In a recent development that has sparked conversation in the Christian community, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, has raised concerns regarding YouTube TV’s treatment of faith-based programming. This comes in light of a complaint from Great American Media, which operates the Great American Family network, a platform known for its wholesome, family-friendly, and Christian-oriented content.
In a letter dated March 7, Carr addressed Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc., and Neal Mohan, CEO of Google, questioning whether YouTube TV is intentionally sidelining faith-based channels. Carr cited the complaint alleging that YouTube TV "deliberately marginalizes faith-based and family-friendly content." This claim has raised eyebrows, especially since Great American Family is available on other major platforms like Comcast, Cox, Hulu, and FuboTV.
Carr’s letter expressed concerns about a growing trend of censorship in American public discourse, particularly against those expressing faith-based views. "These allegations of faith-based discrimination come at a time when American public discourse has experienced an unprecedented surge in censorship," he noted. He is seeking clarification on whether YouTube TV has policies that might favor discrimination against faith-based channels.
While the FCC’s authority over YouTube TV is somewhat limited, Carr emphasized the need for federal regulators to explore ways to expand their regulatory framework to include virtual multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). "Understanding the nature of carriage policies in the virtual MVPD sector can help inform the FCC’s approach to the broader set of regulatory issues," he explained.
Interestingly, Carr acknowledged that independent programmers often file complaints with the FCC when their channels are not carried by MVPDs. However, he raised specific concerns about YouTube TV’s practices, suggesting that there may be a discriminatory policy at play against faith-based programming.
In response, a spokesperson for YouTube stated that they are open to discussing how the platform makes decisions about which networks to carry. "We welcome the opportunity to brief the FCC on YouTube TV’s subscription service and the strategic business decisions we make based on factors like user demand, operational cost, and financial terms," the spokesperson said. They also reiterated that there are no policies that prohibit religious content on their platform.
Great American Family, which has garnered over 101,000 subscribers on YouTube, has seen significant growth since its inception in 2021. The network, which competes with Hallmark, merged with faith-based streaming service Pure Flix in 2023, further enhancing its reach and impact. In a time when many networks are experiencing declines, Great American Family reported a 19% increase in household viewership in November alone.
Bill Abbott, the CEO of Great American Family, has been vocal about the network’s commitment to traditional values. He previously made headlines for stepping down from his role at Crown Media Family Networks, the parent company of Hallmark, after they announced a shift towards more inclusive programming. Abbott has emphasized that Great American Family aims to provide content that honors faith, family, and country, offering an alternative to mainstream media narratives that often portray these values in a negative light.
As the conversation around faith-based programming and censorship continues to evolve, many in the Christian community are watching closely. The outcome of this situation could have significant implications for how faith-based content is treated in the digital age. With platforms like YouTube playing a pivotal role in content distribution, the decisions they make will undoubtedly influence the availability of Christian programming for viewers across the nation.
For more insights on the intersection of faith and media, you can explore resources from the Christian Post and Faithwire.