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Pat Robertson is an American media entrepreneur, television personality, and religious broadcaster who has maintained a significant presence in Virginia Beach for over five decades. Born Marion Gordon Robertson on March 22, 1930, in Lexington, Virginia, he founded the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in 1960 and established its headquarters in Virginia Beach, transforming the city into a major center for Christian media production and religious broadcasting. Robertson's career has encompassed television programming, religious education, political activism, and humanitarian work through various organizations based in the Hampton Roads region. His influence extends beyond local boundaries, with his programs and ventures reaching millions of viewers internationally and shaping contemporary American evangelical Christianity.

== History ==

Pat Robertson's connection to Virginia Beach began in the late 1950s when he purchased a defunct television station, WXRI-TV, for $37,000, renaming it WYAH-TV.<ref>{{cite web |title=Christian Broadcasting Network History |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/history/vb-history-robertson |work=The Virginian-Pilot |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> This acquisition marked the founding moment of the Christian Broadcasting Network, which would grow into one of the largest religious media organizations in the United States. Robertson's vision was to create a television network dedicated to Christian programming and education, competing with secular broadcasting outlets. From these humble beginnings in Virginia Beach, CBN expanded throughout the 1960s and 1970s, establishing studio facilities, production capabilities, and broadcast infrastructure that made the city a hub for religious television production.

The establishment of CBN's headquarters in Virginia Beach had profound implications for the city's development and identity. Robertson invested substantially in real estate and infrastructure development, constructing state-of-the-art broadcast facilities that became iconic landmarks on the local landscape. His 700 Club television program, launched in 1966, became one of the longest-running daily television programs in American history, generating significant viewership and revenue that funded CBN's expansion. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Robertson diversified his media holdings, establishing CBN University (now Regent University), creating satellite broadcasting operations, and developing cable television networks. These ventures solidified Virginia Beach's status as a major media production center and demonstrated Robertson's entrepreneurial acumen in adapting to changing broadcast technologies and audience preferences.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regent University Founded by Pat Robertson |url=https://www.vbgov.com/historic-landmarks |work=City of Virginia Beach |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref>

== Economy ==

Pat Robertson's business enterprises have contributed significantly to Virginia Beach's economic landscape and employment opportunities. The Christian Broadcasting Network and its various subsidiaries became major local employers, providing jobs in broadcasting, production, administration, and support services. At its peak, CBN employed hundreds of workers in Virginia Beach, generating payroll expenditures that circulated through the local economy. Robertson's media ventures attracted related industries and service providers to the area, creating an ecosystem of production facilities, talent agencies, and technical support companies. The construction and operation of broadcast facilities required substantial capital investment, real estate development, and ongoing operational expenses that benefited local businesses and contractors.

Regent University, established by Robertson in 1978, became another significant economic contributor to Virginia Beach. The institution has attracted thousands of students from across the nation and internationally, generating tuition revenue, creating faculty and staff positions, and stimulating demand for student housing, dining, and other services in the surrounding area. The university's campus expansion and academic programming development represented substantial investments in Virginia Beach's infrastructure and educational landscape. Additionally, Robertson's ventures in cable television distribution, satellite broadcasting, and digital media expansion have positioned Virginia Beach as a technology and media center, attracting related businesses and entrepreneurs to the region.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia Beach Economic Development Statistics |url=https://www.vbgov.com/business-development |work=City of Virginia Beach |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref>

== Culture ==

Pat Robertson's influence on Virginia Beach's cultural identity has been substantial and multifaceted. The presence of CBN and its broadcasting operations shaped the city's reputation as a center for evangelical Christian culture and religious media production. Robertson's television programming, particularly The 700 Club, has been viewed by millions and influenced popular culture's representation of evangelical Christianity. The daily broadcasts, which typically included news segments, prayer, spiritual teachings, and charitable appeals, created a distinctive cultural presence in American households. Virginia Beach residents became accustomed to seeing their city referenced in national religious broadcasts and recognized the local significance of Robertson's media empire.

The establishment of Regent University contributed additional cultural dimensions to Virginia Beach, attracting scholars, educators, and students interested in Christian higher education and leadership development. The university has hosted numerous religious conferences, symposia, and cultural events that brought speakers, performers, and participants to Virginia Beach. Robertson's philanthropic activities through Operation Blessing and other charitable organizations have been associated with community outreach efforts. The prominence of evangelical Christianity in Virginia Beach's cultural landscape is partly attributable to Robertson's long-term residence and institutional presence in the city. Over decades, this has influenced the composition of religious institutions, community organizations, and the city's overall cultural character.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia Beach Cultural Institutions |url=https://www.wtkr.com/community-culture |work=WTKR News |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref>

== Notable People ==

Pat Robertson's presence in Virginia Beach has been connected with numerous notable figures in religious media, broadcasting, and education. Gordon Robertson, Pat Robertson's son, has been involved in CBN operations and has appeared on The 700 Club as a co-host and commentator. Joni Eareckson Tada, a well-known Christian speaker and author with a significant presence in evangelical circles, has frequently appeared on Robertson's programs and has connections to Virginia Beach religious communities. Various religious educators, theologians, and media personalities have been affiliated with Regent University or CBN, establishing Virginia Beach as a gathering place for religious thought leaders and media professionals.

The city has also attracted numerous broadcasting professionals, production specialists, and technical experts who worked for CBN and its associated companies. Many of these individuals chose to remain in Virginia Beach after their careers at Robertson's organizations, contributing their expertise to other local businesses and institutions. Additionally, prominent evangelical pastors and religious leaders have maintained associations with Robertson and his institutions, frequently visiting Virginia Beach for conferences, broadcasts, and collaborative projects. This concentration of religious media professionals and evangelical leadership has made Virginia Beach distinctive among American cities, creating a notable community of religious broadcasters and Christian organizational leaders.

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