Supreme Master Television

Supreme Master Television is a US-based satellite and internet television channel owned by the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, broadcasting from Los Angeles.^[1] The linear channel started on September 7, 2006,^[2] with an interregnum between January 2, 2012 and October 1, 2017. Its programming is centered primarily on vegetarian and vegan principles according to Ching Hai's teachings. The channel features programs on breatharian principles, damages caused by war and famine and SMCHIA's philanthropic efforts.^[1] There is also a news program, Noteworthy News, with an emphasis on uplifting stories, especially from the animal world.^[3] SMTV also offered DVDs of its programming on Loving Hut restaurants, alongside its tabloid-influenced publications.^[1]

The channel employs simultaneous subtitles, with most languages appearing horizontally and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Japanese and Korean subtitles appearing vertically.^[3]

Initially, its coverage area was limited to Europe, but starting November 16, 2007, it expanded its reach to ten further satellites, achieving worldwide coverage.^[4] RRsat was responsible for the uplink in six of these satellites.^[5]

British scriptwriter Robert Popper reviewed Supreme Master Television (which at the time was available on Sky) in a column for The Guardian on January 2, 2010, exploring the bizarre nature of the channel. Noteworthy News was seen as "the oddest of the odd", being presented by "semi-humanoid" anchormen. It was also the only news program to feature a joke of the day section, with the joke being delivered in one language.^[3]

In 2019, its offer in Mongolia was influencing many Buddhists ideas on meditation and enlightenment, even though they are not sure of the authenticity of her claims.^[6]

Supreme Master Television suspended its operations on January 2, 2012.^[7] The channel remained blank on satellite for a while longer showing a blank screen.^[8]

The channel is also carried on many Loving Hut vegan restaurants financed by Ching Hai,^[9][10] which is reportedly carried in all of its restaurants.^[1]

References

1. Stephen, Lemons (2 June 2011). "CRITICS CLAIM SUPREME MASTER CHING HAI'S FOLLOWERS' RESTAURANTS FEATURING TASTY VEGAN FARE FRONT FOR AN EXPLOITIVE MOVEMENT". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
2. "Supreme Master Television Is Now More Available to Satellite TV Viewers". God's Direct Contact. 2007. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
3. "Robert Popper's Screen burn". The Guardian. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
4. "Supreme Master Television Launches on 10 Additional Satellites Worldwide". Sports Video Group. 12 November 2007. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
5. "RRSAT to globally distribute supreme master TV via 6 different satellites". Sports Video Group. 10 December 2007. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
6. Abrahms-Kavunenko, Saskia (2019). Enlightenment and the Gasping City: Mongolian Buddhism at a Time of Environmental Disarray. Cornell University Press. pp. 187, 193. ISBN 978-1-5017-3766-4. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
7. "Supreme Master Television's Farewell". God's Direct Contact. 2012. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
8. "Supreme Master TV nie nadaje. Awaria?". SATKurier. 7 January 2012. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
9. Caffier, Justin (15 July 2016). "Visiting the Vegan Restaurant Chain Owned by a Cult". vice.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
10. Schumacher, Elizabeth (13 August 2018). "Vegan restaurants run by cult leader who 'speaks to God'". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.