![]() | |
![]() EWTN's main studio in Irondale, Alabama | |
Country | United States |
---|---|
Broadcast area | Worldwide Canada |
Headquarters | Irondale, Alabama |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to 480i for the SD feed) |
Ownership | |
Owner | Eternal Word Television Network Inc. (a non-profit corporation) |
History | |
Launched | August 15, 1981 |
Links | |
Website | www |
Availability | |
Terrestrial | |
WEWN (Eternal Word Radio Network) | Shortwave radio frequencies AM/FM affiliates |
Streaming media | |
LIVE Stream | Live 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]