What does the future of Christian broadcasting look like from a traditional broadcast television perspective? While churches face pressure to adapt to the digital age, Media executive Phil Cooke tells Christian leaders not to quit broadcast television but to consider new strategies to tap into this ongoing evangelistic opportunity.
While many churches are turning to the Internet and mobile apps as evangelistic tools, media executive Phil Cooke advises pastors and church leaders to consider the continued value of traditional broadcast television.
Although a strong proponent of adapting to the Digital Age, Phil dedicates an entire chapter of his latest book to television and its viability in the Digital Age. His book is entitled, Maximize Your Influence – How to Make Digital Media Work for Your Church, Your Ministry, and You.
He also recently spoke at the US National Religious Broadcasters Christian Convention (NRB 2024) with a presentation entitled “How Christian TV Can Still Win in a Digital Age” along with a panel of other leading media experts.
“Despite the explosive growth of digital platforms, any serious media producer understands that while television is evolving, it’s not going anywhere,” Phil says. “In fact, in many cases, it’s more important than ever.”
Co-founder and CEO of Phil Cooke Media Group
Good news for the future of Christian broadcasting
Phil, who is the Co-founder and CEO of Cooke Media Group in Los Angeles, has created many influential inspirational TV programmes. He continues to believe in television’s importance in both the Christian and the secular realm.
The LA Times recently reported that “original series created to drive new subscribers to streaming platforms are showing up more frequently on linear broadcast and cable TV networks” as media companies take steps to expose their programmes to broader audiences (Battaglia, 2024, March 14. Why Your Favorite Streaming Shows are Showing Up on Traditional TV).
In response to the renewed interest in broadcast TV, Phil’s blog, “Pastor: Why Shouldn’t You Be on Television?” outlines seven reasons broadcast TV still matters in sharing the Gospel.
So, when considering the future of Christian broadcasting, television continues to be a potent tool for pastors and Christian leaders to amplify their evangelism strategy. Phil therefore encourages them to take a deeper look at television before diverting their budget elsewhere. “Despite what you might be hearing out there, TV isn’t even close to dead.”
About Phil Cooke: Media Producer, writer, speaker, Phil Cooke aims to help creative leaders influence the world. He is co-founder and CEO of Cooke Media Group and the nonprofit The Influence Lab. He works at the intersection of faith, media, and culture, and is a working producer in Hollywood with a PhD in Theology. His client list includes studios and networks like Walt Disney, Dreamworks, and USA Network, major Christian organisations including Voice of the Martyrs, the Museum of the Bible, the Salvation Army, and YouVersion, and many respected churches.
Check out the Traditional Christian broadcast Channels contributing to the future of Christian broadcasting in the UK.s