AscentTV is a non-profit, Dearborn-based, production house. Ascent TV mentors and trains youth of our community, who are socially-responsible, to become industry-certified media professionals. With the goal of producing award-winning documentaries and short-films that tell real stories, AscentTV has been pioneering in the field of socially-relevant media for the past three years.
OurVision:
Educate. Enlighten. Elevate.
OurMission:
To entertain to inspire for the purpose of education.
OurPurpose:
To provide socially-relevant programming for all with the purpose of fulfilling five core principles:
1. Understanding:
"O mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the most pious..." [Holy Qur’an 49:13}
Most misunderstandings are a result of ignorance. We believe that it is part of our social responsibility as inhabitants of this global village, to remove such ignorance that leads to misunderstandings amongst people.
2. Tolerence:
The Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (saw) said,”Man is either your brother in faith,
or your brother in humanity.”
3. Knowledge:
The Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (saw) said,”Seeking knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim, verily Allah loves those who seek knowledge.”
We believe in the importance of knowledge and the responsibility that comes with it.
4. Good Ethics:
The Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (saw) said,
”I have been sent to complete the best of your manners [ethics].”
The Holy Qur’an states, “Surely, you have the best of manners [ethics].” [Holy Qur’an 49:13}
We believe that knowledge without ethics is negative. If one is seeking the knowledge that leads to his perfection then it is a logical necessity that this knowledge transforms the person to the better, not to the worse. That can only occur if knowledge is accompanied by good ethics. Good ethics can only come from mercy.
5. Change from within:
The Holy Qur’an states, “Allah will not change a people until they change what is within themselves.” [Holy Qur’an 49:13}
CoreValues:
We are committed to providing educational programming that promotes:
1. Good Ethics
2. Tolerence
3. Good citizenship
4. Integration without assimilation
6. Respect of other’s belief-systems
7. Starting with one’s self first
8. Integrity
9. Understanding one’s rights
10. Collaboration
11. Brotherhood in humanity
12. Humanitarian causes
13. Knowledge
OurGoals:
| 1. |
To provide programming that is relevant to humanity, by establishing a strong understanding of human purpose through the holy Qur’an as taught by Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Ahlul Bayt (as). |
| 2. |
To use the media as a tool for the elevation of all viewers to higher spiritual realms while establishing a strong foundation based on the teachings of the holy Qur’an, as explained by Prophet Muhammad (saw), and his infallible progeny (as). |
| 3. |
To reach a Muslim and non-Muslim audience whose primary language is English. |
| 4. |
To provide an alternative to modern media programming for all. |
| 5. |
To show Muslims in the West the universality of Islamic teachings. |
| 6. |
To provide programming that displays the integrative message of Islam, as it is a message for all of humanity. |
| 7. |
To help Muslims and non-Muslims understand that Islam provides the necessary legislation for Muslims to thrive and integrate without assimilation and loss of Islamic identity. |
| 8. |
To show the depth of Islam and the positive message of peace that it promotes. |
| 9. |
To use all forms of modern media to educate muslims and non-muslim viewers about Islam. |
| 10. |
To educate with the understanding that we must teach ourselves first before preaching to others. |
| 11. |
To create industry-certified media professionals from the Muslim community. |
| 12. |
To provide production services to Muslim and non-Muslim TV stations. |
| 13. |
To create industry-trained broadcasters, film and documentary professionals. |
| 14. |
To produce award-winning talkshows, lectures, children's programming, films and documentaries. |
| 15. |
To produce for internet, DVD, CD, satellite TV, and cable. |
| 16. |
To provide educational programming for schools that provide a true understanding of Islam. |
| 17. |
To be a content provider for satellite, cable, educational institutions and other broadcast outlets. |
OurAccomplishments:
1. More than 486 episodes produced in 2.5 years:
a. Educational Programming: Nahj ul-Balagha
b. Talk Shows: B2B, S2S, MYT, 4/40
c. Live
2. Nine youth now industry-trained media pros
3. Footage used by Islamic schools & camps for educational purposes
4. Programs online on-demand
5. Weekly online broadcast schedule
6. Establishment of Film Department: - One short Film “Rock Bottom”
7. Establishment of Documentary Department:
- Three documentaries in progress:
- Interfaith,
- Prophet Muhammad (saw),
- Imam Husayn (as).
8. Content provider for satellite & cable TV:
- More than 10 news reports and montages for satellite
- Currently running on local community cable stations across N. America
9. Featured in Associated Press article world-wide
10. University of Michigan co-op partner
FutureGoals:
1. Train more youth
2. Have our films and programs in educational institutions
3. Consult for Hollywood
4. Diversity training
5. Film Department:
- To produce full-feature films
6. Documentary Department:
- Produce content for PBS, Biography, History, BBC, etc.
TheirTestimonials:
“It took me 20 years to get to where you guys got to in 2.5 years. Good job!”
- Imad Hassan, Award-winning producer
“Wow! From a technical standpoint your work is amazing.”
- Mike Mosallam, Director of Film Initiatives, Wayne County
“I can’t believe how great the quality of the work is...”
- Rachel Zoll, Associated Press (AP)
“I use 4/40 and MYT to teach my students about Islam, peer-pressure, etc.”
- Mr. Baig, Principal, Islamic School
OurPractices:
Before commencing this journey, we had to ask ourselves the following questions:
The Questions...
1. What is the most effective medium to use?
2. Who is our target market?
3. What is the most cost effective medium to use?
The Answers...
1. THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEDIUM IS THE INTERNET:
2. OUR TARGET MARKET IS THE 12-34 YEAR OLD DEMOGRAPHIC:
3. THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE MEDIUM IS THE INERNET:
After conducting a cost-analysis, we found the following:
I. SATELLITE:
Uplink cost (N. America) alone: $21,000.00 per month
Overall Annual minimum costs: Over $1,500,000.00 (that’s more than $100,000.00 per month)
Problems:
a. Cost
b. No means to quantify viewership
II. CABLE TV: more than $21,000.00 per month*
Annual costs (N.America): Over $1,500,000.00
Problems:
a. Cost
III. THE INTERNET: $100.00 per month*
AscentTV annual costs: LESS THAN $400,000.00
* Minimum Costs
ASCENTtv Projected Annual Budget:
Salaries: $20,500.00 per month
Expenses: 13,000.00 per month
Total Annual Budget: $398,690.00
Approximate Savings: $1,100,000.00
Current Viewership: 25,000 unique visitors (2009 figures)
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