Three Angels Broadcasting Network
An American Christian television and radio network whose programming emphasizes Seventh-day Adventist theology, health, family life, music, and Bible-based teaching.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Three Angels Broadcasting Network, commonly known as 3ABN, is an American Christian television and radio network headquartered in West Frankfort, Illinois. Founded in 1984 by Danny Shelton and his then-wife Linda Shelton, the network developed as a faith-oriented media ministry producing and distributing television, radio, and later internet programming. Although 3ABN is not formally owned or operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, much of its output is shaped by Seventh-day Adventist theology, doctrine, worship traditions, and interpretations of the Bible. The network's stated programming mission combines religious teaching with practical and family-oriented content. Its schedule has included Bible presentations, evangelistic programs, gospel and worship music, health and lifestyle features, children's programming, public-affairs discussions, and social and family programming. This combination distinguishes 3ABN from narrowly defined sermon-only outlets: the organization presents itself as a broad Christian media service intended to address spiritual, physical, emotional, and social aspects of life. Over time, 3ABN expanded from a principal television service into a group of television and radio channels serving different audiences and formats. Its portfolio has included the flagship 3ABN service, 3ABN Proclaim! for evangelistic and preaching content, 3ABN Latino and its related radio service for Spanish-speaking audiences, 3ABN Radio and a music-focused radio channel, 3ABN Kids, 3ABN Dare to Dream, 3ABN Praise Him Music, 3ABN International, 3ABN Canada, 3ABN Australia Radio, and Russian- and French-language services. The network has also operated or supported production activities outside the United States, including facilities associated with Russian and Australian programming. 3ABN distributes its content through a mixture of broadcast stations, satellite services, cable and multichannel platforms, local downlink operations, radio outlets, websites, social-media channels, and connected-device applications. Its 3ABN+ service provides live streams and on-demand video without a subscription charge, while radio programming is distributed through online and platform-based listening services. Availability varies by country and platform, but the network has pursued an international audience through language-specific services and affiliate distribution. The organization has undergone significant institutional changes. In 2017 it announced the sale of numerous low-power television stations and construction permits, including transactions involving Edge Spectrum and HC2 Holdings. In September 2019, Danny Shelton resigned as president, although reporting identified him as remaining an important figure within the organization. 3ABN has also faced public controversies involving the departure of co-founder Linda Shelton, criminal proceedings involving Danny Shelton's brother Tommy Shelton, litigation concerning the network's handling of allegations against him, a long-running property dispute in the Bahamas, and a dispute surrounding the dismissal of children's-program host Brenda Walsh. These matters form part of the network's public history but do not by themselves establish the validity of every allegation made by any party. 3ABN remains an active Christian media ministry with a principal base in the United States and an international distribution footprint. Its identity is defined by religious broadcasting, Adventist-influenced teaching, health and lifestyle programming, music, multilingual services, and direct-to-consumer digital distribution.
History
Three Angels Broadcasting Network was established in 1984 in West Frankfort, Illinois, by Danny Shelton and Linda Shelton. The organization grew as a Christian broadcasting ministry rather than as a conventional commercial television network. Its name refers to the three angels described in the Book of Revelation, a passage of particular importance in Seventh-day Adventist interpretation. While 3ABN is not formally part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, its programming has consistently given substantial attention to Adventist theology, biblical teaching, health principles, worship, and evangelism. The network's early identity centered on television production and distribution. Its output developed beyond preaching to include gospel music, family programming, social and public-affairs discussions, health and lifestyle features, and Bible-based presentations. This broad schedule allowed 3ABN to function as both a religious teaching service and a practical Christian lifestyle channel. By the late 2000s, the main service and some international services carried substantial proportions of original programming, including particularly high levels of original content on the Russian service. Expansion proceeded through additional channels and language services. 3ABN created or distributed services such as 3ABN Proclaim!, 3ABN Latino, 3ABN Radio, 3ABN Radio Music Channel, 3ABN Kids, 3ABN Dare to Dream, 3ABN Praise Him Music, 3ABN International, 3ABN Canada, and Russian, French, and Australian outlets. Production and ministry activity extended beyond the Illinois headquarters through facilities associated with Russian-language work in Nizhny Novgorod and Australian production in Morisset, New South Wales. The network also distributed audio programming from Radio 74 Internationale. The founders' personal and organizational relationships became part of 3ABN's public history. Linda Shelton left the network in 2004 after marital allegations involving her and Danny Shelton, and Danny Shelton filed for divorce that year. The network later faced controversy connected to Tommy Shelton, Danny Shelton's brother and a former production manager. Tommy Shelton surrendered to authorities in 2010 in a case involving allegations of indecent liberties with a child. An initial plea arrangement was rejected by a judge; in 2012 he entered Alford pleas to four molestation charges and received a six-year prison sentence. In 2011, one accuser filed a federal lawsuit alleging that 3ABN had been negligent in handling the allegations. Another long-running legal matter concerned land in the Bahamas. A visually impaired man alleged that he intended to donate a relatively small parcel for construction of a church sanctuary, while 3ABN maintained that he had transferred control of a much larger tract through an irrevocable charitable trust. The matter was reported as pending before the Supreme Court of the Bahamas. The network also changed its terrestrial-station portfolio in 2017. It announced the sale of 60 low-power television stations and 10 construction permits to Edge Spectrum, followed later that year by the announced sale of 14 low-power television stations to HC2 Holdings. These transactions reduced the organization's direct low-power-station holdings while leaving its wider distribution model dependent on satellite, cable, affiliate, internet, and digital-platform access. In December 2018, 3ABN dismissed Brenda Walsh, host of Kids Time. In February 2019, the network released online material accusing her of mishandling funds raised for a children's network in Collegedale, Tennessee. The dispute included claims about money raised, the absence of a transfer to her ministry, and obligations described in a separation agreement. The episode became another public controversy involving the network's governance and financial-handling practices. Danny Shelton resigned as president in September 2019, although he remained a central figure associated with 3ABN. In subsequent years, the network's service model has included linear television, radio, satellite distribution, over-the-air outlets, cable and internet platforms, social media, and the free 3ABN+ streaming service. Its channels continue to target both English-speaking and international audiences, with dedicated Spanish, Russian, French, and other regional or format-specific services. The organization's continuing identity is that of an active, Adventist-influenced Christian media ministry headquartered in Illinois and distributed internationally.
