TV Noe
The idea to start a Christian television in the Czech Republic first appeared shortly after the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Salesian Father Leoš Ryška and a group of young students from the Film College in Zlín united under the name "Friends of Telepace" (Přátelé Telepace). They originally started creating videos and short documentaries that helped with the promotion of non-profit organizations. Some of those documentaries were even bought and transmitted by the state Czech Television. Actually, in the beginning the "Friends of Telepace" wanted to cooperate on a full-time basis with the Czech Television and participate in creation of religious programs mainly for the channel CT2. In the context of upcoming TV digitalization, which would simplify the take-off of a young television, they decided to create their own TV project. The idea was supported by the results of a poll that Fr. Ryška, together with the director of the Czech Christian Radio Proglas, Father Martin Holík, created in order to map the situation in the Czech Republic. They contacted people in churches, civic institutions or even families to see if they would be interested in watching a television channel that would offer other programs than what was being offered by the current commercial TV channels. Surprisingly, they received 66,000 signatures, from which 46,000 even stated that they would be willing to financially support such a medium. Based on those results, they started with the preparation activities of the project.
The company Telepace, Ltd. asked for a DVB-S license for TV Noe in December 2005, which they received in January 2006. The first broadcasting took place on 10th May 2006. The idea was to have a model inspired by Telepace in Italy, which is a non-profit television channel that does not depend financially on the income received from commercials and advertising. It was also supported by the fact that Christian Radio Proglas was already operating in the Czech Republic and it had successfully used a similar model of financing. Due to high costs, in the beginning the Telepace agreed on establishing a television channel together with Energeia, a Czech non-profit organization. On 20th March 2006, a contract regarding cooperation was signed. But due to the serious financial problems of the Energeia, all of its obligations toward TV Noe were cancelled by 30th September 2007.
TV Noe is a non-profit Christian satellite television, its main slogan is: "Good news television", as it seeks to be an alternative to current national televisions networks operating within the Czech Republic. It should inspire, educate and entertain but also offer the possibility for a spiritual growth.
The main vision is to spread positive values, such as general tolerance among people, and to expand spiritual and cultural horizons of viewers. TV Noe wants to be an opinion- and religion-oriented television network. It is apolitical and wants to "give a hand to all those who need rest, advice, help or protection."
The profile of the TV Noe can be described as a television network with an ethical dimension dedicated to the whole family. The TV describes itself as a "Voice for the neglected, friendship for the lonely and opportunity for beginners."
The transmission should be optimistic and be built on traditional Christian values. The programs should offer the audience a spiritual profundity, a healthy life-style and avoid violence and immorality. The broadcasting structure is quite different from other television stations.
The name "TV Noe" was chosen after the biblical patriarch Noah, which means in Hebrew rest, peace or calmness. This is the message TV Noe wants to transmit. Noah also did what was correct, he did not care about rumours, he worked hard and kept the faith. There is also a biblical association with a dove which was sent at the end of the deluge to find a dry land. The second time it was sent out it held in its pecker a little twig, the third time it did not come back at all, meaning that the land was dry. In this way, the dove was a messenger of "good news", exactly what the TV Noe wants to be.
Contact information:
TELEPACE s.r.o.
Kostelní nám. 2
702 00 Ostrava
Phone: +420 595 177 301
E-mail: info@tvnoe.cz
www.tvnoe.cz