Catholic Radio

[Gregg]

It seems in the last few years, Catholic radio stations have really increased.  Ten years ago, there may have been three or four stations owned by Catholic universities or owned by a diocese.  Most Catholics wondered why they were surrounded by so much Protestant media but little representing the faith of a quarter of the U.S. population.

Then, a few years after EWTN became a 24/7 cable TV channel, EWTN Radio was started.  Some non-profit Catholic groups began buying low-power AM stations or finding an unused frequency in the non-commercial band on FM to get EWTN Radio on the air in their communities.  Later, a few regional Catholic networks sprang up, such as Immaculate Heart Radio in the West, Ave Maria Radio in Michigan and others which use some EWTN programming and some of their own.

Surprisingly there are TWO Catholic channels on Sirius/XM radio:  EWTN and The Catholic Channel which is run by the Archdiocese of New York with all original programming, mostly talk shows that try to sound more like a Catholic Regis & Kelly than serious preaching.

As a Catholic, I'm sort of disappointed that EWTN has so much power over Catholic TV and radio in the U.S.  EWTN's philosophy seems to be far to the right of contemporary Catholic thinking, I suppose stemming from Sister Angelica, the founder.  I guess it is those who are zealous in their Catholic theology who are the most likely to sacrifice their time and money to get these stations on the air.  Even though I attend mass once or twice a week, I really have little interest in Catholic radio and none in Contemporary Christian music.


Gregg
nh153@mail.com

[JakeMooreRadio]

Hey Greg! I feel the same way! I'm a young Catholic and I get frustrated with the type of programming that is usually found on Catholic tv/radio. I turned on EWTN once and was really upset when they started talking negatively about other denominations. But I have a huge passion in media and would love to target the younger generation (18-34) with Catholic programming. Any thoughts on how to do this, or whether it's even possible?

It seems in the last few years, Catholic radio stations have really increased.  Ten years ago, there may have been three or four stations owned by Catholic universities or owned by a diocese.  Most Catholics wondered why they were surrounded by so much Protestant media but little representing the faith of a quarter of the U.S. population.

Then, a few years after EWTN became a 24/7 cable TV channel, EWTN Radio was started.  Some non-profit Catholic groups began buying low-power AM stations or finding an unused frequency in the non-commercial band on FM to get EWTN Radio on the air in their communities.  Later, a few regional Catholic networks sprang up, such as Immaculate Heart Radio in the West, Ave Maria Radio in Michigan and others which use some EWTN programming and some of their own.

Surprisingly there are TWO Catholic channels on Sirius/XM radio:  EWTN and The Catholic Channel which is run by the Archdiocese of New York with all original programming, mostly talk shows that try to sound more like a Catholic Regis & Kelly than serious preaching.

As a Catholic, I'm sort of disappointed that EWTN has so much power over Catholic TV and radio in the U.S.  EWTN's philosophy seems to be far to the right of contemporary Catholic thinking, I suppose stemming from Sister Angelica, the founder.  I guess it is those who are zealous in their Catholic theology who are the most likely to sacrifice their time and money to get these stations on the air.  Even though I attend mass once or twice a week, I really have little interest in Catholic radio and none in Contemporary Christian music.


Gregg
nh153@mail.com

[Alan McCall]

I'm Southern Baptist, but..my first boss in radio was Catholic. He eventually left to help start
a Catholic FM in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area:

http://www.spiritfm905.com/


Their premise was: To reach the majority of 18-34 year olds, you are going to have to use some type of music programming, as talk alone won't reach that demo in viable numbers. This is a station that has done quite well. In contrast, we have an EWTN daytimer here that is like a tree standing in the forest. There are no employees at the station, it is totally automated, and my Catholic neighbors have never heard of it.

Gregg: I loved CCM in the 80s and 90s but don't listen much to it these days.

[jhguthlac]

I enjoy EWTN Radio. Teaching programs, talk shows and devotionals, including the mass each day.

[317C50KW]

I'm a cradle Catholic with 40 years in broadcast media.  I think a good radio station should be informative and entertaining.  Catholic radio stations that rely only on EWTN are not good radio stations. 

What's wrong with most Catholic radio stations?  No local content.  Underwriting (commercials) announcements from a businessman that belongs to XYZ parish don't count.  Catholic radio stations have no idea how to promote or market themselves to the faith communities they want to serve.  In the common area of my parish Church someone put a few bumper stickers from the local Catholic outlet on a literature rack some time ago.  They stay there.  No one in my circle of friends ever mentions these stations (and they know I'm in media).  There are at least 6 Catholic high schools in their coverage area yet I've never heard a tie-in with any of them.  There are few announcements of individual parish activities.

