The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) is an American basic cable television network which presents around-the-clock Catholic-themed programming. It is not only the largest Catholic television network in America, but reportedly "the world's largest religious media network", reaching 425 million people in 160 countries, with 11 networks. It was founded by Mother Angelica, in 1980 and began broadcasting on August 15, 1981, from a garage studio at the Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale, Alabama, which Mother Angelica founded in 1962. She hosted her own show, Mother Angelica Live, until health issues led to her retirement in September 2001. As of 2017, Michael P. Warsaw, who is a consultant to the Vatican's Dicastery for Communications, leads EWTN.
Religious broadcasting, sometimes referred to as faith-based broadcasts, is the dissemination of television and/or radio content that intentionally has religious ideas, religious experience, or religious practice as its core focus. In some countries, religious broadcasting developed primarily within the context of public service provision, whilst in others, it has been driven more by religious organisations themselves. Across Europe and in the US and Canada, religious broadcasting began in the earliest days of radio, usually with the transmission of religious worship, preaching or "talks". Over time, formats evolved to include a broad range of styles and approaches, including radio and television drama, documentary, and chat show formats, as well as more traditional devotional content. Today, many religious organizations record sermons and lectures, and have moved into distributing content on their own web-based IP channels.
International religious television broadcasters broadcast from a host nation to another nation or nations. Such operations are mostly operated from the United States of America, Portugal and Italy, in conjunction with a religious organization having links to many churches or shrines who produce their own programs. The following is a list of such broadcasters with links to entries about each one:
Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, commonly known as Mother Angelica, was an American Roman Catholic nun of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration. She was best known for the television show Mother Angelica Live. She was the founder of the international broadcast cable television network Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and the radio network WEWN. EWTN became a voice for Catholics worldwide.
The Pauline Family refers to a number of institutes of consecrated life and an association of lay collaborators established between 1914 and 1959, which all share the same founder, Blessed James Alberione and the same spirituality. Their mission is to evangelize with the modern tools of communications.
The CatholicTV Network, commonly known as CatholicTV, is a Catholic television network based in Watertown, Massachusetts. CatholicTV first launched locally in Boston in 1955, making it the oldest Catholic television network in the United States. Today, it is distributed on cable television systems, internet television, and broadcast stations in sixteen U.S. states and the U.S. Virgin Islands and now worldwide.
WBVM is a Christian radio station licensed to Tampa, Florida. Owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg, the station broadcasts a Christian adult contemporary music format serving the Tampa Bay Area. The station's studios are currently located at 717 S. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, and the station's transmitter is located in Riverview. WBVM is primarily listener-supported through donations, with annual pledge drives such as "Spread the Word", "Hopesgiving", and "Thrill of Hope".
The Christophers are a Christian inspirational group that was founded in 1945 by Father James Keller. The name of the group is derived from the Greek word christophoros, which means "Christ-bearer". Although the founders were Maryknoll priests, and the Roman Catholic orientation is overt, The Christophers preach a doctrine of religious tolerance and intend their publications to be generally relevant to those of all faiths.
Catholic Faith Network (CFN), formerly Telecare, is an American television channel available to Altice USA, Verizon Fios, and Charter Communications subscribers in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Founded in 1969 by Monsignor Thomas Hartman of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York. CFN broadcasts programming aimed at to Catholic viewers, including live religious services, talk shows, devotional programs, educational programming, entertainment, and children's programs. It also presents coverage of special events at the Vatican and of papal journeys. The Catholic Faith Network (CFN) is available on Optimum channel 29/137, Verizon Fios TV channel 296, and Charter Spectrum channel 162/471 throughout the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area. The Catholic Faith Network (CFN) is also available on select cable and satellite systems nationwide, along with an on-demand library of original programming and a 24/7 live stream.
The Tablet is a Catholic newspaper published in the interest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. It has circulated in Brooklyn and Queens, New York, since 1908. Its website, thetablet.org, serves the greater Catholic populace.
The Gabriel Awards are a Catholic honor awarded each year for excellence in broadcasting. They were started by the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals in 1965, and are currently administered by the Catholic Media Association.
Salt + Light Television is a Canadian multi-lingual Category B television channel owned by the not-for-profit Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and based in Toronto, Ontario. The channel broadcasts faith-based programming for Roman Catholics, which includes televised daily Mass, documentaries, live event coverage and talk shows. Programs are primarily broadcast in English, along with French, Italian and Chinese languages.
Jewish Life Television (JLTV) is an American entertainment television network broadcasting Jewish–themed programming. The network was founded in 2007 by Phil Blazer, a longtime journalist and producer of programming for the Jewish community; Blazer remained with the network until his death in August 2020. The JLTV is funded by the Jewish Life Foundation, and its remaining earnings come from advertising.
Shalom Television is an Indian Catholic Christian television channel based in Kerala. The channel broadcasts programs include a daily Holy Mass and also Tridentine Mass format, the traditional Nasrani rosary recitation. It also broadcasts other programs, including interviews, musical shows, competition, quiz shows, chat shows, short films and family-based programs.
New Evangelization Television, or NET-TV, is a Catholic television network based in Brooklyn, New York. The network is owned by DeSales Media Group, the communications arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, which encompasses the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York City.
Robert Emmet Barron is an American prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as bishop of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester since 2022. He is the founder of the Catholic ministerial organization Word on Fire, and was the host of Catholicism, a documentary TV series about Catholicism that aired on PBS. He served as rector at Mundelein Seminary from 2012 to 2015 and as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles from 2015 to 2022.
TV Maria is a national Catholic television channel broadcasting from Manila, Philippines. Owned by TV Maria Foundation Philippines, it airs 24 hours a day and is currently available on major and provincial cable operators, on digital terrestrial television broadcasts via RJ DigiTV's DTT subchannel in Mega Manila and via GNN's DTT subchannel in selected provincial areas, and via online livestreaming.
Catholic television refers to television networks and programs based on the teachings of the Catholic Church.
The Canção Nova is a Brazilian Catholic community founded by Monsignor Jonas Abib in 1978, following the lines of Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Headquartered in the city of Cachoeira Paulista (SP), it occupies an area of 372,000 m2 and has a long-range radio and television system, extending to other countries such as Portugal, Italy, Israel, France and Paraguay.
Jonathan Roumie is an American actor known for his role as evangelist Lonnie Frisbee in the 2023 film Jesus Revolution and as Jesus in The Chosen TV Series, a crowd-funded television series about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. He is also a voice artist.
