GEB America

GEB America

Type	Religious broadcasting
Country	United States
Availability	National (broadcast, cable, satellite)
Slogan	"Helping You Live Well - Spirit, Mind & Body"
Headquarters	Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Owner	Oral Roberts University
Key people	Ossie Mills (President) Amy Calvert (General Manager)
Launch date	January 24, 1996
Former names	Golden Eagle Broadcasting
Official website	www.gebamerica.com

GEB America (formerly known as Golden Eagle Broadcasting) is a digital satellite television network, which airs primarily Christian and family programming. Oral Roberts founded it in 1996. GEB America is owned by Oral Roberts University and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.^[1]

History

On January 24, 1996, KWMJ TV-53 Tulsa began airing with 24-hour programming. The launch of KWMJ TV-53 included programming like Oral Roberts's Chronicles of Faith, which was a 30-minute program showing footage from his tent crusades and the Oral Roberts University Chapel. The first live chapel aired on January 26, 1996.

On November 1, 1998, Golden Eagle Broadcasting was picked up by stations and viewers across the country and the world via television and the internet. By November 29, 1999, KWMJ TV-53 became KGEB TV-53, the flagship affiliate of Golden Eagle Broadcasting. In 2003, KGEB became the digital channel, KGEB-DT.

Programming

GEB America provides Christian and what it describes as family-friendly programming, with programs such as:

Original programming

GEB America also airs original programming on their network.

Through the years, they have partnered with Oral Roberts University to air several university specials. Since 2008, ORU Men’s Basketball games have been featured on the network. From 2011 to 2013, The Gathering at ORU aired on GEB America with special appearances from pastors and ministry leaders like Dr. Steve Munsey, Clifton Taulbert, Psalmist Judy Jacobs and more.^[2] The ORU Christmas Joys concert experience aired on GEB America in 2011 and 2012. Another ministry special, ORU Ignite, featuring Dr. Charles Stanley, Billy Wilson, Mark Rutland, Jentezen Franklin, and more aired in Summer 2013.^[3]

In 2010, GEB America partnered with Empowered21 to produce and air their inaugural global conference which was recorded in The Mabee Center.^[4]

In wake of the Moore, Oklahoma Tornado, GEB America and Oral Roberts University met the victims and partners at Convoy of Hope to help provide relief. The stories were captured on GEB America Special Moore, Oklahoma Tornado on May 24, 2013.

GEB America’s digital channel, KGEB-DT also airs original programming, including The United States Army Field Band in April 2012^[5] and the US Congressional Debate in October 2012.

Coverage

On June 23, 2010, Golden Eagle Broadcasting Network was added to DirecTV. On October 1, 2012, Golden Eagle Broadcasting changed its name to GEB America as an integrated identity for broadcast, internet, and social media. In August 2013, GEB America released its first smartphone app for iPhone and Android devices, allowing live streaming access as well as the program schedule and the Living Well podcast.

In May 2013, GEB began broadcasting in the Houston, TX area including Montgomery, Galveston and Lake Jackson; reaching a potential audience of 5,000,000.

In March 2014, GEB America debuted on The Roku Streaming Player. This expansion helps GEB America reach millions of additional viewers through their streaming channels. For more than a decade, GEB America partnered with Sky Angel TV for their streaming services, until the companies disband in January 2014.

In May 2014, GEB America began broadcasting on high-definition television (HDTV). The award-winning religious network is one of the first to convert to an HD format.

In June 2016, GEB began broadcasting in the San Francisco Bay Area, encompassing San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Silicon Valley. This coverage generates a potential of 4,500,000 new viewers for GEB.

Executives

Ossie Mills is the president of GEB America.^[6] He is also Executive Vice President of University Advancement at ORU and was previously the Executive Vice President at Inspiration Network.^[7] Amy Calvert, the general manager, previously worked with TV Guide Network, KJRH-TV, and KTUL in Tulsa. Bill Lee, the director of engineering, also holds posts at ORU and formerly with Oral Roberts Ministries.

Charitable and humanitarian initiatives

GEB America offers internships for ORU and other college students.

In 2012, GEB America partnered with Convoy of Hope to provide relief to Hurricane Sandy victims.

On May 20, 2013, Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding areas were devastated by the violent 2013 Moore tornado. GEB America partnered with ORU and Convoy of Hope to help relieve Oklahomans in need.^[8] GEB America also was instrumental in getting the story out nationwide via their television network.

Headquarters

GEB America studios are headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Mabee Center on the Oral Roberts University campus. Several programs like Big 12 Conference, Deborah Sweetin, Dr. Crozier and You, and Hellen Thomas are recorded on-site in various studios. GEB America also airs live and syndicated Oral Roberts Golden Eagles basketball games. The Mabee Center and GEB America have partnered together several times for special events. On October 13, 2013, GEB America was a sponsor at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.^[9] The Mabee Center was one of the members that were inducted into the 2013 class.

Awards and recognition

In 2013, the National Religious Broadcasters Association nominated GEB America for two awards at the 2014 NRB Media Awards. GEB won the Best TV Public Service Announcement and was also nominated for Station of the Year.^[10][11]

In 2016, the National Religious Broadcasters Association awarded KGEB the TV Station of the Year. ^[12]

References

External links

• GEB America Homepage