt-have-any-commercials|title=Why Scientology TV Doesn’t Have Any Commercials}}
Los Angeles broadcast station
Meruelo Media announced on July 29, 2024 that KWHY-TV (channel 22) would be sold to a broadcast division of the church known as Sunset Boulevard Broadcasting for $30 million; the deal includes a channel sharing agreement with KBEH (channel 63), which remains under Meruelo ownership.{{cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/276381/meruleo-media-sells-los-angeles-tv-station-to-church-of-scientology/|title=Meruelo Media Sells Los Angeles TV Station to Church of Scientology|website=RadioInsight|date=July 29, 2024|accessdate=July 30, 2024|archive-date=July 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729233010/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/276381/meruleo-media-sells-los-angeles-tv-station-to-church-of-scientology/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff390a2c03c0190bd39bbd611ec&id=25076ff390a2c03c0190bd39bbd611ec&goBack=N|title=Assignments|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=July 29, 2024|accessdate=July 30, 2024}}
On December 16, 2024, the Sunset Boulevard Broadcasting Corporation filed to change the station's call letters to KSCN-TV.{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f91936ff5070193b28709153da4&id=25076f91936ff5070193b28709153da4&goBack=N|title=Form 380 - Transfer/Assignment Request|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=December 16, 2024|accessdate=December 30, 2024|archive-date=December 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218045005/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f91936ff5070193b28709153da4&id=25076f91936ff5070193b28709153da4&goBack=N|url-status=live}} The church began simulcasting Scientology Network content on January 1, 2025, with it currently being the only channel the station offers.
Response
According to Variety, the "Scientology Network appears to be another example of a well-heeled brand sidestepping traditional media and advertising platforms for a direct-to-consumer approach with a 24/7 TV channel to spread its message."{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/scientology-network-directv-channel-launch-march-12-1202723661/|title=Scientology Unveils Network Launch Set for Monday|first=Cynthia|last=Littleton|date=11 March 2018|publisher=Variety|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=June 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616125922/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/scientology-network-directv-channel-launch-march-12-1202723661/|url-status=live}}
Depicting something "in between a self-help seminar, an infomercial, and a drug commercial", Vox describes the channel as showing little of Scientology techniques or terminology but instead offering a series of very similar programs, mostly interviews with people who have already chosen Scientology contrasted with images depicting the downsides of modern life without Scientology. Vox further laments, the channel is an "intersection of capitalism and spirituality that has come to define the American religious landscape."{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/3/22/17144710/church-of-scientology-channel-tv|title=The Church of Scientology Has Launched a TV Channel. It's Weirdly Familiar.|date=March 22, 2018|accessdate=November 14, 2020|first=Tara Isabella|last=Burton|website=Vox|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308151712/https://www.vox.com/2018/3/22/17144710/church-of-scientology-channel-tv|url-status=live}}
A Vice writer said the network was supposed to convey the principles of Scientology, but he instead found it confusing, jargon-heavy, contradictory, repetitive and boring, and certain claims by Scientology got grander and vaguer. For example, in one show the "implication was that Scientology is the reason that the rioting that happened in Ferguson didn't spread nationwide" or in the case of the Colombian conflict "as the result of Scientologists giving talks and handing out literature on the importance of human rights, crime dropped and complaints against the military—who had previously been murdering civilians—fell 96 percent." The reviewer stated that the shows themselves are basically commercials for Scientology, which would have commercial breaks showing commercials for more commercials.{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-watched-scientology-tv-for-24-confusing-hours-straight/ |title=I Watched Scientology TV for 24 Confusing Hours Straight |first=Jamie Lee |last=Taete |date=March 15, 2018 |publisher=Vice |access-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308032125/https://www.vice.com/en/article/437k4g/i-watched-scientology-tv-for-24-confusing-hours-straight |url-status=live }}
Quartz media said, "Unfortunately for Scientology, the church picked literally the worst time to get into the TV game. The number of cable and streaming TV channels and series has increased exponentially in recent years—making it harder and harder for brands to stick out in the era of 'peak TV'."{{cite web|url=https://qz.com/1227245/scientology-is-launching-a-tv-channel-on-directv-and-streaming-platforms/|title=Scientology is launching its own TV channel tonight|first=Adam|last=Epstein|date=March 12, 2018|website=Quartz|access-date=April 10, 2018|archive-date=April 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411111552/https://qz.com/1227245/scientology-is-launching-a-tv-channel-on-directv-and-streaming-platforms/|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
Further reading
- {{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-watched-scientology-tv-for-24-confusing-hours-straight/ |title=I Watched Scientology TV for 24 Confusing Hours Straight |first=Jamie Lee |last=Taete |date=March 15, 2018 |publisher=Vice}}