{{Short description|Christian online video sharing platform}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Promotional|date=June 2021}} {{Infobox website | name = Godtube | owner = Salem Web Network | logo = GT-Color.png | screenshot = | caption = | company_type = Video hosting service | founded = Spring of 2007 | homepage = {{URL|https://godtube.com/}} | current_status = Active }}
'''Godtube''' is an online video platform which provides Christian video content. It is owned by Salem Web Network, the internet division of Salem Media Group. Godtube includes music videos, comedy, children, animals, sports, news and inspirational clips.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.godtube.com/about-us.html|title=About Us|website=Godtube.com|access-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523161353/http://www.godtube.com/about-us.html|archive-date=2016-05-23|url-status=live}}</ref>
== History == Godtube was launched in the spring of 2007 by founders Christopher Wyatt, Jason Martell, Lloyd Chartrand,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blodget |first=Henry |date=2007-09-18 |title=Fastest Growing Site? GodTube.com. Welcome to Jesus 2.0 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/2007/9/fastest-growing |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> and Mike Miller (former Executive Pastor of First Baptist Dallas).<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Profile: Chris Wyatt |url=http://www.dts.edu/about/profiles/Chris_Wyatt/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514040448/http://dts.edu/about/profiles/Chris_Wyatt/ |archive-date=2007-05-14 |access-date=26 May 2016 |publisher=Dallas Theological Seminary}}</ref> Wyatt was once an online student at Dallas Theological Seminary and was also one of CBS's producers for the 1995 ''Day and Date'' show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1002535/|title=Chris Wyatt|work=IMDb|access-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330081120/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1002535/|archive-date=2016-03-30|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to comScore, Godtube was the fastest growing US website for the month of August 2007.<ref name="Mashable1">{{cite web |url=http://mashable.com/2007/09/18/GodTube-comscore |title=GodTube Named August's Fastest Growing Site |access-date= March 22, 2016|author= Kristen Nicol|date=September 21, 2007|publisher=Mashable}}</ref> According to Quantcast, total monthly site traffic lost 75% of its users, from 2.7 million, to just over 690 thousand by February 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quantcast.com|title=Measure & Advertise – Quantcast|work=Quantcast|access-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526032437/https://www.quantcast.com/|archive-date=2016-05-26|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/dec/28/latest-word-controversial-bible-illuminated-utiliz/|title=The latest word: Controversial 'Bible Illuminated' utilizes pop culture images to spread the gospel|work=LJWorld.com|access-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829025205/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/dec/28/latest-word-controversial-bible-illuminated-utiliz/|archive-date=2016-08-29|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2008, the company raised $30,000,000 from GLG Partners, LP, at a valuation of $150,000,000 after 5 months of operation.
In February 2009, Godtube re-launched as Tangle, expanding into a social network. Tangle also included other new features, such as an online Bible and an "interactive prayer wall", and encouraged non-Christians and atheists to participate and share their points of view.<ref name="MSNBC">[https://web.archive.org/web/20150416152049/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21582372/ Christians tuning into thriving GodTube.com] ''Matt Curry'' NBC News November 2007</ref> By April 2010, Godtube returned as a separate site alongside Tangle.
In May 2010, Salem Communications' Salem Web Network division acquired Godtube and Tangle's parent company Big Jump Media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/salem-web-network-acquires-godtubecom-tanglecom-45539/|title=Salem Web Network Acquires GodTube.com, Tangle.com|work=Christian Post|access-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630122649/http://www.christianpost.com/news/salem-web-network-acquires-godtubecom-tanglecom-45539/|archive-date=2016-06-30|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Yahoo Finance">[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/Salem-Web-Network-Acquires-iw-1215346381.html?x=0&.v=1] {{dead link|date=May 2016}}</ref>
On December 1, 2010, Tangle was discontinued. As part of the transition, certain functionality was pointed towards other sites in the Salem network, and videos were migrated back to Godtube accounts.
