1987
Leading communication executives from Protestant, Catholic and Jewish faith groups join to form the National Interfaith Cable Coalition (NICC). The catalyst for their alliance is a group of cable television industry leaders, who are concerned about widespread reports of financial mismanagement and personal misconduct on the part of several prominent television ministry personalities, and who recognize the need to make faith visible on television in a new way. Two fundamental tenets are established:1) the new channel will represent a wide range of faith traditions fairly and equitably; and 2) on-air fundraising and proselytizing will be prohibited.
Major startup funding is provided by Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI). Other multiple systems operators advance funds against subscriber fees. NICC is formally incorporated as a 501©(3) corporation in December.
1988
NICC launches Vision Interfaith Satellite Network (VISN) to an estimated two million cable households.
1992
American Christian Television Services (ACTS), a network of the Southern Baptist Convention, begins programming eight hours per day on VISN. The channel’s name becomes VISN/ACTS.
1994
Recognizing the need for a name that better communicates its channel’s content, NICC establishes a new identity: The Faith & Values Channel.
1995
NICC enters into an agreement with Liberty Media Corporation, a subsidiary of TCI, to create a for-profit partnership, the F&V Channel LLC.
NICC forms its own for-profit corporation VISN Management Corp (VMC), which owns 51 percent of the network and serves as managing partner, with Liberty holding 49 percent.
A three-year agreement with ACTS is signed regarding programming hours (20.5 hours in year 1, 18 in year 2, and 15 in the final year)
1996
A new name is adopted—the Odyssey Channel, along with a tagline “Exploring life’s journey.”
Odyssey Productions Ltd. is formed for the purpose of producing original programming for the channel and assisting member faith groups with production.
1997
F&V L.L.C. is re-named Odyssey Holdings, L.L.C., dba The Odyssey Channel
1998
NICC and Liberty enter into a partnership with Hallmark Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company, giving Hallmark and Henson 45 percent of the Odyssey Channel and the role of managing partners. NICC retains 22. 5 percent and Liberty 32.5. NICC and its member faith groups are guaranteed a minimum of 30 hours of air time per week for their mission-oriented programming.
2000
NICC’s interest in Odyssey is “rolled up” into a new company, Crown Media Holdings, Inc., which includes the Odyssey Channel, the Kermit Channel, and Hallmark Entertainment Television.
NICC adopts Faith & Values Media as its service mark and “…light for the journey” as its tag line.New mission statement incorporating a mandate that encompasses use of the Internet and other new media as well as television is adopted by the Board of Trustees.
2001
NICC enters into a new relationship with Crown Media Holdings, which reduces its amount of air time but increases funding significantly. The Odyssey Network is re-launched as Hallmark Channel.
NICC dba Faith & Values Media continues to produce award-winning television programming for Hallmark Channel.
Faith & Values Media launches faithandvalues.com through its for-profit subsidiary VMC. The site provides information and resources from Faith & Values Media’s members, provides updates on current news and topics in an environment suited to faith-related issues.
Odyssey Productions, Ltd. is dissolved and its mission is assumed by the new Lightworks Producing Group, Inc., a non-profit, wholly owned subsidiary of Faith & Values Media.
2005
Lightworks Enterprises, (LEI) is formed as a for profit subsidiary of VMC with three separate, interrelated lines of business:
- Lightworks New Media
- Lightworks Producing Group, Inc.
- Lightworks Program Distribution
2006
Faith & Values Media Association welcomes its first Muslim member, Inner-Attainment TV, Inc.
2007
Lightworks Enterprises acquires Emmy-winning documentary producer, KPI Productions.
Lightworks Pictures is established to produce television and theatrical films.
2008
Initial seven-year agreement with Crown Media Holdings expires and new two-year agreement is signed. Faith & Values Media retains a two-hour programming block on Hallmark Channel.
New multi-platform distribution strategy encompassing television, film, and the Internet is announced.
Odyssey Networks replaces Faith & Values Media as a name that better reflects the organization’s expanded mission and scope.
After nine years of service, Ed Murray retires as CEO. Nick Stuart of the UK's CTVC is chosen as his successor.