EWTN facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Eternal Word TV Network

EWTN's main studio in Irondale, Alabama
Country	United States
Broadcast area	Canada, Worldwide
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; 44 years ago (1981-08-15)
Founder	Mother Angelica
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, better known as EWTN, is an American television network that shows programs about the Catholic Church all day, every day. It is the largest Catholic TV network in the United States. EWTN says it is the "world's largest religious media network," reaching 425 million people in 160 countries.

The network was started by a nun named Mother Angelica in 1980. On August 15, 1981, EWTN began broadcasting from a small garage studio at her monastery in Irondale, Alabama. Mother Angelica hosted her own show, Mother Angelica Live, for many years. She retired in 2001 due to health problems. Today, the network is led by Michael P. Warsaw.

Besides television, EWTN also owns the National Catholic Register newspaper and the Catholic News Agency. The network also runs a 24-hour radio station and has a popular website.

EWTN's shows include daily Catholic Mass (a church service), prayers like the Rosary, and news programs. It also shows programs that teach about the Catholic faith for both kids and adults. The network broadcasts special events like Christmas and Easter services, visits from the Pope, and World Youth Day gatherings. Most programs are in English, but Spanish versions are also available.

The network is a non-profit, which means it is not run to make money. It gets its funding from people who watch the channel and choose to donate money. This allows EWTN to operate without showing commercials for things that don't relate to its mission.

How a Nun Started a TV Network

Mother Angelica was a nun who started the Our Lady of the Angels monastery in 1962. In the 1970s, she became a popular speaker and made many audio and video tapes about her faith. She appeared as a guest on several TV shows.

After visiting a small TV studio in Chicago, she felt inspired to create her own network. She said to herself, "It doesn't take much to reach the masses... Lord, I've got to have one of these."

So, Mother Angelica bought time on a satellite, and EWTN went on the air in 1981. At first, it only broadcast for four hours a day. The schedule included her show, a Sunday Mass, and reruns of older Catholic shows. It also showed some family-friendly programs like The Bill Cosby Show and children's cartoons.

By 1986, the network was broadcasting for eight hours a day. Soon after, it expanded to 24-hour broadcasting. EWTN began producing more of its own shows and focused more on Catholic teachings. In 1991, it started showing the Mass every day from a chapel at the monastery.

In 2000, Mother Angelica handed over control of EWTN to a group of non-clergy members, called lay people. This ensured the network would continue its mission.

More Than Just TV

EWTN has grown far beyond a single TV channel. It uses many different forms of media to reach people around the world.

Radio Network

In 1992, EWTN started its own shortwave radio station, WEWN. Shortwave radio can travel very long distances, allowing EWTN to reach listeners in many countries.

In 1996, EWTN began offering its radio programs to local AM and FM stations for free. Today, EWTN Radio can be heard on hundreds of stations across the United States and the world. It is also available on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

Newspapers and News

In 2011, EWTN bought the National Catholic Register, a newspaper that was started in 1924. It also owns the Catholic News Agency (CNA), a news service that reports on Catholic events.

EWTN has its own news department that produces a daily TV news show called EWTN News Nightly. It also has a weekly show called The World Over Live, hosted by news director Raymond Arroyo. This show discusses current events from a conservative point of view.

How EWTN is Funded

EWTN is not owned by shareholders who expect to make a profit. Instead, it is run by a board of trustees.

All of the money to run the network comes from donations from its viewers. EWTN often says it is "100% viewer supported." This means it does not have to rely on money from advertisers. A famous slogan used by Mother Angelica was, "Please keep us between your gas and electric bill!"

History of EWTN's Shows

EWTN Capitol Hill reporter Erik Rosales interviewing Congresswoman Debbie Lesko in 2020

When EWTN first started, it showed a wide variety of Catholic programs. Some shows focused on social justice, while others focused on prayer and teaching. Mother Angelica's own show, Mother Angelica Live, was a key part of the schedule. After she retired, reruns of her show began airing.

In the early 1990s, the network began to produce more of its own content. The shows started to focus more on teaching Catholic beliefs. The daily Mass began to include parts in Latin, the traditional language of the Church.

Today, popular weekly shows include The Journey Home, which features stories of people who converted to the Catholic faith. Another is Life on the Rock, which is aimed at young people.

EWTN also broadcasts many special events. These include live coverage of the Pope's travels, major church holidays, and the installation of new bishops and cardinals.

The network is available on cable, satellite, and streaming services like Roku and Apple TV. This makes it easy for people to watch from almost anywhere.

Viewership and Reach

EWTN is the world's largest religious media network. It claims to reach about 250 million people in 140 countries.

In the United States, about 21,500 households watch the channel on an average day. Many more people watch online through the EWTN website and app. The network also has millions of followers on social media platforms.

EWTN is a registered charity. In 2019, its annual revenue was nearly $65 million. Charity Navigator, a group that rates non-profits, has given EWTN a high score for its financial health and transparency.

List of Programs

See also

In Spanish: EWTN para niños