In May 2019, Godtube unveiled a new logo.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
== Features == === Video technology === Videos can also be watched with the Godtube app on Android 4.1 or newer<ref name="GooglePlay">{{cite web|title=GodTube|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.salemwebnetwork.godtube|website=Google Play|publisher=Salem New Media|access-date=March 16, 2018|date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522001015/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.salemwebnetwork.godtube|archive-date=2018-05-22|url-status=live}}</ref> and iOS 7 or newer.<ref>{{cite web|title=GodTube on the App Store|url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/godtube/id938388328|website=App Store| date=7 September 2016 |access-date=March 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317103048/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/godtube/id938388328?mt=8|archive-date=2018-03-17|url-status=live}}</ref> The app was last updated in September 2016 for both platforms.<ref name="GooglePlay" />
Godtube manually reviews every video uploaded to its site.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our commitment to you! : Salem Web Network Help & Support|url=http://help.salemwebnetwork.com/support/solutions/articles/36224-our-commitment-to-you-|website=Salem Web Network|access-date=March 16, 2018|language=en|date=October 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317164805/http://help.salemwebnetwork.com/support/solutions/articles/36224-our-commitment-to-you-|archive-date=2018-03-17|url-status=live}}</ref>
In some cases, Godtube embeds third-party videos (from sites like YouTube,<ref>{{cite web|title=anthem lights Official Music Videos and Songs|url=https://www.godtube.com/anthem-lights/|website=Godtube|access-date=2018-12-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512142330/http://www.godtube.com/anthem-lights/|archive-date=2012-05-12|url-status=live}}</ref> Facebook<ref>{{cite web |title=Joyce Meyer On Whether Christians Should Have Tattoos |url=https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YWGDW7NX |website=GodTube |access-date=December 30, 2018 |language=en-us |date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> and Rumble<ref>{{cite web|title=Little Girl Reads Unique Bible Story To Cat – Cute Videos|url=https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=1199JJNU|website=Godtube|date=August 21, 2018|access-date=August 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823105513/https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=1199JJNU|archive-date=2018-08-23|url-status=live}}</ref>) instead of hosting them. Some Godtube features, such as view count and favorites, are still available with these embedded videos.
=== Music === Godtube has a dedicated music section with traditional and contemporary Christian music. It has similarities to YouTube Music and its predecessor Vevo. Godtube's artist directory consists of licensed music channels, with 387 entries as of May 2019. Entries consist of artists and record labels.<ref>{{cite web |title=Christian Music Artists, Bands Directory – Videos |url=https://www.godtube.com/artists-directory/ |website=GodTube |access-date=May 26, 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref>
Godtube has premiered BarlowGirl's "Sing Me a Love Song" music video<ref>{{cite web|author1=BarlowGirl|title=World Premiere on Tangle|url=http://www.wlgpromotions.com/openx/www/images/82c175668fb62327b9d37ef0fa0e9759.jpg|website=Tangle.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228085358/http://www.wlgpromotions.com/openx/www/images/82c175668fb62327b9d37ef0fa0e9759.jpg|archive-date=2011-02-28|access-date=March 16, 2018|date=October 2, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> and COLMANblue's "Hey (Not Worth the Worry) single.<ref>{{cite web|author1=COLMANblue|title=COLMANblue...the release of our very first single.|url=https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=DP6KGLNX|website=GodTube|access-date=March 16, 2018|date=October 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317035754/https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=DP6KGLNX|archive-date=2018-03-17|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Demographics == According to a November 2010 Quantcast assessment, the Godtube audience is 60% female and 40% male, with a high percentage of teenagers and baby boomers. Users are widely middle class.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quantcast.com/GodTube.com|title=Godtube.com Traffic and Demographic Statistics by Quantcast|website=Quantcast.com|access-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020191721/https://www.quantcast.com/GodTube.com|archive-date=2016-10-20|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to Quantcast, there are higher percentages of teenagers, African Americans, college graduates, and middle-class people using Godtube.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quantcast.com/tangle.com#demographics|title=Tangle.com Traffic and Demographic Statistics by Quantcast|website=Quantcat.com|access-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309020926/https://www.quantcast.com/tangle.com#demographics|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Investors == Although it was reported in the trade press in May 2008 that they had received $30,000,000 in funding from GLG Partners, former Big Jump Media CEO Jason Illian was quoted by The Dallas Morning News as saying the investment was "actually around $17,000,000".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com|title=The Dallas Morning News – Dallas-Fort Worth News, Sports, Entertainment, Weather, Traffic|website=Dallasnews.com|access-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825073646/http://www.dallasnews.com/|archive-date=2015-08-25|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to Forbes, GLG's funds under management were deflated 40% after their foray into Godtube. The founders of the hedge fund agreed to surrender their salaries in lieu of a $1 per year probationary stipend.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/03/27/glg-partners-salary-markets-equity-investment.html | work=Forbes | first=Javier | last=Espinoza | title=GLG Heads Agree To Salaries | date=March 27, 2009 | access-date=2018-12-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094106/http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/27/glg-partners-salary-markets-equity-investment.html | archive-date=2016-03-04 | url-status=live }}</ref>
KMA Direct Communications was a primary investor in the privately held web site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/831205515.html|title=KMA Direct Communications Partners with GodTube.com|access-date=2009-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630093152/http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/831205515.html|archive-date=2009-06-30|url-status=live}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Salem Communications}}
Category:Christian websites Category:Video hosting Category:Internet properties established in 2007 Category:2007 establishments in California Category:Salem Media Group properties