- The times they are a changin’.
Reverend Dr. Jo Hudson mentioned yesterday that Cathedral of Hope’s broadcast will change times as of July 12. They’ll move from Sunday morning airings at 11 a.m. to Sunday EARLY mornings at 12:35 a.m. Hudson said doing this is going to save them bundles of money on broadcasting costs.
I just spoke with Paul Taylor, director of communications for CoH and he says that the money it took to produce and air cost them about $7,500 a week. “We were thrilled to have that time slot. It’s prime time for them on Sunday morning. But it is very expensive,†he said.
Initially, COH jumped on the opportunity when it was presented to them by WFAA. However, because of the expense, they contacted the channel about less expensive options. WFAA came back with the 12:35 a.m. time slot after “Monk” on Saturday nights. “It sounded great and it is much less money, just over $1,000. Plus, the potential audience doubles,†Taylor said.
Which seemed a little far-fetched but not so much after Taylor explained the case.
“We’ve been averaging 30,000 viewers according to the Nielsen ratings. That time slot (12:35 a.m.), averages about 58,000 viewers and that’s with an infomercial. Plus, we could be reaching a whole new audience,†he said. He figured the night owls who are just getting in or those about to go out might just have the TV on to wind down or get ready to. “It’s a great thing for us,†he said.
Their last 11 a.m. airing will be July 12. Taylor is working to have a 12:35 a.m. airing that same day but right now July 19 will be the official first day of the broadcast time.
Please help me with the math here …
30 min. broadcast slot/ Spent
26 weeks x $7,500 = $195,000 or approximately $25 per viewer each Sunday.
Budgeted thru 12/31/09
26 weeks x 1,000 = $26,000 or $4.48 per viewer
One year’s broadcast expense $221,000
I wish I had a fraction of those dollars in my marketing/communications budget when I worked at CoH.
I’m amazed at the number of people who still take CoH so seriously. They can be so silly!
Promoting the Cathedral of Hope again? How strange.
Gays in Dallas give the CoH more than $5 million per year.
HRC and GLAAD get about $2 million per year.
Queer Liberaction only gets about $500 per year.
Doesn’t this sound backwards? Especially considering that CoH is a religious organization that still makes gay WRONG?
I get the point of your message Brian, though I believe your fundraising totals for CoH, HRC and GLAAD are incorrect. Can you give more specific info on the $5 and $2 million statements?
And, please revisit your statement, “CoH is a religious organization that still makes gay WRONG?” I know the pastoral staff and mission of CoH to be a 40 year community of faith with a liberal theology and a predominately GLBT congregation. The premise of “wrong” isn’t part of the church’s ministry or core values.
Kris:
Cathedral of Hope is part of the United Church of Christ (UCC) and as such accepts their published doctrine (their brand of Christianity). While the Cathedral of Hope is one of UCC’s “Open and Affirming” churches, the UCC did nothing to remove the sin or wrongness of homosexuality from their doctrine. While they “welcome gays” they still make it an abomination and a major sin – they continue to make it WRONG.
To simply “welcome” and “affirm” is different than actually changing the churches doctrine by removing the parts that make gay “wrong.” I would suggest you ask the CoH to point to the place in their published beliefs where they reject the passages attributed to homosexuality. They do have a letter written by Mark Piazza more than 30 years ago, but it does not say “we have changed Christianity and no longer make homosexuality wrong.” He just cleverly talks around the subject. That’s not good enough. Welcoming is just marketing.
HRC and GLAAD receive about $30 million per year combined and about .7% is from the DFW area – therefore about $2 million. At a recent visit to CoH I was told they received about $5 million per year, but I cannot confirm that because their records are not public. They did say that they gave $1 million a year to the “community.” That would be about 20% of what they collect – not very good in terms of “faith-based” charitable standards.
I believe gay people need to DEMAND that their churches formally renounce the whole idea that Homosexuality is wrong and do it in writing. This belief by Christians (and other religions) has caused all of the pain and hatred suffered by the gay community.
It’s about time we fought the “beliefs” and not just the believers.
I’m not wrong. Gay is not wrong. Is your Church wrong? Ask them.
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While they “welcome gays†they still make it an abomination and a major sin – they continue to make it WRONG.
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Ummm yeah.. and let’s not forget that the practice of eating shellfish is an abomination too making many people in the anti-gay world serious sinners also!
So when’s the last time y’all at at Red Lobster Huh?? Didja perform confession afterward? So those who wanna use that little slogan against us queers better read their bibles real hard before voicing their opinions.
Stop giving Cathedral of Hope your money. Ask them to make a written declaration that Homosexuality is NOT a SIN and NOT WRONG. Remind them that “open and affirming,” but still WRONG isn’t good enough.
Dear Rick and Brian,
Here is your written declaration: “It’s O.K. to be homosexual because God loves you just the way you are!” You can also find more statements on our website under “About Us”. I think you guys have confused us with another church — we are a church of over 4,000 members who are mostly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgered people. We are lucky enough to have a few heterosexual folks with us; but we are essentially the BIGGEST, GAYEST church in the nation and proud of it. And BTW, I don’t know where you got that $5 million figure, but it is WRONG!
Paul T.
That’s not an answer and that is NOT what it says on your website. Your posting on a gay newspaper site doesn’t count. All of your members need to know they are still WRONG at CoH. That’s the clever marketing you’ve done – have people BELIEVE gay is okay, but never change your beliefs. Welcome and enjoy Hell.
The UCC has “Open and Affirming” Churches and welcomes gays and lesbians – but it does NOT end the “sin of homosexuality.” Check the United Church of Christ website. If you are actually from CoH you know there is a fine line that Pastors walk about “gay being okay,” but you don’t change the part of Christian Doctrine that makes homosexuality a SIN and WRONG.
Please provide the link for the formal statement from CoH and UCC that changes that part of Christianity. 4,000 paying members of your Church want to know. It wouldn’t be hard for CoH to prepare a formal statement and publish it on their website. If you need help with the wording, please let me know.