billiefan2000
14th June 2007, 11:13 AM
Christian TV Network Takes Over Local Theme Park
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A well known Christian TV network announced, Tuesday, it is taking control of the Holy Land Experience theme park off I-4 in Orlando.
They said they see the Holy Land Experience becoming more like a faith-based Universal Studios, combining the park with actual TV and movie production.
No one will say what kind of money was involved in the deal, but now the largest Christian TV network in the United States is in charge.
It's not quite divine intervention, but the Trinity Broadcasting Network will now be what keeps the Holy Land Experience running in Orlando.
The park is a re-creation of ancient Jerusalem.
Now, the family that runs the massive Christian network of 12,000 TV stations has taken over Holy Land's board of directors and will get into the business of filling empty seats at the park.
"We can now bring promotion to Holy Land Experience that they were desperately needing, get people aware of the wonderful ministry taking place here," said TBN president Paul Crouch
Last year, Florida lawmakers bailed the park out of a $1 million property tax bill by deeming it an exempt religious institution, but the financial struggles continued.
Now, TBN, which generates nearly $200 million in annual revenue, said it will make the park completely debt free.
Still, Eyewitness News got only cryptic answers when asking about the financial terms of the deal.
"These are corporations and exchanges of properties and assets that come together to leave the ministries in position to continue their ministry," said Tom Powell, president of Holy Land Experience and the only one from the existing board of directors staying on.
The trade-off is a place for TBN to operate a local TV station it bought more than a year ago. It plans to build new studios add new attractions and could also expand the park's hours beyond 10:00am to 5:00pm.
"Some of the staff was asking, 'What's gonna be the immediate affect here at the park?' And my answer was, 'I'm planning on you having more bodies coming through the turnstiles this summer,'" Crouch said.
No one would say if the park might change its $32 admission fee now that TBN is in charge. The network said it could be six months to a year before all of its equipment and staff are moved in.
http://www.wftv.com/news/13447715/detail.html
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A well known Christian TV network announced, Tuesday, it is taking control of the Holy Land Experience theme park off I-4 in Orlando.
They said they see the Holy Land Experience becoming more like a faith-based Universal Studios, combining the park with actual TV and movie production.
No one will say what kind of money was involved in the deal, but now the largest Christian TV network in the United States is in charge.
It's not quite divine intervention, but the Trinity Broadcasting Network will now be what keeps the Holy Land Experience running in Orlando.
The park is a re-creation of ancient Jerusalem.
Now, the family that runs the massive Christian network of 12,000 TV stations has taken over Holy Land's board of directors and will get into the business of filling empty seats at the park.
"We can now bring promotion to Holy Land Experience that they were desperately needing, get people aware of the wonderful ministry taking place here," said TBN president Paul Crouch
Last year, Florida lawmakers bailed the park out of a $1 million property tax bill by deeming it an exempt religious institution, but the financial struggles continued.
Now, TBN, which generates nearly $200 million in annual revenue, said it will make the park completely debt free.
Still, Eyewitness News got only cryptic answers when asking about the financial terms of the deal.
"These are corporations and exchanges of properties and assets that come together to leave the ministries in position to continue their ministry," said Tom Powell, president of Holy Land Experience and the only one from the existing board of directors staying on.
The trade-off is a place for TBN to operate a local TV station it bought more than a year ago. It plans to build new studios add new attractions and could also expand the park's hours beyond 10:00am to 5:00pm.
"Some of the staff was asking, 'What's gonna be the immediate affect here at the park?' And my answer was, 'I'm planning on you having more bodies coming through the turnstiles this summer,'" Crouch said.
No one would say if the park might change its $32 admission fee now that TBN is in charge. The network said it could be six months to a year before all of its equipment and staff are moved in.
http://www.wftv.com/news/13447715/detail.html