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Show ( ' CBN's one-man network by Scott Hessek Ot all the new cable networks, CBN Satellite's growth is one ot the most unlikely. CBN Satellite Service went on satellite April 29, 1977 hoping hop-ing to interconnect its commercial TV affiliates. Almost as an afterthought, Mark Patrick, a middle-level manager, who had been responsible for sending video tapes to cable systems, was asked if he would try to get the serivce on some cable TV systems. First he prayed a lot. Then with no budget and just a secretary secre-tary to help, he began contacting cable systems by mail and phone. He ottered a simple service with no strings attached and a contract that barely covered half a double-spaced page. Within months, he had 1 million subscribers. Within a year, 3 million, and in four years about 12 million. CBN became the largest satellite-delivered network of its type in the world, second only to Ted Turner's WTBS-TV in total outreach. When others were exhibiting at cable conventions. Patrick was talking to people. When others offered long contracts, he offered a handshake. When others offered money and equipment to cable operators opera-tors to take the service, he offered nothing but the service. Patrick's diligent secretary, Gail Keller, managed all the paperwork and kept the far-flung network of several thousand cable systems functioning. Tom Rogeberg programmed the network with whatever Christian shows were available. The network now has more than 15 million subscribers and several dozen staff members. Much of the network's resources are rallied behind it. But those who know how CBN Satellite started remember that it began with one man, a secretary and a belief that the idea would work. 1982Compulog |