THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 17, 1994 TAG: 9411170031
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By Larry Bonko, Television Writer
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
``THE 700 CLUB Newswatch,'' 30 minutes of slickly produced news, comment and features, including many that originate at Christian Broadcasting Network headquarters in Virginia Beach, is about to be born again.
CBN's vice president of programming, Norm Mintle, said the demand for news from the Christian perspective is so great that ``Newswatch'' will soon be spun off as a program unto itself and offered for syndication.
When that happens early in 1995, the name will change. About a dozen names are under consideration, Mintle said. ``The 700 Club'' prefix will be dropped.
In anticipation of the ``Newswatch'' rebirth, CBN is importing Lee Webb, an anchor from Jacksonville, Fla., to share camera time with Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen and Ben Kinchlow. Michael Patrick, formerly of Cable News Network International, is aboard as executive director of CBN News.
Ever since ``Newswatch'' was launched 13 months ago, ``The 700 Club'' hasn't been what it used to be. It is still Robertson's television ministry, reaching more than 1 million cable homes on The Family Channel and thousands of others on over-the-air stations. The program is seen in more than 60 foreign countries.
Since ``The 700 Club'' was launched 28 years ago by 700 viewers who pledged $10 a month to keep it going, Robertson has been praying for miracles and communicating with the Creator on camera.
That hasn't changed.
If you were tuned in the other day, you would have heard Robertson say he was hoping to pray away a tumor. ``Let's ask God to do a miracle. . . .''
Before the broadcast begins at 10 a.m. in the CBN complex off Centerville Turnpike, Robertson, Meeuwsen and Kinchlow greet the studio audience and join hands in a brief prayer.
(The Family Channel at 10 a.m. puts on the 90-minute version of ``The 700 Club'' live and repeats the broadcast at 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. in a 60-minute segment. At 11:30 nightly, WGNT airs the 60-minute version.)
At the CBN National Ministries Division, counselors man the phones to take calls from ``The 700 Club'' viewers who want to be born again or are burdened with financial troubles or have problems coping with drugs and alcohol - 1.7 million calls last year.
That hasn't changed.
What is different about ``The 700 Club'' is that it's so newsy in the first 30 minutes. Robertson signs on with, ``Let's see what's happen-ing. . . .''
Now you get information and inspiration.
With Robertson assuming the role of anchor at a desk with a map of the world behind him, and reporters filing stories about everything from moonlighting parents to the state of Rwandan refugees, ``The 700 Club Newswatch'' has the pace, feel and look of newscasts broadcast by the big boys at ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN.
After the Nov. 8 elections, Patrick's troops worked overnight to produce a neat little package of news and analysis for the next morning's broadcast. CBN's political analyst, John Waage, took a bow for boldly predicting the number of seats in the House of Representatives that would go to the Republicans. Forty-eight at least, he said.
On ``The 700 Club,'' watching the news also means watching the economy.
Hardly a week goes by without a handful of experts showing up in Virginia Beach to tell viewers how best to save and invest. ``The 700 Club Newswatch'' is the kind of newscast the big boys give you but with a slight difference.
Dan Rather, Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw generally deliver the news straight up and without comment.
On ``The 700 Club Newswatch,'' Robertson's opinions flow on camera after the reporters finish up. A story from the CBN News Washington, D.C., bureau deals with the agenda of the new Republican-controlled Congress.
CBN News reporters say there is talk of reviving the prayer-in-school amendment to the Constitution. Robertson says, ``That's a breath of fresh air.''
Another report suggests the national media are dominated by liberals who are in a deep funk since the Democrats lost control of Congress. Amen, says Robertson.
The national media don't have a clue as to what Mr. and Mrs. Average American are thinking, suggests Robertson.
News with a twist. News from the Christian perspective. Read between the lines with CBN News. Question what you see and hear on ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN.
As you watch, ask yourself deep questions such as, ``Are floods and earthquakes God's way of showing his displeasure with us?''
In the ``700 Club Newswatch'' promos, they put it this way: ``This is what the others aren't telling you.''
It's the kind of a newscast that millions of viewers appreciate, said Mintle. It's a show that reflects the values at the core of America.
Next year, as the program evolves from ``The 700 Club Newswatch,'' CBN News will cover more breaking stories, have more analysis, be really on top of things. Its staff of about 25 will probably grow.
``Our viewers and donors say to us that they want more news, more ministry,'' said Mintle.
He'll soon be producing spots to promote the new half hour.
He hints that they will leave viewers with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
``We intend to show people that Pat and the others are not right-wing ogres who are a menace to their children,'' said Mintle. ``We want to say, `We're the friends you can turn to when you want inspiration and information.' ''
Inspiration and information. CBN News gives you both in one newscast. by CNB