Launched 1983 Language Multilingual Founded 1983 | Country United States Broadcast area Worldwide Extinction 16 May 2004 | |
Closed May 16, 2004 (merged to VOA) Owned by Broadcasting Board of Governors Headquarters Washington, D.C., United States Owner Broadcasting Board of Governors | ||
Worldnet Television and Film Service was an American state-funded cable and satellite television channel directed to audiences outside of the United States. Its studios were located in Washington, D.C. It broadcast 24-hour-a-day. Worldnet had the mission to show "a balanced and accurate picture of American society, policies, and people".
Contents
History
Worldnet was launched in 1983. In the beginning, it worked under the umbrella of the United States Information Agency (USIA). Later, Worldnet became part of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).
On September 11, 2001, Worldnet, Using Bloomberg Television, interrupted its regular programming on seven satellites to broadcast raw footage of terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington.
In 2002, Worldnet switched from an analog system to a digital one.
On May 16, 2004, Worldnet was merged into the Voice of America to reduce costs.
Programs
Programs produced by Worldnet were provided in Arabic, Croatian, English, French, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Serbian, Ukrainian, and other world languages. They were transmitted via satellite, and also via foreign TV broadcast and cable systems.
Besides, Worldnet offered some programs produced by other U.S. networks, such as NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Nightly Business Report, Computer Chronicles and Bloomberg Information Television.
American English-teaching telecourses were part of the list of programs. One of them was Crossroads Cafe, which combined comedy, drama, and English skills training.
Law
The Smith–Mundt Act of 1948 restricted Worldnet to broadcast directly to American citizens. The intent of the legislation was to protect the American public from propaganda actions by its own government.