The Dove Channel, Cinedigm’s faith and family-friendly streaming service, is launching its first originally-produced talk show, Frankly Faraci. On the show, host Matthew Faraci will offer viewers an uplifting program focused on stories of faithful personalities in entertainment, music, and sports who are doing positive work and bringing good into the culture. For an example, in one of the initial programs, Matthew Faraci talked about faith and comedy with actors Brett Dalton and Anjelah Johnson who are featured in the new movie, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone.
“Dove’s mission is to provide our audience with uniquely great content that they’ll enjoy together,” said Erick Opeka, EVP of Digital Networks at Cinedigm and Executive Producer of Frankly Faraci. “This show is a totally new kind of show where viewers can go behind-the-scenes with well-known people of faith and hear why they do what they do. We know the show is really going to strike a chord. And, for parents who are looking to point their kids to good role models, this show will be at the absolute top of the list. Viewers are going to connect with Matthew; he’s an energetic, hilarious, father of four who is well-respected in the faith community. He is the perfect host for this show. Our audience will love it because he loves it; it’s infectious.”
Dr. Diane Howard has an exclusive interview with Matthew Faraci for Fruit in the Desert about his new show.
DH: Tell us about your new program.
MF: There’s a serious shortage of entertainment that the whole family can watch together, and, as a father or four, I’m passionate about pointing my kids to positive role models…people who are doing God’s work in the world. There are untold millions of parents looking for the same things I’m looking for, and that’s the foundation of Frankly Faraci. This isn’t a show about me, it’s about the audience coming along with me, sitting down, and joining the conversation. Together, we’re going to get to know faithful people who are doing amazing work, and discover what’s underneath it all. If Frankly Faraci didn’t exist, frankly, I’d be looking for something just like it.
DH: Tell us about the Dove Channel. What are some of the latest developments with it and how your program fits into it vision.
MF: Your readers need to know that the people who run Dove Channel are forward-thinking, innovative, and deeply experienced entertainment executives. I am in awe of the executive team, as well as our producers and crew, it’s an astonishingly excellent group. In addition to being good at what they do, they’re some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. They work in close partnership with the legendary Dove Foundation, which was recently taken over by Suzy Sammons, a visionary and expert marketer who is going to do huge good in our culture. The folks at Dove Channel and Dove Foundation have a shared vision. They believe in promoting family-friendly entertainment, and they believe in the power of the audience that wants it. Because of that commitment, they decided to offer original programming that uniquely speaks to and inspires people, and Frankly Faraci is the first of what I believe will be many exciting new original productions.
DH: What is its purpose of your program?
MF: This show is about one thing: focusing on personalities who are doing good in the world. From sports, to entertainment, to politics, to music, to ministries, to folks in nonprofits, we want to shine a spotlight on the good!
DH: Why is Good News needed?
MF: There’s a deluge of negative out there in every kind of media and medium, people need hope. They need to know there is good so they can be inspired to do the same.
DH: What is the power of Good News?
MF: It is huge! Scripture teaches us to focus on goodness. When Jesus talks about the idea of “on earth as it is in heaven” He is referencing the idea that heaven is perfection and goodness and love, and we should work tirelessly to bring as much of that down here as we can. And, as we bring light, light brightens people’s lives and lifts them up. Good is infectious!
DH: Why is Good News critically needed today?
MF: Everyone says our nation is divided, and maybe that’s true. But more than that I think our nation is frustrated and lacks hope. Instead of focusing on where we disagree, let’s focus on what we have in common. I hope to bring some of that to folks with our show.
DH: Can you tell us about your life and work that has prepared you for what you are doing now?
MF: People always ask that question, where do you see yourself in five years? I’ve always answered, “Wherever God wants me.”
I’ve been on an unexpected journey for a long time. I’ve been a journalist, teacher, spokesperson, political strategist…I even did standup comedy for a year. It wasn’t until I was offered the opportunity to host this show that I understood that all of my life experiences have led me to this moment. It’s a feeling that is hard to describe, but it is exciting to say the least.
DH: What else do you want to tell us about the show?
MF: This show is unique and fun. We’re going to meet faithful people where they live, spend time with them, and get to know them. In our five-second video culture, this will be a breath of fresh air. We encourage everyone to post thoughts, comments, and suggestions on our Facebook page and watch the teaser episode: facebook.com/FranklyFaraci
The Dove Channel serves the faith and family audience, offering a wide variety of content from meaningful mainstream movies, independent films, and documentaries, to heartwarming TV series and children’s programs. The specialized streaming service offers families a safe entertainment choice utilizing The Dove Foundation™ rating system, which ranks programs in six key areas: sexuality, language, violence, drug and alcohol use, nudity, and other, to ensure appropriate programming for families. The programming can be viewed across a broad spectrum of connected devices including Apple TV, Roku streaming players, Android and iOS, Samsung Smart TV, the Web, and mobile and tablet devices. Additionally, Dove Channel, along with Cinedigm’s CONtv and Docurama, are available to Amazon Prime members as part of Amazon’s new Streaming Partners Program. Prime members can view Cinedigm’s channels with the Amazon Video app available across hundreds of devices. Dove Channel, along with Cinedigm’s CONtv, are also available on LeEco smart phones and TVs.“Frankly Faraci,” Cinedigm’s new original production for its faith and family streaming service, stars inspirational host Matthew Faraci engaging in authentic and heartfelt conversations with faithful personalities in entertainment, music and sports.
For more, check out “Frankly Faraci” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
By Diane Howard, Ph.D. (Performance Studies), dianehoward.com
February 3, 2017