15 Million Cable Households in US to Hear Gospel From Everyday Christians

By Eryn Sun, Christian Post Reporter Friday, January 20, 2012

Christians have an opportunity to take back the TV by putting themselves and their testimony on air for free, according to the world's first Social TV Network.

Youtoo TV, hailed as the next frontier of social marketing, is giving hundreds of everyday Christians the chance to share their messages of hope and faith to more than 15 million cable households in the U.S. through their newly launched "Peoplemercial."

Just like a 30-second television commercial, Peoplemercials allow Christians to record and upload a 30-second video that is aired on national cable TV.

Believers can speak up about their faith, share their testimony and evangelize all for free during the month of January, after which it will cost $9 for each 30-second commercial to be broadcast.

"Youtoo offers a revolutionary opportunity for Christians to express their faith on national TV," Dr. Lawrence Terlizzese of Probe Ministries explained in a statement. "This new technology has astounding implications for how the Church will communicate on TV. The potential for evangelism and teaching are boundless."

"Christians already make extensive use of Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, now Youtoo brings these mediums together with the focal point centered on TV. Youtoo combines the mass accessibility of the internet with the persuasive power of television."

Youtoo literally means Now You Too Can Be On TV, explained Chris Wyatt, founder of Youtoo and GodTube, to The Christian Post.

"We are not a video sharing service," he clarified. "This means we're not designed for anyone to upload and share their home videos online, just like on GodTube."

"We're entirely different. We put people on TV from anywhere using Youtoo.com or mobile app using our recorder... no one else does that anywhere in the world. While all the videos you create are available on Youtoo.com, it's also a social network for creating videos for national television that are then shared online."

Churches, ministries and other organizations could evangelize on TV through this new medium, "talking about all things Christian."

"Imagine the possibilities of the people you can reach for Christ right now from your computer, iPhone or Android phone," Wyatt shared. "Televangelists are spending millions of dollars buying airtime each year, and right now, you've got your shot at it for no money. There is no excuse not to get up right now and log onto Youtoo.com and spread the message of the Gospel on TV."

As the founder and former CEO of GodTube, Wyatt told CP that he left Hollywood as a network executive television producer 16 years ago in order to "find the true intersection of television and the Internet."

Not only did he have extensive experience in the television industry, but he was also a part of a start-up team that created the first social network in the world, Communities.com.

"Youtoo.com represents years of work in both the television and the Internet," the former CBS producer stated.

The new Social TV Network was not Christian based, despite its appeal to the religious community.

"This is a commercial website and cable television network that is used for secular purposes. So it makes it an even better opportunity to get off the couch and spread the Gospel to the world. Why would you want to preach to the choir anyway?" Wyatt questioned.

"As Christians, we were charged with going out to the multitudes, which is exactly what Youtoo.com does online and on TV. It gives you no excuses to set back and act as a doubting Thomas."

The chief executive said that the website was waiting for believers to take charge and flood the airwaves with the Gospel.

"Currently, we have commercial inventory available and it's going to be free all month. And if you log on right now, I'll guarantee you'll be on TV," he affirmed.

Anyone could sign up at Youtoo.com to upload a Peoplemercial. All participants had to do was create a free account, and follow three simple steps to upload the commercial using the Internet or a mobile device.

An online "air-check" or video of the actual commercial broadcast of their Peoplemercial would then be available to share with everyone in their social network online once the commercial aired on cable TV.

The "modest" $9 price for each Peoplemercial after January allowed for "even the smallest ministry, church or parachurch organization to market themselves on TV and spread the message of Jesus Christ in ways they never before thought possible."

"There is nowhere else that you can get access to airtime this inexpensively, period," Wyatt affirmed.

In addition to the Peoplemercials, Youtoo TV also had another product called a "Fame Spot," or a 15-second video that people could record just like the commercials, which would always be free.

But there were a few more rules for recording a Fame Spot. During a program's airtime, participants would be prompted to answer a simple question about the program.

"We air series X-files and cool series like Batman and the Green Hornet on Youtoo TV. During each show, and online, you are prompted to answer the Fame Spot Topic. While you have to answer the question, you can evangelize at the same time," Wyatt, a First Baptist Church of Dallas member, noted.

For example, during the X-files, the Fame Spot topic could be "Have you ever seen anything in the woods you can't explain?"

"Naturally, you can answer the question and slip in Gospel at the same time," Wyatt advised. "For example you can say, 'Once I saw a light in the sky that looked like a UFO. But I know the only true light in the world is Jesus Christ.' Or something like, 'On my church's retreat I was walking in the woods and God spoke to me.'"

All content on Youtoo is filtered for objectionable and copy written material, restricting use of foul or offensive language, lewd behavior, or hate speech.

"It's totally safe and fun for the whole family. It's safe enough for your 14-year-old sister or daughter to use and watch."

"The bottom line is there is no better time, no easier way to reach millions with the Good News," Wyatt concluded. "Now, you have no excuse but to log onto Youtoo.com and start evangelizing today!"

For more information on Youtoo TV, visit www.youtoo.com.