Atlanta-based FamilyNet TV and Radio sold

With the purchase, ComStar’s reach will now be 50 million households, an important benchmark for national advertisers, Wyatt says.

“There is a massive market for family programming and it is underserved," Wyatt said. "Let’s face it, Disney and Nickelodeon are really anything but family programming. We intend to be like the Fox Network when it started out. They ran counter to the norm. We intend to run good quality family programming on television, radio, Internet, all channels. We will be the family brand.”

FamilyNet Television was launched in Atlanta in October 2007 under the leadership of Dr. Charles F. Stanley, founder and president of In Touch Ministries. The station is available in more than 26 million households. FamilyNet Radio has 11 million subscribers on Sirius XM Radio.

The television network carries a variety of programming, some of which is original, such as "Mornings," "In Touch with Charles Stanley" and The Wacky World with Bruce Barry." All but "Wacky World" are produced in Atlanta. Other shows are network reruns, such as "My Three Sons." In addition, there are religious programs, such as "Classic Messages with Dr. Charles Stanley" and "Evangel Temple."

FamilyNet Radio broadcasts faith-based programming and features syndicated programs ("The Dave Ramsey Show," "Focus on the Family" and "In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley"), as well as FamilyNet originals such as "Wretched Radio" and "Mornings."

“We had seen tremendous growth since we bought FamilyNet two years ago, but we began to realize we had taken it as far as we could,” said Phillip Bowen, In Touch Ministries’ chief operating officer. “ComStar approached us in May. Moving forward, InTouch Ministries will focus on the continued worldwide growth of our existing media and ministry initiatives.”

ComStar Media Fund LP was founded in 2008 by Dr. Robert A. Schuller and Wyatt. Schuller served as senior pastor of Crystal Cathedral Ministries and hosted the global weekly television program "The Hour of Power." Wyatt, who is Schuller’s son-in-law, founded GodTube, which he said was one of the fastest-growing Web sites in 2007.

Wyatt, who is also a minister, said that despite the religious ownership, the television and radio focus will be family-oriented. He said it is too early to tell what programs from FamilyNet Television and FamilyNet Radio will be integrated into the AmericanLife Television Network. “We will be revamping the programs -- the format -- next year. There probably will be some shows from FamilyNet."

Pat Sibley, president and CEO of Media Solutions, an $80 million media buying service based in Atlanta, agreed there is a market for family programming. “If you look at Disney, it is getting away from pure family entertainment. Some of the clothes that Hannah Montana is wearing are not all that wholesome. They have an opportunity to be a very good niche network, like ABC Family. They would definitely attract a certain kind of advertiser, like toothpaste, certainly Chick-fil-A.”