Cornerstone Television

Cornerstone Television, also known as the Cornerstone Television Network or CTVN, is a non-commercial Christian broadcast and satellite television network headquartered in Wall, Pennsylvania. The network developed from an effort to establish a Christian television presence in the Pittsburgh area and has expanded from a single local station into a multi-platform distribution operation. The origins of Cornerstone are associated with Norma Bixler, who said that she received a religious vision in the late 1970s while visiting the Christian Broadcasting Network headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She believed she had been called to establish a Christian television station in Pittsburgh. Her husband, Russ Bixler, initially regarded the project as difficult because of the regulatory, financial, technical, and organizational barriers involved in launching a full-power television station. He ultimately joined the effort and became the network's principal founder. The project benefited from assistance associated with Christian broadcasting figures including Pat Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network, Loren Cunningham, and Jim Bakker. The founders also recruited professional and ministry-oriented personnel, including Bill Freeman, Oleen Eagle, Stan Scott, and Eleanor Clarke, while relying on volunteers during the station's formative period. Their work culminated in the 1979 launch of WPCB-TV, which became the network's first station and its principal Pittsburgh-area broadcast outlet. During the following decades, Cornerstone acquired or launched additional stations in Pennsylvania and Ohio. These stations created a regional broadcast footprint before the network's distribution model broadened through cable and satellite television in the 1990s. Internet distribution later allowed Cornerstone to reach viewers beyond its traditional terrestrial coverage and outside the United States. A reported 2008 affiliate count listed 163 stations, while the network is also described as having 44 full-power affiliates, 57 low-power affiliates, and one online affiliate station. Affiliate totals can vary according to the date and classification used. Cornerstone operates as a continuous Christian programming service, broadcasting around the clock throughout the week. Its schedule has included sermons and teaching programs, appearances by international Christian leaders, religious music, films, documentaries, holiday specials, and programming intended for different age groups. The network's offering is therefore broader than a single local station: it combines original or locally produced ministry content with acquired religious programming and distribution through affiliated outlets. The brand's positioning is centered on Christian faith-based broadcasting rather than commercial general-interest television. Its principal audience consists of viewers seeking sermons, Bible teaching, worship and music programming, religious commentary, documentaries, and family-oriented content. The network's use of broadcast stations, satellite carriage, and internet access reflects the broader shift in religious broadcasting from local over-the-air services toward national and international multi-platform distribution. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate commercial parent company, stock listing, or named corporate owner for the network.

Cornerstone Television emerged from a late-1970s effort to establish a Christian television station in Pittsburgh. Norma Bixler described receiving a religious vision while visiting the Christian Broadcasting Network headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and came to believe that she and her husband should pursue a Christian broadcast ministry in Pittsburgh. Russ Bixler was initially concerned about the practical obstacles involved in creating a full-power television station, including licensing, construction, staffing, and the need to secure sufficient programming. He eventually accepted the project and became identified as the network's founder. The Bixlers received assistance from figures connected with the wider Christian broadcasting movement, including Pat Robertson, Loren Cunningham, and Jim Bakker. They worked through the licensing and build-out process and assembled a combination of professional broadcasters, ministry personnel, and volunteers. Individuals associated with the early operation included Bill Freeman, Oleen Eagle, Stan Scott, and Eleanor Clarke. This combination of technical planning, religious programming experience, and volunteer labor enabled the organization to move from an idea to an operating station. The first Cornerstone station, WPCB-TV, began broadcasting in 1979. Its launch gave the organization a permanent Pittsburgh-area broadcast presence and established the station that became the base of the Cornerstone Television Network. In subsequent years, the organization acquired or launched other stations in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The resulting network was initially regional, using full-power and low-power stations to distribute Christian programs to local audiences. The television environment changed substantially in the 1990s as cable and satellite systems made it possible for specialized networks to reach viewers beyond their terrestrial transmission areas. Cornerstone used these distribution opportunities to expand its reach nationally. Later, internet distribution extended the service beyond the United States and gave viewers another way to access its programming. The network also became available through the Glorystar satellite service. Reference material reports that the network had 163 affiliate stations in 2008; a more specific description identifies 44 full-power affiliates, 57 low-power affiliates, and one online affiliate station. These figures should be read in relation to different reporting dates and affiliate definitions. Cornerstone's programming has remained focused on Christian religious content. Its 24-hour schedule has included preaching, Bible teaching, appearances by international Christian leaders, music, films, documentaries, holiday specials, and programs intended for children, families, and general audiences. The service has therefore combined the functions of a local Christian broadcaster, a distributed religious television network, and an online ministry outlet. The network is based in Wall, Pennsylvania, and is described as non-commercial. Available reference material does not identify a publicly traded parent, a corporate owner, or a current executive roster. Its historical development is best understood as the growth of a Pittsburgh-area Christian television initiative into a broader affiliate, satellite, and online network.

• 2008

  Reported affiliate network reaches 163 stations

  [1]Cornerstone Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Reference material reports that Cornerstone Television had 163 affiliate stations during 2008, illustrating the scale of its expansion beyond its original local station.

• 1990

  Expansion through cable and satellite distribution

  [1]Cornerstone Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  The network begins extending its reach beyond its Pennsylvania and Ohio terrestrial base as cable and satellite distribution become more important to specialized television services.

• 1979

  WPCB-TV begins broadcasting

  [1]Cornerstone Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Cornerstone Television launches its first station, WPCB-TV, serving the Pittsburgh area and establishing the foundation of the network.

• Online and satellite access broaden distribution

  [1]Cornerstone Televisionen.wikipedia.org

  Cornerstone adds internet distribution and availability through the Glorystar satellite service, enabling access beyond its over-the-air affiliate footprint.

A non-commercial Christian television network providing continuous faith-based programming through terrestrial affiliates, satellite distribution, and online access.

• Christian television network · 1979

  Cornerstone Television Network

  The network's principal offering is a continuous, non-commercial Christian television service. Programming has included preaching, Bible teaching, religious music, appearances by international Christian leaders, films, documentaries, holiday specials, and family-oriented material. Distribution has used broadcast affiliates, satellite carriage, and online access rather than relying on a single local transmitter.

• Broadcast television station · 1979

  WPCB-TV

  WPCB-TV was Cornerstone Television's first station and the original Pittsburgh-area foundation of the network. Its launch in 1979 provided the organization with a full-time local broadcast outlet and served as the starting point for later station expansion in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

• Television distribution

  Satellite and online distribution

  Cornerstone distributes programming beyond its terrestrial affiliates through the Glorystar satellite service and online access. These channels allow the network to serve viewers outside its original regional market and support a broader audience than its local broadcast stations alone could reach.

• 1990

  Expand from regional broadcasting to wider distributionStrategy

  Background

  The organization had built a station base in Pennsylvania and Ohio, while cable and satellite television created new opportunities for specialized networks.

  Action taken

  Cornerstone pursued broader cable and satellite distribution and subsequently added online access.

  Aftermath

  The network moved beyond its original regional footprint and became accessible through affiliates, satellite service, and the internet.

  Source

• 1979

  Launch a Pittsburgh-area Christian television stationStrategy

  Background

  The Bixlers sought to create a Christian television presence in Pittsburgh despite the licensing, construction, staffing, and programming challenges associated with a full-power station.

  Action taken

  Cornerstone Television completed the launch of WPCB-TV and began operating a dedicated Christian broadcast service.

  Aftermath

  WPCB-TV became the foundation for later station expansion and the development of the Cornerstone Television Network.

  Source

1. 1Cornerstone Televisionen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Cornerstone Television official websitectvn.org