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INSP (TV network)
American digital cable and satellite TV channel From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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INSP (formerly The Inspiration Network) is an American digital cable television network that features primarily westerns (both shows and movies) and is headquartered in Indian Land, South Carolina - a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Between 1991 and 2010, INSP was a non-profit ministry focused network. In October 2010, it was re-branded and launched as a socially conservative, commercial-supported family entertainment network (over time becoming centered around westerns), and has Nielsen C3 ratings status. As of 2021, more than 60 million households receive INSP.[1]
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History
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INSP was founded in 1978 as the PTL Television Network, a religious television network founded by Christian televangelists Jim Bakker and his wife, Tammy Faye Bakker. The network was the flagship channel for their daily Christian variety program, The PTL Club. The network later became known as the PTL Satellite Network and finally PTL – The Inspirational Network.
In 1990, after Jim Bakker resigned, the PTL Television network filed for bankruptcy. Morris Cerullo World Evangelism eventually purchased the network from the United States Bankruptcy Court in Columbia, South Carolina. Morris’ son, David, was later named CEO of the network. David Cerullo remains as its CEO.[2]
In October 2010, the network announced a major re-branding with an added emphasis on family programming. Along with the re-branding came a new logo, tagline and name change from Inspiration to INSP. At the end of 2021, Variety reported that INSP's household viewers were up 1,171% since 2010.[3]
In 2022, INSP changed its logo to include a cowboy hat to emphasize the growing success of its western-based shows and films. Prior to the logo change, INSP had also introduced the tagline, “Heroes Live Here.” Its focus on western-based programming is said to be the reason behind its continued ratings success, with primetime viewing growing 17% on the previous year.[4]
Western Bound
In May 2022, INSP launched the Cowboy Way Channel, an Internet streaming service aimed at younger viewers. Named for INSP's original series, The Cowboy Way: Alabama, the channel features other original series and Western- and outdoor-themed movies.[5] On July 25, 2024, it was announced that the channel would be rebranding as Western Bound on September 3.[6]
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Programming
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Current programming
Currently, INSP features mostly Westerns (both series and movies), with Mike Murdock's Campmeeting in the early mornings.[7][8] As of January 9, 2024, western TV series regularly aired by INSP include Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Wagon Train, The Virginian, Rawhide, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Rifleman, Laramie, The Big Valley, Cheyenne, Alias Smith and Jones, and How the West Was Won.[9] Movies regularly aired by INSP (as of January 9, 2024) include More Dead Than Alive, Rage at Dawn, Gun the Man Down, High Lonesome, Hardcase, Yuma, Fort Dobbs, Yellowstone Kelly, The Outlaw Josey Wales, They Call Me Trinity, Joe Kidd, Comanche Station, Tall Man Riding, Badman's Territory, Man in the Saddle, Tulsa, Ambush at Cimarron Pass, Colt .45, and Open Range.[10]
Original series
In its early years, INSP produced a wide range of original programming, including specials, concerts, and inspirational entertainment. While some of the overnight or early morning programming was faith-based, the network's daytime and evening scheduling was original content focused on a variety of family-oriented and traditional value productions.[11][12] In 2010, INSP was rebranded and subsequently saw a change in its programming. It increased the amount of original series, but also diversified into other areas of content, such as dramas and lifestyle television series.[13] One of the first major projects of this transition was A Walton’s Family Reunion, a program that embodied the network’s renewed focus on wholesome, nostalgia-driven entertainment. In the special, the surviving cast members of The Waltons reunited on Walton’s Mountain almost 30 years after the beloved series concluded.
