DMAGZ081979 — 004

The Robison Fiasco: The Baptists Buy Channel 8’s Blessing

Apparently the settlement between TV evangelist James Robison and Channel 8 had less to do with a change of heart than a concern for revenues. Robison, whom the station booted off the air earlier this year for an over-zealous sermon on homosexuality, desperately needed to get back on the tube: The program on WFAA was the flagship of his budding television ministry and a primary source of revenue.

Channel 8also had little choice. After banning Robison from the air, the station became the target of a surprisingly strong campaign organized by W. A. Criswell’s First Baptist Church; angry calls and letters flooded WFAA’s office. The station’s reason for taking Robison off the air – a violation of the Fairness Doctrine – probably wouldn’t have stood a chance in court against a defense based on free speech. Finally, the station had its own revenues to protect: Robison’s production company reportedly spends in excess of $100,000 a year with WFAA and frequently purchases hour-long blocks for specials. “Everybody was in a no-win situation,” said one observer close to the fray. “Robison might have been out of business without that show and the station just wanted the mess to disappear.”