Herbert W Armstrong

Domestic

Media Purchasing began the year with a 17% increase in budget to maintain and also modestly improve U.S. television coverage in the top 50 markets. So successful has our negotiating team at BBDO/West been, that we have already committed our 1985 allocation. Stations have opened up time faster than predicted, others have upgraded our time sooner than anticipated and new stations are now calling us asking for "The WORLD TOMORROW." Last week, Rex Humbard's continuing financial problems resulted in 100 or more stations having available time. While some openings would provide no improvement over current schedules, others are a real benefit and have already been contracted. In short, "The WORLD TOMORROW" is perceived to be "on a roll" — we are succeeding, and word gets around. Success breeds success.

Following is a list of stations that have accepted the program or given additional times or improvements during the last few days:

WCIU - Chicago, Illinois - Sunday, 12:30 p.m. (addition)
WKEF - Dayton, Ohio - Sunday, 11 a.m. (new station)
WENY - Elmira, New York - Sunday, 11 a.m. (improvement)
WFRV - Green Bay, Wisconsin - Sunday, 9 a.m. (improvement)
KHGI - Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney, Nebraska - Sunday, 9:30 a.m. (improvement)
KHJ - Los Angeles, California - Sunday, 12:30 p.m. (improvement)
WKRN - Nashville, Tennessee - Sunday, 9 a.m. (improvement)
WOR - New York, New York - Sunday, 11:30 a.m. (addition)
KTVU - Oakland, California - Sunday, 6:30 a.m. (addition)
KOCO - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Sunday, 7:30 a.m. (new station)
KSTW - Seattle, Washington - Sunday, 10 a.m. (new station)

We now have over 280 stations carrying the telecast in 193 markets. Mr. Armstrong's program can be seen by 97% of the U.S. population. In addition, many communities are now cabled (44% of the nation has access to cable TV) and can receive the program several times on the weekend. All of this multiplies the impact of "The WORLD TOMORROW."

For those with cable television, the following times and stations will be of interest:

WTBS - Atlanta - Sunday, 6:30 a.m. (ET)
WGN - Chicago - Saturday, 7:30 a.m. (CT)
TNN - Nashville - Saturday, 7 a.m. (ET)
LIF - New York - Saturday, 10:30 p.m. (ET)
WOR - New York - Sunday, 11:30 a.m. & 11 p.m. (ET)
KTVU - Oakland - Saturday, 8 a.m.;
SPN - Tulsa - Sunday, 6:30 a.m. (PT) Wednesday, 1 p.m. (ET) (beginning June 5

BROADCASTING magazine, the trade journal of the industry, began carrying a series of four ads highlighting "The WORLD TOMORROW" the week of May 12. The ads, placed by BBDO, focus on the differences between Mr. Armstrong's program and those of other religious broadcasters. The four ads are head­ lined:

"We're Not Looking For Followers."
"God Doesn't Play Politics. Neither Do We."
"We Don't Ask For Contributions."
"We Don't Hide From the Real World."

As the ads appear, we will feature them in THE WORLDWIDE NEWS for your interest. BROADCASTING magazine has a circulation of 38,000 and is read by leaders in the television and radio fields.

Reader's Digest

As you are aware, we ran a double-page spread in the April U.S. edition of READER'S DIGEST advertising The PLAIN TRUTH. To date, we have received almost 100,000 subscription requests, at a cost of $3.19 each. This is a very acceptable return and corresponds with response levels in other countries with similar levels of PLAIN TRUTH penetration.

International

A number of exciting opportunities have developed in diverse areas. Norway now has "The WORLD TOMORROW" Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., following the only news program of the day. A cable company in Oslo accepted the broadcast, which began May 5. Norwegian subtitles should be added some time during the summer.

The French government recently moved to deregulate the broadcast industry. Private television should come to France next year. 1985 is proving to be a watershed year for broadcasting in Europe and we could see significant changes in government control beginning next year.

A recent visit to Monte Carlo and Luxembourg indicated further opportunities in the making in southern France and Germany by early 1986. There is the strong possibility of satellite delivery of "The WORLD TOMORROW" in Europe.

Last week we signed a contract with JCTV, an English language cable television channel in Tokyo. Although the service is limited to offices, hotels, apartments and embassies in Tokyo, it is nevertheless an important beginning for us in Japan. The station carries CNN (Ted Turner's Cable News Network) for the majority of its programming, some BBC documentaries and now. on Sunday at 5 p.m., "The WORLD TOMORROW."

As you can imagine, all of this increase in opportunity and activity puts considerable strain on budgets. The problem we now have is not opportunities to disseminate God's truth, but funds to be able to continue walking through these doors. Please continue to encourage the brethren to pray in this regard.

— David Hulme, Media Purchasing