EWTN

This article is about the television network. For its sister radio network, see WEWN.

EWTN
EWTN's main studio in Irondale, Alabama
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaWorldwide
Canada
HeadquartersIrondale, Alabama
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 480i for the SD feed)
Ownership
OwnerEternal Word Television Network Inc.
(a non-profit corporation)
History
LaunchedAugust 15, 1981; 43 years ago (1981-08-15)
Links
Websitewww.ewtn.com
Availability
Terrestrial
WEWN (Eternal Word Radio Network)Shortwave radio frequencies
AM/FM affiliates
Streaming media
LIVE StreamLive TV Stream

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,[1] but reportedly "the world's largest religious media network",[2] (and according to the network itself) reaching 425 million people in 160 countries,[2] with 11 networks. It was founded by Mother Angelica PCPA, in 1980[3] 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.[4] She hosted her own show, Mother Angelica Live, until health issues led to her retirement in September 2001.[5] As of 2017, Michael P. Warsaw, who is a consultant to the Vatican's Dicastery for Communications, leads EWTN.[6]

In addition to its television network, EWTN owns the National Catholic Register newspaper, which it acquired in January 2011, and Catholic News Agency.[7] The network maintains an online presence through its primary site, EWTN.com, and it has a dedicated commercial site, EWTNReligiousCatalogue.com.[8] EWTN also has a 24-hour radio network, offering Catholic talk and worship programming to about 350 radio stations around the U.S. as well as SiriusXM Satellite Radio and shortwave radio.[9][10] Some of the schedule is the audio from EWTN television shows and some is original programming for radio listeners.

Regular network programs include a daily Holy Mass and sometimes Tridentine Mass format, the traditional Stations of the Cross, a taped daily recitation of the Rosary, and daily and weekly news, discussion, and Catechetical programs for both adults and children. Christmas and Easter programming; the installation Masses of bishops and cardinals; coverage of World Youth Days; and papal visits, deaths, funerals, conclaves, and elections are also presented. Spanish language broadcasts are available on all platforms.[11] On December 8, 2009, EWTN began broadcasting high-definition television.[12]

The network is overseen by trustees rather than shareholders or owners. All of the network's funding comes from viewer donations, protecting it from advertising secular or non-Catholic programming.[13]

  1. ^ Horowitz, Jason (October 28, 2021). "Meeting of Francis and Biden Will Highlight Rift With U.S. Bishops". The New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Dulle, Colleen (September 30, 2021). "Explainer: The story behind Pope Francis' beef with EWTN". America magazine, the Jesuit Review. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  3. ^ "From the Bible Belt, EWTN shapes world Catholic news". National Catholic Reporter. January 15, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  4. ^ "Mother Angelica Encyclopedia of Alabama". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  5. ^ "EWTN Press Release — Two Years After Suffering a Major Stroke Mother Angelica Lives Her Life of Prayer". ewtn.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
  6. ^ "Pope taps James Martin and EWTN chief as communications consultants". Crux Now. April 12, 2017. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  7. ^ "National Catholic Register". Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  8. ^ "Religious Catalogue Featured Highlights". EWTN.
  9. ^ "EWTN Radio". SiriusXM. June 26, 2023.
  10. ^ "EWTN Shortwave Frequency Guide". ewtn.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  11. ^ "EWTN Red Católica Mundial". EWTN.
  12. ^ "EWTN To Be Made Available in HD". Catholic Online.
  13. ^ "Does EWTN receive funding from the USCCB or the Vatican?". EWTN.