Mission

Link Media is an independent media organization whose mission is to engage, inform and inspire viewers to become involved in the world.

Link Media is committed to:

•Providing powerful stories and unseen perspectives.  Link’s programs encourage compassion and an imaginative empathy that reaches beyond the viewer’s own surroundings and extends beyond borders, real and perceived.

•Giving voice to people without a voice, from communities under-represented in conventional media. We connect viewers not only to the 'movers and shakers' but also to the 'moved and shaken’— people affected by the news.

•Linking local to global. The stories we present help people draw the connection between themselves and others, as well as how local issues have broader implications.

•Inspiring action. Program trailers and the website give viewers access to tools and connections to take action on social issues. Link programs counter the cynicism and resignation that can result from watching conventional television news.

•Promoting dialogue across cultural and ideological divides through innovative media formats.

•Fostering collaboration through coalition building with partner organizations and grassroots organizations around specific issues that matter to all of us.

History

In December 1999, Link Media launched Link TV, the first nationwide television network dedicated to providing Americans with global perspectives on news, events and culture. Link was awarded a coveted FCC “set-aside” non-commercial license on DIRECTV and was added to EchoStar's DISH Network a few weeks later.

Every day Link broadcasts a 24-hour mix of uncompromising documentaries, international news analysis programs and diverse cultural programs to over 32 million U.S. homes. Link’s original programs are distributed to more than 174 cable stations, reaching an additional 20 million households. Audience research indicates that there are more than 5.8 million regular satellite viewers of Link TV, who watch an average of 2.5 hours each week. In addition, 57% of these regular viewers report they have taken action as a result of something they have experienced on Link TV.

Over the past few years, more of Link’s programming has become available on the Internet. Linktv.org has become a valuable destination for streaming videos. Currently we serve over 4,300 video segments or full programs, available for high-quality streaming, and have expanded availability of these videos on on-line distribution platforms such as YouTube, iTunes and The Huffington Post. Link videos have been viewed online more than 3.4 million times over the past year. One-third of Link’s Web users are from countries outside of the U.S.

Link Media, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in California.  The original founders were Internews Network, a leading supporter of independent television around the world, the Independent Television Service (ITVS), an experienced supplier of independently-produced programs for public television, and Internews Interactive (InterAct), a specialist in participatory TV programming. In 2009, Link Media, Inc. formed a partnership with YouthNoise, which has become the backbone of its Engagement division. YouthNoise has the aim of encouraging youth civic engagement and community service through the integration of television, web and mobile technologies.

Formed in 1999, Link Media owns and operates the broadcast channel Link TV and www.linktv.org. Link is the first nationwide television channel and website dedicated to providing global perspectives on news, events and culture. Link’s programs provide a unique perspective on international news, current events, and diverse cultures, presenting issues not often covered in the U.S. media. We connect viewers with people at the heart of breaking events, organizations in the forefront of social change and the cultures of an increasingly global community.

Visit Link TV at www.linktv.org