Network 10 is scrapping Hillsong TV from its schedule following the resignation of global pastor Brian Houston.
“Network 10 has confirmed that Hillsong TV will no longer be part of its schedule and has deleted all episodes from its streaming service 10 Play. Alternative Sunday morning programming will be announced shortly,” a Network 10 spokesperson said.
Hillsong TV has been airing early on Sunday mornings as part of the station’s religious programming. The show page for Hillsong TV on 10’s website reads: “Discover your God-given potential with Pastor Brian Houston as he shares empowering and inspiring messages from the Word of God.”
Hillsong TV will continue to be available on Foxtel.
On Wednesday, the founder of the Hillsong church announced his resignation after acting inappropriately toward two women.
“We understand there will be much emotion at this news and we all share these feelings,” Hillsong Church said in a statement.
“We ask that you continue to pray for them [Houston and his wife Bobbie] and the entire Houston family during this challenging time.
“As you can appreciate, there is still much to be done and the church leadership continues to seek God for his wisdom as we set the course for the future,” the statement said.
The church is investigating two incidents. The first, that Houston had sent “Inappropriate text messages” to a female staff member in 2013. That woman later resigned, and the church said that Houston was under the influence of sleeping pills.
The second incident is that he is accused of entering the hotel room of a woman when he was locked out of his own after a Hillsong conference in 2019. Despite insisting that parts of the complaint cannot be substantiated, the Church said that Houston had breached the Hillsong Pastor’s code of conduct.
Brian Houston had previously been charged with concealing a serious indictable offense in regards to his preacher father, Frank Houston.