- 2019
Danny Shelton resigns as president
[1]Danny Shelton resigned from the presidency while remaining associated with the network.
- 2018
Brenda Walsh dismissed
[1]The network terminated the Kids Time host on December 31.
- 2017
Low-power television assets sold
[1]3ABN announced station and construction-permit sales to Edge Spectrum and HC2 Holdings.
- 2012
Tommy Shelton sentenced
[1]After entering Alford pleas to four molestation charges, Tommy Shelton received a six-year prison sentence.
- 2011
Federal lawsuit filed against 3ABN
[1]A plaintiff filed suit alleging that 3ABN negligently handled allegations involving Tommy Shelton.
- 2010
Tommy Shelton surrenders to police
[1]Tommy Shelton, a former production manager, surrendered in Virginia in connection with child-molestation allegations.
- 2004
Linda Shelton leaves the network
[1]Co-founder Linda Shelton departed amid marital and public disputes involving Danny Shelton.
- 1984
Network founded
[1]Danny Shelton and Linda Shelton founded Three Angels Broadcasting Network in West Frankfort, Illinois.
Products and positioning
A global Christian media ministry combining Seventh-day Adventist-oriented Bible teaching with health, family, lifestyle, music, children's, and public-affairs programming across television, radio, satellite, broadcast, and digital platforms.
Television network · 1984
3ABN
The flagship television service carries a mixed schedule of religious teaching, Bible presentations, gospel music, health and lifestyle features, family and social programming, and public-affairs content. It also incorporates programming from several of the network's specialized services.
Religious television
3ABN Proclaim!
A specialized channel focused primarily on evangelistic, preaching, and Bible-teaching programming.
Spanish-language television
3ABN Latino Network
A Spanish-language service providing Christian teaching, music, lifestyle material, and related ministry programming for Spanish-speaking audiences.
Religious radio
3ABN Radio Network
The network's radio distribution service carries Christian teaching, devotional content, music, and other audio programming through local stations, satellite, internet, and connected platforms.
Children's television
3ABN Kids Network
A children's service offering age-oriented Christian programming and content intended to support the network's educational and children's broadcast obligations.
Christian lifestyle television
3ABN Dare to Dream Network
A service positioned around urban Christian lifestyle programming, combining faith-oriented material with practical and cultural content.
International television
3ABN International Network
An international service that partially simulcasts the flagship schedule while adding programming produced by overseas 3ABN ministries, including Australian material.
Streaming service
3ABN+
A digital service offering live streams of 3ABN television and radio outlets together with on-demand video. The service is presented as free to users and is available through web, mobile, connected-TV, and streaming-device environments.
Controversies
2018
Dispute involving Brenda Walsh and children's-network fundraising
After Brenda Walsh was dismissed from Kids Time, 3ABN published allegations concerning funds raised for a children's network. The dispute also involved claims about a separation agreement and the disposition of the money.
2011
Negligence lawsuit
A lawsuit filed in federal court alleged that 3ABN acted negligently in its handling of allegations involving Tommy Shelton.
2011
Bahamas property dispute
A dispute arose over whether a landowner intended to donate a small parcel for a church sanctuary or had transferred control of a much larger tract through an irrevocable charitable trust. The matter was reported as pending before the Supreme Court of the Bahamas.
2010
Criminal case involving Tommy Shelton
Tommy Shelton, a former 3ABN production manager, surrendered to police in a child-molestation case. He later entered Alford pleas and was sentenced to six years in prison.
2004
Departure of co-founder Linda Shelton
Linda Shelton left 3ABN amid public marital allegations involving her and Danny Shelton, followed by Danny Shelton's divorce filing.
Brand decisions
2019
Presidential transitionStrategyBackground
Danny Shelton had been a central figure in the network since its founding.
Action taken
Shelton resigned as president in September 2019.
Aftermath
He remained an important figure associated with the network, but the presidency moved into a new phase of leadership.
2017
Sale of low-power television stations and permitsM&ABackground
3ABN was restructuring its terrestrial distribution footprint while continuing to operate through satellite, cable, broadcast affiliates, and digital platforms.
Action taken
The network announced the sale of 60 low-power television stations and 10 construction permits to Edge Spectrum, followed by the announced sale of 14 additional low-power television stations to HC2 Holdings.
Aftermath
The transactions reduced 3ABN's direct low-power-station holdings and emphasized a broader multi-platform distribution model.
Sources2 sources
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