Broadcasting Your Church Service: Legal Steps Before Getting on Television

For many pastors, the idea of broadcasting their church service on television feels like a milestone — a chance to extend the pulpit beyond the building and into living rooms across the city, the nation, or even the world.

It’s exciting. It’s powerful. It’s ministry on a whole new level.

But here’s the thing most churches don’t realize until they’re knee-deep in the process: television is not just ministry — it’s also media business. And that means there are rules, contracts, and legal details that you simply can’t afford to overlook.

If you get them wrong, it can cost more than your airtime — it can cost your reputation, your content, and even your ability to keep broadcasting.

Here’s your human, plain-English guide to what you need to know before you ever hit “record” for TV.

Step 1: Understand the Different Types of Broadcast Deals

Not all TV deals are created equal, and the kind of agreement you sign will shape your ministry’s reach, your creative control, and your costs.

• Paid Airtime – You buy a time slot, usually on a local or regional network. You have the most control over your content here — but you also take on the cost and responsibility for filling that time week after week.
• Partnership Broadcast – The station offers your service airtime at no cost in exchange for ad space or shared programming rights. It’s cheaper, but they might insert ads or cut sections for time.
• Syndication – Your program is distributed to multiple stations or networks. Great for reach, but it’s the most complex in terms of contracts and content requirements.

Pro tip: Don’t just look at the airtime price tag. Pay attention to the fine print about editing, scheduling, and re-airing — those are the places where control can slip away without you noticing.

Step 2: Secure the Rights to Everything in the Broadcast

Television networks are serious about legal clearances. If they air something you don’t have permission to use, they could face lawsuits — and they’ll quickly push the responsibility (and the bill) back to you.

Make sure you have the legal right to broadcast:

• Music – This is a big one. Even if your worship team is playing live, you still need broadcast rights for every song. A performance license alone (like CCLI basic) isn’t enough — you need a streaming/broadcast license.
• Visuals – Any images, videos, graphics, or B-roll must be owned by your church or properly licensed.
• Sermon Content – If you include extended quotes, video clips, or illustrations from other sources, double-check whether you need explicit permission. “Fair use” rarely applies the way people think it does.

Skipping this step is like building your sanctuary without permits — you might get away with it for a while, but the day something goes wrong, it gets very expensive, very quickly.

Step 3: Get Media Release Forms in Place

This is about protecting people as much as it’s about protecting your church.

If you plan to show interviews, testimonies, choir close-ups, or even wide shots where attendees are identifiable, you need signed media release forms — especially for children.

Smart churches handle this in three ways:

1. Include media release language in volunteer and staff agreements.
2. Have parents/guardians sign a release for minors involved in any broadcast.
3. Post signs in the building on recording days so attendees know the service is being filmed for TV.

It’s simple, it’s respectful, and it can save you from dealing with angry phone calls later.

Step 4: Review Network Contracts Carefully

This is the part most pastors wish they had handled differently after the fact. Broadcast contracts are often written in dense, legal language — and buried in that language are terms that can affect your ministry long after the show airs.

Look out for clauses about:

• Content Restrictions – Some stations ban political commentary, certain theological positions, or even appeals for donations.
• Editing Rights – The network may reserve the right to cut or rearrange your content without asking you.
• Exclusivity – You may be blocked from airing your program on another station or even posting it online for a set time.

Having a lawyer who understands ministry and media review the contract isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. At Church Law Strategy, we’ve helped churches negotiate terms that protect their voice, their message, and their ability to distribute content elsewhere.

Step 5: Think About Branding and IP Protection

The moment you’re on TV, you’re not just a church — you’re a brand in the eyes of the viewer.

That’s not a bad thing, but it does mean you need to think about protecting it.

• Trademark your church program’s name and logo before you launch.
• Use consistent branding so viewers can find you online without confusion.
• Add discreet watermarks to your broadcasts to discourage unauthorized clip use.

When you don’t protect your brand, it’s easier for others to copy, misuse, or confuse your audience with look-alike content.

Step 6: Plan for Ongoing Compliance

Television isn’t a one-and-done setup. You’ll need to keep track of:

• Annual Renewals – Music and content licenses need regular renewal.
• Signed Releases – Keep these on file and updated.
• Broadcast Archives – Store your past broadcasts in case of a dispute or for proof of licensing compliance.

A little organization here will keep you from scrambling later when a station asks for documentation.

Where Church Law Strategy Fits In

We help churches get TV-ready without the legal landmines by:

• Drafting and reviewing broadcast agreements.
• Securing music, image, and appearance rights.
• Protecting program names and media through trademark and IP strategy.
• Setting up compliance systems so you can keep broadcasting with confidence.

From Tier 1 churches doing their first local TV spot to Tier 4 national ministries syndicating across networks, we make sure your message stays both powerful and protected.

Final Thought

Broadcasting your service is one of the most exciting steps a church can take. It’s ministry amplified — but it’s also responsibility multiplied.

If you put in the work to protect your content, negotiate smart contracts, and lock down the necessary rights now, then when the cameras roll, you can focus on the thing that matters most: preaching the Gospel with clarity and confidence.

Our Links

• Church Law Strategy subscription plans for churches and ministries
• Trademark protection services for church media programs
• Legal review for church television broadcast contracts

Other Resources to Check Out!

• BMI Music Licensing for Broadcast
• CCLI Streaming Plus License
• FCC Broadcast Requirements

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Church Law and Strategy or its representatives. For specific legal advice tailored to your church or organization, please consult a licensed attorney.