Scientology Network is an American television network and streaming service launched by the Church of Scientology on March 12, 2018. The channel is available on DirecTV, the website Scientology.tv, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and through iOS and Android apps. Scientology leader David Miscavige introduced the first evening of broadcast, saying, “We’re not here to preach to you, to convince you or to convert you. No, we simply want to show you, because after all, the first principle of Scientology is that it’s only true if it is true to you. So, take a look and then decide for yourself.”The network launched with six original shows, including: Meet A Scientologist, Voices for Humanity, and L. Ron Hubbard: In His Own Voice. The network’s launch countdown was posted via official social media accounts and an advertisement promoting the network was displayed in Times Square on the day of the launch. The teaser video announced, “The only thing more interesting than what you’ve heard, is what you haven’t.” One tweet from the church’s official Twitter handle said, “It’s time for us to tell our story.” According to entertainment website Variety.com, the network seems to be a “stepped up effort by the church to address critics.” Quartz media said, “Unfortunately for Scientology, the church picked literally the worst time to get into the TV game. The number of cable and streaming TV channels and series has increased exponentially in recent years—making it harder and harder for brands to stick out in the era of 'peak TV'.”
Scientology Network broadcasts from Scientology Media Productions in Los Angeles, California, located on 4401 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Scientology Media Productions launched in 2016 at the previous location of the KCET studios, a cultural landmark in Hollywood that dates back to 1912. According to LA Weekly, photos acquired from the church, “depict a state-of-the-art facility offering soundstages with ‘robotically controlled cameras,’ a scenery shop, screening rooms, a visual-effects center and a television broadcast studio.” Scientology’s publishing department is also within the premises. The production facility was foreseen by the media to be the site of the Church of Scientology’s planned 24-hour TV network, before it came into fruition in 2018.