In 2011, a short-form episode from INSP's Moments called "Thank You For Your Service" went viral. It has been featured on ABC’s The View, the Pentagon Channel, and USAA’s web site. It has been shown at several national conventions and conferences, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Jewish War Veterans.[14] During a Vietnam memorial in which "Thank You for Your Service" aired General Claude M. Kicklighter noted, “This stirring tribute never fails to inspire deep emotions. It has helped bring healing and encouragement to true patriots, many of whom have felt taken for granted and ignored.”[15]
In 2013, Old Henry was launched by INSP, a series of interstitials. Stars on the interstitials included Ralph Waite from The Waltons, and Rachel Hendrix from October Baby. They aired as six separate interstitials, but due to their popularity, were merged together into a 30-minute version with additional content.[16] In early 2014, INSP moved forward in their commitment to original content, creating the position of Vice President of Original Programming.[17]
Content on INSP changed again in 2015, as it launched its first reality television series entitled Handcrafted America, hosted by Jill Wagner. Handcrafted America originally aired exclusively on INSP. After its linear run, the series was licensed by Amazon Prime. In Handcrafted America, host travels the country to seek out talented artisans who continue to make products the traditional way—with their own two hands.[18] A year later, one of its longest running original series The Cowboy Way aired, running until 2020 for a total of seven seasons.[19] In 2019, Ultimate Cowboy Showdown hosted by Trace Adkins aired until 2023 for a total of four seasons. It continued with the same strategic approach as The Cowboy Way, with the entire TV schedule for INSP having a focus on Westerns.
As of 2025, INSP has a number of original series currently airing or green lit for new series, many of which would be defined as Western dramas. Into the Wild Frontier and Wild West Chronicles are both docudramas, exploring the historical events in the American Frontier. Both have been widely praised for the depiction of the timeline in American history. The most popular historical docuseries by INSP is Elkhorn, which has currently has two seasons, with the first winning many notable accolades for its depiction of Theodore Roosevelt, The Cowboy President.[20] Blue Ridge: The Series represents a diversification by INSP that shows they aren't just about Westerns, as with the police drama that follows on from the film of the same name that aired on INSP in 2020.
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Facilities and studio
INSP originally was headquartered in studios and offices in Charlotte, North Carolina. The broadcast facility remains in Charlotte, while the network's offices have been relocated to a newly constructed campus known as CrossRidge (formerly named the City of Light) in Indian Land, South Carolina, with an eventual consolidation of all operations at CrossRidge to come.[21][22]
Former television stations
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Imagicomm Communications, a shell company controlled by INSP, purchased eighteen stations in twelve markets from Cox Media Group on March 30, 2022, for $488 million;[23] this was to help Cox Media comply with regulatory requirements related to a proposed merger between Tegna and Standard Media, which Cox was assisting in side transactions.[24][25][26][27] The sale was completed on August 1.[28]
On January 15, 2025, Imagicomm announced it would put its stations up for sale.[29] The chain was dismantled by three separate deals: Marquee Broadcasting purchased four stations,[30] Rincon Broadcasting Group purchased seven stations[31][32][33] and Deltavision Media purchased the remaining seven stations, resulting in Imagicomm exiting the broadcasting business by default.[23]
- Semi-satellite of KFFX-TV.
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Accolades
INSP has been honored with several industry awards in television:
- 2012: The PTC Seal of Approval from the Parents Television Council[34]
- 2012: Cablefax FAXIES Awards finalist in two categories; Trade Show Marketing/PR and Direct Response Marketing[35][36]
- 2013: Nominated in the Category for Human Concerns at The New York Film & Television Festival[37]
- 2014: CableFax Digital Awards finalist in their Social Good Campaign for Moments.org[38]
- 2014: Telly Awards:
- 2016: CableFax Program Award: Jill Wagner, Best Family Friendly Host, “Handcrafted America Season 1”[41]
- 2017: Telly Awards:
- The Bronze award in the Category of General Cultural for ‘’Handcrafted America’’[42]
- The Bronze award in the Category of General Travel/Tourism for ‘’Handcrafted America’’
- 2017: CableFax Program Award: Taylor Hicks, Best Family Friendly Host, “State Plate”[43]
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References
External links
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