The “Hour of Power with Bobby Schuller” has named Phil Cooke as its executive producer as it seeks to attract new viewers across a broad demographic spectrum.
“We’re thrilled that Phil will become our new executive producer,” said Schuller. “He is a dynamic communicator and has worked with incredible ministries and religious leaders. We’re eager to take the program to new levels and produce compelling content that will entice and excite people with the message of the gospel. Phil is the perfect partner to help us accomplish this.”
The “Hour of Power” television program was launched in 1970 and aired in all 50 states by 1975. The program eventually became the most-watched religious program in the world, reaching 17 million viewers.
The new “Hour of Power,” which was re-launched in the fall of 2014 incorporating new segments, including special guests interviewed on location and popular music performers.
Cooke and his wife Kathleen Cooke are the co-founders of Cooke Pictures, a media production and consulting company. Cooke and his creative team will begin consulting on the program immediately to reshape the program over the course of several months.
“Pastor Bobby Schuller has a unique voice, and his message is already impacting enormous numbers of people worldwide,” said Cooke. “This is a major transition for one of the longest-running programs in Christian television history, and we want to expose that message to the largest audience possible.”
Cooke has worked with leading religious broadcasters and ministries, including the JESUS Film Project and The Salvation Army. His production of Billy Graham’s “Starting Over” was the most-watched program of Graham’s ministry, with 2.5 billion viewers worldwide.
— CNJ staff report