Programming usage from the new Seventh-day Adventist “Hope Channel” was the key topic of discussion for regional church communication directors who met in Prague Feb. 16.

Pastor John Banks, director of media relations at the church’s world headquarters, described the technical capabilities of the Adventist Television Network-run Hope Channel, and the challenges met in various areas of the world.

Through the end of March, regional leaders will examine whether individual productions are feasible and will weigh how Adventist programs may be inserted into national TV channels at minimal cost. The participants rejected the notion of a TV program produced exclusively for a Seventh-day Adventist audience.

An idea raised for translating American-produced evangelistic TV series was met with very little enthusiasm. Directors said cultural differences are too great for such productions to be fully effective.

Communication directors reported on a wide range of their present broadcasting projects. In Spain, the church operates 29 local radio stations and has set up a media production center in the city of Sagunto.

The Czecho-Slovakian region of the church reported a growing number of listeners to “Adventist Web Radio,” an Internet-based broadcast. Later this year, a film on the lives of Mary and Martha will be launched.

In Austria, interest in Internet broadcasting is also growing, perhaps due to the traditionally strong position of broadcast radio there. According to communication director Christian Vogel, “We regularly offer training sessions for webmasters intended to familiarize them with techniques and requirements of broadcast content.”

In Portugal, Adventists have a good niche on the state-run television station. “We produce our broadcasts in the state TV studios”, said Artur Machado, communication director for the church in Portugal.