Youtoo TV, formerly known as American Life TV Network (ALN), GoodLife TV Network, and Nostalgia Television, is an American cable-television channel launched on May 1, 1985. It now claims over 15 million subscribers throughout the U.S. It is also available on at least one over-the-air terrestrial affiliate — WBQP-CA in Pensacola, Florida, which uses the network for part of its schedule.^[1] The network had made a video on demand (VOD) deal with TVN Entertainment Corporation to offer up to 20 hours of programming per month to more than 100 cable affiliates.^[2]

Background[link]

ALN was owned by the Unification Church from 2001 to 2009. According to a June 2007 story in Variety, the network had been a consistent money-loser, although the church's tax-exempt status made it easier to absorb the losses. ^[3] In 2001, ALN broadcast the Unification Church-sponsored film Inchon (1982), one of the few times it has been seen since its initial theatrical run. In 2007 the network broadcast George Clooney's documentary, A Journey to Darfur.^[4][5][6] It released the film on DVD in 2008 and announced that proceeds from its sale would be donated to the International Rescue Committee for its humanitarian efforts in Darfur.^[7]

In May 2009, the network was acquired by ComStar Media Fund, an organization chaired by Robert A. Schuller, son of Crystal Cathedral founder Robert H. Schuller. Schuller said that the network would concentrate on "family-values programming that speaks to all generations." On November 29 Shuller's new program Everyday Life was first seen on ALN. ^[8]

Chris Wyatt, ComStar's chief executive officer and founder of religious website Godtube, commented: "We are not creating another religious network but rather a family-values channel. We've tapped into a huge underserved market and have the opportunity over time to increase distribution to exceed 40 million homes." Media reports indicated that the network's on-air presentation would change and that other syndicated series would be targeted for acquisition.^[9][10]

On December 1, 2009, ALN announced that it would start airing episodes of the Chuck Norris World Combat League, previously seen on the Versus network.^[11] ComStar also has access to a library of classic television programing including as Happy Days and My Three Sons.^[12] Some of the older television shows moved from ALN to its sister network, FamilyNet (also owned by Comstar) on March 1, 2010,^[13] when it was spun out into its own company as Robert A. Schuller as the chairman. ^[14]

Rebrand[link]

On September 27, 2011, ALN was rebranded as Youtoo TV with a focus on mobile devices; as of that date, all links to the website will redirect to a page inviting viewers to sign up for the new service at youtoo.com. The only "retro" programs remaining on the schedule are Batman, The Green Hornet, and The X-Files.

Executives claim Youtoo TV to be a social television service, allowing viewers to participate in television programming using personal electronic devices. Interactive features include the ability for viewers to create and submit 15-second videos, called "Fame Spots", commenting on a variety of subjects, which will air.

In addition, the network will carry programming such as Diggnation, Revision3, Howcast and Christopher Coppola's Digivangelist Show. Also on the network will be new TV versions of Web series including GeekBeat.TV, Koldcast, and Rooftop Media. The network also will have interactive programs including Say Yes & Marry Me, which will offer viewers the opportunity to propose marriage on-air via Fame Spots. ^[15]

One of the creators of Youtoo TV is producer Mark Burnett, through his own social media project, VIMBY (Video in My BackYard). ^[16]

Carriage[link]

The network is available on Verizon FiOS, Time Warner Cable, and Comcast, among other providers. Charter Communications previously carried the channel until November 15, 2011, when the channel was dropped from Charter's lineups; this decision was made before the re-brand of ALN, as the channel received carriage under that provider's "faith and values"/religious tier of networks and no longer carried religious or family-appropriate programming for a majority of the broadcast day.^[15] For subscribers of TV providers that do not offer Youtoo TV, the channel offers viewers up to $200 in credits if they switch to a provider that offers the channel.^[15]

References[link]

Notes

External links[link]

• Official website
• SitcomsOnline.com interview with Mark Ringwald, VP of Programming for AmericanLife TV, 6/5/07
• Mediavillage.com interview with Mark Ringwald, Vice-President of Programming for AmericanLife TV Network