I realize it's a two way street, someone has to provide the station with information and content.  But the station needs to solicit that same material.

Locally the Catholic radio outlets (one English and one Spanish) are an independent entity from the 2 major diocese in the area.  For all I know that may possibly be viewed with suspicion!  There may be an arms length agreement about the role of these stations (i.e. for the greater good) and I certainly don't expect either diocese to come out an offer anything in the way of financial support since both have many financial burdens.

The Church asks that we propagate the faith.  Radio is one of many ways to do this.  But my fear is that too many people involved in Catholic radio look at it as a ministry only. Finding a frequency, getting it on the air and playing the audio of EWTN all day is not a vibrant ministry.  Out of necessity Catholic radio has to be run like a business if it ever wants to succeed.  Give me a reason to listen.  Give me a reason to respond. 

I do think the Catholic Channel on Sirius-XM does a good job in terms of content and presentation.  I found it funny that one evening last week,  Channel 129 bumped the Catholic Channel in order to bring the play-by-play of Notre Dame/Seaton Hall men's basketball!

 

[ChiefEngineer]

EWTN spends milions each year to rebroadcast a lot of nothing. Sacred Heart has good programming that EWTN carries. Patrick Madrid is okay.  It is disjointed.

[briankay]

@JakeMooreRadio and @Gregg
Regarding that EWTN and other Catholic radio networks being too conservative or to the right...I would regard EWTN as teaching true Catholicism. Left leaning Catholicism is labeled "Cafeteria Catholicism" by devoted Catholics, in other words, pick and choose what Catholic teachings suit you. Jesus Christ himself would sadly be considered by many today more right than left, that is socially conservative, pro-life, pro-capitalism, but also pro-immigrant, anti-war generally (but pro-war according to just-war theory) whilst promoting giving the fruits of the wealth to those in true need.
Sadly many of the well known Catholics today are Catholic in name only (Nancy Pelozi, Kathleen Sebelius, Joe Biden, ....)

[Gregg]

First of all, there are Catholic conservatives and liberal Catholics.  One is neither good nor bad.  The Church keeps changing all the time.  EWTN only reflects the very conservative side of the faith.  They represent the people who think mass should still be said in Latin and nuns should wear habits that keep them covered from head to toe.  I would assume their politics are also super-conservative, disagreeing with Catholic bishops who are anti-war and pro-immigrant.

317C50KW says most Catholic stations do little outreach.  Well, many Protestant stations do the same.  Several groups such as Air 1 and K-Love buy up FM stations around the country and put the exact same programming on each.  I think Catholics believe money is better spent on services such as schools and hospitals and helping the poor than on evangelization.  That's why most markets still have no Catholic radio or only have EWTN 24/7.

Might I suggest anyone who has access to the Brazilian cable channel TV Globo to tune in Mass with Padre Marcelo Rossi some Sunday morning, even if you don't understand Portuguese.  He is single-handedly expanding church attendance in this largest Latin American country by being so entertaining on TV.  He's charasmatic and has a good singing voice.  I'm sure TV Globo has been giving the Church a 45 min. window for decades every Sunday.  But Padre Marcelo makes it an entertaining program, with contemporary hymms, a pop band, modern camera work, getting the Archbishop to be smiling and friendly and having the congregation on their feet.  Padre Marcelo even takes holy water to bless the camera lens as if he's blessing the viewer.  I'm sure the Archbishop agreed to be part of this weekly broadcast because he realizes Brazil is a young multi-racial country and you're not going to reach most Brazilians by broadcasting a solemn mass from a cathedral with stained glass and pipe organs. 

EWTN and other Catholic broadcasters could learn a lot from Padre Marcelo on TV Globo.  But I think their mindset is so conservative that they'd never see that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.




Gregg
nh153@mail.com

[Limp73]

There is also Radio Maria

Info from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Maria

In the USA;
http://radiomaria.us

World Family of Radio Maria(multilingual site)
http://www.radiomaria.org

Its base in Italy
http://www.radiomaria.it

[Just Another Idiot on the Radio]

http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/101544/dick-jenkins-joins-immaculate-heart-radio

Anyone know about Immaculate Heart Radio?